It’s the holiday season, and the Dan River region is celebrating Hanukkah, Yuletide, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day.
The communities of the Dan River Basin are a wonderful place to celebrate the holidays, with parades, tree lightings, and more coming up in the next several weeks. Here’s a partial listing by date.
ANNUAL WESTLAKE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION & TREE LIGHTING
December 6
Westlake, Virginia
Enjoy an evening of family-friendly activities, including Santa’s special arrival on a fire truck, free pictures with Santa, games and entertainment for kids, light refreshments, and more. Sway to the beat of holiday melodies by live musical performers. After the tree lighting ceremony, Westlake Cinema will present a showing of the 2017 animated children’s movie The Star at 8 p.m. Free tickets to the film will be given to individuals who donate a new, unwrapped toy to the annual We Care of Franklin County Toy Drive during the event.
COME HOME TO A FRANKLIN COUNTY CHRISTMAS
December 7
Rocky Mount, Virginia
Starting at 5:30 p.m., the evening starts with the “Biggest Little Christmas Parade”, as streets are closed for the much-anticipated festival. “The North Pole” at the Historic Rocky Mount Train Depot will be housing Santa Claus, a kids’ playground and activities. Franklin Street will be filled from the Train Depot to the Farmers Market with live music, dance performances, glassblowing demonstrations, exhibits, free horse & buggy rides, local artisans, food & craft vendors, and much more!
JINGLE BELL ROCKING 5K & WINTERFEST
December 8
Eden, North Carolina
Come celebrate the onset of winter at John E. Grogan Park. WinterFEST includes an inflatable slide, a showing of “Frozen” and appearances by characters, a smore’s bar, food and hot drinks, decorations, Santa, Jingle Bell Rockin’ 5K beginning at 5 p.m., and tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
December 8 – 25 (Closed December 24)
Danville, Virginia
Various organizations and businesses based in the Danville and surrounding areas decorate a spot in the Community Holiday Light Show to raise money for a non-profit of their choice.
LAVENDER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
December 8
Hurdle Mills, North Carolina
Visit Sunshine Lavender Farm, all decorated for the season! The farm opens twice a year to visitors. First, in June, when the lavender is in bloom in late spring, then again in December for the holidays. Get a glimpse of the farm when the lavender is snoozing in the field and the sweet scent of lavender prevails on the small family farm. Within the farmhouse, open just one special day a year, sample lavender goodies from the 1953 vintage Wedgewood oven, sip lavender hot chocolate, visit with farm hosts and lavender lovers from near and far.
HOLIDAY REMEMBRANCE AT HIGH ST CEMETERY
December 8
Rocky Mount, Virginia
At Rocky Mount’s High Street Cemetery, members of the Franklin County Historical Society will lay holiday greenery to honor veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars. 1700s and 1800s period dress, rifle salute.
STEP IN TO CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR
December 8
Rocky Mount, Virginia
Visit five of Rocky Mount’s most distinctive historic Maple Avenue homes all decked out for Christmas! Parking and shuttle available. Refreshments in Trinity Episcopal Church where you can view the beautiful stained glass windows. Proceeds benefit STEP, Inc., a local nonprofit organization providing services to low income individuals and families. No children under 12, please. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of tour.
MARTINSVILLE HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
December 8
Martinsville, Virginia
A host of activities are happening in Martinsville on December 8, including SPCA’s Pictures with Santa, Holidays from the Market, Winter Science Camp, Holiday Pictures at the Martinsville – Henry County Visitor Center, the Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive, and Light Up the Night 5K. There’s something for everyone!
FIELDALE COMMUNITY CAROLING AND TREE LIGHTING
December 9
Fieldale, Virginia
Members of the Fieldale community, and everyone else, are invited to the Fieldale Community Caroling & Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 9th at the Fieldale Recreation Center. Join us as we celebrate the season with group caroling followed by the lighting of the Fieldale Community Christmas Tree.
THE PHOEBE NEEDLES CENTER HOSTS A CHRISTMAS MUSIC CONCERT
December 11
Callaway, Virginia
Join the Phoebe Needles Center for its annual Christmas program. Hear Christmas carols on the piano and sing along to get a into a festive mood. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with social time and coffee. Lunch will follow immediately after the program. $10 members/ $18 non-members (includes gourmet lunch).
KENNY G “THE MIRACLES HOLIDAY & HITS TOUR 2018 AT THE HARVESTER PERFORMANCE CENTER
December 11
Rocky Mount, Virginia
In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Grammy® Award-winning saxophonist, Kenny G has grafted elements of R&B, pop and Latin to a jazz foundation solidifying his reputation as the premiere artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ‘80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide (45 million in the U.S. alone) and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart. He will be performing many of his career hits and as well as songs of the holiday. General Admission $100.50 | Gold Section $123.50.
PHCC HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT
December 14
Martinsville, Virginia
During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, treat yourself to the PHCC Jazz Band’s Holiday Concert and soak in the sounds of the season big-band jazz style (featuring vocalists Jaime Woodall). Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.
HARVESTER PERFORMANCE CENTER HOSTS CHRISTMAS WITH THE EMBERS
December 14
Rocky Mount, Virginia
For decades The Embers have been making music by playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul. 8 years ago, they began doing a Christmas show for all their fans…this is The Embers doing all your favorite Christmas tunes. General Admission: $24 advance | $27 day of show.
HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS AT SHINDIG
December 15
Martinsville, Virginia
Here comes Santa Claus, here come Santa Claus… to Shindig Uptown Bistro! Bring your kids for a special day with Ol’ Saint Nick. There will be free cookies, hot chocolate and, of course, pictures for the kids.
HOLIDAY POTLUCK AT MOUNTAIN VALLEY BREWING
December 16
Martinsville, Virginia
Tis the season to come together and celebrate each other, good food and craft beer. Bring your favorite dish to share along with a copy of the recipe and share some holiday cheer.
SANTA AT THE BREWERY
December 22
Martinsville, Virginia
Bring the kids, the pups and your camera, and have a visit with Santa in Mountain Valley Brewing’s tasting room. Children and adults of all ages are welcome to share with Santa their secret wishes and let him know you’ve been extra good all year! No waiting in line; they will have a sign-up sheet so you can enjoy a craft brew while you wait your turn!
GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING CLASS AT PRIMLAND
December 22
Patrick County, Virginia
December 22, 12:00-2:00pm | $10 per person
CHRISTMAS DINNER AT PRIMLAND
December 25
Patrick County, Virginia
Christmas Dinner from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elements.
AND EVEN MORE…
Looking for more ways to celebrate the holidays in the Dan River region? Check out these other ideas:
– Brighten your holidays with these eye-popping Dan River light displays
– 7 distilleries where you can revisit the Dan River Basin’s moonshine heritage
– Wineries of the Dan River Basin