The winter months bring a lot of beautiful sights: Crisp, white falling snow; evergreen trees shining bright green; and holiday lights twinkling along the roadside. If you’re visiting Lynchburg for the holidays, or you’re a local just wanting to get better acquainted with the holiday atmosphere, we’ve got you covered with the best festive sights in LYH.
Riverside Park
For the last three years, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation has hosted the Celebration of Lights at Riverside Park. This year, the free, family-friendly activity will be open nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from December 7 to December 31 and will include light displays from various Lynchburg businesses and organizations.
On December 7, the event will kick off with a grand opening celebration, and there will also be a pedestrian night on December 14—perfect for a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a walk through the park. But if a carriage ride is more your speed, mark December 20 in your calendar for $6 carriage rides and hot chocolate. Just make sure you register in advance for your ride!
Point of Honor
Experience what the holidays were like in 1815 at the historic Point of Honor’s Christmas Open House on December 2 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cookies and hot cider will be served, as well as arts and crafts for kids of all ages.
Lynchburg Christmas Parade
The first Lynchburg Christmas Parade was held in 1959 and has since become a beloved local tradition. Each year, local businesses and special guests come together in decked out floats and costumes to ring in holiday cheer throughout the streets of Lynchburg. This year’s special guests will include Lynchburg Mayor Treney Tweedy, Lynchburg City Council, the Royal Princesses of Virginia and, of course, Santa. The Christmas Parade will take place on December 2 at 4:00 p.m. on Memorial Avenue.
Mistletoe Market
Take in the sights and get some shopping in at the same time at the Lynchburg Community Market’s Mistletoe Market. Happening every Saturday from November 24 to December 22, the Mistletoe Market will include unique, handcrafted gifts, seasonal produce, and special events like horse-drawn carriage rides and photos with Santa. This is a Lynchburg tradition you won’t want to miss.
Holiday Movie Marathon
If staying in is more your speed this holiday season, you won’t want to miss the two day Holiday Movie Marathon happening at the Academy Center of the Arts. For just $5, you’ll have the chance to come and go as you please on December 8 and 9 to take in some holiday movie classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
For a full movie lineup and schedule, click here.
Children’s Holiday Festival
For the wee ones in your group, the Children’s Holiday Festival is one for your calendar. Hosted at Amazement Square, the Holiday Festival offers up a delicious pancake breakfast, photos with Santa, holiday crafts and more. This affordable, family-friendly event is a great way to kick off the holiday season. Tickets are on sale now for December 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Holiday Candlelight Tours
Celebrate the holiday season in Jeffersonian style with holiday candlelight tours at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Tour the retreat home as its decorated with traditional holiday flair and get an intimate look into the Jefferson family’s celebrations. This event is recurring, so check Poplar Forest’s website and social media for dates.
Photo credit: Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, via
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra
The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra invites you home for the holidays as guest conductor Hugh Ballou brings 30 years of orchestral conducting experience to the podium, offering concert goers a program full of holiday spirit. This magical event will feature guest soloists, choirs and a repertoire of beloved holiday tunes, hosted at the Academy Center of the Arts.