Christmas is on its way, and with it comes all of the holiday cheer and festivities centered around celebrating the wintry seasonal holiday. Seeing Christmas lights is a popular way to bundle up and enjoy the colder temps and experience the sight of colored lights, decorations, and Christmas trees with friends and family. Here are several options to enjoy this tradition without having to go too far from home.
Charlottesville’s “Magic on the Mall”
During December and January, Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall celebrates the winter holiday season by lighting up a grand Christmas tree near the Ting Pavilion for its “Magic on the Mall” event. Trees, wreaths, and lights, and banners on the lampposts decorate the mall, while many stores decorate their interiors in holiday colors and their exteriors with wreaths and festive-colored blackboards displaying their goods.
If you want to do a little Christmas shopping while enjoying the holiday landscape of the Downtown Mall, then Magic on the Mall may be the best local option. The Downtown Mall at Christmas time is also a popular place to take pictures for fun or to post on your social media. Shops in the Downtown Mall are generally open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Boar’s Head’s “Winter Wander”
Combine getting some exercise while you celebrate the holidays at the annual Boar’s Head Winter Wander. A wintry spectacle spanning the entirety of the Boar’s Head golf resort, the Winter Wander captures the essence of Christmas by showcasing a variety of Christmas lights decorated throughout the hills of Boar’s Head and its lake. Festive drinks and treats, including from Vision BBQ and Carpe Donuts, are available near the Wander Outpost every night of the event. The Winter Wander is open the nights Nov. 22-Jan. 4.
This year, a couple of new attractions will be featured at the Winter Wander. An Illumination Drone Show will appear twice per night, once at 6 p.m. and once at 8 p.m. (weather permitting) on Dec. 17, 29, 30, and Jan. 1 and 2. Wander in Motion, a 30-minute production featuring winged dancers, takes place once each night Nov. 22 through Dec. 24 (except Dec. 17).
Tickets are available for purchase online at Boar’s Head Winter Wander, and cost $27 for adults (13 and older) and $10 for kids. Ticket prices become higher when purchased on the event day, so it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to save money. Nov. 22, Dec. 1, Jan. 3, and Jan. 4 are all value days where adult tickets start at only $10.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens’ “Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights”
Located in Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is known for its botanical gardens and plants. Around Christmas time, Lewis Ginter has its gardens and trees decked out in bright, multicolored lights strung across the trees and landscape to create an event that made the “Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.” list for 2023 and 2024.
Hot chocolate, cookies, and other holiday treats are available for purchase throughout the walk. In addition to the trail and a children’s garden, there is a greenhouse featuring exotic and seasonal plants, including wild orchids and lilies, will also be lit up with colored UV lighting. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens’ Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is open Dec. 8 through Jan. 5. Tickets range from $20 to $30 for adults (13 and up) and $15 to $20 for kids.
Busch Gardens’ “Christmas Town”
A more expensive option for Christmas fun is Christmas Town, theme park Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s holiday event. Located in Williamsburg, Christmas Town features twinkling lights throughout the amusement park and landscape, pictures with Santa, musical performances, and holiday shopping. Santa’s Fireside Feast, a Christmas-themed restaurant, is just one of the many options to dine in a festive way.
Tickets run as little as $29 per person (when purchased in advance and on mid-week dates) and go up to as high as $84.99 when purchased at the event. The event runs Nov. 15 through Jan. 5 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. To purchase tickets in advance, go to Busch Gardens.
