The holiday season in the New River Valley area is pure magic — twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, and family traditions that make memories to last all year. Macaroni KID New River Valley is your go-to guide for everything merry and bright — from festive events and dazzling light displays to Santa visits and local holiday fun. Explore our list below and make this a season your family will never forget.
Bookmark this guide and check back often — we’ll keep adding new events and activities all season long!
 Tim Mossholder | Canva |
Must-See Holiday Attractions in the New River Valley
Discover the best holiday attractions and festive experiences in the New River Valley area that will bring cheer and winter magic all season long:
🎅🏼 Pictures with Santa @ Claus Cottage
- Location: 2618 Lusters Gate Rd. Blacksburg
- Highlights: Photos with Santa, cocoa and cookies, petting zoo, hayride to Claus Cottage and letter to Santa
- More Info: Claus Cottage
Holiday Trees @ Blacksburg Museum
- Location: 204 Draper Rd. Blacksburg
- Highlights: Trees displayed and voting open November 29 - January 3
- More Info: Holiday Trees
Dak Lights @ Randolph Park
- Location: Randolph Park, Dublin
- Highlights: Free holiday light and sound show. November 27 - December 31
- More Info: Dak Lights
The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Blacksburg Ballet
- Location: Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech
- Highlights: A classic holiday ballet showcasing local talent. December 11 and 12th
- More Info: Blacksburg Ballet
 Raven GS | Canva |
Upcoming Holiday Events and Santa Visits in the New River Valley region
Looking for parades, tree lightings, Santa photo ops, and holiday markets? We’ve got you covered! These family-friendly holiday events all around the New River Valley are the perfect way to celebrate the season.
We do our best to verify event details, but always double-check before heading out as organizers may change plans without notifying us.
🦃 🎄🎅🏼 Nov 13th - Nov. 20th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Saturday, November 15th
Monday, November 17th
🦃 🎄🎅🏼 Nov 21st - Nov. 27th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Friday, November 21st
- The Old Lady’s Silly Thanksgiving🦃 (online)
Sunday, November 23rd
Monday, November 24th
Tuesday, November 25th
Thursday, November 27th
🦃 🎄🎅🏼 Nov 28th - Dec. 4th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Friday, November 28th
Saturday, November 29th
Sunday, November 30th
Monday, December 1st
- Gingerbread Creations🎄
- Storytime with Santa🎅🏼
- 🎨Family Paint Night – Waiting for Santa
- 🎄 Tree Lighting in Jackson Park
Tuesday, December 2nd
- Handmade for the Holidays: Air-Dry Clay Ornaments 🎄
- 🎄 Radford Tree Lighting 2025
- A Swingin' Little Christmas Time!🎄
Wednesday, December 3rd
Thursday, December 4th
- Clay Hand Building Workshop – Santa Lantern
- 🎄 2025 Gingerbread Bash
- Photos with Santa🎅🏼 - No Registration Required
🎄🎅🏼 Dec 5th - Dec. 11th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Friday, December 5th
- 🎅🏼 Pictures at Santa's Cottage
- 🎄Winter Lights Festival & Holiday Market
- 🎄 Pulaski County Christmas in the Park
- TUBACHRISTMAS 2025
- 🎄 Holiday Extravaganza 3.0
- A Festival of Nativities
Saturday, December 6th
- 🎅🏼 Pictures at Santa's Cottage
- 🎄 Breakfast With Santa @ Christiansburg High School
- 🎄40th Annual Breakfast with Santa🎅🏻
- 🎄 31st Annual Winterfest and Festival of Trees🎄
- 🎨Kids Paint Party – Buddy the Elf
- Holly Jolly Jukebox🎄🎶
- Special Event - Saturday Ornament Painting
- Pembroke Parade🎄
- 🎄Christmas on 7th Santa Event🎅🏼
- 🎄The Y Holiday Village
- Town of Dublin Christmas Parade
- A Festival of Nativities
Sunday, December 7th
- 🎅🏼 Pictures at Santa's Cottage
- 🎄 31st Annual Winterfest and Festival of Trees🎄
- 🎨 Taking Gnome the Tree – Sunday Paint Party
- Puppet Kingdom Presents: Christmas Through the Years🎄
- 🎄Blacksburg Community Band Winter Concert
- Stroubles Mill Luminary Display🎄
- A Festival of Nativities
- GL Kids - Christmas Around the World
- Rich Creek Christmas Tree Lighting
Monday, December 8th
Tuesday, December 9th
- Handmade for the Holidays: Cookie Board (Teens)🎄
- 🎄"Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's" Parade
- Toddler & Preschool Holiday Crafts
Wednesday, December 10th
Thursday, December 11th
🎄🎅🏼 Dec 12th - Dec. 18th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Friday, December 12th
Saturday, December 13th
- 🎄Santa at the Market🎅🏼
- Yuletide at Historic Smithfield
- 🎨 Kids Paint Party – Yani Yeti
- Storytime with Joelle : Winter Animal Wonderland (Ages 0-3)
- Storytime with Joelle : Winter Animal Wonderland (Ages 4+)
- 2025 Old Time Appalachian Christmas Festival
- 4th Annual Great Pulaski Cookie-Off
- The Muppets Christmas Carol & Cheeses for us Meeces!
- Special Event - Saturday Ornament Painting
- Fun with Santa at Scoops🎅🏼
- 🎄Christmas on 7th Santa Event🎅🏼
- Polar Express Movie - Radford Theatre Holiday Films and Music Day
- Riner Christmas Parade 2025
Sunday, December 14th
- 🎄 Crafts with Santa at the Grange
- Sunday Kids Club: Clay Trinket Tray
- 🎄Christmas Craft Party with Santa! at Dogtown🎅🏼
- 6th Annual Very Narrows Christmas and Parade
- Live Nativity Drive-Thru Experience
Monday, December 15th
Tuesday, December 16th
Wednesday, December 17th
Thursday, December 18th
🎄🎅🏼 Dec 19th - Dec. 25th Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Friday, December 19th
Saturday, December 20th
Monday, December 22nd
Tuesday, December 23rd
- Waterstone Mortgage Free Movie - "The Polar Express"
- 🎨 Kids Paint Party – Kris Kringle
- Cookie Decorating!*
Thursday, December 25th -- Merry Christmas!
🎄🎅🏼 Dec 26th - Jan.1st Holiday Events in the New River Valley |
Monday, December 29th
Wednesday, December 31st
We do our best to verify event details, but always double-check before heading out as organizers may change plans without notifying us.
 Jill Wellington | Canva |
More Holiday and Winter Fun in the New River Valley
There’s so much happening this winter! Explore even more ways to make the season special:
Share the Holiday Spirit
Hosting a family-friendly holiday event in the NRV or the surrounding area? Submit it to our calendar so we can share it with local families!
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