It’s time once again to celebrate the holidays in downtown Lexington.
Main Street Lexington will be sponsoring a series of events to mark the holiday season.
Here’s the rundown.
Shop Small Sweepstakes
The Shop Small Sweepstakes is underway. Formerly known as the Love Lex Lotto, the rules have changed for 2024. Pick up an entry card at any one of the 25 participating shops and restaurants and spend at least $10 to receive a sticker from any of those businesses.
To enter the sweepstakes for a chance at $1,000 in shopping spree prizes – including the $750 grand prize – collect stickers from a minimum of five businesses. The more shops you support, the more chances you have to win.
Completed cards can be dropped off by 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at the MSL office above Wells Fargo at 101 S. Main St., or by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Ladles & Linens at 1 S. Main St. Players must be 18 years or older. Visit the website at mainstreetlexington. org/shop-smallsweepstakes for more details.
Holiday Gift Guide
Area residents are invited to check out MSL’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide on the Main Street Lexington website at mainstreetlexington. org/holiday-giftguide.
You can browse curated collections of gift ideas from downtown Lexington businesses across nine different categories.
Candlelight Processional And Tree Lighting The 29th annual Candlelight Processional and Community Tree Lighting will take place this Friday, Nov. 29.
Lineup begins at 5:15 p.m. at the Main Street entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery, where candles and holiday songbooks will be distributed. At 5:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the processional down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage provided by the Lexington Carriage Company.
The processional will arrive at Hopkins Green, where caroling will continue. The Lexington Presbyterian Church will serve hot cocoa, and the community tree will be lit to officially usher in the holiday season.
The Rockbridge SPCA will again be displaying luminaries at Hopkins Green in honor or memory of pets or people; for more information, visit rockbridgespca. net.
As always, the processional is family-friendly, open to all and free of charge.
Parade Night
The Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade returns on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Parade of Lights.”
To enter your float or organization, visit the MSL website at mainstreetlexington.org/christmas- parade and complete the Google Form, download a copy from the website to drop off or mail, or pick up a hard copy at the MSL or chamber of commerce offices. All entries must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 29.
The parade will take place rain or shine, and it will only be canceled in case of very inclement weather. Check mainstreetlexington. org, visit MSL’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ MainStreetLexington or The News-Gazette’s Facebook page, or listen to 3WZ 96.7 FM for any weather updates.
Jingle Bell Run
The 11th annual Jingle Bell Run will follow the next morning, Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9. Please note the earlier start time for this year.
The streets of Lexington will ring with the sound of tiny bells attached to the feet of runners in the 5K or walkers in the 1.5-mile loop. People of all abilities are invited to take part in this fundraiser for MSL.
As usual, all participants are encouraged to wear fun holiday costumes. Children in strollers and well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome to walk or run.
Children 2 to 6 years old can test their legs in the Tot Trot across the Nelson Street bridge, with prizes for all who participate.
Plan to stick around following the race to enjoy the costume contest and the Jingle Bell Raffle, with prizes provided by downtown businesses.
Entry fees to the race include a head warmer embroidered with “LoveLexVA.” Register online at runsignup.com/Race/VA/ Lexington/MainStreetLexingtonJingleBellRun.
Late Night Shopping
Return downtown on Thursday, Dec. 12, for Open Late Shopping. Local businesses are encouraged to stay open until at least 7 p.m., and Main Street Lexington will have fun promotions for both adults and kids. Check out the MSL website (mainstreetlexington.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/ MainStreetLexington) closer to the date for additional information.
Church Open House
One of Lexington’s newest annual traditions returns on Friday, Dec. 20, with the Holiday Church Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. Explore the places of worship in the downtown district.
The event will feature refreshments, holiday music and historic tours. Visit MSL’s website at mainstreetlexington.org for details.
