Ashland Dance Academy performing at the Grand Illumination in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia.
Downtown Ashland stars are shining brighter than ever this holiday season! On Saturday, November 22, the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA) will launch their annual Grand Illumination, lighting up two miles of historic downtown with over 10,000 sparkling lights and a massive tree on the Ashland Town Hall lawn—all while celebrating the incredible talent and creativity that thrive along the tracks.
Visitors can take Amtrak Virginia directly to the heart of downtown, where festivities begin at 3 PM with a vendor market featuring local food, art, crafts, and businesses. The outdoor market, stretching from the Dominion Energy Innovation Center across Ashland Town Hall to 110 Thompson Street, is a winter wonderland perfect for finding unique gifts for everyone on your list. Every purchase supports local artisans and small businesses, ensuring you’re definitely on Santa’s “nice” list.
Santa and Mrs. Claus outside Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia
Speaking of Santa, he’ll be joined by Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and Clarice on the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion stage. Guests can make a donation of their choice to the DAA and have their photos taken by the Snow Queen—either on your phone, with her professional camera, or both.
Center Street Sound Co. will keep holiday spirits high with classic seasonal tunes until 4:00 PM, when cultural dance company Downtown Ashland stars are shining brighter than ever this holiday season! On Friday, November 22, the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA) will launch their annual Grand Illumination, lighting up two miles of historic downtown with over 10,000 sparkling lights and a massive tree on the Ashland Town Hall lawn—all while celebrating the incredible talent and creativity that thrive along the tracks.
Visitors can take Amtrak Virginia directly to the heart of downtown, where festivities begin at 3 PM with a vendor market featuring local food, art, crafts, and businesses. The outdoor market, stretching from the Dominion Energy Innovation Center across Ashland Town Hall to 110 Thompson Street, is a winter wonderland perfect for finding unique gifts for everyone on your list. Every purchase supports local artisans and small businesses, ensuring you’re definitely on Santa’s “nice” list.
Speaking of Santa, he’ll be joined by Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and Clarice on the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion stage. Guests can make a donation of their choice to the DAA and have their photos taken by the Snow Queen—either on your phone, with her professional camera, or both.
MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment
Center Street Sound Co. will keep holiday spirits high with classic seasonal tunes until 4:00 PM, when cultural dance company MKH Dabke & Middle Eastern Dance Entertainment takes the stage. Founded in 2016 by Lebanese-American dancer Michael “Misho” Kahwajy-Hyland, MKH Dabke celebrates culture, connects communities, and empowers audiences through Middle Eastern dance, music, and storytelling. “Dabke is a dance from the Cradle of Civilization that's full of empowerment and meaning. It comes from, and therefore represents, the strength of community everywhere it happens,” Kahwajy-Hyland says. "In today's world, it's a powerful dance because it's a statement of identity, welcomes anyone in the room, and creates a shared energy that can't be found anywhere else... all without a single word.” It is this power that has inspired the Richmond-based company to perform nationwide over the last decade and spread the beautiful message & culture behind this dance in interactive workshops and educational residencies - leaving audiences in the Center of the Universe and beyond energized, empowered, and inspired.
Following MKH’s performance, the Ashland Dance Academy will dazzle with illuminated choreography, and the Randolph-Macon College Choir will lead the crowd in a sing-along of Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
Tierrapy Soaps vending in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia
At 5 PM, join Dominion Energy, the Town of Ashland, and DAA for the official countdown as the Ashland Town Tree and 10,000 lights illuminate the night, transforming the downtown into a holiday postcard come to life.
The festivities continue on Sunday, November 23, with vendors returning at 11 AM outside the Dominion Energy Innovation Center and 110 Thompson Street, ahead of the Kiwanis Club’s Olde Time Holiday Parade, marching through downtown at 2 PM. Visitors can end the day with a cozy railside farm-to-fork meal, then head home with sugarplums dancing in their heads.
For more information on the Grand Illumination and all of Downtown Ashland’s holiday events, visit LightUptheTracks.com.