Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Yeah, yeah, I know—Christmas isn’t quite here yet. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning our New Year’s celebrations, right? If you’re looking for some great ideas, we’ve got them below. I’m so glad you’re here.

P.S. Our parent company kindly gives us time off to enjoy with our loved ones during the holiday season, so our newsletter schedule will look a little different through the end of the year. We’ll be in your inbox on Dec. 22, 23, and 30, and back to our regular schedule on Jan. 5.

The Quirk Hotel will be transformed into a “Wicked” wonderland on New Year’s Eve. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: Whether you prefer the traditional champagne toast at midnight with your significant other or a family-friendly countdown that still allows the little ones to get to bed on time, Virginia offers plenty of unique ways to celebrate the New Year. 

Our top ideas:

• Preceptor Omicron’s New Year’s Eve Gala Celebration at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center promises to be a lavish bash spread across two ballrooms. The Roanoke Ballroom will be where The Kings will provide live music, including Top 40, beach music, and oldies hits. In the Crystal Ballroom, The Uptown Trio will perform a mix of jazz, swing, and oldies music.

• Celebrate the arrival of the new year with dinner and dancing at the New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance Live at The Floyd Country Store. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the store has been the go-to place to hear local Appalachian music since the 1980s. Musical entertainment will be provided by Twin Creeks Stringband, Up Jumped Trouble, and Larry Sigmon & The Virginia Girls.

• Bring in 2026 with your little ones at noon on Dec. 31 by watching a glittery ball drop at the Children’s Museum of Virginia’s Noon New Year’s Eve. The free event will feature face painting and a juice box toast.

   

Looking for a variety of festive options? Have your pick at the link below.

Christmas on Wendhurst lights up the night at 9716 Wendhurst Drive. (Ava Edwards/Dogwood)

By Ava Edwards

Going on 27 years, the elaborate Christmas light display at Al and Esther Thompson’s home continues to shine bigger and brighter.

While Christmas lights alone are an extravagant display, the Thompsons also make all of their figures, statues, and other decorations by hand—all 2,500 of them.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that many of the decorations have fun facts, scavenger hunts, games, and other interactive activities to keep their thousands of visitors entertained.

Christmas on Wendhust’s display spans three houses and takes two-and-a-half months to complete. It consists of four breaker boxes, 1,000+ extension cords, and much more to keep the magic running from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.

Sarah Drew arrives at the 56th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

By Dorothy Scott

Actress Sarah Drew graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002, though she likely didn’t run into Margaret Brennan since they majored in such different fields. Drew earned a degree in drama, and seven years after leaving UV, she landed a television job that would not only change her life but also sustain her well into the 2020s. Yes, we’re talking about “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Drew appeared as the endearing Dr. April Kepner in 204 episodes of ABC’s resident medical drama between 2009 and 2022 (via IMDb). Fans got to see her in many highs and lows, letting her raw acting talents shine. Outside of “Grey’s Anatomy,” you can catch her in myriad Christmas movies, like “Mistletoe Murders,” “Reindeer Games Homecoming,” and “Christmas in Vienna.”

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