Merry Christmas, Lexington!
Luminarias & Lotto.
Big red bows adorn lantern-style street lights. Pine-bough garlands, twinkling lights, and decorated storefronts add to the festive factor. Soon, carolers approach, wearing 18th-century garb, singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Bob Cratchett waves. No, wait. This isn’t a Dickens novel. It’s Main Street in downtown Lexington.
It’s time to shop, and Lexington merchants want to help you cross items off your Christmas list. As an incentive, pick up a Love Lexington Lotto, and fill the squares with stickers from each store you visit. When it’s full, enter your lotto card in a drawing to win a cool grand.
Besides Christmas shopping, downtown Lexington hosts a number of enchanting events during the holidays, including a Candlelight Processional and Tree Lighting (Nov. 29), a Christmas parade (Dec. 6), and a Jingle Bell Run and Tot Trot (Dec. 7). Of course, restaurants, cafés, and breweries are pleased to provide tasty holiday fare and libations.
The Washington & Lee campus welcomes guests for a joyful Holiday Pops Concert (Dec. 3), as well as Lessons & Carols, a magical candlelight service in the University Chapel that weaves a tapestry of music, readings, and carols to narrate the Christmas story. Pile your family into the car for a visit to Maury Park to see the much-loved Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display (Dec. 1–Jan. 1). Oohing and aahing encouraged.
Like lights? At nearby Natural Bridge State Park, don’t miss the Luminary Nights, Dec. 13–15 and Dec. 20–22. See the iconic rock formation like you’ve never seen it before: lit up in a rainbow of changing colors. It’s instant art! Luminarias line the walkways and add to the other-worldly atmosphere. Also at the state park is a Festival of Trees (Nov. 22–Dec. 31). Vote for your favorite by setting a canned food donation underneath its branches. LexingtonVirginia.com
More to explore…
Winchester
Winchester Old Town Christmas Village transports the city’s pedestrian mall into a European Christmas market with food and craft vendors, plus shops decked out for the holidays, Dec. 6–8. Walking in a Winter Wonderland, a walkable magical light display through Clearbrook Park, offers hot chocolate and a possible Santa sighting. Nov. 24–Jan. 1 (with holiday closings). VisitWinchesterVa.com
Harrisonburg
Winter Wonderfest is downtown Harrisonburg’s holiday extravaganza, with carriage rides, photos with Santa, holiday shopping, performances, and more. Dec. 7. DowntownHarrisonburg.org
Waynesboro
The town’s First Annual Holiday Market in Main Street Alley, Dec. 4, is followed by Waynesboro’s Annual Christmas Parade, Dec. 7. Waynesboro.Va.US
Merry Christmas, Virginia!
Christmas in Virginia wasn’t always celebrated with the pomp and circumstance it is today. Early colonists attended church, likely followed by a special meal. The big excitement was firing guns on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Photos with Santa, cut-your-own trees, jingle bells, and presents? These were not Christmas hallmarks or staples back in the day.
Today, it’s hard to imagine the holiday season in Virginia without decorating homes, making Christmas cookies, singing carols, and unwrapping presents around the tree on Christmas morning. Yuletide festivities seem to put everyone in a good mood—except maybe Ebenezer Scrooge, and eventually even he sees the light!
It’s a time of year when we open our doors to strangers and friends alike, and our traditions add to the cheeriness and warmth. My mother always made her Scottish grandmother’s shortbread. As kids, we helped “spank the dough” when Mom got tired of kneading. It’s a time for joyful experiences, whether cutting your own tree or attending a tree lighting in a festive town square.
If you’re ready to adopt new holiday traditions, Virginia is brimming with inventive ways and ideal places to celebrate. Need inspiration? Virginia Living breaks the state into five distinct regions. Here’s how a handful of Virginia’s small cities and towns across the regions celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
- Christmas in Northern Virginia
- Christmas in Central Virginia
- Christmas in Southwest Virginia
- Christmas in Eastern Virginia
This article originally appeared in our December 2024 issue.
