Skip the crowded cities, and instead visit the charming small town of Marion, VA for a perfect holiday destination. When Marion prepares for the Christmas season, they go all out. From stunning light displays that grow each year to town-wide events and live music, there is no shortage of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Kick off your holiday celebrations with a full four-day weekend of cheer in merry Marion – beginning Thursday, December 1st through Sunday, December 4th.
Thursday December 1, 2022
When you arrive in Marion, you’ll be greeted by Christmas light displays and nostalgic decor throughout the Hallmark movie-worthy small town. Once you check-in to your choice of lodging in Smyth County, head downtown to kickstart your holiday weekend with free events and street performers 5-8pm.
Merchants will be open later with discounts, open houses and drink and food specials. Enjoy the holiday window decorations, a downtown full of twinkling Christmas lights and a Town Christmas Tree in the middle of it all. The independent shops and galleries make Christmas shopping just a little more fun.
For a full list of Merry Marion activities visit: https://www.marionva.org/
Friday December 2, 2022
The jolly festivities continue on Friday evening with a quintessential small town Christmas Parade beginning at 7pm. Don’t forget to wave to Santa at the end of the parade line. As is tradition in Marion, he’ll be riding in to town on the back of of a fire truck!
Marion’s Christmas Parade coincides with their monthly First Friday event from 5-8pm. Enjoy “First Fridays” with live music, extended hours, tours, food and drink specials, and shopping discounts at participating businesses throughout downtown. Sure to be a highlight of your holiday destination trip in Marion.
The General Francis Marion Hotel will host an indoor Christmas Craft Market, with almost 20 vendors, selling everything from goats milk soap and cupcakes to homemade wooden arts and ornaments. The Merry Marion Indoor Craft Market runs Friday December 2 through Saturday December 3.
Don’t miss:
The FORD Studios will be featuring a FREE Greeting Card Station where you can make a one of a kind holiday card plus seasonal music, sweet treats & more.
Christmas Market at the General Francis Marion Hotel with unique arts and crafts to check off your “nice” list.
Saturday December 3, 2022
The outdoor Mini Christmas Market at the Farmers’ Market will be held every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 10am – 4pm for great Christmas Gifts and fresh produce, and much more! Find unique gifts for those hard to shop for relatives! Hosted at the Farmers Market and showcasing 22 vendors offering locally produced juried crafts, including quilts, baskets, jewelry, woodcrafts, weaving, pottery, carvings, photography, painting/drawing/illustrations, and other handmade goods. Grab some lunch or dinner at one of the food trucks at the event, or warm up at one of Marion’s independent restaurants.
Can’t make it on December 3rd? The Marion MINI Christmas Market is held every Saturday from from November 26th to December 17th.
A quintessential event in Marion, Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre is a must see while you’re in town. This popular, syndicated PBS show showcases the music of the region. Take a seat and relax after a full day of shopping and relax with a live performance of the sounds of Southwest Virginia. The December 3rd performance features Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
Sunday December 4, 2022
If you want to extend your trip to enjoy 4 full days of Christmas cheer, you can end on the perfect note with a Christmas concert at The Lincoln Theatre. Back by popular demand, The Church Sisters are delighted to share their favorite Christmas tunes in their unique mountain roots and family harmony style! See Christmas with the Church Sisters Sunday December 4, 2022 at 3:00pm
The elegantly restored Lincoln Theatre, which dates to 1929, has an exciting line-up of holiday events this month: Killer Beaz, Dec. 2; and “Song of the Mountains” featuring Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Dec. 3. Christmas with the Church Sisters will take place on Dec. 4. Rhonda Vincent performs a Bluegrass Christmas December 10., and the theatre hosts a Christmas Classic Film Festival December 17.
