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Smith Mountain Lake Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s
Smith Mountain Lake borders Franklin, Bedford and Pittsylvania counties, and its holiday events come from the lake’s chamber of commerce and the nearby county seats. This page covers the events we could confirm on the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber’s, Franklin County’s and Destination Bedford’s pages, read on October 30, 2026. We did not find a 2026 organizer page for a lighted boat parade. Shortlist lake homes on Smith Mountain Lake rentals, then book on the property site.
Quick answer
Santa at Bridgewater is Saturday, November 28, 2026, with Santa arriving by boat at Bridgewater Marina at 11 a.m. Franklin County’s Land of Lights drive-through runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, 5 to 9 p.m. The Bedford Festival of Trees at the Bedford Area Welcome Center is free and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 2026 holiday calendar
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026.
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.
Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.
Santa at Bridgewater (November 28)
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber’s Santa at Bridgewater page lists Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Bridgewater Plaza:
- 11 a.m.: Santa arrives at Bridgewater Marina by boat.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: wish lists and photos at Smith Mountain Lake Coffee House. Bring your own camera or phone.
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: an Elf on the Shelf hunt through Bridgewater Plaza businesses, and Christmas craft vendors on Mango’s patio. A drawing follows at 4 p.m.
The chamber is also collecting new, unwrapped toys for Lake Christian Ministries’ “A Child’s Christmas,” with boxes at Mango’s and the coffee house.
Land of Lights in Franklin County (Thanksgiving to Christmas Day)
Franklin County Parks & Recreation’s Land of Lights page lists Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. It is a half-mile drive-through loop at Franklin County Recreation Park, 2150 Sontag Road, Rocky Mount. It is free, and donations are accepted.
Bedford Festival of Trees
Destination Bedford’s Festival of Trees listing describes the 17th annual festival at the Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, with about 40 decorated trees and the 2026 theme “250 Years of Holiday Traditions.” It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on the first two weekends in December. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is free, and you can vote for trees at $1 a vote, with proceeds going to local charities.
What to confirm before you pay
- The minimum stay and cancellation terms for your holiday nights.
- Heat, firewood and hot tub rules for a December stay.
- Parking and driveway access, especially if a home sits on a steep or narrow road.
- House rules and occupancy: rental tips. For what to bring, see the winter packing list.
If one feature matters for a holiday stay, start with these Smith Mountain Lake pages; each lists only rentals whose own listing title or website mentions that feature: Pet-friendly Smith Mountain Lake listings (13), Lakefront rentals in Smith Mountain Lake (26), Smith Mountain Lake condo rentals (8). Confirm the feature and the holiday minimum stay with the owner or manager in writing before you pay.
FAQ
When does Santa come to Bridgewater in 2026?
Saturday, November 28, 2026. Santa arrives at Bridgewater Marina by boat at 11 a.m., per the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber.
When is Land of Lights open?
Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Franklin County Recreation Park in Rocky Mount.
Does BnB Search book the stay?
No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.
Start browsing stays
Sources
- Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber — Santa at Bridgewater 2026 (read October 30, 2026)
- Franklin County Parks & Recreation — Land of Lights (read October 30, 2026)
- Destination Bedford — Festival of Trees 2026 (read October 30, 2026)
Related
Things to do · Winter packing · Rental tips · Family guide · Christmas week lakes rentals