Best Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Virginia  

As the air turns crisp and the scent of cinnamon and evergreen fills our homes, Virginia transforms into a magical holiday experience. Glittering lights cascade down colonial streets, amusement parks twinkle with festive joy, and the entire state seems to hum with the contagious spirit of the season. So, how do you spend the holiday season in Virginia? Strolling through the historic charm of Williamsburg bathed in the soft glow of candlelight or riding rollercoasters through the night? Why not both? Discover these top-notch things to do for the holidays in Virginia.

Cut down a Christmas Tree

What could be more in-season than driving out into the Virginia countryside to find and cut down your very own Christmas tree? Each season, families armed with saws and wearing their mittens and scarves descend on Virginia’s 460 and counting tree farms. Folks explore the rows of fragrant firs, spruces, and pines, searching for “the one” that will soon don their living rooms with festive splendor. A few Christmas tree farms (but not an inclusive list):

• Valley Stark Farms, Luray
• Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm, Bedford
• Francisco Farms, Staunton
• Reed Island Farms Christmas Trees, Hillsville
• Greene Meadows Farm, Stanardsville
• Stonehearth Christmas Tree Farm, Leon
• Every Soul Acres, KeezleTown
• Country Loving Christmas Tree Farm, Leesburg

Decorate Your Boat in Alexandria

Who needs a sleigh when you have a boat? Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront transforms into a luminous pageant during the Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, proudly sponsored by Amazon. Picture dozens of boats illuminated with brilliant lights gracefully cruising one mile of the Potomac River shoreline, creating a dazzling visual feast. 

The festivities extend beyond the waters, inviting all to revel in the holiday spirit at Waterfront Park. Here, find a pop-up beer garden by Port City Brewing Company, activities for the little ones, and a historic shopping district wearing its finest holiday decorations. It’s not just a parade; it’s a waterfront celebration that promises a magical evening of lights, laughter, and seasonal joy for the holidays in Virginia.

Visit the GardenFest of Lights in Norfolk

At sundown, GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden blooms to life with millions of twinkling lights. The already award-winning gardens uses the lights to elevate its already magical ambiance. Visitors wander the mile-long illuminated pathways, awing at the themed displays that range from classic holiday scenes to whimsical creations. 

This award-winning light show frequently makes top ten in the nation lists, as on USA Today and Forbes. It’s among the best light events for the holidays in Virginia.

Presented by Dominion Energy, the 2023 event runs from November 10 to December 31. Non-member value tickets start at $20 for adults and $12 a child and must be reserved online, or a $5 fee will be charged.

Board the USS Wisconsin for Winterfest

While in Norfolk, why not head over to one of the most unique holiday attractions on the Atlantic seaboard? Nauticus lights up the Battleship USS Wisconsin. Under a million seasonal lights and lanterns, the aircraft carrier bedazzles split into nine trails featuring classics like glow tunnels and Christmas trees. Interior cabins also don holiday dressings, right down to the Captain’s Cabin.

 Each night has new entertainment and treats. Come for the tree lighting or book the Holiday Hoobie-Whatty Show. Kids will love the magic show and jugglers on the Mistletoe Marina stage. The Mistletoe Marina brings your Hallmark movie classics to life through its theme. Plus, enjoy a walking trail, a craft beer bar, and a waterfront s’mores station. Snow falls every hour during the Snow Zone.  

Non-members pay $18.50 for adults and $14.50 for children 3-12. The 2023 event runs from November 10- January 1.

Ride and Be Dazzled at Busch Gardens Christmas Town

Down in Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Christmas Town is a beloved holiday tradition for many families. Where else can you combine the thrill of twisting rollercoasters with the warmth of hot chocolate and ice skating? Not many! 

The park is adorned with over ten million twinkling lights, creating a dazzling display that blankets the entire park. It’s one of the largest holiday light displays in the whole nation! The two lighted displays are synchronized to holiday music, providing a synchronized and enchanting experience. Christmas Town pairs the display with Christmas Town classic live shows, musical performances, and festive plays like Gloria! And the new Wiseman. Kids can visit Santa Claus and share their holiday wishes in Santa’s Workshop or join him at the Fireside Feast. Rudolph is also available at his winter wonderland in Festa Italia. New for the year is a Holiday Scavenger Hunt celebrating various traditions, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Admission to Christmas Town is separate from a daily ticket. For 2023, it runs from November 10-January 7. 

Tuck In At The Grand Illumination

Colonial Williamsburg ushers in the holiday season with a memorable Grand Illumination–the firing of fireworks, that is. It was the traditional way to celebrate significant events in the 18th century, and what better place to preserve the past than here?  

The entirety of the historic district is dressed in holiday trappings. Musical performances wind down the hours on multiple streets. Even better–several local taverns offer prepaid specialty dinners, the Grand Illumination Feast, with dashes of old and new traditions. Dine on roasted venison and duck, bread pudding and syllabub, crab cakes and trifles. But if you miss scoring a ticket to a Tavern feast, the Colonial district will have food trucks, concessions, and snacks on sale. 

Other Grand Illumination Events include the Celebration of the Yule Log, a holiday processional down Capitol Street, and Lighting of the Cressets. The event runs over the first weekends of December. Entrance does require a Colonial Williamsburg ticket. 

Decorate to Impress: Tacky Lights Tour

Move over Ugly Christmas Sweaters; there’s a new level of tacky landing in Richmond. The beloved Richmond Tacky Lights Tour is a one-of-a-kind holiday light experience put on solely by the community. 

A self-guided driving tour meanders across town to decorations that overflow with holiday spirit, but not always in the best way. You may need sunglasses to look at these dazzling home displays. Houses must have 40,000 lights to be included on the list. Their above-and-beyond decor includes driving tunnels, synchronized shows, live Grinches, and so much more. 

The Tacky Lights Tour has been going on for three decades, with many homes repeating year after year, becoming tour favorites. 

Shop The Christmas Bazaar

Richmond’s holiday spirit comes alive at The Bizarre Bazaar, one of the state’s grandest Christmas markets. Hosted at the Richmond Raceway Complex, it is a spectacular showcase of over 400 exhibitors with crafted seasonal decor.

With a remarkable four-decade legacy in Richmond at the Raceway Complex, The Bizarre Bazaar draws over 25,000 people on its weekend looking for seasonal gifts and Christmas décor. Besides seasonal goods, the market vendors also sell home and garden accessories, gourmet delights, luxurious linens, designer apparel, toys, exquisite artwork, one-of-a-kind furniture, and artisanal jewelry. Recognized as a premier craft and gift show in the United States, this holiday extravaganza is a must-visit destination for those seeking the extraordinary in the festive season. Entrance does require a ticket.

Join the Hunt in Middleburg

This family-fun festival is one of the favorites in central Virginia. Middleburg leans into its equestrian and historic heritage even during the Christmas season. The Middleburg Hunt Review is a long-time tradition where horses and hounds parade down Washington Street. It’s the main attraction in a weekend of Christmas-themed events that starts with Breakfast with Santa at the local charter school. The official parade starts after the Hunt Review, followed by a distillery and spirit walking tour. 

Enter the Victorian Era in Roanoke

Already beautiful, Roanoke brings the Victorian era to life on the first three weekends in December. Dickens of a Christmas is a downtown Roanoke event where chestnuts are really roasted on an open fire. The first weekend rings in the season with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and live stage performances. The next weekend, the Christmas Parade rolls from Jefferson Street to Campbell Avenue. The third night is the Pet Costume Content. 

Each weekend has other Victorian-themed events. Book a carriage ride or roast s’mores as live carolers sing Christmas classics. Kids will be awed by the street buskers swinging swords and fire. Inflatables and games are available at the Kids Zone, or they can do the Elf on the Shelf Adventure. Visit the Roanoke Farmer’s Market for holiday-themed handmade goods, or step into Mast’s General Store, a historic old-fashioned general store with all kinds of delights waiting for discovery. 

Jam to DAK Lights

If you love Christmas light shows, then DAK Lights is a must-see. Playing at Randolph Park in Dublin, sitting for the whole synchronized light show runs 20 minutes with favorites from Sleigh Ride to O Holy Night soundtracks from top pop and rock artists. It uses 50,000 LED lights to create multiple color combinations and scenes. 

The show runs continuously throughout the night, but you can visit their website to see when the various songs will play. To hear the music, tune in to 103.7 FM. Just remember to park in a parking spot and turn off your headlights so the show can be enjoyed to its fullest. Visiting is entirely free. DAK Lights also runs a Halloween, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day Show. The shows change slightly each year. 

Where to Spend the Holidays in Virginia

These top holiday celebrations will bring out the spirit in anyone visiting, but even more holiday-themed events are happening across Virginia this season. Let us know your favorite Virginia holiday event.