Affordable Thanksgiving and Holiday Fun in the Shenandoah Valley

Where did 2022 go? Can you believe it’s almost time for the holidays and all the feasting, gift-buying, and celebrating? Despite the rising costs of, well, everything, having a good time over the holidays doesn’t need to break the bank. Here’s our guide to this holiday season’s affordable family fun. Read on for turkey trots, local shopping deals, holiday parades, tree lightings, and more seasonal fun. 

Turkey Trots

Earn your Thanksgiving dinner by running or walking in a Thanksgiving Day event. Bond with the family in a mix of fun and fitness!

• Waynesboro YMCA Turkey Trot: 8:15 a.m. The event will feature a 5K, a one-mile run for kids as well as warm-up and stretching sessions.
• Frederick County’s 24th annual Thanksgiving Day 5k and Fun Run: 7:45 a.m. at Sherando Park 

• Harrisonburg’s Rocktown Turkey Trot and  Gobble Gobble Kids Dash: 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving. 
• Valley Children’s Advocacy Center’s 11th Annual Club at Ironwood Turkey Trot Run/Walk will feature pumpkin pie bites at the finish. Competitors are encouraged to “dress to impress.” 9 a.m.
• 11th Annual Lexington Gobble Wobble 5K and Children’s Fun Run 9-11 a.m. Costumes are encouraged!

Dine with the Family

• Order your traditional or non-tradition Thanksgiving dinner to eat at home from the Southern Inn Restaurant. Feeds 4-8 People. Preorder by Nov. 18, 2022 
• “Wine” down with friends and family at any one of Shenandoah County’s eight vineyards during the holiday shopping season. Don’t forget to give the gift of Virginia wine! 
• Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Feast with Family and Friends at Bryce Resort on November 24 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The menu features roast turkey, ham, cornbread stuffing, butternut squash soup, green bean casserole, pumpkin, and apple pie.

Shop Local

Don’t spend your entire gifting budget online or at the big box stores. Shopping locally supports our residents and the small businesses that make our communities unique and special. Not only will you find quality items, many directly related to our area, but you’ll also find quality service and the money you spend supports the community. Shopping locally is always a good idea, but many merchants offer extended hours and special deals on Small Business Saturday (November 26, 2022).

• Downtown Lexington’s Small Business Saturday (2-5 p.m.). Get your gifts wrapped for free!

• Celebrate Small Business Saturday in many Shenandoah County towns #ShopShenCo. Check out Star in the Valley Estate Winery’s Annual Christmas Market for local vendors and artisans, live holiday music, mulled wine, holiday treats and food.

• Stroll the walkable downtown during Staunton’s Small Business Saturday.
• Harrisonburg’s Small Business Saturday. Shop local for a chance to win!
• Shop small at Berryville’s Shop Small Saturday, Berryville Bucks Double Entry Day, and Clarke County Farmer’s Market Holiday Market.

Holiday Parades, Tree Lightings, and Festivals

November 25: 

• Lexington’s Annual Candlelight Processional & Community Tree Lighting (5:15-6:30 p.m.) is a free, family-friendly annual event. Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the Processional down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage. The Processional will arrive at Hopkins Green, for caroling and lighting of the Community Tree. View commemorative luminaries provided by the SPCA, then visit Santa and Mrs. Claus!

November 28: 

• Winchester Holiday Parade (7 p.m.) will feature floats, bands, and Santa. Tree lighting to follow.
• Staunton Christmas Parade (7 p.m.) “A Storybook Christmas” heads through historic downtown with music, floats, and Santa.

December 1: 

• Elkton’s Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa (6-7 p.m.) 

December 2: 

• Berryville’s Tree Lighting (6 p.m.) – Kids activities, photos with Santa, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and results of the Parking Meter Holiday Decorating Contest.
• Lexington’s Annual Christmas Parade (6 p.m.) on Main Street is free and family-friendly with over 60 float entries. 
• Luray’s 7th Annual Chamber Holiday Festival (4-9 p.m.) will celebrate the upcoming holidays with music, crafts, wagon rides, cookies and cocoa, local craft and food vendors, and photos with Santa. 

December 3: 

• Santa’s Sleigh & Reindeer  (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) will be in Candy Cane Courtyard @ City National Bank (38 N Central Ave, Staunton)
• The Staunton Farmers Market will offer an outdoor winter’s market in Staunton’s historic Wharf district, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Berryville’s Christmas Parade (noon) and Small Business Saturday (4 p.m.)
• Elkton’s downtown Christmas Parade (5-6 p.m.)
• Front Royal’s Christmas Parade (5-6:30 p.m.) on East Main Street.

• Christmas in Stanley Parade (6 p.m.) on Main Street. Christmas Tree Lighting to follow at Ed Good Memorial Park.
• Harrisonburg’s Winter Wonderfest will have carriage rides, photos with Santa, holiday shopping, live music and performances, and a holiday movie.
• Harrisonburg’s Holiday Parade and Winter Wonderfest (7 p.m.) on Main Street. 
• Waynesboro’s Christmas Parade (6 p.m.) in downtown. WHSV will be collecting toys for the Toy Convoy at the parade.
• Town of New Market Annual Tis the Season Celebration (10 am-7 pm)
• Town of Strasburg Tis the Season in Strasburg (All Day)

December 9: 

• Dayton’s Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Santa Pictures. The parade with head downtown to Dove Park where Santa and other festivities await.

December 10: 

• Santa’s Cottage, located in Gingerbread Gardens (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) @ Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, (18 N. Coalter Street) Fun activities, music, and photo opportunities.
• The Staunton Farmers Market will offer an outdoor winter’s market in Staunton’s historic Wharf district, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

December 15: 

• Luray’s Christmas Parade (6-7 p.m.) on East Main Street

December 17: 

• Santa’s Downtown Workshop (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) will be set up inside THE SPACE (35A South New Street.) Stop by, take a look inside and capture a selfie with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and friends!
• The Staunton Farmers Market will offer an outdoor winter’s market in Staunton’s historic Wharf district, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Other Inexpensive Fun

• Enjoy a post-Thanksgiving walk with your family meal around Bryce Resort’s beautiful Lake Laura Trail. The hike is easy to moderate and suitable for all ages.
• Celebrate the holiday season with Dickens’ classic, family-friendly tale, A Christmas Carol at Blackfriars Playhouse in downtown Staunton.
• Fort Valley Ranch: Ugly Sweater Trail Ride. Horses are gentle for the entire family.
• Clark in the Parks: Find Clark the Elf in one of Augusta County’s six parks between November 21 and December 20. Return him to the Parks and Rec Center for a prize! 
• Natural Bridge State Park’s Park After Dark: Owl Prowl (November 25, 6-7 p.m.) is a ranger-guided nighttime nature walk along Skyline Trail. Learn about stars, dark skies, and nocturnal animals.
• Drive the 1.3-mile loop in Staunton’s Gypsy Hill Park to see the 17th annual Celebration of Lights (November 21-January 1).
• Get the family together in Harrisonburg at Ruby’s Arcade for duckpin bowling, pool, darts, foosball, shuffleboard, and arcade games. Duke it out at Elevation Sports with a round of Bubble Soccer, Combat Archer, or Nerf Wars! Younger kids will love the interactive exhibits at Explore More Discovery Museum.