All over Prince Edward, Buckingham and Cumberland counties, holiday events will be taking place that range from parades and light shows to tree lightings and craft workshops. There’s no shortage of ways to spend the holidays with friends and family members:

Buckingham 

Buckingham County is kicking off the holiday season with its 28th annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 7.

The lighting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Buckingham courthouse lawn. According to documentation for the event, Jordan Miles is set to serve as the master of ceremonies. The Buckingham County JROTC Color Guard is set to perform, in addition to St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary.

To cap off the evening, there’s a surprise visitor expected to make an appearance, but organizers are keeping it mum.

Just after the tree lighting Dec. 7, and continuing Dec. 8 and 9 from 1-4 p.m., Historic Buckingham Inc. is set to transport visitors back in time to Buckingham Christmases of years past. The experience can be found at the Housewright Museum, located at 13012 W. James Anderson Highway.

The Historic Village at Lee Wayside, located at 84 Lee Wayside Road, will also hold a Village Christmas Market on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m. The events are free of charge and lunch will be provided on Dec. 8.

The event is set to have live music, period decorations, foxfire wreaths, Amish baked goods, ornaments, jewelry, arts and crafts among other festivities.

The Dillwyn Christmas Parade, typically held on Saturdays, is switching to Sunday this year, according to Mayor Linda Venable Paige. The array of floats, candies and community support are set to be back and better than ever. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. along Dillwyn’s Main Street.

Cumberland

Cartersville is set to hold a community holiday tree lighting Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at 2228 Cartersville Road. There will be carols and refreshments aplenty, as well as visits from Santa Claus.

The inclement weather that halted the Cumberland Christmas Parade last year is not expected to deter the parade this year, which is set to happen Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. through Cumberland’s Main Street. The theme of the parade, according to parade organizer Barbara Gamage, will be caring and sharing.

Driving through Bear Creek Lake State Park located at 22 Bear Creek Lake Road, is often beautiful in and of itself. Adding an array of holiday lights and well-known seasonal figures is set to be that much more of a treat. Families and friends will have numerous opportunities to participate in the park’s Lights at the Lake event, happening Dec. 7, 8 and 9, as well as Dec. 14, 15, and 16, beginning at 5 p.m. Those attending the Lights at the Lake event Dec. 7 can skip on paying an admission fee if they bring an unwrapped toy for Cumberland County Christmas Mother or a monetary donation to the Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park.

In addition to Lights on the Lake, Bear Creek will also hold a S’mores and Singing event Dec. 8 and a pancake supper with Santa Claus on Dec. 9. Though on different days, both start at 5 p.m. at Bear Creek Lake Hall.

For those who enjoy events a little early in the day and want to support an area fire department through donations, consider attending Brunch with Santa, taking place Saturday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Randolph District Volunteer Fire Dept. and Auxiliary is hosting it at 2145 Cumberland Road. The menu, according to event documentation, will be egg casserole, pancakes, juice and coffee. Participants can make donations at the door. Families and children are welcome.

Prince Edward

The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) at 129 N. Main St. will hold a Winter Wonderland craft workshop for families and children Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. The program is free according to the LCVA, and is available to everyone.

The 68th annual Farmville Jaycees Christmas Parade is happening Sunday, 2 p.m. along downtown Farmville, and participants can fully expect holiday cheer and warmth from various organizations who will be participating with floats, bands and other attractions. Kyla Silver from The Farmville Herald will be the MC.

The Commonwealth Chorale will present Bach’s Christmas Ontorio at Hampden-Sydney’s College Church at 418 College Road Sunday and the following Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m., at Farmville United Methodist Church. Concerts are free, and invited.

No one says enjoying the holiday season requires sacrificing exercise. The 2018 Jingle Bell Run allows people to combine both. The run will take place Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. starting on First Avenue. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Visit www.farmvilleva.com for more info or www.runsignup.com to register.

For a slightly different way to celebrate the holiday season, perhaps book a ticket for Waterworks Players’ “It’s a Panto Jim – but not as we know it,” taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 7 and 8 at Industrial Park Road or Illyria Theatre Company’s “The Santaland Diaries,” Dec. 13, 14, and 15 at Longwood University’s Wygal Hall. Note, “The Santaland Diaries” is recommended for adults only.

The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce will host both a benefit dinner and the Holiday House Tour. The scrumptious dinner, set for Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at The Hotel Weyanoke’s Campagna, will be presented by Harlan L. Horton, PC. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s tour and dinner will benefit Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging.

On Dec. 8, be ready to embark on the Holiday House tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This year’s event includes seven homes, Longwood University’s Rotunda and the Centra
Hospitality House,” documentation from the chamber cited. Visit farmvilleareachamber.org for tickets.

The well-known Live Nativity at the Farmville Church of Christ is returning this year from Dec. 14-16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1401 Milnwood Road. “Drive through and enjoy this event from warmth and comfort of your car,” documentation from the event cited.

There are few better ways to get in the holiday spirit than with live music. The Heart of Virginia Community Band will serenade the audience free of charge on Dec. 17, 7 p.m. at Molnar Auditorium, in Wygal Hall at Longwood.