Enjoy a Festive 2025 Holiday Season The W&L community celebrates the 2025 holiday season with a wide variety of campus and local events.

The Washington and Lee University campus and greater Rockbridge area are abuzz preparing for an eventful holiday season. We’ve put together a holiday guide to ensure that everyone in the campus community can take advantage of the wide array of seasonal events between now and the start of the new year. Check back regularly for schedule updates!

Nov. 1 through Dec. 20

Shop Small Sweepstakes
Downtown Lexington 

Get a great jump on your gift shopping in downtown Lexington. When you spend $10 or more at a participating downtown business, you will be given a card with a sticker. The more stickers you collect, the more sweepstakes entries you receive. The prizes range from $100 to $750 for even more downtown shopping. Learn more by visiting Main Street Lexington’s website.

Nov. 20

Thanksgiving Dinner
The Marketplace, Washington and Lee
4:30 – 8 p.m.

Our annual Thanksgiving dinner at The Marketplace is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday with friends and colleagues! Join us from 4:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Please note: There will be a special door price of $17 (or one meal swipe) for dinner.

Nov. 14 – Dec. 31

Natural Bridge State Park’s Festival of Trees
6477 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily

Explore the local community of Rockbridge County as representatives of businesses, organizations, schools and clubs decorate trees that represent themselves to the community.

Nov. 27

Annual Gobble Wobble 5K and Fun Run
Maury River Middle School parking tot
9 a.m.

The Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees are excited to continue one of Lexington’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions with the Annual Lexington Gobble Wobble 5K road race.

Nov. 28

Annual Lexington Candlelight Processional and Tree Lighting
Main entrance of Oak Grove Cemetery on Main Street
5:15 p.m.

Usher in the holiday season with the 30th edition of this beloved tradition! Lineup begins at 5:15 p.m. at the Main Street entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery, where candles and holiday songbooks will be distributed. At 5:30, Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the Processional down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage provided by the Lexington Carriage Company. Caroling will continue at Hopkins Green, where Lexington Presbyterian Church will serve hot cocoa and the community tree will be lit. The Rockbridge SPCA will display luminaries at Hopkins Green in honor or memory of pets and people; for more details, visit rockbridgespca.net. Family-friendly, free, and open to all.

Nov. 28 & 30

Live Advent Wreath-Making Workshop
Tantivy Lavender Farm
1350 Decatur Road, Fairfield
1 p.m

This workshop will guide you through making a beautiful advent wreath using live greenery and traditional herbs for the holiday season. Visit the farm’s events calendar for tickets and information about group reservations.

Nov. 29-Dec. 6

Tantivy Lavender Farm Christmas Wreath Workshops
1350 Decatur Road
1 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6

All materials are included; participants are welcome to bring their own greenery. Space is limited; sign up here.

Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025

Drive-Thru Holiday Light Display
Glen Maury Park, Buena Vista 
Daily until 11 p.m.

Glen Maury Park is inviting area businesses, churches and nonprofits to set up their own light displays at the park this upcoming holiday season. The drive-thru holiday light displays have been a tradition at the park for several years.

The displays will be set up before Dec. 1 and will be viewed by the public until New Year’s Day.

For more information, call the park at (540) 261-7321.

Dec. 2

Winter Wonderland Family Dinner
The Marketplace, Washington and Lee
4:30 – 8 p.m.

Come to W&L’s Marketplace for a family-friendly meal before the Winter Wonderland dessert event in Evans. Peruse the menu beforehand.

Winter Wonderland
Washington and Lee University
6 – 9 p.m.

Grab the kids and bring them to this year’s Winter Wonderland, a beloved tradition at W&L. Delicious treats will be served in Evans Hall from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Note: This event is only open to members of the W&L campus community.

Washington and Lee University presents: Holiday Pops Concert
Wilson Concert Hall, 100 Glasgow St.
7 p.m.

W&L will present its annual Holiday Pops Concert on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall in the Lenfest Center for the Arts. This concert features choral and instrumental ensembles from the W&L Department of Music performing pieces that celebrate the holiday season. The program will include new works and traditional favorites, and feature a variety of student conductors.

Tickets are required but are free with a non-perishable food or monetary donation to Campus Kitchen at W&L, an organization that addresses food insecurity in Lexington and Rockbridge County. For more information, visit https://my.wlu.edu/lenfest-center/holiday-pops.

Dec. 4

Holiday Dinner
The Marketplace, Washington and Lee
4:30 – 8 p.m.

Come celebrate the holidays with a traditional holiday dinner at W&L’s Marketplace on Dec. 4 from 4:30-8 p.m. The menu is available at https://my.wlu.edu/dining-services/special-events.

Downtown Buena Vista Christmas Parade
Downtown Buena Vista
6:30 p.m.

Downtown Buena Vista’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the holiday festivities at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a dazzling display of festive floats, twinkling lights and cheerful holiday music. For more information, visit https://www.mainstreetbuenavista.org/.

Lessons and Carols
Grace Episcopal, 123 W. Washington Street
8 p.m. 

Lessons and Carols is an annual tradition at W&L dating back over 80 years. This year’s candlelight service will take place on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m., weaving together the narration of the Christmas story through music, readings and carols. Please note that due to renovations in University Chapel, this year’s Lessons and Carols will take place at Lexington’s Grace Episcopal Church, located at 123 W. Washington Street. No tickets are required.

Dec. 5

Annual Lexington Christmas Parade
Main Street, downtown Lexington
6 p.m.

View floats, hear school marching bands, see the Virginia Military Institute cadets march and catch a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus during this downtown Lexington holiday favorite! The streets of downtown Lexington will be closed for preparation beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Hannukah Shabbat
Hillel House, Washington and Lee
6 p.m.

Join W&L Hillel for our Hannukah-themed Shabbat! While it is too early to light the menorah, we will still have latkes, sufganiyot, dreidels and more! This Shabbat is open to all students and community members who observe. For more information, email Hillel Director Sofie at hillel@wlu.edu.

Dec. 6

Main Street Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk
Main St., downtown Lexington
10 a.m.

Run (or walk) the Jingle Bell 5K route through beautiful downtown Lexington. This event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Jogging strollers and well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, and festive holiday costumes for people and pets are strongly encouraged. Find out more and register for the event.

Rockbridge Chorus and Rockbridge Youth Chorale Holiday Concert
Lexington Presbyterian Church
7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available here. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; audience caroling begins at 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12, 13, 14

Rockbridge Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”
Keller Theater, Lenfest Center for the Arts
Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:00 and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2:00 p.m.

The Rockbridge Ballet is thrilled to present our first full-length version of The Nutcracker! The beloved holiday ballet tells the enchanting story of a young girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As the clock strikes midnight, Clara is swept into a fantastical world where toys come to life, battles erupt between soldiers and mice, and snowflakes dance. She journeys to the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets, meets the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy, and then awakens, wondering it it was all a dream. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, “The Nutcracker” is a timeless celebration of wonder, imagination and the spirit of the season. Tickets can be purchased in-person at The Studio, Pronto, Downtown Books, and online at rockbridgeballet.org beginning Monday, November 10.

Dec. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, and 27

Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park
6477 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with festive lighting and roaring fires; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December.

Dec. 13

Roanoke Symphony Orchestras “Holiday Brass”
Wilson Concert Hall, Lenfest Center for the Arts
7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the joy of the season with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Brass concert, a cherished tradition that brings the brilliance of brass to life. This enchanting evening is part of the RSO’s proud 73rd season. Tickets are required; $20 general admission.

Dec. 19

Washington and Lee University Holiday Brunch
Evans Dining Hall
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The university community will gather in Evans for a buffet-style menu with brunch favorites and festive desserts courtesy of W&L Catering.

Note: This event is only open to members of the W&L campus community.

Tell us more!

Check back frequently for updates to this post, and send any festive events not listed to kgoodwin@wlu.edu. Visit https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar for more information about area events happening year-round. Happy holidays!