Downtown Events at a Glance
Sleigh Rides
Thursday December 4, 2025 | 6-8pm
120 S. Main St
Every year, as part of the Town’s Tree Lighting event, the FVDA is thrilled to host Sleigh Rides for the community. As a friend of FVDA, you have priority access to Sleigh Ride tickets/Fast Passes. Once these are distributed, a limited number of tickets are made available for public sale. However, in previous years, demand has been high, and tickets have sold out quickly, leaving some community members disappointed.
To make ticket distribution more fair, any remaining tickets will be sold ($5 each sold in groups of 2) through a lottery system. If you’d like a chance to purchase tickets, please fill out the form below. We’ll notify participants on the Monday before the event. Each person selected in the lottery will be limited to a maximum of 4 tickets.
Thank you for being a part of this festive tradition, and good luck in the lottery!
Trees on Broad
Sponsored by Brightspeed
December 5th-26th
Downtown Broad Street
Registration to decorate a tree begins November 14, 2025Join Brightspeed and the FVDA for our first Trees on Broad competition. t's a heartwarming contest where every decorated tree helps a good cause—winners earn a donation for their favorite nonprofit!
whether you are a local family, school or organization decorating for the cause or a spectator coming downtown to view and vote for your favorite tree, It's the perfect way to kick off the season and feel the holiday spirit!
This FVDA fundraiser can be tricky to say, but if you love anything about the name, you don’t want to miss it! Sample delicious BBQ from competing cook teams, sip a unique selection of locally brewed beer, browse the makers market and enjoy live music performances. Due to the nature of the event, dogs are not allowed. This event is rain or shine.
Event Date: November 8, 2025
Event Time: 12-4 pm
Location: Varina Parking Lot- 801 Durham St
In historic Downtown Varina
Want to enter as a cook team, become a vendor, sponsor this event volunteer for the event or purchase tickets? Click below to learn more.
Trick or Treat Downtown
No tricks, just treats for the young ones who loves costumes, candy and having a Happy Halloween! This free annual event is sponsored by the FVDA and nearly 100 participating downtown businesses. Typically held the Friday before Halloween, you’re invited to bring your ghosts & goblins to visit the merchants that display a Trick or Treat poster in their windows!
Trick or Treat in Downtown is a rain or shine event.
Event Date: October 24, 2025
Event Time: 2-5 pm