Where to see holiday lights at Virginia State Parks

Where to see holiday lights at Virginia State Parks
Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30.
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Where to see holiday lights at Virginia State Parks
Where to see holiday lights at Virginia State Parks
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Where to see holiday lights at Virginia State Parks
By
Starr Anderson
Posted November 12, 2025, Original Publish Date November 14, 2023
Last updated on November 05, 2025
Whether you want to see colorful lights on a bridge or a tunnel, from the comfort of your car or in a cozy museum, we have spectacular events for you to enjoy holiday lights and decor at Virginia State Parks. Find details below to plan your holiday adventure today!
1. Festival of Trees (indoors)
You'll see a wide range of beautifully decorated trees at the Museum this holiday season
Where
:
Southwest Virginia Museum State Park
, 10 West First St. N., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
When:
Nov. 9-Dec. 31
Daytime hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
Evening hours:
Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, and every Friday and Saturday in December, 5-8 p.m.
An Evening Aglow (a special program without the use of most overhead lights): Nov. 29 and Dec. 20, 5-8 p.m.
Fees:
Regular admission rates apply. Adults: $5, children ages 6-12: $3, children 6 and under: free. Group rates are available.
A beloved holiday tradition, the
Festival of Trees
celebrates its 30th year at Southwest Virginia Museum. Find abundant holiday cheer when you see beautifully decorated trees, mantels, banisters and doorways inside the museum. Each tree is decorated by volunteers representing families, churches, schools, businesses and civic groups around the region.
Learn more:
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/southwestvirginiamuseum-events
2. Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel (outdoors)
Get in the holiday spirit at the Lighting of the Tunnel
Where:
Natural Tunnel State Park
, 1420 Natural Tunnel Pkwy., Duffield, VA 24244
When:
Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20
Hours:
6-10 p.m.
Fees:
Parking is $7 per vehicle. The chairlift is $5 per person for a round-trip ticket and $4 for a one-way ticket.
As you ride down on the chairlift and
make your way to the tunnel
, you will be surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and see animated Christmas displays. Once at the tunnel, stand by the warm fire while the sounds and smells of the holiday season fill the air. Hot chocolate and Christmas carols are just a few things you can expect to enjoy. Stop by Carter Cabin, one of Scott County's older buildings, to hear stories of Christmas from 1775.
Learn more:
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/naturaltunnel-events
3. Karlan Christmas: Parade of Trees (indoors)
The Parade of Trees is a great way to celebrate the holiday season
Where:
Wilderness Road State Park
, Karlan Mansion, 8051 Wilderness Rd., Ewing, VA 24248
When:
Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21
Friday and Saturday hours: 5-8 p.m.
Sunday hours: 2-5 p.m.
Fees:
Admission is $2 per person, children 12 and under are free.
Join us for a magical and entertaining view of our most treasured
holiday at the Karlan Mansion
. Browse trees uniquely decorated by the local community while enjoying classic holiday music.
Learn more:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/wilderness-road
4. Lights at the Lake (drive-through)
Lights at the Lake offers a drive-through option for the whole family
Where:
Bear Creek Lake State Park
, 22 Bear Creek Lake Rd., Cumberland, VA 23040
When:
Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14
Hours:
5-8 p.m.
Fees:
Admission is either the donation of a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary donation to the Cumberland Christmas Mother.
During this annual winter event, visitors will drive their car through the park’s campground and beach area to experience a wonderland of lights and community displays. Additional activities include craft-making and decorating activities, and the Lakeside Snack Bar will be open to sell light refreshments, holiday-themed ornaments and other merchandise perfect for the season.
Learn more:
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/bearcreeklake-events
5. Lighting of the Bridge (outdoors)
Come see the Staunton River Bridge covered in lights this holiday season
Where:
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
, 1035 Fort Hill Trail, Randolph, VA 23962
When:
Dec. 12-14
Hours:
5:30-8 p.m.
Fees:
$5 per vehicle (cash only)
Looking for a way to get in the holiday spirit? Join park staff on our jingling wagon ride, which will take you to our holiday-decorated trail and lights on the
Staunton River Bridge
. Gaze up at the twinkling lights and enjoy the festive activities. Free refreshments will be offered in the visitor center, and the picnic shelter will host free children's craft tables, a photo station, and wreath-making ($10 fee).
Learn more:
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/stauntonriverbattlefield-events
6. Night before Christmas wagon ride (outdoors + indoors)
After a holiday wagon ride, come hear a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Where:
Caledon State Park
, 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, VA 22485
When:
Dec. 10, 12 and 19
Hours: 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
When:
Dec. 13 and 20
Hours: 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
When:
Dec. 14 and 21
Hours: 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Fees:
Parking: $5, wagon rides: $3 per person or $8 for the family. Paid reservations are required as space is limited. Call 540-663-3861 or stop by the visitor center to reserve your spot.
Carol your way through the winter woods on a wagon decorated with holiday lights. Gather the family, bundle up, and bring an appetite for hot cocoa as you join us for this
annual Caledon State Park tradition
. Afterward, we'll return to the visitor center for a reading of the classic holiday tale
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
, while sitting by the tree and sipping hot cocoa.
Learn more:
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/caledon-events
7. Luminary Nights (outdoors)
Come see the bridge like you've never seen it before at Luminary Nights
Where:
Natural Bridge State Park
, 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
When:
Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 27
Hours:
5-9 p.m.
Fees:
Regular admission applies ($9 for those 13 and up and $6 for those 12 and younger). Carriage rides will be offered on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 and are $25 per rider. This cost includes regular admission. Registration is required. To register for a carriage ride, call 540-254-0795.
Experience Natural Bridge State Park like never before, with
festive lighting and roaring fires
; the park is awash in the holiday spirit this December. Enjoy an after-dark stroll along the illuminated Cedar Creek Trail and under the Natural Bridge, lit up to show the crags and clefts of the arch in festive colors. Back at the pavilion, warm up around one of our campfires and relax with friends and family or stop by to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Please note: On nights when carriage rides are offered, pedestrians will share the trail with the carriage.
BONUS
: During the day, visit the Natural Bridge State Park's Visitor Center for their
Festival of Trees
Where:
Visitor Center,
Natural Bridge State Park
, 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
When:
Nov. 14-Dec. 31
Hours:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fees:
Free
8. Festival of Trees (indoors)
Celebrate the season at Fairy Stone State Park's Festival of Trees
Where:
Fairy Stone State Park
, 967 Fairystone Lake Dr., Stuart, VA 24171
When:
Dec. 13-14
Hours:
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fees:
Free
Celebrate the season and make a difference in your community by joining us at Fayerdale Hall for the
Festival of Trees
. During this special event, local organizations are asked to decorate a holiday tree to represent themselves. Members of the community will then vote for their favorite tree by placing donation items under the tree of their choice.
Festival of Trees will support the Disaster Relief Food Ministry and the Franklin County Humane Society. For the Disaster Relief Food Ministry, we will be collecting non-perishable, unexpired food items. We will also be collecting unopened pet food on behalf of the Franklin County Humane Society.
http://www.virginiastateparks.gov/fairystone-events
Now that you know where to see the festive lights, we look forward to seeing you at Virginia State Parks this holiday season. To see what other events our parks have planned,
click here
.
If you share your fun park experiences online, be sure to tag us on social media @vastateparks and use our hashtag #vastateparks.
PARKS
Bear Creek Lake State Park
|
Caledon State Park
|
Fairy Stone State Park
|
Natural Bridge State Park
|
Natural Tunnel State Park
|
Southwest Virginia Museum
|
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
|
Wilderness Road State Park
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If you have read the article and have a question, please email
nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov
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600 E. Main St., 24
th
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