From parades and Santa visits to Christmas tree lightings and holiday markets, here are the best family-friendly holiday events for your family to check out during the third week of December.
This is the THIRD of our December weekly guides to help you find the best events in advance! Stay tuned for future weekly guides:
December 1-7 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2023 - The first of our December weekly event guides!
December 8-14 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2023 - The second of our December weekly event guides!
December 15-21 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2023 - The third of our December weekly event guides!
December 22-31 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2023 - 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
Nov. 17 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule
Nov. 18 - Dec. 29 - Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights (Nov. 18-19, Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-23, and Dec. 26-29) starting at 5 PM
Nov. 18 - Jan. 14 - The Ice at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule
Nov. 19 - Jan. 14 - Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk Festival on Nov. 19 from 4 PM - 8 PM; lights on Bluffwalk through Jan. 14
Nov. 21 - Dec. 14 - Trees of Hope at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM)
Nov. 21 - Jan. 5 - Festival of Trees at Bedford Area Welcome Center from 9 AM - 5 PM daily (open until 8 PM Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10); closed major holidays)
Nov. 23 - Jan. 1 - Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke - Daily from 8 AM - 9 PM at Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Nov. 23 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake in Bedford - Nov. 23 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 24 - Dec. 31 - Festival of Trees at Natural Bridge State Park from 10 AM - 5 PM (Closed Christmas Day)
Nov. 24 - Jan. 6 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Nov. 25 and Jan. 6; open until 8 PM on Dec. 1, 8, and 15; closed Sundays and major holidays)
Nov. 24 - Dec. 31 - Tree Lighting Ceremony at Tree of Life Ministries from 5 PM - 6 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Nov. 26 - Dec. 31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox - Starts Nov. 26 at 7 PM; lit through Dec. 31
Nov. 26 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 PM - lights will remain lit every evening through New Year's
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 - Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland at Legacy Wealth Management Group from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night Dec. 1 from 5 PM - 8 PM)
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 - Celebration of Lights at Riverside Park from 5 PM - 9 PM (no vehicles on special event nights)
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 - Buchanan's Festival of Lights - Lights remain lit through Jan. 1
Dec. 1 - Jan. 7 - Select Air Mechanical Christmas Light Show in Altavista from 5:30 PM - 10 PM nightly - shows every 30 minutes; last show starts at 9:30 PM *tentative dates
Dec. 1 - Dec. 31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 6 - early January - Lighting of the Garden at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on Dec. 6)
December 15-21 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events
Dec. 15 - Photos with Santa for Kids and Pets at Steph’s Bubbles and Bows from 3 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 15 - Santa at Val's Comfort Kitchen from 4 PM - 7 PM *Santa event
Dec. 15-17 - Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park from 5 PM - 9 PM **Canceled for Dec. 17 only**
Dec. 15 - Santa Claus at Terry Auto Outlet from 5 PM - 9 PM *Santa event
Dec. 15 - Allegro Music School - Sounds of the Season at River Ridge from 7 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 15 - Holiday Ugly Sweater Contest at AJ Skateworld from 7 PM - 9:30 PM
Dec. 16 - Pancake Breakfast With Santa at Big Island Emergency Crew from 8 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Riverside Runners Jingle Bell Fun Run at 8:30 AM
Dec. 16 - Sensory Santa at River Ridge Mall from 8:30 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Bedford Farmers Market Holiday Market from 9 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Lynchburg Community Market Mistletoe Market: Carriage Rides (10-1) & Photos with Santa (10-1) from 9 AM - 1 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Breakfast with the Grinch at Market at Main from 9 AM - 2 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 16 - Toddler Saturday Character Event at FunQuest Christmas Party with Santa from 10 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Bedford Humane Photos with Santa at Bedford Tractor Supply from 10 AM - 1 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - 4th Annual FREE Photos with Santa at Kissed Cupcakes from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Santa and the Grinch at Clayton Homes from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa and Grinch event
Dec. 16 - Santa on the Farm at Lottie J Farm from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - United We Give at Lynchburg City Stadium from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 16 - Allegro Music School - Sounds of the Season at River Ridge from 11 AM - 2 PM
Dec. 16 - "Gingerbread" House Building Challenge at Lynchburg Public Library from 11 AM - 3 PM
Dec. 16 - Wreaths Across America at Old City Cemetery at 12 PM
Dec. 16 - Holiday Open House at DeVault Vineyards from 12 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Santa's Big Ole Christmas Party at FunQuest from 12 PM - 10 PM *Santa event from 12-2
Dec. 16 - Santa at Grand Home Furnishings from 1 PM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Christmas Cookie Decorating at River Ridge from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 16 - Afternoon with the Grinch at Mellow Mushroom from 1 PM - 4 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 16 - Happy Pawlidays at Humane Society of Amherst County from 2 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 16 - Santa in the Park at Miller Park from 3 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Christmas at Stonehurst Manor from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 16 - Bells of the Blue Ridge at First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg at 4 PM
Dec. 16 - Living Nativity at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church from 5:30 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 16 - Live Nativity at Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox at 6 PM
Dec. 16-17 - It's a Wonderful Life/Christmas on the Ridge - Dec. 16 at 6 PM; Dec. 17 at 4 PM
Dec. 16-17 - 'Tis the Season Holiday Concert at Commerce Street Theater - Dec. 16 at 7 PM; Dec. 17 at 2 PM
Dec. 16 - Christmas Movie Night at Jefferson Forest High School at 7 PM
Dec. 16 - Handel’s “Messiah” at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox at 7:30 PM
Dec. 17 - Civil War Santa at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park from 12 PM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 17 - Rustburg Christmas Parade at 3 PM **Canceled due to weather**
Dec. 17 - Thomas Road Children’s Choir - Sounds of the Season at River Ridge at 3:30 PM
Dec. 17 - Dedication of Lights and Holiday Open House at Lynchburg Humane Society from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 17 - Gretna Christmas Parade at 4:30 PM **Rescheduled to Dec. 17 at 4:30 PM** **Canceled due to weather**
Dec. 17 - One Night in Bethlehem Walk Through Nativity at Living Word Baptist Church - **Canceled due to weather**
Dec. 17 - Christmas Talent Night and Caroling at Violins and More of Lynchburg at 5:30 PM
Dec. 18 - School's Out Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 19 - STEAM Library Makers at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library at 1 PM
Dec. 19 - Winter PJ Storytime at Lynchburg Public Library at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Dec. 19 - School's Out Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 19 - Christmas Concert with Riddle on the Harp at Forest Library from 2 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 19 - The Grinch at City View Market from 5 PM - 8 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 19 - Santa is Coming to Second Stage Amherst from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa event
Dec. 19 - Bells of the Blue Ridge at Heritage United Methodist Church at 7 PM
Dec. 20 - School's Out Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 20 - LSO Brass Quintet - Holiday Music at River Ridge at 6 PM
Dec. 20 - Pancake, Pajamas, and Parade at El Mariachi Downtown at 6:30 PM
Dec. 21 - School's Out Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 21 - School's Out Fun Skate at AJ Skateworld from 1 PM - 3:30 PM
Dec. 21 - First Day of Winter Book Swap at Timbrook Library from 5 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 21 - Christmas Cookie Decorating with the Grinch at River Ridge from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 21-22 - Santa Visits 205 Powtan Drive in Lynchburg starting at 5:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Storytime and Cookies with Santa at McDonald's in Madison Heights from 6 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
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.
Make time for family fun while holiday planning. Soon enough, the kids will be out of school for the holidays. Pile in the car and go look at Christmas lights together. Walk around the mall and take selfies at all of the pretty displays. Visit the Bluffwalk in downtown Lynchburg and check out all of the lights. Bake cookies or make holiday treats. Making memories together is what Christmas is all about.
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 2023 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 Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lightings Guide
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa Guide - Sponsored by Danielle Kramer, Realtor with Keller Williams Lynchburg
Live Christmas Tree Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Local Shopping in Lynchburg and Central Virginia - Sponsored by Bedford Area Welcome Center
Give the Gift of LOCAL Family Fun for the Holidays in 2023 - Sponsored by FunQuest Family Entertainment Center
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!
