There is no shortage of in Downtown Lynchburg to fill your heart with holiday cheer and glad tidings. With everything from The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the kids to a bawdy performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! for the adults, there is something for everyone.
And what’s a show without dinner? Here are our suggestions for your dinner/show outings this holiday season.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO AN INJURY
NOVEMBER 23 - SIRIUSXM PRESENTS: THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA'S 16TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ROCKS! TOUR
Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre
The iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-Award winner Brian Setzer and his 19-piece orchestra whip up a huge dose of retro holiday cheer with their 16th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour presented by SiriusXM. The acclaimed show also features music from their four best-selling holiday albums, as well as original Brian Setzer hits. Consistently cited as one of the world’s greatest living guitarists, Setzer’s trademark guitar work and vocal stylings are matched with the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s rockin' big-band horn arrangements—an unbeatable combination guaranteed to rock you into the holiday spirit!
PAIRS WELL WITH: THE WATER DOG
There’s something about rockabilly that makes us think about ordering “The River Dog” - a 100% all beef hot dog beer cheese, house-made baja slaw, shaved red onions.
NOVEMBER 30 - ACADEMY PRESENTS: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR CHRISTMAS SHOW FT. DREAM SNOW
Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre
The global sensation, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, created by Jonathan Rockefeller, brings you the brand new holiday production, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show! A theatrical recreation of Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, features a menagerie of enchanting puppets during a magical 50-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s beloved books for the stage. The production includes the fan favorites, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the newly added Dream Snow and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
PAIRS WELL WITH: CRISP
“The very hungry caterpillar then ate through one green leaf. He started to feel better.” What better way to get your greens than in the Crisp Superfood Salad, a mixture of shredded carrot, organic quinoa, apple, sweet potato, and sunflower seeds with your choice of kale, romaine or spinach.
DECEMBER 6-21 - THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!
Renaissance Theatre
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids--probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson!
PAIRS WELL WITH: MY DOG DUKE’S DINER
Well, if the Three Wise Men can bring baby Jesus a Christmas ham, then you can enjoy a Madison Club Sandwich with Country Ham!
DECEMBER 8 - OPERA ON THE JAMES PRESENTS: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre
In time for the holiday season, Opera on the James and Liberty University School of Music bring Gian Carlo Menotti’s magical Christmas tale, Amahl and the Night Visitors, to the Historic Academy Theatre. At its core, this heart-touching piece is a retelling of the story of the Three Kings—Melchior, Balthasar, and Gaspar—who visited the infant Christ while he lay in a manger in Bethlehem.
The hero of the opera, Amahl, is a disabled boy who, through his meeting with the Three Kings, discovers the meaning of generosity and grace. Its Christmas message has moved audiences since it was first performed in 1951, in a live performance from Rockefeller Center transmitted coast to coast over the airwaves by NBC.
PAIRS WELL WITH: AL RYAN
We can’t say for certain, but we heard a rumor that a fourth wise man brought shawarma…
DECEMBER 13 - LYNCHBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE LSO
Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre
Don’t miss the 2nd annual LSO holiday concert as we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. The LSO will perform holiday favorites including beloved hymns, traditional carols, and modern classics such as Sleigh Ride and music from Disney’s Frozen.
Joining the LSO will be the LSO Festival Chorus, the Hurt Elementary School Children’s Choir, and soprano Adelaide Trombetta. Last year’s show sold out two weeks early, so get your tickets ASAP!
PAIRS WELL WITH: MAIN STREET EATERY
Upscale food for an upscale mood. While there are so many great item entrees to choose from, Oysterfest is a long-standing December tradition.
DECEMBER 14 & 15 - CHARLOTTESVILLE BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER
Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre
Sweeten your holiday season with Lynchburg’s Nutcracker presented by CAPTRUST! Local dancers join Charlottesville Ballet’s professional company onstage with live music by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and Cantate Children’s and Youth Choir.
Join Clara and her magical Nutcracker doll for a journey through Lands of Snowflakes and Sweets in the enchanting 90-minute performance that’s sure to delight the entire family!
PAIRS WELL WITH: PLOUGHCROFT TEA ROOM
Any little princess can tell you that Afternoon Tea (complete with finger sandwiches) is a MUST when you are already donning your best frilly dress.
DECEMBER 18 - LUMC: SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS
Riverviews Artspace
A Riverviews holiday tradition at this point. Bring your ugly sweaters and your LUMC T-shirts. Thank you for being a patron of the fine films we show! The December movie is a free night for anyone who has come out before or for any brave newcomers who may not know what they are getting into here. Donations are welcome - you guys have been really generous in the past and shucks, we love y’all.
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We will be showing the Mystery Science Theater edition. The ruler of Mars, Kimar, has decided that the Martian children are under the spell of Earthian pop culture. In order to motivate the children, he kidnaps Santa Claus hoping that the jolly old soul will fix their mood. Two Earth kids get kidnapped in the process, causing all kinds of new problems for Kimar.
PAIRS WELL WITH: MAYLYNN’S creamery
Most of these ice cream creations are out-of-this-world, but perhaps a hand-dipped scoop of Blue Moon is all it will take to get you in the mood for this stellar cult classic.
DECEMBER 21 - THE BARTER PLAYERS' FROSTY
Academy Center of the Arts Warehouse Theatre
This wonderful story has been made into an exciting musical! A young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat. When he places the hat on a snowman’s head, that snowman comes to life! But can Frosty the Snowman help Billy find his real family in time for Christmas? Join Billy and Frosty as they embark on a New York City adventure filled with thrills and chills, and as they discover that the real magic of Christmas is Love.
PAIRS WELL WITH: WATERSTONE PIZZA
Some go for the fire-roasted pizza. Others can’t get enough of their warm crab dip. We personally think that a Root Beer Float made with Old Dominion Draught Root Beer takes it all over the top. But, drink it fast before it “melts away!”
DECEMBER 22 - EXCHANGE OF GIFTS – A PLAY BY 57 HOURS PRODUCTIONS
Riverviews Artspace
The show will be performed by 57 Hours Productions, the production arm of the award-winning Virginia playwright Dwayne Yancey, whose work has been produced in 14 different countries.
“Exchange of Gifts” tells the story of three international students who find themselves snowbound in an American airport, unable to get home for Christmas. Over the course of the play, each learns something about themselves that changes the direction of their life.
PAIRS WELL WITH: Aji sushi & ramen
Okay. Okay. So these students in this play may be from Australia, Russia, and Canada, but we were inspired to do a world tour. Stop at Aji for delicious, hand-rolled sushi!
DECEMBER 31 - NEW YEAR'S AT NOON
Amazement Square
Guests join us on December 31 from 10 AM – 1 PM to welcome in the new year. This family-friendly event allows even our youngest friends to celebrate the excitement of a new year, through traditional New Years activities and crafts. Toast to the New Year with sparkling juice, count down the Bug Drop, and join us for a dance party!
PAIRS WELL WITH: Cinn city
Trust us, you and your child will have danced so much that you may as well enjoy a gourmet cinnamon bun – like the Cookie Monster topped with oreos, cookie dough, and chocolate drizzle. Who needs a New Year’s resolution anyway?
Of course, there is ALWAYS something to do or see in Downtown Lynchburg. Be sure to check our calendar regularly. See you soon!
