By Sarah Richardson
The holiday spirit is alive and well in Lewisburg with The Magic of Christmas kicking off on Nov. 22 and running up until Christmas Day. This city-wide celebration has a variety of activities throughout the season, including extended hours for shopping, dining, pop-up events, and a Polar Express Scavenger Hunt (details at A New Chapter Bookstore). Kids can mail their letters to Santa with Santa’s mailbox at the Green Space, and carriage rides will be running on Fridays and Saturdays downtown. Carriage rides cost $10 per adult and $5 per child, however, there is no charge for the carriage rides offered on Dec. 6, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20.
The holiday festivities begin with the official Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Green Space on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.. New this year, Washington Street will be closed from 219 to Court Street during the event to increase room to watch the tree lighting. Hot chocolate will be available, and food trucks will also be set up in the Green Space parking lot.
Santa will be attending the tree lighting, and will be downtown afterwards. On Saturday, Nov. 23, visitors can enjoy photo opportunities with Santa at the Visitor’s Center at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and again at the Greenspace at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (weather permitting. Will move to Visitor’s Center if rain). Carriage rides will be running from 3 to 7 p.m., and face painting will take place at Love Child from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Sheena Pendley’s studio will also offer walk-in Christmas photos from 12 to 7 p.m.
The holiday shopping continues with Black Friday on Nov. 29, featuring carriage rides from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. downtown. On Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday, the community can enjoy carriage rides from 3 to 7 p.m., and meet Jack Skellington and Sally from 12 to 2 p.m. in the downtown area. Walk-in photos at Sheena Pendley’s studio will be available from 12 noon to 7 p.m.
December kicks off with Lewisburg’s Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Santa will be in attendance, and a sensory-friendly viewing area will be set up inside the Visitor’s Center. On Dec. 6, the First Friday events include free carriage rides from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Santa visiting the downtown area from 4 to 6 p.m. Lewis the Elf will also visit downtown at 6 p.m. At Love Child, Mayor Beverly White will read Elf on the Shelf at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Elf Movie will be shown at the Lewis Theatre. A Tuna Christmas will be performed at Greenbrier Valley Theatre at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall at 7 p.m. Please purchase tickets in advance for the showings at GVT and Carnegie Hall. Sheena Pendley will again be offering walk-in Christmas photos from 3 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, visitors can enjoy free carriage rides from 3 to 7 p.m., while Lewis the Elf will visit downtown from 12 to 2 p.m. Mayor White will again read Elf on the Shelf at Love Child from 12 to 2 p.m. A Tuna Christmas performance will take place at Greenbrier Valley Theatre at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (please purchase tickets in advance), and local artist Jorn Mork will be at the Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with gift items for sale. Santa will make another appearance downtown on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.
On Dec. 13, there will be free carriage rides from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Santa visiting downtown from 4 to 6 p.m., a showing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at The Lewis Theatre at 7 p.m., A Tuna Christmas performance at GVT at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (please purchase tickets in advance), and walk-in photos with Sheena Pendley from 3 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, downtown will also host Girl’s Day Out (more details will be available closer to the event). The Jingle Bell Jog will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by carriage rides from 3 to 7 p.m. and live music by Carrie Ann McDonald at The Asylum from 8 to 11 p.m. A Tuna Christmas performance at GVT at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (please purchase tickets in advance), and walk-in Christmas photos at Sheena Pendley’s will also be available from 12 to 7 p.m. Santa will visit downtown from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.
On Friday, Dec. 20, there will be the last free carriage rides from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., a Nakatomi Christmas Party and Die Hard movie showing at The Lewis Theatre at 7 p.m., and Santa visiting downtown from 4 to 6 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 21, there will be carriage rides from 3 to 7 p.m. and Santa downtown from 12 to 2 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for holiday shopping, family-friendly activities, or a chance to visit with Santa, Downtown Lewisburg has something for everyone this holiday season. Visit https://tinyurl.com/mtmnnrn7 for a full schedule and more information.
