As we count down the days until Christmas and the new year, you'll find Santa visits, Christmas tree lightings and many more family-friendly holiday events for your family to check out during the fourth week of December. This guide includes events from Dec. 20, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025, including some bonus New Year's Day events!
You'll find our top 75+ December events here: Lynchburg Area Top 75+ Holiday and Christmas Events for December 2024
This is the FOURTH and FINAL of our December weekly guides to help you find the best events in advance! Here's links to all of our December guides:
Nov. 28 - Dec. 5 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The first of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 6 - Dec. 12 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The second of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 13 - Dec. 19 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The third of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 20 - Jan. 1 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - 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. Schedules are subject to change. 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. 16 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule
Nov. 22 - Dec. 31 - Festival of Trees at Natural Bridge State Park from 10 AM - 5 PM (Closed Christmas Day)
Nov. 23 - Dec. 30 - Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights (closed some dates, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) starting at 5 PM
Nov. 24 - Jan. 5 - Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk Block Party and Tree Lighting from 5 PM - 9 PM on Nov. 24; lights on Bluffwalk through Jan. 5
Nov. 25 - Dec. 11 - Trees of Hope at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM)
Nov. 25 - Jan. 5 - Festival of Trees at Bedford Area Welcome Center from 9 AM - 5 PM (extended hours Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15; closed major holidays)
Nov. 27 - early January - 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
Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 - Mistletoe Market at I Scream You Scream - Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 14 - Dec. 22 from 11 AM - 7 PM
Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 - Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke - Daily from 8 AM - 9 PM at Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake in Bedford - Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 29 - Jan. 4 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Nov. 29 and Jan. 4; closed Sundays and major holidays)
Nov. 29 - Jan. 4 - Osborne Express Annual Christmas Lights Display and Train Rides - Nov. 29 - Jan. 4 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM; No train rides on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Dec. 31
Nov. 30 - Jan. 6 - Buchanan Festival of Lights at Town Park from 6 PM - 11 PM
Dec. 1 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:15 PM - lights will remain lit every evening through New Year's
Dec. 1-31 - Settje Christmas House Light Display at 205 Powtan Drive from Dec. 1-31 from 5:30 PM - 11 PM daily *Santa visits on Dec. 19 and Dec. 21 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 1-31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox from 7 PM - 11 PM - Starts Dec. 1 at 7 PM; lit through Dec. 31
Dec. 4 - Jan. 5 - Lighting of the Garden at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on opening night)
Dec. 4 - Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Party at Tree of Life Ministries - starting at 7 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Dec. 5-31 - Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland at Legacy Wealth Management Group from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night Dec. 5 from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. 6-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 13-30 - The Grinch Projection Show: Holidays in Hooper Woods from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Outdoor Fun in the Lynchburg Area
Enjoy outdoor fun while the kids are out of school. You'll find some ideas in these articles and guides:
Lynchburg Virginia Parks Guide - Parks in Lynchburg and the Surrounding Counties
10 Lynchburg VA Area Places to Ride Bikes - Riding bikes together is a fun way to enjoy nature while you get in some great exercise!
25 Places in the Lynchburg Area to Walk or Hike - From paved trails to earthen pathways, Find Your Family Fun® on one of these trails!
December 20-31 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events
Dec. 19-22 - Mistletoe Market at I Scream You Scream - Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 14 - Dec. 22 from 11 AM - 7 PM
Dec. 20 - Early Dismissal - Lynchburg City Schools
Dec. 20 - Music and Movement with Miss Casey at Forest Library at 10:30 AM
Dec. 20 - Enchanted Trail at Timbrook Library from 11 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 20 - Doves & Dragons: Harps and Harpsichord Music Holiday Special at Forest Library from 1 PM - 2 PM
Dec. 20 - Hot Cocoa and Legos Party at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library at 2 PM
Dec. 20-22 - Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park from 5 PM - 9 PM *Santa event
Dec. 20-22 - Bethlehem Village 2024 in Afton - Dec. 20 from 6 PM - 9 PM; Dec. 21-22 from 5 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 20 - Caroling with Lew Taylor at Apocalypse Ale Works at 7 PM
Dec. 20 - Behold the Lamb: A Christmas Story at Calvary Chapel Lynchburg at 7 PM
Dec. 21 - Lynchburg Community Market Mistletoe Market from 7 AM - 1 PM *Santa event from 9 AM - 12 PM only
Dec. 21 - Toddler Saturday Character Event at FunQuest - Christmas Party with the Grinch *Grinch event (date change; character change)
Dec. 21 - Wrapping for Claws at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library - **Event canceled
Dec. 21 - Santa on the Farm at Lottie J Farm from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Gingerbread Man Storytime at Lynchburg Public Library Downtown Branch at 10:30 AM
Dec. 21 - Gingerbread House Building Challenge at Lynchburg Public Library from 11 AM - 2 PM
Dec. 21 - Free Christmas Dinner at Miller Park at 12 PM
Dec. 21 - Meet and Greet with The Grinch at FunQuest (all day skate 12 PM - 10 PM) *Grinch event from 12 PM - 2 PM
Dec. 21 - Free Photos with the Grinch at Petco from 12 PM - 2 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 21 - Nightmare Before Christmas Holiday Market at Apocalypse Ale Works at 1 PM
Dec. 21 - Drive Thru Brunswick Stew at Brightwell's Mill from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 21 - Holiday BINGO at Forest Library from 2 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 21 - Christmas Ornament Decorating With The Grinch at River Ridge from 3 PM - 5 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 21 - Santa in the Park at Miller Park from 3 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Ride Santa's Train at Wood Ridge Farm in Lovingston from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - A Court Street Christmas at Court Street United Methodist Church at 3:30 PM
Dec. 21 - Bells of the Blue Ridge presents "A Dickens of a Christmas" Carol Ring at Fort Hill United Methodist Church at 4 PM
Dec. 21 - Santa Visits at Christmas Light Display at 1660 Rocky Branch Drive in Forest from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Live Music at Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk from 5:30 PM - 7 :30 PM (also Dec. 28)
Dec. 21 - Santa at Settje Christmas House Light Display *Santa event from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM only
Dec. 21 - The Bethlehem Boys of Song at Amherst Second Stage at 6 PM
Dec. 21 - Handel’s “Messiah” Presented by Appomattox Community Chorale at Liberty Baptist Church at 7:30 PM
Dec. 21 - 'Tis the Season Holiday Concert at Commerce Street Theater - Cancelled
Dec. 22 - Toddler Time with Santa at Get Air Lynchburg from 8 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 22 - Santa Visits Waffle House Madison Heights from 9 AM - 1 PM *Santa event
Dec. 22 - Treehouse Kids Christmas Cantata at Timberlake Church at 11:15 AM
Dec. 22 - Grinch Neighborhood Ride in Madison Heights starting at 5 PM (see link for route) *Grinch event
Dec. 22 - “A Scooby Doo Christmas Mystery” at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church at 6 PM
Dec. 22 - New Hope United Methodist Church Christmas Play at 7 PM
Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 - Winter Break for Lynchburg City Schools
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Fun Run at E.C. Glass at 8 AM
Dec. 24 - Track Santa with NORAD - ALL DAY!
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Pajama Party at FunQuest from 12 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 24-25 - Celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at a Lynchburg Area Church - Check times of services at many area churches
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
Dec. 25 - Christmas Night Roller Jam at FunQuest from 6 PM - 10 PM
Some businesses are closed the week between Christmas and New Years. Check before you go
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 - Kwanzaa is celebrated
Dec. 26 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 26 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum from 10 AM - 5 PM
Dec. 27 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 27 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum from 10 AM - 5 PM
Dec. 27 - Monument Terrace Troop Rally at 12 PM
Dec. 27 - The Nature Zone from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 27 - Friday Open Skate at AJ Skateworld from 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 28 - Lynchburg Community Market from 8 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 28 - Last Saturdays - Rustburg from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dec. 28 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 28 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum from 10 AM - 5 PM
Dec. 28 - The Nature Zone from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 28 - Afternoon Open Skate at AJ Skateworld from 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Dec. 28 - Chess for Kids at Lynchburg Public Library from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Dec. 28 - Live Music at Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk from 5:30 PM - 7 :30 PM
Dec. 28 - Saturday Open Skate at AJ Skateworld from 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 29 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 29 - Sunday Open Skate at AJ Skateworld from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Dec. 29 - The Fold: A New Dinner Church Experience at Court Street United Methodist Church from 5 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 30 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 31 - New Years at Noon at Amazement Square from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - Visit Lynchburg Museum from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 31 - Noon Year's Eve at Get Air Lynchburg from 11 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld (Afternoon) from 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Dec. 31 - Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Celebration at Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery - Charlottesville from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld (Evening) from 5:30 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 31 - Apocalyptic NYE Party at Apocalypse Ale Works from 7 PM - 12 AM
Dec. 31 - Danville's Downtown Countdown to 2025 from 9 PM - 12 AM
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Service at Tree of Life Ministries at 10 PM
Bonus New Year's Day Family Fun
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Holliday Lake State Park - no guided hike; hike at any time
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Natural Bridge State Park at 10 AM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hikes at High Bridge Trail State Park at 11 AM and 1 PM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at James River State Park at 12 PM
Jan. 1 - New Years Day Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 9 PM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Smith Mountain Lake State Park at 1 PM
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld from from 2:30 PM - 4:30 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.
Make time for family fun while holiday planning. The kids are 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 2024 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 for 2024
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa Guide
Lynchburg Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lightings Guide
Local Shopping in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Give the Gift of LOCAL Family Fun for the Holidays in 2024
Spin, Play, Celebrate! How to Play Dreidel This Hanukkah - Hanukkah is observed Dec. 25 - Jan. 2 in 2024
15 Tips for Holiday Baking with Kids and 4 Easy Recipes - Embrace the mess and make the memories!
21 Things to Do with Kids During Winter Break - Make memories while enjoying fun with the fam over winter break!
Enjoy a Winter Family Getaway Near Lynchburg or Hit the Road - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® this winter!
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Winter Family Fun Bucket List 2025 - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Help You Find Your Family Fun® in 2024!
5 Crafts To Celebrate Kwanzaa With Kids - Kwanzaa takes place Dec. 26 - Jan. 1
How to Throw an Easy At-Home New Year's Eve Celebration Kids Will Love - New Year's Eve parties don't have to be big productions for kids to love them!
Welcome the New Year and Ring in 2025 in Lynchburg and Beyond - These events will help you say goodbye to 2024 and ring in 2025 in style!
Welcome 2025 with a First Day Hike at a Virginia State Park - Make a New Year's resolution to enjoy more family time outdoors in 2025!
National Park Service Fee-Free Dates for 2025 - Find Your Family Fun® at one of the National Parks during 2025 fee-free dates!
Lynchburg Area January 2025 Family Friendly Events and Fun - Find Your Family Fun® in Lynchburg and Central Virginia 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!
