Destination Bedford

Bower Center Exhibit
2024-12-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-19 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-20 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-21 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-24 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-25 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-26 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
The annual Curry/Bower exhibition is one of the largest exhibits all year, and the artwork featured is mostly by regional artists of all skill levels. This stunning collection boasts a total of 194 works by 68 artists, including the Youth Division entries.
Gallery hours are 11-3, Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free! All galleries will be open during the events on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The gallery images from both the adult and youth exhibits are available online as well!

Yuletide on Grove Street
2024-12-18 16:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-19 16:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-20 16:00 - 22:00, 2024-12-21 12:00 - 22:00, 2024-12-22 12:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-25 16:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-26 16:00 - 21:00 | Beale’s Brewery, 510 Grove Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join Beale’s Brewery at Yuletide on Grove St, Bedford’s best stop for holiday spirit and Christmas cheer. This limited-time pop-up bar experience features festive cocktails, crackling fire-pits, and special events to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The pop-up is free to the public. The holiday bar will run along regular service – continue to expect beers and barbecue daily! In addition to the festive merriment, Beale’s will feature additional events throughout the month.
Mark your calendars for these special days:
Saturday, 12/7: Official after party of the Bedford Christmas Parade
Saturday, 12/14: Wreath Making Class with Plant Art with Lawson
Thursday, 12/19: Holiday Trivia with Jazz
Friday, 12/20: Ugly Sweater Party & Prime Rib
Friday, 12/28: Steal the Pint Night

Festival of Trees
2024-12-19 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Festival of Trees: A Christmas to Remember
Dates: November 25, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Bedford Area Welcome Center
Join us in celebrating the 16th annual Festival of Trees, where the Bedford Area Welcome Center transforms into a breathtaking holiday wonderland! Experience the magic as 40 beautifully decorated trees come to life under the theme “A Christmas to Remember,” each showcasing the creativity of local businesses and organizations.
Voting: Visitors can vote for their favorite tree(s) for just $1.00 per vote. At the end of the festival, all proceeds will be distributed to the charitable organizations chosen by the businesses, ensuring that everyone has a chance to support a cause close to their hearts.
Family Fun: This festive, family-friendly event includes a scavenger hunt for children, giving them a chance to win a prize!
Hours:

Open Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Extended Hours: Until 8 p.m. on the first two weekends in December.
Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Come celebrate the season with us and make a difference in the community!

Train Exhibit at the Bedford Museum
2024-12-19 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-20 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-21 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-23 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-24 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-25 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-26 10:00 - 17:00 | Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Don’t miss this Christmas train display featuring landmarks of Bedford and much more! The trains are located on the 3rd floor of the Museum. Admission is $5, kids are free. A train pass is also available to purchase for only $10 in the Museum gift shop, which grants unlimited admission through December.

Holiday Candlelight Tours
2024-12-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Explore the president’s cherished hideaway by candlelight on this hour-long holiday tour. See how early Americans decorated with fresh greens for the holidays as your guide paints intimate portraits of the Jefferson family’s celebration and Christmas in the slave quarter, drawn from true stories and anecdotes discovered in Jefferson’s letters and diaries. The tour is followed by hot cider and cookies in our Museum Shop. Admission is $30 per person. Reservations are required.
Click here for tickets.

Beale's Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
2024-12-20 18:30 - 22:00 | Beale’s Brewery, 510 Grove Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Break out the tinsel and pick off the moth balls – wear your best and ugliest holiday sweater! there will be games, a build a sweater station, and of course a contest for the best sweater.
Prime Rib available at 4pm until sold out.

Santa on the Farm
2024-12-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Lottie J Farm, 4787 Patterson Mill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
For the fourth year in a row…….Santa is coming to Lottie J Farm!!
Meet Santa, do a little Christmas shopping in the farm store, visit with the critters in the barnyard, bounce on the Santa bounce house (along with a smaller inflatable that will be available for ages 4 and under), explore the Play Barn, and make s’mores by the fire pit, all while taking in those beautiful mountain views!
Local favorite Ferguson Family Provisions will be on site along with delicious warm beverages served by Hot Mocha!
Admission is $7 per person, ages 3 and under are free!
