Virginia’s Blue Ridge Welcomes LGBTQ Travelers this Holiday Season
The holiday spirit in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is alive with cheer, celebrations, and color. Dickens of a Christmas, located in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, is the largest holiday celebration the city offers. This free event hosts dozens of vendors, carriage rides, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, parades, pet contests, caroling and more! Dickens takes place the first three Fridays of December, creating lasting cheer throughout the whole month.
Roanoke County hosts Illuminights, a dazzling half mile, ADA accessible walking path surround by over 725,000 lights. Each year, this light show features new themes, roasted marshmallows, and a sensory night, dedicated to folks that may be sensitive to light and/or sound. Shows start the weekend before Thanksgiving, and last through New Years Day.
The historic Hotel Roanoke celebrates the season with fantastic outdoor displays and Fashions for Evergreens. Featuring over 20 curated and impressively-decorated trees, this event is free and open to the public, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
December 5th, from 10 am to 2 pm, the Gingerbread Festival will be taking place at the Salem Museum. This free and festive extravaganza features dance and acrobatics shows, an in-person Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a Gingerbread House competition, face painting, and other Festival necessities.
Photos by Jennifer Griffin - Visit VBR
