Winter Events

Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County is a shopping, dining, and arts haven in winter. Storefronts are festive with seasonal wares and decor while restaurants whip up hearty specialties. Porters, stouts, and toddies keep winter jolly in cocktail bars and tap rooms, and our neighborhood campuses of W&L, VMI, and SVU invite visitors inside for plays, speakers, art shows, and history exhibits. Don't miss a beat!

Add your winter photos of Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County!

Event Hot-Spots

Virginia Horse Center

The Virginia Horse Center is a popular place to be during every season, but the winter events can be especially exciting!

January 2-4: DC Fast Pitch Softball
January 9-11: Agility Dog Show
January 10-11: Eventing Jumper Derby
January 15-18: Lexington Country I - Blue Ridge Championships
January 24-25: DC Fast Pitch Softball
January 24-25: SWVHJA Benefit Show
January 30 - February 2: Lexington Country II - Blue Ridge Champions Series
January 30 - February 1 - Blue Ridge Nationals BMX Bike Races
February 5-7: Virginia Winter Classic Antique Tractor Pull
February 7-8: Eventing Jumper Derby
February 14-15: DC Fast Pitch Softball
February 20-21: Lone Star Rodeo
February 21-22: Polar Bear Horse Show
February 26 - March 1: Lexington Spring Welcome - Blue Ridge Champions Series
March 5-8: Virginia High School Rodeo
March 7-8: Eventing Jumper Derby
March 7-8: DC Fast Pitch Softball
March 7-8: The Heart of Alpaca Show
March 21-22: Trimble's Ridge Horse Show
March 21-22: Virginia Horse Center Starter Trials

>> Virginia Horse Center Event Calendar

Lenfest Center for the Arts

Lenfest is a cultural destination on the campus of Washington and Lee University in downtown Lexington. Their programming is open to the public. Some events are ticketed and others are not. Be sure to check for rates and reservations ahead of your visit.

January 15: Bette Smith
January 20: "Dr. Strangelove"
January 20: Jack Quartet
January 25: Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance Concert
February 5: Sunny Jain and his Powerhouse Fusion Band "Wild Wild East"
February 7: Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo
February 10: "A Streetcar Named Desire"
February 14: Transient Canvas
February 15: Akiko Konishi, piano
March 3: University Singers Tour Home Concert
March 4: DakhaBrakha Cooking Exhibition
March 5: DakhaBrakha
March 6: William and Mary Middle Eastern Music Ensemble
March 8: "Magical Mystery Tour"
March 10: "Inter Alia"
March 13: Meredith Harron, mezzo-soprano
March 15: Bill Zheng, percussion
March 20: Winter Choral Concert
March 22: Juyoung Kim, Nicholas Rizzo, and Camille Ramos, piano
March 26: Winter University Orchestra Concert
March 26-28: W&L Repertory Dance Company
March 28: Isabel Duarte, soprano
March 29: Ava GianGrasso, violin

First Friday Art Walk in downtown Lexington is Friday, March 6. Peruse our galleries to celebrate local artisans and enjoy the tunes of area musicians. It's also a great time to eat downtown. Don't miss out on our excellent restaurants! First Friday starts at 5 p.m.

Breweries, Tap Houses, and Cocktail Bars

If the weather outside is frightful, step into a winery, brewery, or downtown watering hole for winter beer releases, seasonal craft cocktails, live music, and community cheer.

Visit Ecco Adesso Vineyards in Fairfield for live music, foodie events, great new wine, and multiple accommodations overlooking the vineyard and Blue Ridge Mountains.

Heliotrope Brewery is on Main Street in downtown Lexington. In addition to their beers, you're going to love their farm-to-table wood-fired pizzas.

Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery is a fun craft brewery and winery open Wednesday through Sunday. Pop in for growler fill specials on Wednesdays and live music most every Friday. There's often food on-site for purchase during those live music events as well.

Another excellent stop for both wine and beer is Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery. Garnering many awards over the years, you will certainly find an excellent flavor or two to suit your palate. Sundays are "Uncorked" with live music.

On Wednesdays, stop by Devils Backbone Taproom and Kitchen on Route 11 during its Growler Grab Day for 64 oz. growler pours. On select Fridays, settle in for an evening of live music.

Brew Ridge Taps in Lexington hosts its own trivia night on Tuesdays. On Nelson Street, this tap room sells a wide selection of Virginia and U.S. craft brews. Stay fueled with the Parkway Special, a waffle topped with pimiento cheese, tomatoes and bacon. It’s one of several wafflewiches on the menu.

For a wall of self-serve beer on tap, visit Salerno Wood Fired Pizza & Taphouse. You won't be disappointed in the selection or the excellent menu.

Pianists often complement the cocktails at Haywood’s; stop in and appreciate the atmosphere.

Clever twists on old faithfuls are common at TAPS in downtown Lexington. Score a seat by the fire while you sip and socialize.

Seasonal Updates: Farmers Markets, Museums, and Attractions

The Lexington Farmers Market remains outside for the winter. Find the best local wares from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Kerrs Creek Community Market, Fairfield Farmers Market, and Glasgow Farmers Market are closed for the season.

Natural Bridge State Park is open 8 a.m. until dusk, weather permitting. The Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

VMI Cadet Tours resume January 15 and are offered daily at 12:15 p.m. through May 5, with the exception of Spring Furlough (March 13-22) and Easter Sunday (April 5). The VMI Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed for the Winter Season:

Dinosaur Kingdom II (reopens Memorial Day)
Halcyon Days Cider Co. (closed after 12/21/25)
Haunting Tales: Lexington's Ghost Tour (reopens Memorial Day)
Hull's Drive-In (TBD)
Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farms (reopens early May)
Lexington Carriage Company (reopens April 1)
Virginia Safari Park (reopens March)
Jackson House Museum (reopens February 28)
Wade's Mill (reopens April 5)

Open by Appointment:

Outdoor Excursions

The Walkabout Outfitter Get Outside Challenge starts January 18 and concludes March 9. Participants are asked to commit to going outside for at least 20 minutes of activity each day. To learn more and sign up for the challenge, join the Facebook Group: Walkabout Get Outside.