Get pumped for festive fun in Lynchburg! Our guide has everything you need for the holidays. Whether you're a Lynchburg veteran or a first-timer, this guide helps you create lasting holiday memories.
One of the highlights of the season is the Lynchburg Christmas Parade, where you can enjoy decorated floats, local bands, and festive cheer. Experience the beauty of stunning lights and displays at the Holiday Lights at Riverside Park. And the Christmas Eve Service at Thomas Road Baptist Church is something you definitely don't want to miss with its warm community atmosphere and uplifting service. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Lynchburg
- Lynchburg Christmas Parade
- Christmas Eve Service at Thomas Road Baptist Church
- Holiday Lights at Riverside Park
- Downtown Lynchburg Tree Lighting
- Carriage Rides in Downtown Lynchburg
- Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
- Amazement Square Holiday Kids' Event
- Holiday Market at Lynchburg Community Market
- Holiday Open House at Point of Honor
- Old City Cemetery Candlelight Tours
Lynchburg Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights at Riverside Park
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in a historic park
Description:
Riverside Park, a century-old green space, transforms into a twinkling wonderland for the holidays. Visitors cruise through the park in their vehicles, surrounded by elaborate light displays depicting winter scenes and holiday characters. The event preserves the park's natural beauty while adding a festive glow. You can tune your car radio to a special station playing synchronized holiday music as you drive through the illuminated pathways.
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Holiday Lights at Riverside Park
Lynchburg Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market at Lynchburg Community Market
What to Expect:
Focuses on locally made and sourced holiday gifts and foods
Description:
The Lynchburg Community Market, operating since 1783, hosts a special holiday market showcasing local artisans and farmers. Visitors can browse handcrafted gifts, locally sourced seasonal produce, and homemade holiday treats. The market's historic building comes alive with the aroma of freshly baked goods and evergreen wreaths. You can chat with local makers and learn about their crafts while supporting the region's small businesses and agricultural community.
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Holiday Market at Lynchburg Community Market
Lynchburg Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Combines classical and popular holiday music
Description:
The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra's holiday concert blends beloved classical pieces with contemporary seasonal favorites. This musical journey features guest soloists and occasionally incorporates visual elements to enhance the performance. The orchestra, founded in 1983, showcases local talent alongside professional musicians. Audience members can experience the rich, full sound of a live symphony orchestra performing holiday classics in the acoustically designed Lynchburg Academy Center of the Arts.
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Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Lynchburg Other Holiday Activities
Lynchburg Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Showcases local community groups and businesses
Description:
Lynchburg's annual Christmas parade transforms downtown into a lively spectacle of community spirit. Colorful floats, marching bands, and costumed characters wind through historic streets, showcasing local businesses and organizations. The parade, a tradition since 1959, brings together residents of all ages. You can spot Santa Claus riding atop a vintage fire truck, waving to excited onlookers. The air fills with the cheerful sounds of holiday tunes as the procession passes by.
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Christmas Eve Service at Thomas Road Baptist Church
What to Expect:
Held in one of the largest churches in Virginia
Description:
Thomas Road Baptist Church, founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr., hosts a grand Christmas Eve service in its 6,000-seat sanctuary. The service blends traditional hymns with contemporary worship music, creating a powerful auditory experience. Attendees can participate in a candlelight ceremony, symbolizing the light of Christ. This event draws thousands from across the region, reflecting the church's significant role in Lynchburg's religious landscape since 1956.
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Christmas Eve Service at Thomas Road Baptist Church
Downtown Lynchburg Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Combines tree lighting with local business open houses
Description:
Downtown Lynchburg's tree lighting ceremony kicks off the holiday season with a community-wide celebration. Local shops and restaurants open their doors for special evening hours, offering warm beverages and seasonal treats. The highlight of the evening is the illumination of a towering evergreen, adorned with thousands of lights. This event, which began in the early 1900s, continues to bring the community together in the heart of the city's historic district.
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Downtown Lynchburg Tree Lighting
Carriage Rides in Downtown Lynchburg
What to Expect:
Offers a historical perspective of downtown during the holidays
Description:
Step back in time with a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Lynchburg's cobblestone streets. These rides provide a unique vantage point to admire the city's Victorian architecture adorned with holiday decorations. Knowledgeable drivers share stories of Lynchburg's past, including its role in the Civil War and its tobacco industry heritage. You can snuggle under warm blankets as the clip-clop of hooves echoes through the crisp winter air.
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Carriage Rides in Downtown Lynchburg
Amazement Square Holiday Kids' Event
What to Expect:
Interactive, hands-on holiday activities for children
Description:
Amazement Square, Lynchburg's interactive children's museum, hosts a special holiday event designed to engage young minds. Kids can participate in science experiments with a winter theme, create holiday-inspired art projects, and explore cultural traditions from around the world. The museum, housed in a restored warehouse, offers four floors of activities. Children can climb through the Amazement Tower, a unique vertical maze decorated for the season.
Website:
Amazement Square Holiday Kids' Event
Holiday Open House at Point of Honor
What to Expect:
Offers a glimpse of 19th-century holiday traditions
Description:
Point of Honor, a Federal-style mansion built in 1815, opens its doors for a special holiday event. The home is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, showcasing how the wealthy Cabell family might have celebrated Christmas in the early 19th century. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved rooms while learning about historical holiday customs. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and share stories of Lynchburg's past.
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Holiday Open House at Point of Honor
Old City Cemetery Candlelight Tours
What to Expect:
Combines holiday atmosphere with local history
Description:
Old City Cemetery, established in 1806, offers a unique holiday experience with its candlelight tours. Soft candlelight illuminates the historic grounds as guides lead visitors through the cemetery, sharing stories of Lynchburg's past residents. The tours blend holiday themes with local history, highlighting how Christmas was celebrated in different eras. You can admire the simple beauty of candle-lit luminaries placed throughout the grounds, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Website:
Old City Cemetery Candlelight Tours
Nearby Events
Peaks of Otter Christmas Festival (Bedford)
What to Expect:
Combines natural beauty with holiday celebrations
Description:
The Peaks of Otter Christmas Festival celebrates the season against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This event brings together local artisans, musicians, and food vendors in a picturesque setting. Visitors can hike festively decorated trails, enjoy live performances of Appalachian music, and shop for unique mountain-made crafts. The festival, held near the historic Peaks of Otter Lodge, showcases the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
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Peaks of Otter Christmas Festival