The City of Salem’s annual Holiday celebrations are set to return in early December. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and Christmas Parade open the month of activities on Friday, December 1, at 6 p.m. at the Salem Public Library and on Main Street. The Gingerbread Festival and Salem Crafty Christmas are set for the following day, Saturday, December 2. The Salem Civic Center will also host the Salem Holiday Market on December 10 and 11 along with two amazing holiday concerts featuring Mannheim Steamroller and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
Lighting of the City Christmas Tree at Public Library and The Ridgeview Bank Parade
Come join us for the Annual Lighting of the City of Salem Christmas Tree on Friday, December 1, 6 p.m. at the Salem Public Library lawn. This tradition brings the community together in the downtown area to view the beautiful decorations on Main Street and enjoy some holiday music just before the Salem Christmas Parade begins at 6:15 p.m.
Gingerbread Festival at the Salem Museum & Longwood Park
The Salem Parks and Recreation Department, the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Museum present this year’s Gingerbread Festival at the Salem Museum & Longwood Park on Saturday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the culinary creations, children’s activities, vendors, the holiday train and Santa.
Salem Crafty Christmas with Craft Artisans
The Salem Farmers Market and Salem Parks and Recreation are hosting a “Salem Crafty Christmas” on Saturday, December 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salem Farmers Market. Over 40 crafters and vendors will have handmade crafts, artisan items, greenery, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, and many more items available for your holiday shopping.
Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops - December 1
Join us for Southwest Virginia’s largest holiday tradition – an unbeatable holiday concert experience at the Salem Civic Center on December 1. The symphony performance features the RSO Chorus, Guest Choruses, and the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir. The show is conducted by Maestro David Stewart Wiley with Emme Cannon as vocalist.
Mannheim Steamroller - December 3
A Grammy Award winner, Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 41 million albums, with over 31.5 million in the Christmas genre. Their holiday CD’s have become synonymous with Christmas and occupy top positions on Billboard’s Seasonal Chart every year. This year’s show will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects in an intimate setting.
Tickets for both events are available at the Salem Civic Center Box Office Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at www.ticketmaster.com
Salem Holiday Market
This two-day Craft and Vendor Show will feature unique crafters, artists, and direct sell companies. Homemade crafts and local delicacies from more than 70 regional sellers will be featured at this year’s Salem Holiday Market. Admission to the event is free, but shoppers are encouraged to contribute to the Salem/Roanoke County Food Pantry with a donation of nonperishable food items, such as peanut butter, boxed pasta, canned vegetables, and spaghetti sauce.
For more information on the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Library, the Gingerbread Festival and the Salem Crafty Christmas please call Salem Parks and Recreation at (540) 375-3057.
The Kiwanis Club of Salem sponsors and organizes the Christmas Parade that is sponsored by Ridgeview Bank in 2023. You can get information on that event by emailing salemvachristmasparade@gmail.com
The Salem Holiday Market takes place at the Salem Civic Center – (540)-375-3004
