Now that Halloween and Election Day are past, temperatures are dropping and it’s beginning to feel like the winter holiday season. Thanksgiving falls on November 22 and will be followed soon by 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. A Danville-area high school senior will even play the snare drum for the Great American Marching Band at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Here are a few more ways to get merry this November and December:
2018 Holiday Bazaar
November 17
Danville, Virginia
The Holiday Bazaar features over 100 vendors inside and outside the Community Market selling handmade craft items, baked goods, meats, wine, jams, jellies, salsa and seasonal produce.
Christmas Parade in Uptown Martinsville
November 17
Martinsville, Virginia
Many spectators start their holiday season each year to the sounds of prancing ponies, motors rumbling and cool breezes blowing the tinsel on the festive floats. This year’s parade will consist of over 100 units to include; Harley Davidson motorcycles, marching bands, dancers, floats, civic organizations, horses and lots of fun! Fun you and your family don’t want to miss. You’ll also get that first glimpse of Santa before he slides down your chimney.
Reidsville Christmas Parade
November 18
Reidsville, North Carolina
WGSR-TV 47 (Star News 5) will be hosting the annual Reidsville Christmas Parade on Scales Street. Parade begins at 4 p.m.
32nd Annual Downtown South Boston Christmas Open House
November 18
South Boston, Virginia
Come start the holiday season with our merchants opening their doors for your holiday shopping pleasure. Stroll along enjoying the holiday lights and decorations while listening to the Christmas music piped out onto the street!
Historic Leaksville Night-Time Christmas Parade
November 23
Eden, North Carolina
Parade route follows Washington Street. Event begins at 6:30 p.m.
Patrick County Hometown Christmas Grand Illumination
November 24 – December 1
Saturday, November, 24, 2018
Meadows of Dan Christmas Parade – 3:00 PM
Friday, November 30, 2018
Grand Illumination Tree Lighting in Uptown Stuart – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Stuart United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar – 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Stuart Elementary Winter Vendor – 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Charlie Brown Christmas Pet Pictures at Pet Provisions – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mistletoe Market at the Stuart Farmers’ Market – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
47th Annual Patrick County Christmas Parade – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Christmas Tree Lighting in the Art Garden
November 30
Martinsville, Virginia
Kick off the holiday season with Piedmont Arts! Bring the whole family to decorate the tree, make an ornament and enjoy hot chocolate!
Draper Children’s Christmas Parade
December 1
Eden, North Carolina
The 52nd Annual Draper Children’s Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. and takes place along Fieldcrest Road.
10th Annual Holiday Market
December 1
Danville, Virginia
The Holiday Market features everything you need to finish that Christmas shopping list. Over 100 vendor will be attending inside and outside the Community Market selling homemade crafts, jewelry, baked goods, wreaths, meats, jams, jellies and more! Also visit Breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Danville Girl Scouts from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Ridgeway Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
December 1
Ridgeway, Virginia
The Town of Ridgeway invites you out to the 2018 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting! Parade begins at 4:30 along Main Street at the bridge, turns left onto Magnolia Street, then right onto Vista View Lane. The tree lighting will take place immediately afterwards at the Ridgeway Town Park.
South Boston Christmas Parade
December 1
South Boston, Virginia
Parade begins at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Christmas on the Plaza and Luminaria Trail Walk
December 1
Danville, Virginia
Christmas on the Plaza takes place at the Downtown Danville River District from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. We will have Selfies with Santa, live entertainment, complementary cookies and hot chocolate, and announce the winner of the Merchant Holiday Window Decorating contest. A tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. kicks off the Christmas season downtown! Then, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., celebrate the season with a candlelit stroll along the Riverwalk Trail while listening to beautiful holiday music from carolers. Warm, festive refreshments will be served. This annual free event is a favorite of all ages.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
December 1
Madison, North Carolina
The Madison Merchants Guild invites you to help us finish its bicentennial celebration at “An Old Fashioned Christmas” on Saturday, December 1st from 10:00am til 8:00pm in Historic Downtown Madison. Visit our quaint shops, boutiques, eateries, businesses…Enjoy our small town hospitality…Take a carriage ride down our main street…Visit with Santa and have a picture taken…Warm up with some Hot Chocolate…Listen to Carolers and Holiday Music! Stroll through Madison’s shops, enjoy holiday treats and register for door prizes! Stores will be hosting various vendors throughout the town. Bring the entire family…Take a step back in time to relive that “old fashioned” Christmas feeling with entire Town of Madison’s beautiful window and store displays, festive decorations and magical spirit. Sing some carols, absorb the feelings and sights of the season and help light the Christmas tree at 6:00pm at the Town Hall.
Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade
December 2
Danville, Virginia
This year’s parade will be held Sunday, December 2 at 3 p.m. Judging will take place prior to the parade and winning entries will be recognized along the parade route. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Story Book.” The parade route will begin at Rison and Broad Streets and continue downtown ending at Main and Craghead Streets.
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.
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.
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.