THURSDAY

• Holidays at Smithfield: "Musical Memories" Through Sunday. Featuring vintage musical instruments on display, traditional music, children's activities, visits with Santa and more. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Where: Smithfield Plantation, 1000 Smithfield Plantation Road, Blacksburg Cost: Adults, $18; children ages 4 to 12, $9 Contact: 231-3947
• Bedford Festival of Trees Through Dec. 31. Trees from various organizations on display. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Bedford Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford Cost: Free Contact: 587-5681
• Vinton Christmas Parade Enjoy marching bands, festive floats and see Santa. When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Downtown Vinton Contact: 343-1364
• Holiday Celebration Decorate cookies, roast marshmallows, sing some favorite Christmas carols and watch the town tree be lit. When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Where: Jackson Park, Pulaski Cost: Free Contact: 980-2561
• Holiday Madrigal Dinner Through Saturday. Music by Radford University's Madrigal Singers and other entertainment. When: 6 p.m. Where: Muse Banquet Hall, Radford University, E. Main St., Radford Cost: $28 Contact: 831-5420
• Holiday Wreath Workshop Make your own holiday wreath with the instruction of David Pippin, a floral designer from Richmond. Must preregister. When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion, 200 Garden Lane, Blacksburg Cost: $50 Contact: 231-5970
• "Tis the Season" This program describes the legends associated with the stars that appear during the Christmas season. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Radford University Planetarium, Curie Hall, room 43 Contact: planetarium.radford.edu

FRIDAY

• Winter Lights Festival TubaChristmas will help bring in the "Sounds of the Season" with the annual parade and Christmas tree lighting. When: 4 to 8 p.m. Where: Downtown Blacksburg Contact: downtownblacksburg.com
• Santa Visits the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library For children ages 10 and under. Participants will enjoy refreshments, crafts, music and poetry. When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Where: 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta Cost: Free Contact: 425-7004
• Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas Enjoy free carriage rides, visit with Santa, an ice sculpting demonstration, live entertainment and more. When: 5 to 9 p.m. Where: Downtown Rocky Mount Cost: Free Contact: 489-3825
• SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas Performance by Mill Mountain Theatre, followed by the City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting. There will be carriage rides, live carolers, fire dancers, photos with Santa and more. When: 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Downtown Roanoke Cost: Free Contact: 342-2028 Traffic note: Campbell Avenue will close at 5 p.m. Market Street from Campbell to Church avenues will close at 4 p.m. Kirk Avenue from Jefferson Street to Williamson Road will close at 4 p.m. Wall Street between Campbell and Salem avenues will close at 4 p.m.
• A Walk Through Bethlehem Through Saturday. Journey back in time and take a 10-minute interactive walk through the streets of Bethlehem as it might have been that first Christmas when Jesus Christ was born. When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Where: Slusser's Chapel, 1543 Mt. Tabor Road, Blacksburg Contact: slusserschapel@swva.net
• Annual Salem Christmas Parade When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Main Street, Salem Contact: 387-0267

SATURDAY

• The Arts in Concert Family Series Holiday singalong. When: 11 a.m. Where: Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke Contact: taubmanmuseum.org
• "An Old Virginia Christmas of 1859: The Plantation Reacts to John Brown's Raid" Visitors will learn how Christmas was celebrated on a small, slave-holding Virginia tobacco plantation in 1859 and how one abolitionist helped steer the United States toward the Civil War. When: 3 p.m. Where: Booker T. Washington Monument, 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy Contact: 721-2094
• Radford Christmas Parade This year's theme is "Celebrate the Blessings of the Season." Rain date is Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. When: 4 p.m. Where: Downtown Radford Contact: radford.va.us
• Santa By Rail Santa will be arriving by rail on a Norfolk Southern train. Hang out with Santa in the historic N&W passenger station. When: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Where: O. Winston Link Museum Cost: $5 Contact: 982-5465
• Mariners Landing Dinner with Santa Featured guest will be Santa himself, with pictures and free shuttle to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park to see the annual Virginia Dare Flotilla Boat Parade. When: 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Mariners Landing Resort Community & Conference Center, 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston Contact: info@marinerslanding.com
• Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys The evening parade of decorated boats led by the Virginia Dare. When: 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Smith Mountain Lake Contact: 297-7100
• Pembroke Christmas Parade With a visit from Santa Claus, candy, hot chocolate and floats. When: 5 p.m. Where: Pembroke Athletic Field, Castle Rock Drive, Pembroke Contact: 626-7965
• Gingerbread Festival Gingerbread creations will be displayed for visitors to vote on the best in show. The works will be up for silent auction. Arts and crafts activities for children and a fire for roasting marshmallows. When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Carriage House, Longwood Park, Salem Contact: 387-0267
• Breakfast with Santa Enjoy breakfast and pictures with Santa. Pancakes, sausage, fruit and drink served by Santa's elves. When: 8 a.m. to noon Where: Christiansburg High School, 100 Independence Blvd. Contact: 382-5178
• Bedford Christmas Parade This year's theme is "It's a Wonderful Life." Santa will be at the end of the parade and will be available for visits and pictures. When: Noon Where: Centertown Bedford Contact: 586-2148
• An Old Virginia Christmas A mid-19th century Christmas on the Burroughs Plantation with lantern tours, entertainment and refreshments. When: 3 to 8 p.m. Where: Booker T. Washington National Monument, 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy Contact: 721-2094
• "Christmas Cantata: The First Light: Rejoice! A Child is Born!" Come and refocus your energy on music that celebrates the true reason for the season. When: 7 p.m. Where: Central Church of the Brethren, 416 Church Ave., Roanoke Contact: 342-0337
• "Tis the Season" See Today's listing for details. When: 10:30 a.m.
• The Old Southwest Holiday Parlor Tour Through Sunday. Visit 11 properties showcasing beautiful Victorian architecture as well as festive holiday and Christmas decor. When: 5 to 9 p.m. Where: Highland Park, Roanoke Cost: $15 Contact: 343-8794

SUNDAY

• Handel's "Messiah"

Roanoke Symphony Chorus and members of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra will be performing parts of "Messiah" under conductor David Stewart Wiley.

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke

Cost: $21-$49; students, $7

Contact: 345-2550; www.rso.com.

• Pet Pictures With Santa Have your pet's photo taken with Santa Claus. Proceeds benefit the Radford Humane Society. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Where: West End Animal Clinic, 829 Second St., Radford Contact: 731-1111
• Floyd Christmas Parade This year's theme is "The Magic of Christmas." When: 3 p.m. Where: Downtown Floyd Contact: 789-7210
• Pearisburg Christmas Parade When: 4 p.m. Where: Mountain Lake Avenue, Pearisburg Contact: 921-2955
• Christmas at the Johnston House -- Festival of Trees Christmas tree-decorating contest featuring local community groups in the 1829 Andrew Johnston House and antique toy exhibit. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Where: Giles County Historical Society, 208 North Main St., Pearisburg Contact: 921-1050
• Salem Museum Holiday Homes Tour Festive tour of homes in the Fairway Forest neighborhood. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Where: Fairway Forest neighborhood, 1900 S. Clearing Road, Salem Contact: 389-6760
• Newport Community Christmas Dinner Bring a dish and join us. When: 6 p.m. Where: Newport Recreation Center, 434 Blue Grass Trail, Newport Contact: robinh@vt.edu
• Hollins University White Gift Service White Gift Service is a ceremony of lessons, carols and traditional music of the season. The Hollins University Concert Choir and the Talmadge Singers will perform "Dancing Day" by John Rutter with guest artists Whitney Dobyns on harp and the Brass Five. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: duPont Chapel, Hollins University, 7980 East Campus Drive, Roanoke Contact: 362-6451
• A Town and Country Christmas Home Tour Tour five Bedford-area homes decorated by the Bedford Council of Garden Clubs. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Where: Bedford Contact: flpdare@aol.com

MONDAY

• Roanoke County's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Come see our uniquely decorated and lighted tree, while enjoying carols by Roanoke County's After School for Kids program. When: 6 to 8 p.m. Where: Green Ridge Recreation Center, 7415 Woodhaven Road, Roanoke Contact: 387-6078

DEC. 10

• American Red Cross Christmas Craft Show Craft show sponsored by the Employees Activities Committee of the American Red Cross. When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: American Red Cross Auditorium, 352 Church Ave., Roanoke Contact: 985-3006

• "Tis the Season" See Today's listing for details When: 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 11

• SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas Featuring the City of Roanoke Christmas Parade. There will be carriage rides, live carolers, a sword swallower, photos with Santa and more. When: 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Downtown Roanoke Contact: 342-2028 Traffic note: Jefferson Street from Elm to Campbell avenues will close at 6:15 p.m. for the parade. (This will affect all streets intersecting with Jefferson Street). Once the parade is over, Jefferson will reopen. Campbell Avenue will close at 5 p.m. Market Street from Campbell to Church avenues will close at 4 p.m. Kirk Avenue from Jefferson Street to Williamson Road will close at 4 p.m. Wall Street between Campbell and Salem avenues will close at 4 p.m.
• Christmas Pageant -- "A Baby Changes Everything" Through Dec. 13. A dramatic depiction of the birth of Jesus written by David Clydesdale and modified for the presentation. When: 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Villa Heights Baptist Church, 4080 Challenger Ave., Roanoke Contact: 977-7305

DEC. 12

• Children's Holiday Festival Pictures with Santa, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, visit to the children's gift store, letters to Santa and more. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Amazement Square, 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg Contact: (434) 845-1888
• Country Christmas Home Tour Begin your holiday season with a visit to Olde Snowville. Tour five decorated houses, including the historic Aisel Snow home and the Snowville Christian Church. When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: 5436 Lead Mine Road, Snowville Cost: $10 Contact: 639-6755
• "A Child is Born" Through Dec. 13. Christmas musical and drama. When: 4 p.m. Where: Colonial Baptist Church, 221 Hillcrest Drive, Blue Ridge Contact: 977-5683

  +Christmas Bazaar A variety of entrepreneurs will showcase their finest items such as jewelry, fragrances and more. Hosted by the Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Claude Moore Complex, Roanoke Contact: 380-5514

DEC. 13

• Roanoke College Children's Choir's Songs of the Season The choir sings carols and popular favorites during its 23rd annual holiday concert. Special guests include the Roanoke Chamber Brass led by Maestro Steven White. When: 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Where: Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Roanoke Cost: $12 to $18 Contact: 345-2550
• Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk into Christmas past on guided tours, Christmas stories, photos with Santa Claus, holiday music, treats and more. When: 2 to 6 p.m. Where: Rockwood Manor, 5189 Rockwood Road, Dublin Cost: Adults, $10; children under 15, free Contact: 674-1328

DEC. 18

• SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas Featuring carriage rides, live carolers, and photos with Santa. When: 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Downtown Roanoke Contact: 342-2028 Traffic note: Campbell Avenue will close at 5 p.m. Market Street from Campbell to Church avenues will close at 4 p.m. Kirk Avenue from Jefferson Street to Williamson Road will close at 4 p.m. Wall Street between Campbell and Salem avenues will close at 4 p.m.