Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance presents

Winter Wonderfest!

 

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Tis the season to be downtown! The most magical day in Downtown Harrisonburg is back and bigger than ever! Join Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance on Saturday, December 7, for Winter Wonderfest. Enjoy carriage rides, photos with Santa, holiday shopping, performances, and more!

This event is presented to you by:

EVENT MAPS

Parking and Road Closures

There will be plenty of FREE parking available on Saturday, December 7. Click the link below to view parking and road closure information and interactive map.

Sip & Stroll

Click on the button below to view the interactive map from Harrisonburg Tourism. More information about Sip & Stroll can be found here.

View Cookie Tour Map

Click on the button below to view the interactive map from Harrisonburg Tourism. Note- this is a SOLD OUT ticketed event.

Max's Treat Heist

Click on the button below to view the interactive map from Harrisonburg Tourism. Note- this is a ticketed event. To see if tickets are still available visit the HDR Info Booth on Court Square.

TICKETS & REGISTRATION

Max’s Holiday Treat Heist

12-4pm | Liberty Street

Cookie Tour has gone to the dogs! Walk down Liberty Street with your pup and collect goodies from dog-friendly establishments.

Sip & Stroll

12-6:00pm (Last call at 5:30pm) | Downtown Harrisonburg

Sip & Stroll is an element to our events that replaces our usual beer garden. Adults aged 21+ can purchase a beer, wine, or cocktail at a participating brewery, cidery, or restaurant and enjoy it while strolling within designated sections of downtown. Wristbands are $3 and are available at the HDR information booth and participating establishments the day of the event.

Santa Run, Walk ‘N Roll

Activities 11am-12pm, Race at 12pm | Main Street

During this festive fun run, participants can run, walk, or roll through Downtown Harrisonburg to raise awareness for The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. Registration for adults comes with a Santa Suit and children 12 and younger receive an Elf hat! This fun run is family-friendly and inclusive for people of all ability levels. Activities, contests, and prizes included! For more information and to register, visit this registration page. Arrive early for fun activities between 11am-noon.

SOLD OUT – Cookie Tour

12-4pm | Downtown Harrisonburg

Join us for the sweetest tour of Downtown! Browse downtown shops & festivities on the tour to build your own box of one dozen locally-made holiday cookies. The tour is self-guided, and great for groups of friends and families alike! Click below to learn more and purchase your tickets before they sell out! Presented by Ryan Homes.

FREE MUST-SEE ACTIVITIES

Horse & Carriage Rides

1-4pm | Main Street & Court Square

Horse-drawn carriages are coming to Downtown Harrisonburg! Sign-ups are first come, first served and will begin promptly at noon outside of Central Library. Presented by LD&B Insurance Services and Dirty Dog Cleaning.

How the Grinch Stole Liberty Street

12-6pm | Liberty Street

The Grinch may have tried to steal the holiday magic from Liberty Street, but this year, YOU can help save it —one festive ornament at a time. Join the businesses on Liberty Street for a Grinch-Themed Craft Your Own Ornament Scavenger Hunt during Winter Wonderfest on Saturday, December 7 from 12-6 pm.

The Grinch has taken our ornaments and hidden them all across Liberty Street! Explore Liberty Street and pick up craft supplies to build a Snowflake Ornament with a mystery message in the design. Visit all 12 locations to collect all the stolen supplies!

Tie up the loose ends of your ornament at Pale Fire or Sage Bird at their Grinch Craft Table. Anyone who collects all beads & completes their ornament can enter to win Downtown Dollars.

Gingerbread House Competition Voting

12-6pm | Nest Realty (129 W Wolfe St)

Vote for your favorite gingerbread creations with this contest presented by the Nest Realty. Up to $150 Downtown Dollars are up for grabs in the “Business or Organization” and “Community Members” category.

Nutcracker Story Walk

12-6pm | Market Street & Mason Street

Follow the classic story of The Nutcracker with a story walk down Market Street and Mason Street. Participating businesses will have storybook pages in their windows, hop from business to business to reach the whole story – panels will tell you where to head next!

Photos with Santa

1:30-3pm | Court Square

Meet and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus! If you miss them at the Springhouse, stick around for the Holiday Parade at 7pm for another Santa sighting! Presented by Hang 10 Car Wash.

FREE Kids LEGO Activity

12 – 3:30 pm | Jimmy Madison’s Lot

Build and decorate your own festive LEGO ornament or keychain with Snapology of Harrisonburg at their kid-friendly activity.

Harrisonburg Holiday Parade

We are excited to be working with Harrisonburg Parks & Rec. on bringing you a full day of holiday fun on Saturday, December 7. Winter Wonderfest will lead right into the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade. Learn more and submit your float entry here.

Downtown Dollars Giveaway

All December | Downtown Harrisonburg

Did you find something in Downtown Harrisonburg that will make a great gift? Take a photo, share it on your Instagram story, and tag @downtownharrisonburg to enter to win $50 Downtown Dollars!

MORE WINTER WONDERFEST ACTIVITIES & PROMOTIONS

There’s holiday magic around every corner Downtown Harrisonburg on Saturday, December 7. Here is more of what you can find happening with our partners & local businesses.

 

Sentara Healthy Zone

12 – 6 pm | Court Square

Visit Sentara Healthy Zone for free blood screen screenings, giveaways, fun games, and more. Presented by Sentara.

Holiday Music on Court Square

12-6pm | Court Square

Listen to the sounds of the season. Your favorite holiday tunes will be playing at Court Square thanks to Kathy Moran Wealth Group.

Vendors and Booths on Court Square

12 – 6 pm | Court Square

From food trucks, to flowers. Handmade goods to puppies, there’s much to explore and discover on Court Square!

Holiday Market

9am-2pm | Turner Pavilion

The Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market will have many holiday-themed products and vendors.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

10am-12pm | Explore More Discovery Museum

What better way to start your day than with a stack of fluffy pancakes? And, what if you could support local children, too? YOU CAN!

Kiwanis of Harrisonburg is hosting a Pancake Breakfast to kick off the most wonderful time of year! Enjoy a delicious stack of pancakes and sausage while supporting sponsored admission programs that ensure every child can Explore More. This is the perfect way to start your day before taking in all of the Winter Wonderfest activities!

Suggested Donations: $5 children, $10 adults – Admission to Play in the Museum is included with pancake donation

Letters to Santa, Wood Slice Ornament Craft & 4 Hands 8 Paws Pop-Up Shop

12-6pm | Sage Bird Ciderworks
  • Letters to Santa: Santa’s Mailbox will be setup at Sage Bird during Winter Wonderfest for all your mailing needs! Bring an already-written letter, write your own letter, or fill out a wish list and place it directly in Santa’s Mailbox!
  • Wood Slice Ornament Craft: Decorate a wooden slice right from the heart of a Christmas Tree. All supplies provided & wrapped in a velvet bow.
  • 4 Hands 8 Paws Pop-Up Shop: 4 Hands 8 Paws is a mother-son team creating unique pet-themed clothing and accessories. Proceeds are donated to animal rescues and shelters in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
  • Photobooth: Stop in & take a silly Photo or GIF with props & holiday headbands!

Special Saturday Hours at Smith House Galleries

10am-2pm | Smith House Galleries

Arts Council of the Valley offers special open hours at Smith House Galleries! Visitors can stop by between 10am and 2pm to view the 9th Annual Artist Member Exhibition – the largest EVER – and even meet some of the exhibiting artists.

Featuring 123 works by 49 artists, the exhibition includes fiber art, collage, drawing, ceramics, painting, photography, mixed media, and sculpture. Participating artists are: Bahir Al Badry, Judith Anderson, Jo Ansah, Pat Augsburger, Ann Baker, Kathy Belcher, John M. Bell, Robert Bersson, Niesha Brown, Barbara Camph, Ken Carson, Jim Clemens, Trudy L. Cole, Jerry Coulter, David Cowardin, Corinne Diop, David Draime, Agnieszka Elliott, Mauricio G. Esperon, Loring Gibson, Bobbie Greer, Laurence Heine, Doug Hendren, Ruby Hostetler, Brenda Hounshell, Derek Jackson, Charlie Kasch, Wendy Bowers Lam, Sylvia Eisenbise Lehman, Frank Marshman, Janet E. Marshman, Doris Martin, Dietrich Maune, Britney Mongold, A.J. Morey, Chito Padilla, Cheryl Richards, Barbara (B.J.) Risi, John Rose, Mary Jane Rouse, M. Shira, Charlotte Shristi, Benjamin Somberg, Mae Stoll, Arnita Taliaferro, Mwizenge S. Tembo, Greg Versen, Herb Weaver, and John Zecchini.

Live Music and Book Sale

12-4pm | Central Library

Peruse our book sale, listen to a carol sing-along and concert from the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir (SVCC), and enjoy a violin performance by EMU’s Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Program.

FREE Hot Cocoa for the Kids!

1-5pm | The Friendly Fermenter

Come by and try one of The Friendly Fermenter’s tasty house brews, and get FREE Hot Cocoa for the kids! They will also be featuring a Cinnamon Roll-inspired Giant Soft pretzel this day!

Kids Activities

12-6pm | Northwestern Mutual

Make your own ornament and Bookmark. We will also have a raffle for adults.

Free Coffee – Hot Chocolate & Cookies

6-7pm | Rockingham Union Masonic Lodge

Enjoy free Coffee Hot Chocolate & Cookies for the general public between close of Winter Wonderland Festival and start of Harrisonburg Holiday Parade

Rosy Co. Photo Booth

12 – 6pm | TBD

Commemorate your time at Winter Wonderfest with a free photo booth picture from Rosy Co.! Presented by The Denton Family Foundation.

Handmade Harrisonburg

12 – 6 pm | Pale Fire

Handmade Harrisonburg – a market for artists, creatives, and makers – returns for its eighth holiday season! Grab a drink and support 13 local makers.

Free Cookie Decorating & Cider

12-3pm | Joshua Wilton House

Enjoy free mulled cider and free cookie decorating for kids! Don’t miss two drinks for the Sip & Stroll – Hot Buttered Cider and Coquito.

 

Vendor Market at Mashita

12 – 6 pm | Mashita

Shop vendors at Mashita during Winter Wonderfest!

Pop-Up Clogging Performance

4:30pm | Main Street by Court Square

Enjoy a high-energy performance by the High-Horse Cloggers of Stanardsville.

 

Fun with Glo Fiber

12-6pm | Court Square

Have some fun with a kid-friendly activity with Glo Fiber.

 

Live Nativity

5-6:30pm | First Presbyterian Church on Court Square

The annual live nativity in our Courtyard on Court Square features animals and characters of the Christmas story. The live nativity happens right before downtown Harrisonburg’s Christmas parade, so stop by for hot chocolate, cookies and a great photo opportunity right in the heart of our city

Games with Horizons Edge Sports Campus

12-6pm | Court Square

Have some fun with a kid-friendly activity with Horizons Edge Sports Campus.

 

Carols with JMU Black Ties

1-2pm | Across Downtown Harrisonburg

JMU Black Ties Acapella group will bring their singing talent and cheer as that go caroling around to 10 different downtown stores from 1pm-2pm.

 

Free Potato!

12-1pm | Turner Pavilion

Visit the Harrisonburg Farmers Market during the first hour of Winter Wonderfest (12pm – 1pm) and receive a free potato! Visit the Market Info Booth for details for how to claim your potato.

 

Kids Activity with Netta Day Camp

12-6pm | Court Square

Have some fun with a kid-friendly activity with Netta Day Camp

 

Christmas Stable

12-2pm | Asbury United Methodist Church

Children and adults are welcome to pet the live animals at Asbury Church!

 

December Brunch Specials

7am-2pm | The Little Grill

Pancake: Gingerbread cakes with peppermint icing.
Omelette: Braised local collards, Turner ham, cheddar.

 

Kids Coloring Activity

12-6pm | Friendly City Food Co-op

While on The Nutcracker storywalk, make sure to stop in for a fun coloring activity at the Friendly City Food Co-op!

 

Tree Lighting

8pm | Court Square

Official tree lighting ceremony for the City of Harrisonburg. Check back soon for more details.

 

Cocoa and Chill

3-6pm | Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative

Enjoy free hot cocoa at Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative and watch rehearsals for an upcoming performance in the studio!

 

Ho Ho Ho for the Holidays!

12-6pm | Court Square

Come out to laugh with The Funny Womack & Friends at their booth on Court Square, tell you best joke and receive a holiday treat!

 

Winter Wonderfest would not be possible without support from these generous sponsors:

City of Harrisonburg