December is here and with it comes all the amazing Christmas events in Harrisonburg, VA and the surrounding towns!! What a joy to share with my children the birth of Jesus and to celebrate Him coming into this world to save the lost by experiencing these local activities and events. Hands down, our very favorite activity is to do a walk-thru Bethlehem experience! I am always so thankful for local churches and schools that bring to life the nativity and allow children to see and experience firsthand, what Christmas is about. Below are some amazing Christmas activities near Harrisonburg, VA for your family to enjoy, from live nativities to candy cane hunts and Christmas movie showings! I hope that your family is able to set aside some time this holiday season to enjoy a few of these together.
Live Nativity or Journey to Bethlehem Experiences:
Saturday December 3 – Live Nativity
- Information: “The story of Christmas comes to life – literally – with our live nativity in our Court Square parking lot. Join us at this event before downtown Harrisonburg’s Winter Fest and immediately before the downtown Christmas parade,” hosted by First Presbyterian Church.
- Address: 17 Court Square, Harrisonburg
- Date and Time: Saturday December 3rd from 5:00-6:30pm
- Website
Saturday and Sunday December 10 & 11 – “Outdoor Walk Thru Live Nativity”
- Information: A walk-through live nativity event where you can experience first-century Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born hosted by Weavers Mennonite Church
- Address: 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg VA
- Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday December 10-11 from 5:30pm-7pm
- Website
Friday and Saturday December 16 & 17 – “Journey to Jesus – A Walk Through Bethlehem”
- Information: Join us as we Journey to Jesus by walking through Bethlehem. A guided tour will be narrated by speakers including blacksmiths, carpenters, basket weavers, story telling, live animals and a live manger. Hosted by Faith Community Church.
- Directions: From I-81, take the Weyers Cave exit and head toward Weyers Cave. Turn left onto Keezletown Road and go 1.7 miles. Turn right into the driveway right before the bridge. If you cross the bridge, you’ve gone too far.
- Date and Time: Friday December 16th from 6:30-8:00pm and Saturday December 17th, from 6:00-8:00pm.
Saturday December 17 – Live Nativity
- Information: Join Sangerville Church of the Brethren for a free live nativity as well as light refreshments, coffee, hot chocolate, and fellowship!
- Address: 26 Vance Road, Bridgewater VA
- Date and Time: Saturday December 17th from 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday – Friday, December 21 – 23 – Live Nativity
- Information: Come view a live nativity including camels hosted by Mill Creek Church of the Brethren
- Address: Michael’s family barn: 8218 Port Republic Rd, Port Republic, VA 24471
- Date and Time: December 21, 22, 23 from 7-9pm
- Website
Other Christmas Events in/near Harrisonburg, VA
Friday – Sunday, December 2, 3, and 4 – Movie: A Christmas Story
- Information: Watch this movie at the Sipe Center in Bridgewater. “Christmas movies during the month of December are free for everyone! Tickets are available only in person at the box office on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not available in advance.”
- Address: Sipe Center – 100 North Main Street Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Dec 2nd at 6:30pm, Dec 3rd at 4pm and 7pm, Dec 4th at 7pm
- Website
Saturday, December 3 – Harrisonburg City’s “Winter Wonderfest”
- Information: Tons of events throughout the day including carriage rides, meeting Santa, shopping, caroling, gingerbread house contests and more! Be sure to go to the website to register for certain events.
- Address: Downtown Harrisonburg
- Date and Time: December 3rd from noon – 6pm
- Website
Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, December 8, 9, and 11– Movie: National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
- Information: Watch this movie at the Sipe Center in Bridgewater. “Christmas movies during the month of December are free for everyone! Tickets are available only in person at the box office on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not available in advance.”
- Address: Sipe Center – 100 North Main Street Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Dec 8th at 6:30pm, Dec 9th at 6:30pm, Dec 11th at 2pm, 4:30pm, and 7pm
- Website
Saturday, December 10 – New Market Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt
- Information: The is a free event but you do need to register to attend so be sure to go to the link below. Candy canes and other goodies are hidden around the New Market Community Park. Children will be allowed to start the hunt at different times based on their ages. This is a free event but registration is required.
- Address: New Market Community Park – 9670 Cadet Road New Market, VA 22844
- Date and Time: Saturday, Dec 10th between 6:30-8:00pm depending on the child’s age.
- Website
Saturday, December 10 – Bridgewater Christmas Parade
- Information: The parade route begins on Mount Crawford Ave, turns left onto N Main Street, left onto Dinkle Ave
- Address: Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Saturday, Dec 10th at 2pm
- Website
Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, December 15, 16, and 17– Movie: Polar Express
- Information: Watch this movie at the Sipe Center in Bridgewater. “Christmas movies during the month of December are free for everyone! Tickets are available only in person at the box office on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not available in advance.”
- Address: Sipe Center – 100 North Main Street Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Dec 15th at 6:30pm, Dec 16th at 4pm and 6:30pm, Dec 17th at 4:30pm, and 7pm
- Website
Friday & Saturday, December 16 & 17 – Christmas Village at the Fair
- Information: Visit the Rockingham County Fairgrounds to experience a walk-thru Christmas village filled with lights, vendors, cookie decorating, s’mores, live music, pony and wagon rides and even catch a glimpse of Farmer Santa! This is a paid event so be sure to get your tickets online to save a few dollars.
- Address: Rockingham County Fairgrounds – 4808 S. Valley Pike Harrisonburg, VA
- Date and Time: Saturday Dec 16-17 from 4-9pm
- Website
Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18 – A Heritage Christmas: Watchman Tell Us of the Night
- Information: “In Watchman Tell Us of the Night, visitors will progress through four different buildings on our campus, each with a scene that brings to life what Christmas Eve in 1864 might have been like for Brethren and Mennonites in the Shenandoah Valley. Each scene features different characters who struggle to make sense of the “Burning” that took place only months before, and who grapple with what it means to live as followers of Jesus in a particularly trying time.” Adults are $10, students $5 and children 5 and under are free.
- Address: Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center – 1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, VA
- Date and Time: Saturday, Dec 17 and Sunday, Dec 18 from 4-7pm. Tickets are required.
- Website
Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18 – The Nutcracker Ballet
- Information: Enjoy the special treat of watching the Nutcracker Ballet performed by the Rockingham Ballet Theatre. Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time using the link below.
- Address: Cole Hall, Bridgewater College – 402 E College St, Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Saturday Dec 17th at 7:30pm and Sunday Dec 18th at 3pm
- Website
Thursday & Friday, December 22 & 23– Movie: Elf
- Information: Watch this movie at the Sipe Center in Bridgewater. “Christmas movies during the month of December are free for everyone! Tickets are available only in person at the box office on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not available in advance.”
- Address: Sipe Center – 100 North Main Street Bridgewater, VA
- Date and Time: Dec 22nd at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm, Dec 23rd at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm
- Website
Please let me know which of these Christmas events near Harrisonburg, VA was your favorite and if there are others that need to be added to the list! Merry Christmas!
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