Highlights
Christmas in Abingdon
Treat your family to a picture-postcard Christmas in Abingdon.
Historic downtown Abingdon is full of charms during the holidays. Escape to Abingdon for a winter getaway, and take care of your holiday shopping while you take in the twinkling lights and cozy eateries on Main Street.
"A Southern version of It's a Wonderful Life."
Abingdon is so enticing at Christmas that it almost looks like a movie set. Southern Living wrote "If Frank Capra had made a Southern version of It’s a Wonderful Life, he might have set it in Abingdon, Virginia, with its tree-lined Main Street, scenic Blue Ridge setting, historic Martha Washington Inn & Spa, and legendary Barter Theatre."
Abingdon’s quaint downtown is transformed in to a Christmas wonderland, with carolers, magical storefront displays, and special events to celebrate the season. There are plenty of opportunities to find the perfect gift, as Abingdon’s merchants stay open late to accommodate shoppers.
Plan a destination Christmas in Abingdon
Holiday Events in Abingdon
Abingdon's holiday calendar is packed full of family-friendly events. In 2021, you'll find plenty of ways to safely enjoy the holiday season, from the Christmas Parade to outdoor holiday markets, and touchless drive-in shows from Barter Theatre.
The holiday season in Abingdon kicks off in November with the opening of Barter Theatre’s holiday offerings. Barter is a tradition for many families in the region, and that's true even in 2021! The Main Stage will host A Christmas Story indoors, while they continue social distancing of live shows at the Moonlite Drive-In, offering two fantastic holiday shows for all ages: The Twelve Days of Christmas and Jingle All The Way.
The Virginia Highlands Festival comes home to The Martha for the holidays, with a special holiday craft market.
Three Weekends
Nov. 19, 20, 21 | Nov. 26, 27, 28 | Dec. 3, 4, 5
Friday: 10 am–5 pm, Saturday: 10 am– 7 pm, Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Abingdon locals and tourists alike really enjoyed the opportunity to shop booths on the lawn of the Martha Washington Hotel & Spa. This year, The Martha is decorating in a classic and traditional style. Holiday inflatables will be interspersed throughout the booths. Santa has plans to come on Saturdays and wine will be offered for purchase by The Martha beginning at 4 pm on Saturdays. They are booking ambiance-setting music, as well.
This festival celebrates fine art, master crafts & approved specialty/gourmet items. Mixed media, jewelry, sculpture, blown and stained glass, pottery, painting, photography, textiles, unique craft, furniture, wood & gourmet.
Shopping in a Winter Wonderland
Abingdon is known for its charming mom-and-pop stores, which offer unique gifts you won't find in the mall. This holiday season, Abingdon's merchants invite families to spend the entire day in Abingdon.
Browse the storefront displays downtown. Grab a bite at one of Abingdon’s locally-owned restaurants, and enjoy the festive decorations downtown. You might even run into Santa while in town!
The Abingdon Farmers Market will be open for extended hours on Saturdays, with baked goods, crafts, wreaths and produce. Holston Mountain Artisans highlights handmade crafts from the region, with unique offerings and holiday decor items. Browse for something really special with holiday open houses at local merchants.
Christmas Activities for Families
Kick-off the Holiday Season with Mistletoe Market on November 4th-7th, 2021 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. This event is the region’s largest holiday shopping event and the biggest annual fundraiser for the William King Museum of Art!
Shop the Abingdon Merchants’ Holiday Open House on November 21, 2021. Abingdon is charming all year long, but the town shines at Christmas. Each year, Abingdon’s businesses compete for the most over-the-top window display. Extended shopping hours help you get a jump start on your holiday shopping.
Skip the Black Friday madness, and head to downtown Abingdon for Small Business Saturday, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This national campaign encourages shoppers to support small businesses. Abingdon celebrates Small Business Saturday with free family activities and extended merchant hours. Stroll along the adorable brick sidewalks and enjoy the window displays.
This year the Town will host a Holiday Lights Driving Tour. Grab a map of addresses around Abingdon, and hit the road to check out all the businesses and residents who have decorated for Christmas. The Driving Tour will run from December 1, 2021-January 3, 2022. Make this a new family tradition! More links and info to come…
Mark your calendar for the Abingdon Christmas Parade, December 4, 2021, at 6 pm.
Abingdon has added even more holiday fun, with activities every weekend (and some weeknights). We hope you’ll join us for Christmastime!
