�elebrating �eSeason
A GUIDE TO HOLIDAY EVENTS
Central Virginia offers a variety of holiday events to brighten your season. Whether you’re strolling through illuminated trails, savoring seasonal treats, or experiencing the magic of Monticello by candlelight, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to some of the best holiday happenings in the area.
WinterWander
BOAR’S HEAD RESORT boarsheadresort.com/wander
Boar’s Head Resort’s annual Winter Wander runs through January 4, offering visitors a half-mile illuminated trail around Heritage Lake. This year introduces several new features, including a drone light show, winged dancer performances, and fireworks on select nights.
The trail features over 100,000 lights across 12 distinct scenes, including lanterns and animated fountains. Guests can explore themed areas like Dogwood Alley and Firefly Grove while enjoying food vendors, fire pits, and a synthetic ice rink. The 35-foot Welcome Tree marks the entrance, setting the tone for an evening filled with seasonal lights.
Rob Garland
Illuminated Veritas
VERITAS VINEYARD & WINERY veritaswines.com
Veritas Illuminated, launched in 2022, transforms Veritas Vineyard & Winery into a festive holiday destination. Visitors can explore a half-mile illuminated trail that winds through the vineyard, starting at the cozy tasting room and extending into the vineyard’s treelined hills.
The event offers more than holiday lights. Guests can warm up with mulled wine by the fire pits and enjoy a Winter Wonderland winter menu by Executive Chef Andy Shipman featuring seasonal dishes, including a gourmet charcuterie board, hearty baked potato soup, and a unique grilled cheese with Brie, spicy peach chutney, and Nelson County apples. Alongside the illuminated trail, Veritas hosts Christmas carol nights and a lively New Year’s Eve celebration, making it a must-visit holiday attraction.
Jack Looney
Monticello
HOLIDAY TOURS, WORKSHOPS, & SHOPPING
monticello.org
Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, offers a series of holiday events that blend festive charm with a glimpse into early American traditions. Holiday Evening Tours, available on select December nights, provide a rare chance to experience the house by candlelight. Rooms are adorned with greenery authentic to Jefferson’s era, and visitors can explore spaces such as the Dome Room while learning how both Jefferson’s family and the enslaved community marked the season. Additional events include wreath-making workshops and shopping for Jefferson-inspired gifts and holiday items at the Shop at Monticello.
Let Ligh� �ere be
PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE pvcc.edu
PVCC will light up the winter night with its annual Let There Be Light festival, an outdoor exhibition celebrating art, community, and the season’s magic. The event, scheduled for December 13, is centered around the V. Earl Dickinson Building and runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a rain date of December 14.
Designed to mark the approach of the winter solstice, the festival features glowing installations, interactive displays, and live performances by local artists, students, and community groups. This year’s highlights include shadow-puppet experiences, radiant sculptures, and hot cider and cocoa for guests as they explore the illuminated grounds. Another highlight will be the return of The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Artmobile, which is presenting Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist’s Guide to Emotions. Guests are encouraged to bring flashlights and don “enlightened being” attire, a tradition that enhances the festive atmosphere.
©Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello
Franklin Knox
Santa Fun Run & Walk
DOWNTOWN MALL
CvilleSantaRun.com
Lace up your shoes and channel your inner Santa to spread holiday cheer at the Arc of the Piedmont’s 11th Annual Santa Fun Run & Walk, happening Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10 a.m. on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. Presented by Studio R Aesthetics and CBS19, this festive 1-mile event is a great way to kick off the season while supporting a worthy cause.
This family-friendly fundraiser invites participants of all abilities to join in the fun. Whether you’re walking or running solo, with family, friends, or coworkers, you’ll be part of a joyful crowd decked out in festive gear—from Santa suits (included with registration) to reindeer antlers. Enjoy holiday music, refreshments, and photo ops as you help build a brighter future for the community.
All proceeds go directly to the Arc of the Piedmont, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you miss the Santa Run on December 7, there’s still a way to spread holiday cheer! Your donations can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals supported by The Arc— visit arcpva.org/donate to help them enjoy a brighter Christmas.