Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Staunton

---

The holiday season is here, and you’re probably looking for ways to find meaningful gifts, join your community in holiday fun, and maybe even another chance to sit on Santa’s lap! Here are the top ten ways to celebrate the holidays in Staunton this year.

One: Visit Santa

• Your kids will never forget riding the Virginia Scenic Railway’s The Santa Express with a very important guest. The 60-minute ride features decorations, crafts, cookies, and chats with Santa. New this year: Riders 21+ can toast the jolly elf on a Holiday Spirits tour. (Now – December 28)
• Santa’s Photo Op at Kline’s: Get your professional pictures with Santa at Kline’s Dairy Bar on Friday, December 12, 4 – 8 p.m.)
• Photos with Santa at the Well Balanced Paw for pet and family portraits. Photos are $25 for 1-2 edited shots, with all proceeds benefitting Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge (December 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• The Staunton SDDA is hosting Santa on four different Saturdays this year. Each space will be decorated and you can take photos as your kids whisper their secret wishes.
  • Santa’s Candy Cane Courtyard at City Bank:December 6 at 10 a.m.
  • Gingerbread Gardens: December 13 at 10 a,m,
  • Santa’s Cottage at Gingerbread Gardens at Woodrow Wilson Pres. Library: Dec 13 at 10 a.m.
  • Santa’s Workshop: December 20 at 10 a.m.

Two: See the Decorations

• Celebration of Holiday Lights at Gypsy Hill Park: For the 20th year in a row, Staunton’s 214-acre park will glow with festive light displays during this free, drive-through attraction. (Now – January 1)
  • Make sure you park and walk down to the engine shed to see the interactive Gypsy Express holiday model train display featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals. (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, now – Dec 28, 2026, 5 – 9 p.m.)
• “Lights ON Blackfriars” is a celebration of the illumination of Blackfriars, featuring stunning light displays, entertainment, and activities. (December 5)

Three: Get in the Spirit

• Sip, Stroll, and Shop! Start your holiday shopping in downtown Staunton’s stores, which will welcome you with complimentary sips and treats! Participating stores will stay open a little later on this special occasion. (December 5, 5 – 9 p.m.)
• Shop local at Ciders From Mars’ annual Holiday Market. The taproom will be packed with one-of-a-kind items like pottery, jewelry, vintage clothing, and much more,. Wolf + Wren Food Truck will set up outside. (December 6, 9 a.m  – 3 p.m). 

• Shop handmade goods by local vendors at The Alpine Goat Christmas Market. Check off your holiday list while enjoying the festive atmosphere complete with wine, special beer releases, and food from Bayou Kitchen. (December 13th from noon – 4 p.m. Music by Matt Johnson to follow: 5 – 8 p.m.)
• Seven Arrows Brewing Company will host Christmas Music Bingo and Themed Trivia Night, both hosted by MC Zach! (December 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m.) Return on December 19 for an Ugly Sweater Party.
• Stable Craft Brewing never disappoints during the holidays. Choose from several family-friendly holiday events including Pancakes with Santa, KrampusFest, Santa in the Stables brunch, and lots of live holiday music. 

Four: Watch the Holiday Take the Stage

• American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse puts on annual seasonal performances of A Christmas Carol. Each season, a different cast lends a fresh perspective to this classic story. 
• Local talent will take the stage in the ShenanArts production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a family-friendly musical based on the beloved book.

• Catch a performance of Staunton Academy of Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’
• Mary Baldwin’s Winter Dance Concert will blend classical styles with modern movement. (December 7, 5 p.m.)
• The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Shenandoah is The Off Center’s unique puppet-theatre adaptation of ETA Hoffman’s original story, which delivers its narrative through visual media. (December 11-20 – Thursday – Saturday, 7pm, Shenandoah LGBTQ Center)
• The U.S. premiere of Snowbound by Peter Quilter is coming to Silver Line Theatre Exchange. This heart-warming comedy that explores companionship and loneliness. (December 12)

Five: Listen to the Sounds of the Season

• Everyone is invited to join the Queen City Music Studio Singers for Caroling in Downtown Staunton. (Various dates and times)
• Everyone is invited to the Staunton City Schools middle and high school holiday band concert. (December 7, 3 p.m., at Staunton High School in the John Lewis Auditorium)
• The Valley Chorale Annual Christmas Concert “Making Spirits Bright” at Emmanuel Episcopal Church will feature new takes on timeless Christmas classics, sacred hymns, and a few holiday surprises. (December 7, 3 p.m.)
• Advent Lessons and Carols at Trinity Episcopal Church: Trinity’s choirs will offer music by MacMillan, Fishell, Byrd, and MacDowall. All are welcome! (December 7, 6 p.m.)

• The Robin & Linda Williams Annual Holiday Concert: Queen City Music Studios will host two performances of an intimate yuletide concert with the folk duo on December 20 and 21.
• A Stepney Christmas Experience at Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind: Enjoy a cabaret of family, holiday, and harmony that’s open to the community. Feel free to bring your acoustic instruments and join in the celebration. (December 7, 6 p.m.)
• Holiday Road Free Christmas Concert at Blackfriars Playhouse. The Staunton Choral Society will perform music from classic holiday films. (December 14, 7:30 p.m.)
• Heifetz Holiday Homecoming Concert: Talented young alumni from the Heifetz International Music Institute perform seasonal favorites at Francis Auditorium on December 20, 7:30 p.m.

Six: Attend a Holiday Event

• A Soulful Holiday Soirée Join the Historic Staunton Foundation in The Great Hall at The Blackburn Inn will be decked for spectacular decorations and live music by soulful guest Mojo Parker! Expect vintage glamour, festive fare, and a little magic in the air! December 6, 6 – 10 p.m.
• The Frederick House Holiday Tea starts with a delicious coffee/tea/hot cocoa service and three courses of light bites. Afterward, get ready to find your new holiday bestie when you meet the adoptable cats at Wendy’s Place Cat Rescue All proceeds benefit Wendy’s Place Cat Rescue. (December 13, noon – 4 p.m.)
• Christmas Wonderland at Creative Works Farm includes a walk-through light and music show, musical performances, cookie decorating, refreshments, wagon rides, visits with farm animals, and chances to meet Santa in his workshop and have fun with the Grinch. Proceeds benefit Camp LIGHT. Select dates, now – December 14.

Seven: Shop the Holiday Markets

• Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind art items for sale at the Staunton Augusta Art Center’s annual Art for Gifts event. This year, the RR Smith Center’s History Gallery is hosting a Gifts of History shopping event, featuring handmade quilts, ornaments, housewares, and books about local history. (Now – Dec 28)
• Staunton Farmers’ Market Winter Market: Stop by Staunton’s Wharf for tasty treats and baked goods, holiday greens, artisan products, and decorations. (December 6th, 13th, 20th, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Want your 2025 Staunton Christmas ornament? You can find it online or at St. John UMC’s annual Christmas Bazaar, which will also feature vendors, a silent auction, bake sale and an indoor yard sale. (Sat. Dec. 6, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Christmas Bazaar will host over 25 vendors, featuring arts, crafts, homemade treats and food trucks. (December 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Merry Market in the Wharf: This holiday market features various vendors, performances, and festive drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolate. (December 6, 3 – 7 p.m.)
• Support local at Redbeard’s 2nd annual German Style Christmas Market. Vendors will set up in the beer garden, along with food trucks and warm beverages for purchase! (December 13: 1 – 7 p.m.) Stick around after the market for the annual holiday sing along jam, Redbeard’s  Revels, hosted by Blind Peach (7 – 9 p.m.)

Seven: Take a Holiday Tour 

• Peek inside beautiful homes at the 50th annual Historic Staunton Foundation’s Holiday House Tour. Learn history, see decorations, and enjoy a Soulful Holiday Soiree in the Blackburn Inn following the tour. December 6.
• Visit the Frontier Culture Museum for a Holiday Lantern Tour, which offers outdoor exhibits showcasing the lives and work of the area’s earliest inhabitants. At each farm, you’ll learn about historic holiday traditions and see a holiday skit. (December 16 – 23)
• The Society for Victorian Arts & Culture will host its Annual Holiday Afternoon Tea in the historic Spotts-Coffman House. (December 20, 2 p.m.)
• Dark Tales and Haunts of the Queen City (Christmas Edition): Explore the spooky side of Staunton during this Christmas-themed ghost tour. (December 6 and 13, 7 p.m.)

Eight: Sign up for a Workshop

• Stained Glass Moravian Star Workshop: Learn Stained Glass and create your own ornament in this 5 hour workshop. All glass, metals, materials included.. all tools provided. (December 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., L & L Custom Picture Framing & Stained Glass Supply)
• The Art Hive Collective will host several fun and artsy sessions this holiday season, including Gnome Sweet Gnome – A Winter Terrarium (December 6), Fabric Wrapping – Learn Furoshiki! (December 7), Holiday Cookie Decorating with Lorita’s Bake Shoppe (December 11), and It’s a Wrap! Wrapping Party (December 17)
• Sunspots Studios for beautiful blown glass gifts and a chance to watch glassblowers create art for your holiday decoration displays. Sign up for a Blow Your Own Ornament session.
• Not sure how to keep the kids busy during winter break? The Staunton Augusta Art Center can keep them engaged with a week’s worth of day-long art programming for kids 5-12 with sessions in drawing, painting, design, mixed media, print making, costume making, maze making, and more. (Mondays and Tuesdays, December 23 and January 5)

Nine: Enjoy Winter Fun Outdoors

• Learn your way around the December sky and its history at Staunton Public Library’s Winter Sky Constellations Tour, led by local amateur astronomers. (December 9, 6:30 p.m.)
• Get a head start on your holiday resolutions when you join Sole Focus Running for its annual Christmas Eve Run, followed by breakfast and socializing at the shop. (December 24, 8 a.m.)
• Generations Park in Bridgewater is only 30 minutes away and offers daily ice skating and skate rental through the first weekend in March. Follow your rink time with a scoop (or two) from Smiley’s Ice Cream. Once you’re back in Staunton, you’ll want to warm your hands with a hot cocoa from Cranberry’s Grocery.
• You’ll have to drive a little to get to Massanutten Resort, but believe us, if your family likes to ski, it’s worth it. The resort also offers snow tubing with more than a dozen lanes, a 120-foot vertical drop, and a lift to get back to the top. 

Ten: Take Some You Time!

• Grab a hot cocoa at Byers Street Bistro!

• Taste wine with your besties at Accordia.
• Pick out a family board game at Pufferbellies.
• Stroll up to Sears Hill and enjoy the Staunton skyline!

• Take in a new movie at the Visulite.
• Destress with a massage at The Spa at the Blackburn.

We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday!