Add these festivals to your calendar for a magical winter.
Although winter may conjure thoughts of cold weather and the associated need for bulky jackets, it’s also a magical time of year when communities across Virginia come together for seasonal fun. From brightly lit outdoor trails to illuminated boat parades and holiday markets and photo ops with Santa, here are the magical winter festivals in the commonwealth you should add to your calendar.
Northern Virginia
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
Dates: Nov. 11-Jan. 3
Location: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna, VA 22182
The Winter Walk of Lights transforms Meadowlark Botanical Gardens into an elegant garden trail each year. The half-mile trail perfectly blends nature and holiday themes.
Be sure to keep yourself warm with a cup of hot chocolate and a gooey s’more. Remember your luminous experience by picking up a limited edition 2026 holiday ornament to place on your tree.
Tickets range from $19-$24.
Bright Nights—The Winter Village at Cameron Run
Dates: Nov. 14-Jan. 3
Location: 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304
Bright Nights—The Winter Village at Cameron Run offers holiday fun for the whole family. The outdoor village offers sparkling light displays that are perfect for family photos, hot beverages and snacks, lighted miniature golf, a scavenger hunt, and a giant maze.
Tickets are $9 online or $12 at the park.
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
Dates: Dec. 4-6
Location: 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA 22101
Stock up on seasonal décor during the McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival at the McLean Community Center. The juried show will feature more than 80 regional artisans who work in a variety of mediums, including pottery, glass, jewelry, mixed media, fashion accessories, woodwork, fine art, soaps, holiday décor, and artisanal food.
Admission is $5, with children 12 and under getting in for free.
Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend
Dates: Dec. 4-6
Location: Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria knows how to celebrate the holidays, as demonstrated by Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend.
The weekend includes cherished holiday favorites, like the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, which features Scottish clans and Scottish terriers, and the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the Potomac River, which can be enjoyed dockside where there will be food, music, and family-friendly activities.
Herndon WinterMarkt
Date: Dec. 12
Location: Corner of Lynn & Station streets
Get some of your Christmas shopping while having a fun time at the Herndon WinterMarkt. Featuring the old-world charm of a European Christmas market, you’ll find holiday food, drinks, gifts, and decorations at the WinterMarkt.
Buy the loved ones on your shopping list a handcrafted piece of artwork or textile.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Dates: Dec. 19-20
Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Get into the holiday spirit at the home of the first president. Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon offers the opportunity to enjoy an evening of festive lights and fireworks over the Potomac River. You can also chat with soldiers at the Patriot Path, as well as do some holiday shopping at the winter market.
Tickets are $58 for adults, $36 for children 6-11, and free for those 5 and under.
Coastal Virginia
Winter Lantern Festival
Dates: Nov. 6-Jan. 3
Location: 2110 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185
Don’t miss the Winter Lantern Festival at Jamestown Settlement this year because it will have special red, white, and blue displays to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
The festival features hundreds of lanterns, depicting such themes as Christmas cheer and Jamestown Settlement history, spread throughout the historic site.
Enjoy some food and drinks from local vendors or take in a live show after exploring the lanterns. Tickets are $18.99 for children and $26.99 for adults.
Christmas Town
Dates: Nov. 13-Jan. 3
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, VA 23185
Billed as Williamsburg’s “biggest and brightest Christmas event,” Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is when the theme park gets transformed into a winter wonderland with ten million twinkling lights.
The annual event also features holiday shows, like “Scrooge No More!” and “’Twas That Night,” Santa’s Workshop and the Christmas Town Express, festive treats, holiday meals, seasonal shopping, and photo opportunities with Santa.
After having tons of fun, go for dinner at one of the Christmas Town options, where you can enjoy turkey, hearty soups, homemade desserts, and hot chocolate.
NlightN Holiday Event Series
Dates: Nov. 27-Jan. 1
Location: Newport News
The NlightN Holiday Event Series features three main events, including the Celebration in Lights at Newport News Park, Lights at the Fountain at City Center at Oyster Point, and ARTech Lights at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.
Celebration in Lights offers a 2-mile drive-through light show. Tickets range from $15-$20 per car.
Oyster Point’s 5-acre plaza will be transformed into a winter wonderland during the Lights at the Fountain, featuring holiday lights, holiday music, and a 50-foot intelligent tree.
Enjoy your favorite holiday carols as they’re synchronized to animations displayed on a 30-foot Christmas tree.
40th Annual Santa’s Wonderland & Winter Festival Parade
Date: Dec. 5
Location: Washington Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443
Take part in a Colonial Beach tradition by attending the 40th Annual Santa’s Wonderland & Winter Festival Parade.
During the event, Town Hill will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, from bright lights and Christmas trees to elves and snowmen. Watch a parade of decorated cars, golf carts, and floats make their way through the town.
Vendors will be selling unique gifts and treats, while Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on-site for photos.
15th Annual Artisan Gift Fair
Date: Dec. 5
Location: 524 N Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434
Knock out most of your holiday shopping by visiting the 15th Annual Artisan Gift Fair at the Suffolk Visitor Center’s open-air pavilion from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Load up on handcrafted items, fresh produce, baked goods, jams and jellies, and pickles and salsa.
Free and open to the public, the fair will also feature plenty of food trucks, coffee, and cocoa to keep you full and warm. While you shop, let the kids visit with Santa, get some balloon art, and listen to the carolers.
Lighted Boat Parade
Date: Dec. 5
Location: 331 Water St., Yorktown, VA 23690
Marvel at the brightly lit vessels as they pass by on the York River during the Lighted Boat Parade while enjoying some hot cider and listening to a musical performance by The Fifes and Drums of York Town.
The event starts at 6 p.m., with the parade commencing at 7 p.m.
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Date: Dec. 12
Location: 200-600 High St., Portsmouth, VA 234704
Enjoy the sounds of the holidays during the Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival along High Street from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission is $3 per person.
Shenandoah Valley
Winter Wonderfest
Date: Dec. 5
Location: Downtown Harrisonburg
Winter Wonderfest is the one day of the year that Downtown Harrisonburg comes alive with holiday magic, including carriage rides, photo opportunities with Santa, performances, and lots of opportunities to shop for the loved ones on your list.
Stick around for the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting at 7 p.m.
Winchester Winter Village
Dates: Dec. 5-6
Location: Old Town Winchester
You don’t have to go to Europe to shop in a cozy holiday market. Instead, head to the Winchester Winter Village in historic Old Town Winchester, where you’ll find traditional and modern food and craft vendors.
In between shopping, enjoy some live caroling or go for a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Southwest Virginia
Illuminights
Dates: Nov. 21-Jan. 3
Location: 56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke, VA 24014
You have 725,000 reasons to attend Roanoke County’s Illuminights. Astonishingly, the outdoor Winter Walk of Lights has that many lights.
Come wearing comfortable shoes and a warm jacket because you’ll be walking a half mile along the bright trail. After your walk, enjoy some freshly roasted marshmallows by the campfire, visit with Santa, and do some holiday shopping at the artisan market.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $8 for children 3-15, and free for children 2 and under.
High Country Lights
Dates: Nov. 26-Jan. 2
Location: 601 S Main St., Galax, VA 24333
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to head to Southwest Virginia’s largest holiday attraction, High Country Lights at Felts Parks.
Starting at 6 p.m. each day, the attraction features a quarter of a million Christmas lights that are choreographed to the sounds of holiday classics. There will also be carriage rides, food trucks, and opportunities to get photos with Santa.
Admission is free.
Gingerbread Festival
Date: Dec. 5
Location: 611 E. Main St., Salem, VA 24153
The Gingerbread Festival helps the Salem community get into the holiday spirit. The celebration features the Gingerbread House Competition, where people and groups try their hand at building the iconic edible Christmas structures.
The festival will also include Santa and Mrs. Clause, vendors, marshmallow roasting, face painting, and a Christmas-themed acrobatic show. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
7th Annual Botetourt Chamber of Commerce Tinsel Trail
Dates: Dec. 5-30
Location: Fincastle
Stroll through Fincastle’s historic downtown against the backdrop of dozens of brightly lit trees during the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce Tinsel Trail. On certain details, there will be free hot chocolate, live holiday music, kid-friendly activities, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Old Time Appalachian Christmas Festival
Date: Dec. 12
Location: Main Street, Galax, VA 24333
Learn what makes the holidays a special time in Southwest Virginia by checking out the Old Time Appalachian Christmas Festival. The streets of Galax will be overflowing with holiday fun, like hand crafted gifts, canned and baked goods, photo opportunities with Santa, wagon rides, live music, and heritage demonstrations.
The festival runs from 12-6 p.m.
