From parades and Santa visits to Christmas tree lightings and and holiday markets, here are the best family-friendly holiday events for your family to check out during the first week of December. This guide includes events from Dec. 5-11, 2025.
You'll find our top 75+ December events here: Lynchburg Area Top 75+ Holiday and Christmas Events for December 2025
This is the SECOND of our December weekly guides to help you find the best events in advance! Stay tuned for future weekly guides:
Nov. 29 - Dec. 4 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The first of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 5 - Dec. 11 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The second of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 12 - Dec. 18 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The third of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 19 - Jan. 1 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - Our final December weekly+ event guide!
Add a few of these events to your calendar during December along with your family's annual holiday traditions to bring some holiday cheer into your family time.
Some of these events require advance reservations or tickets. Please check details for each event at the link.
** NOTE - First group of events below take place on multiple dates over an extended period and are not included in the daily listings below. Most weekend events are only listed once for the entire weekend on the first date if times are the same all days. **
Ongoing Events
Trees, Lights, and More
Plan ahead for the holidays with these fun events! Many are FREE!
Nov. 14 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule; closed Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 17 - Dec. 10 - Trees of Hope at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM)
Nov. 17 - Christmas in Lights at Liberty University at 6:30 PM
Nov. 21 - Altavista Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:45 PM - lights will remain lit every evening through the holiday season
Nov. 22 - Jan. 4 - Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights (closed some dates, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) starting at 5 PM
Nov. 23 - Jan. 4 - Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk Block Party and Tree Lighting from 5 PM - 9 PM on Nov. 24; lights on Bluffwalk from 5 PM - 11 PM through Jan. 5
Nov. 23 - Annual Tree Lighting at the Craddock Terry Hotel at 7 PM (remains lit through the holiday season)
Nov. 24 - Jan. 4 - Festival of Trees at Bedford Area Welcome Center from 9 AM - 5 PM (extended hours Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14; closed major holidays)
Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 - Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke - Daily from 8 AM - 9 PM at Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake Park in Bedford - Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 28 - Jan. 10 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Saturdays in Nov. and Jan; closed Sundays and major holidays)
Nov. 28 - Jan. 3 - Osborne Express Annual Christmas Lights Display and Train Rides - Nov. 28 - Jan. 3 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM; No train rides on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Dec. 31
Nov. 30 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 PM - Lights will remain lit throughout the holiday season - lights will remain lit every evening through New Year's
Nov. 30 - Tree Lighting and Community Christmas Party at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox from 5 PM - 7 PM - Tree Lit at 6 PM
Nov. 30 - Dec. 31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox from 5 PM - 12 AM and 4:30 AM - 7 AM daily through Dec. 31
Dec. 1-31 - Settje Christmas House Light Display at 205 Powtan Drive planned from Dec. 1-31 from 5:30 PM - 11 PM daily *Santa Dec. 17 and 20 from 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 1-31 - Ryan Family Lights Display at 64 Delaney Drive in Lynchburg - Synchronized light show Sun-Thurs from 6 PM - 10 PM; Fri/Sat from 5:30 - 11 PM
Dec. 3 - early Jan. - Lighting of the Garden at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on opening night)
Dec. 3 - Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Party at Tree of Life Ministries - starting at 7 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Dec. 4, 6, and 7 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM - Dec. 5 postponed to Dec. 7
Dec. 5-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Tree Lighting from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event - Tree lighting at 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Victorian Christmas Tree Lighting at Old City Cemetery at 6:30 PM *Santa event
Week 2: Dec. 5-11
Dec. 4, 6, and 7 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM - Dec. 5 postponed to Dec. 7
Dec. 4 and 6 - Drive-Thru Nativity at Tree of Life Ministries from 7 PM - 8:30 PM - Canceled for Dec. 5 only
Dec. 4 and 7 - "It's a Wonderful Life" at E.C. Glass High School - Dec. 4, 5, and 6 at 7 PM; Matinee Dec. 6 at 2 PM - Fri/Sat shows postponed to Dec. 7 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM
Dec. 5-6 - Lynchburg Art Club Holiday Bazaar - Dec. 5 from 10 AM - 2 PM and 4 PM - 7 PM; Dec. 6 from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 5 - Cookies and Crafts with Santa at Amherst Town Hall from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5 - Sundaes with Santa at Chick-fil-A Timberlake from 5 PM - 8 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5 - First Friday Storytime with Santa and the LSO at Lynchburg Public Library Downtown Branch from 5 PM - 7 PM *Old Fuzzy Face Santa event - Postponed to Dec. 22
Dec. 5 - First Fridays: Holiday Card Making at the Museum at Lynchburg Museum from 5 PM - 7 PM - Postponed, new date TBD
Dec. 5 - First Friday at Vector Space: Metal, Fire, & Candlelight Skill Share from 5 PM - 8 PM - Event canceled
Dec. 5 - First Fridays in Lynchburg at Lynchburg Art Club and Art Galleries from 5 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 5 - First Fridays at Academy Center of the Arts from 5 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 5 - Santa Swim at Crosswhite Athletic Club from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 5 - Lexington Christmas Parade at 6 PM - Event canceled
Dec. 5 - Cookies with the Clauses at Hill City Montessori School (2 sessions) from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Dec. 5 - Carriage Rides in Bedford (Bedford Primary School pickup location) from 6 PM - 9 PM (also Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 20) - Dec. 5 canceled due to weather
Dec. 5 - Parent's Night Out at Amelon United Methodist Church from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 5 - Amherst Christmas Parade at 6:30 PM
Dec. 5-6 - Fall Dance Concert at Sweet Briar College at 7:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Breakfast with Santa at Appomattox American Legion Post 104 from 8 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Breakfast with Santa at Concord Rescue Squad from 8 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Breakfast with Santa at Tomahawk Elementary School from 8 AM - 12 PM (Reserve and pay in advance) *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Community Christmas Party at Chestnut Hill Baptist Church from 8 AM - 12 PM
Dec. 6 - Breakfast with the Grinch at Market at Main from 8 AM - 2 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 6 - Mistletoe Market at Lynchburg Community Market (also Dec. 13 and 20) from 8 AM - 3 PM *Santa event from 9 AM - 2 PM
Dec. 6 - Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5K and 1 Miler at 8:30 AM
Dec. 6 - Sensory Santa at River Ridge Mall from 8:30 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - The Summit Holiday Brunch and Market - 9 AM and 10:30 AM reservations *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Santa Pancake Breakfast at Mountain View Church from 9 AM - 11 AM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church 6th Annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 AM - 1 PM - Canceled due to weather
Dec. 6 - The Happiest of Holidays Makers Market at Amherst Second Stage from 9 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - Timberlake Garden Club Holiday Gift and Craft Bazaar at the Barn from 9 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - Very Merry Vendor Fair at the Jamerson YMCA from 9 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - Christmas Vendor Fair at Brookville High School from 9 AM - 2 PM
Dec. 6 - St. Mark's Episcopal Church Cookie Walk and Christmas Bazaar from 9 AM - 2 PM - Rescheduled for Dec. 13 due to weather
Dec. 6 - Happy Pawlidays at Miller Center from 10 AM - 12 PM *Santa paws event - Rescheduled for Dec. 13 due to weather
Dec. 6 - Holiday Photos with Santa at Simply Grooming - Grooms By Keira from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Photos with Santa at the Heart of Nelson from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Winter Market and Fair at West Edge Apartments from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - A Very Merry Market at Smith’s from 10 AM - 3 PM
Dec. 6 - Holiday Art & More at Monroe Community Center from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Christmas at the Orchard at Drumheller's Orchard from 10 AM - 4 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Pleasant Vista on Dancing Creek Christmas Market from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 6 - Come Decorate a Stocking at the Zoo from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Parade at 11 AM
Dec. 6 - Lynchburg Food Not Bombs Food Giveaway at Miller Park from 11 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - Christmas Gathering at Rustburg Ruritan Club from 11 AM - 3:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6-7 - Christmas at Avoca Museum - Dec. 6 from 11 AM - 5 PM; Dec. 7 from 1 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Meet and Greet Santa Claus at Amherst Library from 12 PM - 1 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Christmas on the Farm at Bryant's Cidery and Brewery from 12 PM - 5 PM *Santa and Mrs. Santa event from 1 PM - 3 PM - Rescheduled for Dec. 14
Dec. 6 - Santa Story Time and Photos at Trading Post by Traber Ranch from 12:30 PM - 3 PM (also Dec. 13 and 20) *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Tabletop Gaming Saturday at Forest Library from 12:30 PM - 5 PM
Dec. 6 - Family & Friends Holiday Portraits at Miller Center from 1 PM - 3 PM *Santa event - Rescheduled for Dec. 13 due to weather
Dec. 6 - CAB Kids Jingle Bell Jamboree at Bower Center for the Arts from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 6-7 - One Night in Bethlehem Walk Through Nativity at Living Word Baptist Church - Dec. 6 from 1-3 PM and 5-8 PM; Dec. 7 from 5-8 PM
Dec. 6 - Afternoon with the Grinch at Mellow Mushroom from 1 PM - 4 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 6 - Happy Holidays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at Academy Center of the Arts at 2 PM (also at 7:30 PM)
Dec. 6 - 2025 Evergreen Christmas Tree Lighting at Ivy Hill Golf Club from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa event - Tree lighting at 5:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Farmers Market December Holiday Market from 3 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Tree Lighting - from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event - Tree lighting at 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Carriage Rides in Bedford (Bridge Street Cafe pickup location) from 3 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Glasgow Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 6 - Village Wonderland at Campbell County Public Library in Rustburg from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event
Dec. 6 - Altavista Christmas Parade at 5 PM
Dec. 6 - Christmas Tree Lighting at Elon Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Christmas on the Corner on Bedford Ave from 5 PM - 7 PM *Santa and Grinch event
Dec. 6-7 - Christmas in Wartime at National D-Day Memorial from 5 PM - 9 PM - Postponed from Dec. 5-6 to Dec. 6-7 from 5 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 6-7 - Flames of Memory at National D-Day Memorial from 5 PM - 9 PM - Postponed from Dec. 5-6 to Dec. 12-14 from 5 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 6 - Live Music at Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Village Tree Lighting at Historic Courthouse in Rustburg at 5:45 PM
Dec. 6 - Freedom Market at Venue 4/24 from 5 PM - 7 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Victorian Christmas Tree Lighting at Old City Cemetery at 6:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Lovingston Christmas Parade at 6:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Happy Holidays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at Academy Center of the Arts at 7:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Family Holiday Concert with Bedford Community Orchestra at 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - Breakfast with Santa at Acorn Hill Lodge from 9 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - Children's Christmas Program: 'Straight Outta Bethlehem' at Clifford Baptist Church at 11 AM
Dec. 7 - Bedford Humane Photos with Santa at Bedford Tractor Supply from 12 PM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - Deep Roots Milling Mill Race Market from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Come Decorate a Stocking at the Zoo from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Pioneer Theatre Presents "Judge Tenderly of Me" at Heritage High School at 2 PM
Dec. 7 - Christmas Open House at Patrick Henry's Red Hill from 2 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Monelison Volunteer Fire Department Toy Drive at Madison Heights Walmart from 2 PM - 5 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 7 - Christmas Open House at Historic Sandusky - Lynchburg College from 2 PM - 5 PM *Old Fuzzy Face Santa event
Dec. 7 - Candlelight Concert at Randolph College at 3 PM and 7:30 PM
Dec. 7 - 66th Annual Lynchburg Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade in Danville at 5 PM
Dec. 7 - Christmas Talent Night at Violins and More of Lynchburg at 5:30 PM
Dec. 7 - Christmas Concert at Oasis Church at 6 PM
Dec. 7 - Lessons and Carols at St. Thomas More Catholic Church from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 7 - Christmas on Rivermont at Gospel Community Church at 7 PM
Dec. 7 - KIDSing Presents "The Christmas Dream Team Parade" at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox at 7 PM
Dec. 7 - New Hope United Methodist Church Christmas Play: “The Night the Animals Sang” at 7 PM *Santa event after play
Monday, 12/08 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Santa at the Airport at Lynchburg Regional Airport - CANCELED
Dec. 8 - Get Lit Christmas Fun Run at the Bluffwalk at 4:30 PM - Postponed to Dec. 15
Dec. 8 - Holiday Lighting at Virginia Baptist at 5:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 9 - Moxie Moms on the Move Group at Riverside Park from 10 AM - 11 AM
Dec. 9 - Visit With Santa at Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg from 12 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 9 - Winterfest Celebration and Choral Concert at Amherst County High School - Celebration from 5-7 PM; Concert at 7 PM **Rescheduled for Dec. 15
Dec. 9 - Holiday Lighting at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center at 5:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 9 - Storytime with Mrs. Claus at River Ridge Mall from 6 PM - 7 PM *Mrs. Claus event - Postponed to Dec. 10
Dec. 9 - Santa at Patrick Henry Memorial Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event - CANCELED
Dec. 10 - Blue Christmas at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 5:30 PM
Dec. 10 - Movie Night at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library at 5:30 PM
Dec. 10 - Cookies with Santa at Poplar Methodist Church at 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 10 - Storytime with Mrs. Claus at River Ridge Mall from 6 PM - 7 PM *Mrs. Claus event - Postponed to Dec. 10
Dec. 11 - Christmas River Ridge Kids Club at 10:30 AM *Grinch event
Dec. 11 - Santa at the Airport from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Weekly Repeating Events
These free, inexpensive, or unique events take place on multiple dates throughout the year.
Spring Valley Farm in Moneta Open to the Public - Monday through Saturday from 8 AM - 7 PM
Claytor Nature Center Open to the Public - Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM starting Aug. 4
Visit Lynchburg Museum - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM; Sundays from 12 PM - 4 PM
Rock-A-Bye Reader at Forest Library (0-21 months) - Mondays at 10:15 AM through Dec. 29
Rock-A-Bye Reader at Forest Library (21 months - 3 years) - Mondays at 11:15 AM through Dec. 29
Cheap Skate at FunQuest - Mondays from 6 PM - 9 PM
Preschool Play Group at Yoder Neighborhood Center - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM from Sept. 2 - May 28
Toddler Time at Get Air Lynchburg - Tuesdays from 10 AM - 12 PM
Preschool Open Gym at Dynamic Gymnastics - Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 AM - 11 AM from Aug. 20 - late May
Preschool Play Group at Daniel's Hill Neighborhood Center - Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM from Sept. 3 - May 29
Homeschool Open Gym at Dynamic Gymnastics - Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 AM - 12 PM from Aug. 20 - late May
Preschool Play Group at Yoder Neighborhood Center - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM from Sept. 2 - May 28
Toddler Time at Get Air Lynchburg - Thursdays from 10 AM - 12 PM
Preschool Open Gym at Dynamic Gymnastics - Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 AM - 11 AM from Aug. 20 - late May
Preschool Play Group at Daniel's Hill Neighborhood Center - Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM from Sept. 3 - May 29
Family Swim Fridays at Crosswhite Athletic Club - Fridays from 10 AM - 12 PM
Homeschool Open Gym at Dynamic Gymnastics - Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 AM - 12 PM from Aug. 20 - late May
Monument Terrace Troop Rally - Fridays from 12 PM - 1 PM
Free Music Friday at Loose Shoe Too Brewery - Fridays from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Lynchburg Community Market - Saturdays from 8 AM - 1 PM
Forest Farmers Market - Saturdays from 8 AM - 12 PM
Bedford Farmers Market - Saturdays from 8 AM - 12 PM
Toddler Time at Get Air Lynchburg - Sundays from 8 AM - 10 AM
Sundays at Amazement Square - Sundays from 1 PM - 5 PM
As always, we've created separate guides this year for the November and December events and then broken down the month of December by week to help you plan around your busy schedule. Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events for detailed information about these and many other family-friendly events in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties.
If you have a large holiday display at your home or business, reach out to us on our Facebook page or by email to sandyw@macaronikid.com to have your location added to our guide!
Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid 2025 Christmas Holiday Guide for links to all of our holiday guides as well as holiday crafts, foods, gift ideas, and much more all in one place.
Holiday Shopping Events in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa and Friends Guide
Christmas and Holiday Parade Guide
Live Christmas Tree Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Lynchburg Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lighting Guide
25 Lynchburg Area Holiday Photo Shoot Locations
Local Shopping in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Give the Gift of LOCAL Family Fun for the Holidays
8 Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah - Hanukkah is observed Dec. 14-22 in 2025
The list is updated as information is received about local family-friendly events. To add your organization’s Christmas or holiday family-friendly event to the list, message us at our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Facebook page or click the “submit an event” link on our website. You’ll find more information about many of the local festival on the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events.
December is always a busy month for families with so many fun activities and events for children of all ages. Make time to make some memories this month!
Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® for the holidays in Central Virginia!
