Holiday on the James View the Map
Snow falling on Valley Street in downtown Scottsville, with Victory Hall and a garland-wrapped lamppost

Holiday on the James

Scottsville's Holiday Happenings

One magical day. One holiday town.

Saturday, December 5 · 10 AM–7 PM
Downtown Scottsville, Virginia

Explore the Holiday Happenings Plan Your Visit

Free admission · Family friendly · Festivities throughout town

Shop · Sip · Stroll · Celebrate

Christmas Comes to Scottsville

For one magical day, downtown Scottsville comes alive with holiday markets, decorated storefronts, local food and wine, family activities and community traditions.

Shop for artisan gifts, follow the Holiday Passport through town, warm up with cocoa or mulled wine and gather with Santa for the Christmas Tree Illumination at Canal Basin Square.

SATURDAY · DECEMBER 5 · 2026 · DOWNTOWN SCOTTSVILLE · Holiday on the James
  1. I. MorningStroll Through Winter Wonderland
  2. II. MiddayShop the Holiday Markets
  3. III. AfternoonCelebrate at Canal Basin Square
  4. IV. EveningStay for the Christmas Tree Illumination
Snow-covered storefronts along historic Valley Street, with a wreath on a lamppost

I. Morning on Valley Street

Stroll Through Winter Wonderland

Historic Valley Street dresses for the season, with garland wound up the lampposts, wreaths on the doors and storefront windows decorated by the local businesses that keep downtown going.

Start the morning here. Browse the shops, pick up something for everyone on your list, and step inside wherever it's warmest.

  • Decorated storefronts
  • Local shops and makers
  • Historic Valley Street
See where to shop and dine
The wooden Pavilion strung with warm lights and red bows, with a Happy Holidays banner
The Pavilion, dressed for last year's Holiday Happenings.

II. Midday at the markets

Shop the Holiday Markets

Two markets, a short walk apart. Browse handmade gifts, holiday goods and original art from local vendors and artists.

Mistletoe Market at the Pavilion
Handmade gifts and holiday goods from local vendors
SCAN Indoor Art Market at Victory Hall
Original art and handmade pieces, indoors and out of the cold

All day, all over town

Follow the Holiday Passport

Your guide to the whole day. Collect stamps as you make your way from Valley Street to Canal Basin Square, and see how much of Holiday on the James you can fit into one Saturday.

  1. 1Pick up a passportPickup locations will be announced soon.
  2. 2Collect your stampsVisit participating shops, markets and stops around town.
  3. 3Turn it inTurn-in and prize details coming soon.
The Christmas batteau at Canal Basin Square under fresh snow, lined with warm lights, garland and red bows

A Scottsville signature

Why we call it Holiday on the James

Scottsville grew up on a bend of the James River, and Canal Basin Square keeps that story close. At the holidays, the batteau at the square is dressed in lights, garland and red bows, a small town's nod to the river boats that once carried goods along the James.

It's the heart of the celebration, and a perfect spot for a holiday photo.

Pictured: the Christmas batteau at Canal Basin Square.

III. Afternoon at Canal Basin Square

Celebrate at Canal Basin Square

By afternoon, the whole day finds its way to the square: pony rides and kids' activities, food trucks and local wine, a crackling bonfire, and Santa himself.

Pony Rides and Kids' Activities

Little riders get a helmet and a gentle walk around the square, with plenty more to keep kids busy between stops.

  • Pony rides
  • Kids' activities
A young rider on a chestnut pony with two girls standing beside it in the snow
A smiling child in a riding helmet meeting a bay horse
Two smiling girls in pink winter coats sitting with Santa in front of a holiday backdrop

Santa Comes to Town

Santa arrives at Canal Basin Square ahead of the Christmas Tree Illumination. Say hello, share a wish list, and stay close, because he'll help light the town tree.

See the schedule

Food Trucks, Local Wine and Warm Drinks

Food trucks line the square, local wineries pour by the glass, and there's mulled wine and hot cocoa for warming up between stops. Pair the day with lunch or dinner downtown.

Food trucks, a lit smoker trailer and vendor tents on the lawn at Canal Basin Square at dusk
The Hardware Hills Vineyard booth with a chalkboard offering warm mulled wine and hot cocoa

Warm Up Here

Local vineyards set up alongside the market, with bottles to take home and something warm to carry while you stroll.

Wine and mulled wine are served to guests 21 and over with valid ID.

Downtown shops and restaurants
Neighbors gathered around a bonfire as sparks rise into the evening sky

As the light goes

Gather Round the Fire

Cocoa, popcorn and holiday cartoons keep everyone cozy as afternoon turns to evening, and the bonfire becomes the place to warm your hands and catch up with neighbors.

  • Hot cocoa
  • Popcorn
  • Holiday cartoons
  • Community bonfire
Canal Basin Square at night, with the batteau outlined in lights, a nutcracker and a Santa figure

Evening at Canal Basin Square

As the sun sets, the square begins to glow.

The town Christmas tree lit in multicolored lights against a deep blue evening sky

IV. Evening at the tree

Stay for the Christmas Tree Illumination

End the day together. As evening settles over Canal Basin Square, gather with Santa and your neighbors and watch the town Christmas tree light up.

The Day at a Glance

Saturday, December 5, 2026

  1. Mistletoe Market opensThe Pavilion
  2. SCAN Indoor Art MarketVictory Hall
  3. Holiday Passport beginsShops and stops throughout downtown
  4. Pony rides and kids' activitiesCanal Basin Square
  5. Food trucks and local wineCanal Basin Square
  6. Cocoa, popcorn and holiday cartoonsCanal Basin Square
  7. BonfireCanal Basin Square
  8. Santa arrivesCanal Basin Square
  9. Christmas Tree Illumination with SantaCanal Basin Square
  10. Festivities wrap upThanks for spending the day with us

All day downtown

Shop and Dine

Make a day of it. Here's where to eat, drink and shop in Scottsville.

At Canal Basin Square

12–7 PM

  • Hardware Hills Vineyard
  • Mr. Z's BBQ

At the Pavilion

10 AM–2 PM

  • OM Taco

Downtown Restaurants

  • Amici's Italian Bistro
  • Beijing Kitchen
  • Red Rose Pub
  • Subway
  • Tavern on the James

Local Coffee & Sweets

  • Baine's Coffee & Books
  • Baked on the James

Local Breweries

  • James River Brewery

Grab & Go

  • Farmstead Ferments
  • Food Lion
  • GoCo Food Mart
  • Lucky's Exxon
  • The Market - Scottsville

Shopping

  • Farmstead Ferments Mercantile
  • Scottsville Supply Co.
  • River Town Antiques
  • Baine's Coffee & Books
  • We Grow
  • Soothe Boutique Dispensary

Plan Your Visit

Everything happens within a few walkable blocks, from Valley Street down to Canal Basin Square.

When
Saturday, December 5, 2026
10 AM–7 PM
Where
Downtown Scottsville, Virginia
Admission
Free. Some vendors, food and activities have a cost.
Getting around
Downtown is easy to explore on foot. Parking details coming soon.
Good to know
Most of the day is outdoors, so dress warm and wear good boots.
Holiday on the James event map showing Winter Wonderland on Valley Street, Victory Hall, Scottsville UMC, the Mistletoe Market at the Scottsville Pavilion and Canal Basin Square, connected by a holiday walking route