Santa checks his list twice and we suggest you check your calendar at least that many times, too. Find a gap and fill it with holiday merriment in the Shenandoah Valley! From performances of The Nutcracker and community Christmas parades to a Santa Train and gardens decked in lights, there are so many opportunities for memory-making this season.
Candlelight Experiences
We don’t need to tell you how magical the Christmas season is, but if you want to experience a bit for yourself, these candlelight experiences sure fit the bill.
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest near Lynchburg is an annual tradition. Their Holiday Candlelight Tours are December 5-7, 13, 19, and 20 at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required for the $30 experience which showcases a Jeffersonian style holiday filled with fresh greenery and refreshments. [Book Now]
Abram’s Delight (ca. 1754) is Winchester’s oldest house and it’s open for Candlelight Tours December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The General Adam Stephen House in Martinsburg, West Virginia is open for 1772 Christmas Tours December 7-8 and 14-15 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park is a walk to remember. Lit for the season, the Bridge is the centerpiece, as always, as you stroll the lantern-lit Cedar Creek Trail. Open December 13-15 and 20-22. For a special treat, horse-drawn carriage rides along the trail are offered December 15 and 22. Regular park admission is required; carriages are an additional fee and require registration by calling 540-254-0795.
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Parades, Tree Lightings & Light Displays
Now through December 29, Christmas in the Valley drive through light display at Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is required.
Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton has been lighting up the holiday nights for 19 years. Drive through the 214-acre park in your own vehicle between now and January 1 from 5 to 11 p.m. Celebration of Holiday Lights is a free event.
Are you ready to go Walking in a Winter Wonderland? Clearbrook Park in Winchester is that wonderland from November 29 to January 1. A half-mile walk through lights is a stroll everyone will love. Pre-register and pay online or pay at the gate with a credit card. The park is open for the light experience nightly from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. [Book Now]
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James Charles Winery & Vineyard in Winchester is hosting their Christmas Tree Lighting December 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. A family affair, you’ll want to stay a while to interact with the alpacas, enjoy the live music, and warm up with mulled wine.
Light Up Luray is a holiday lights tour through town in which you drive yourself along the route to enjoy the effort folks have put into their yard decorations this season. Drive the route December 12-25.
Decked in lights, Veritas Winery in Afton is a dramatic showpiece for the season. Take your time walking the trails for Veritas Illuminated. Purchase your timed entry ticket in advance. Cap off the evening with a glass of wine and food from the Winter Wonderland menu. Veritas Illuminated is available December 6-8, 13-15, 19-23, 26-30, and January 3-4.
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Parade Line-Up:
- December 3: Martinsburg, WV
- December 5: Buena Vista
- December 6: Lexington
- December 7: Bedford, Harrisonburg, Massies Mill, and New Market
- December 8: Middletown
- December 12: Luray
- December 14: Lovingston
Tree Lightings:
- December 6: Luray
- December 7: Bedford and Harrisonburg
- December 14: Shenandoah
Live Nativities
Follow the Star is a live nativity walking tour at Fellowship Bible Church in Winchester. Immerse yourself in the story of three wise men following a star to meet the newborn King. Live animals and drama bring the story to life. Free admission and refreshments. December 7 and 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.
December 20 through 22 is a robust Bethlehem Village and living nativity experience at Hebron Baptist Church in Afton. The village has been meticulously built by area community churches and something you won’t want to miss.
Christmas By Horse, Trolley, or Train
These experiences sell out quickly. If you’ve already missed your ride for 2024, sock the idea away for 2025. Visit each link to check availability.
- Santa’s Scenic Railway train ride departs from and returns to downtown Staunton Tuesday through Sunday, December 3-22
- Winter Carriage Rides in Bedford, December 6, 13 & 20
- Winter Wonderfest in Harrisonburg, December 7
- Winchester Holiday Lights Trolley Tour, December 13-14
- Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Old Town Winchester, December 14
- Luminary Nights with Carriage Rides at Natural Bridge State Park, December 15 & 22
The Nutcracker & A Christmas Carol
What would this season be without an iconic holiday play? Here’s where to catch the top two.
- Through December 21 (Fridays & Saturdays): A Christmas Carol at Theatre Shenandoah, Edinburg
- Select dates December 5-29: A Christmas Carol at Blackfriars Playhouse,Staunton
- December 5-29 (Thursday-Sunday): Nutcracker Tea with The Sugar Plum Fairy at The Tea Cart, Winchester
- December 21 & 22: 43rd Annual The Nutcracker Ballet at Patsy Cline Theater inside Handley High School, Winchester
Header Image: Christmas in the Valley. Courtesy of Visit Shenandoah County, Virginia.