Williamsburg – Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Nov. 15–Jan. 5: Christmas completely overtakes Busch Gardens in Virginia’s largest holiday spectacular, with Santa visits, fireside feasts, nativity plays, carols, Sesame Street pals, and streetside performances in a magical European-style Christmas village. BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg
Richmond – A Magical Cirque Christmas 2025
Nov. 18: Celebrate the season like never before at Altria Theater, where acrobatics, comedy, and music collide in a fantastical variety show brimming with jaw-dropping feats and merry, magical holiday spirit. AltriaTheater.com
Bluemont – Ciders & Sides Friendsgiving Dinner
Nov. 22: Christmas doesn’t have a monopoly on cheer! Henway Hard Cider turns Thanksgiving into a toast-worthy feast, pairing chef-crafted sides with hard cider magic. Gather with friends, old and new, for a cozy dinner that celebrates gratitude and Virginia’s unique flavors. HenwayHardCider.com
Mount Jackson – Merry On Main
Nov. 29: Mount Jackson knows merrymaking—think Mistletoe Market, Cocoa Crawl, carriage rides, and plenty more. Cap the festivities with a 4 p.m. parade, followed by a tree lighting that’s truly the star on top. MountJackson.com
Salem – Gingerbread Festival
Dec. 6: Salem’s sweetest seasonal tradition features a gingerbread house competition, holiday parade, circus-style acrobatics, wildlife center cameos, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus—because who doesn’t love a festival that smells like gingerbread? S-RCChamber.org
Staunton – 50th Annual Holiday House Tour
Dec. 6: For five festive decades, Staunton has welcomed guests into its most enchanting homes at holiday time. This year, continue the tradition with tours followed by a grand holiday ball at the Blackburn Inn. HistoricStaunton.org
Charlottesville – Monticello Holiday Evening Tours
Dec. 12–23 & 26–30: Experience Christmas the Colonial way with candlelit tours of Monticello. Discover historic holiday traditions and see Jefferson’s iconic home during the rare, magical hours of dusk. Monticello.org
Galax – Old Time Appalachian Christmas Festival
Dec. 13: Galax keeps Christmas old-fashioned with handmade goodies, live Appalachian music, firelit s’mores, and heartfelt traditions. A celebration of heritage and holidays, it’s a Christmas only the mountains could muster. VisitGalax.com
Manassas – Santa Train Rides
Dec. 13: All aboard! Magical Christmas VRE trains depart the Manassas Depot with Santa, Mrs. Claus, candy canes, and coloring books on board. Departures run at 8:30 a.m., 10, 11:30, and 1 p.m. VisitManassas.org
Norfolk – World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Dec. 22–23: Marie and her Nutcracker leap into Chrysler Hall for two nights of sweets, snow, and timeless ballet. Visiting from Los Angeles, the World Ballet Company brings holiday wonder to Norfolk. ChryslerHall.org
This article originally appeared in the December 2025 issue.
