December Events
Ice Skating Downtown Suffolk
Fun for the whole family this December at Festival Park! Public skating will be available the entire month of December on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each session includes one hour of skate time + rental of skates. Cost: Participants 13-years and older is $13 per session. Participants 12 years and younger are free with a paying adult. Reserve your session by scanning the QR code on the flyer.
Date: December 1 – 31, 2024
Time: Varies (see flyer for details)
Location: Festival Park | 215 W. Washington Street | Suffolk, VA 23434
Light Up Merchant’s Millpond
Merchants Millpond State Park will be hosting “Light up the Millpond” for the holidays, a drive-through light display coordinated by Gates County Community Events and Friends of the Mill Pond. Each display is created by members of the community. Civic groups, families, churches, schools, and local businesses participate in the decorations. The event is being held on Friday and Saturday evenings with an extending opening on Sunday Dec 22nd and Monday Dec 23rd. Admission is Free, and donations are accepted.
Date: November 29 – December 23, 2024
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: 176 Mill Pond Road | Gatesville, NC
Santa at Franklin Library
Bring your wish list and visit with Santa at the Franklin on December 5th and Courtland Library on December 11th. Enjoy photos with Santa, playing games and take home a craft. Sponsored by Franklin-Southampton United Way and the Blackwater Regional Library.
Date: December 5th, 2024
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Location: 280 N. College Drive | Franklin, VA
Franklin Elf Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Franklin’s annual Elf Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony! Be an elf for the day and join Santa as you march & carol from the Farmers Market on Main to Barrett’s Landing Park. You and your family will enjoy a magical evening of music, hot chocolate, s’mores, pictures with Santa and much more! Only 150 elf hats will be available – so get there by 5:30!
Date: December 5th, 2024
Time: 6:00pm
Location: 210 S. Main Street | Franklin, VA
Holiday Cheer-a-Bration
The holiday Cheer-a-Bration is an event for all ages and abilities! The event will consist of breakfast for dinner, holiday games and activities, cheerful music and dancing, and Santa Claus himself will be there as well!
Tickets on sale now and are $10 for ages 6+ (5 & under are free). Tickets available at the Nike Park Office and the Windsor Town Center.
Date: December 6, 2024
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: Windsor Town Center | 23361 Courthouse Hwy. | Windsor, VA
Waverly Tree Lighting
Join your friends and neighbors at the 2nd annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and an ugly sweater contest!
Date: December 6, 2024
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Miles B. Carpenter Are Museum | 201 Hunter Street | Waverly, VA
Franklin Christmas Parade
Ring in the holidays at the annual Franklin Christmas parade. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland: A Character’s Christmas”
Date: December 6, 2024
Time: 7pm
Location: Downtown Franklin, VA
Polar Express Nostalgic Christmas
Ring in the holiday season at The Southampton Ag & Forestry Museum for their annual holiday event including Polar Express and model trains, train rides for the kids, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live nativity and more!
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 4–7pm
Location: 26315 Heritage Lane | Courtland, VA 23837
Windsor Christmas Parade and Holiday Market
Ring in the holiday season during the Town of Windsor’s annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Market. The parade starts at 4pm and features an extended route this year. After the parade, stop by the Windsor Town Center and enjoy the Holiday Market with a visit from Santa, activities, food and vendors.
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 4–8pm
Location: Windsor, VA
Breakfast with Santa – Windsor Town Center
Friends of the Windsor Library are sponsoring this breakfast event. Come enjoy breakfast with Santa and get your picture taken. Suggested donation is $5 per person.
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 9am – 11am
Location: Windsor Town Center | 23361 Courthouse Hwy. | Windsor, VA
Suffolk Holiday Parade
View the sights and sounds of the 2024 Suffolk Holiday Parade featuring floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and festival vehicles as they make their way down West Washington Street, and turn up North Main Street, with the parade route ending at Finney Avenue. This year’s parade theme is Silver and Gold Holiday Wishes.
This year’s Grandstand will be located in front of the SunTrust Building in the 100 block of North Main Street. Be there to catch the performances of the local bands and groups. Parade Route streets will close at 4pm. Streets in the Lakeside community will host parade line-up beginning at 4pm and will be closed to through traffic.
Free parking for the event is available in all City Public Parking Lots, including the Godwin Courthouse parking lot, Commerce Street lot, and Market Park parking lot.
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 4pm
Location: Downtown Suffolk, VA
Breakfast with Santa – VFW Post 4411
VFW Post 4411 will host, and Auxiliary are hosting this holiday event. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and photos with Santa. See flyer for photo package details and purchase tickets using the QR code.
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 9am – 12:30pm
Location: 3385 Beaver Dam Road | Franklin, VA
Artisan Gift Fair
The festive Artisan Gift Fair featuring handcrafted, homemade goods. An outdoor event at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion. Fresh produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, pickles & salsa; handcrafted items, décor, art, self-care items; complimentary face painting, balloon twisting plus seasonal carolers and DJ music & games. Bring your camera for photos with Santa. Concessions available for purchase.
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: 524 N. Main Street | Suffolk, VA
Boykins Christmas Parade
Ring in the holiday season at the Boykins annual Christmas Parade. Enjoy the floats, sights, and the sounds of holidays!
Date: December 8, 2024
Time: 3pm
Location: Boykins, VA
Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Join Franklin Fire and Rescue for their annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party at the fire station on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6:30pm!
This event is FREE, but there are a limited number of spots available. Please call Kim at 757-562-8581 to reserve your spot. Registration for this event is open until Monday, December 2nd at 5pm
Date: December 9, 2024
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: 100 S. Main Street | Franklin, VA
Santa at Courtland Library
Bring your wish list and visit with Santa at the Franklin on December 5th and Courtland Library on December 11th. Enjoy photos with Santa, playing games and take home a craft. Sponsored by Franklin-Southampton United Way and the Blackwater Regional Library.
Date: December 11th, 2024
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: 22511 Main Street | Courtland, VA
Murfreesboro Christmas Parade
The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Murfreesboro Christmas Parade night Christmas parade. For rules and entry form, contact [email protected]. Entry forms also available at the Roberts-Vaughan house and at local businesses.
Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 6pm
Location: Main St | Murfreesboro, NC
Murfreesboro Candlelight Christmas Tour
The Murfreesboro Historical Association’s presents its 38th Annual Candlelight Christmas Tour. Ten historic properties will be beautifully decorated featuring carriage rides, refreshments, and live music. Tickets are $25 when purchased before December 9th; $30 afterwards and day of event. Children under 12 get in free. Buy your tickets at murfreesboronc.org or stop by the Historical Association office.
Date: December 13 & 14, 2024
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: Murfreesboro, NC
