The sun sets around 5 p.m. in December, but the nights are lit by displays of holiday lights throughout the Dan River region.
Illuminate your holiday season by visiting some of the region’s brightest and most beautiful lighting spectacles. We’re making a list and checking it twice, with commercial and residential displays both included. Did we miss a really good one? Make sure to tell us on our Facebook page! (And those who don’t already “like” it should be careful they don’t end up on the “naughty” list.)
Danville, Virginia
Annual Community Holiday Light Show
Dec. 8-25
The Light Show provides seasonal entertainment for thousands who visit each year, as well as raising money that goes back into the community. The Community Holiday Light Show will run Dec. 8 -25; the cost is $7 a vehicle ($15 for mini buses and 15-passenger vans). The show will be open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday through Saturday.
The Children’s Village will be open inside Ballou Recreation Center until 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 23 and will feature free photos with Santa, holiday crafts, and hot chocolate. The show will be closed on Christmas Eve.
Eden, North Carolina
Tree lighting at WinterFest
Dec. 8
Eden’s WinterFest runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grogan Park, 308 E. Stadium Drive, Eden, North Carolina. Features Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m. Other highlights include the Jingle Bell Rockin 5K, a showing of Frozen, Frozen characters, Santa, s’mores, an inflatable slide, and hot beverages.
Patrick County, Virginia
3930 Ayers Orchard Road, Stuart, Virginia 24171
This house does their yard and house in lights and synchronizes it to music that you can listen to on your car stereo.
Caswell County, North Carolina
Leon and Ann’s Country Christmas Lights
609 Ashland Road. Ruffin, NC 27326
Hours: Friday & Saturday nights
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. through December 29
Free to the public, but donations are gladly accepted. This display in Caswell includes scenes of model trains, dolls, Christmas and lighting displays. Here’s a video clip from last year. It is about a 25 minute drive South of Danville via the Park Springs Road off of Route 86, or between Yanceyville and Reidsville off Route 158. For more information call, 336-939-2221.
Franklin County, Virginia
Annual Westlake Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting
Dec. 6
Westlake Towne Center
Enjoy an evening of family-friendly activities, including Santa’s special arrival on a fire truck, pictures with Santa, games and entertainment for kids, live music, refreshments, and more.After the tree lighting ceremony, Westlake Cinema will present a showing of the 2017 animated children’s movie The Star at 8 p.m. Free tickets to the film will be given to individuals who donate a new, unwrapped toy to the annual We Care of Franklin County Toy Drive during the event.
More ways to get merry in the State Crossings region this holiday season
Check out our long list of holidays events in the region, sorted by date.