Holiday celebrations are getting underway across the region, and River Ridge in Lynchburg is planning several events for Christmas, beginning with the tree lighting and a visit from Santa tomorrow night.

Santa is putting the final touches on his flight plan.

North American military assets are keeping a sharp eye on Santa's travels.

Holiday travel is expected to hit its peak right around now.

Christmas is just a week away, and some people are asking Santa for snow.

Santa Claus paid an early visit to the Star City to spend some time at William Fleming High School.

The Roanoke County Fire Department is warning against holiday hazards, after an Elf on the Shelf was burned.

The Bank of England has kept borrowing rates unchanged despite mounting worries over the state of the British economy.

Angels of Assisi teamed up with shelters from all over the region to find homes for all of their adoptable pets.

Jill Biden has chosen a White House holiday décor that she hopes will inspire guests to feel like kids again.

Cher is obviously a superstar but even a superstar is happy to be the opening act when it comes to Santa.

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis also has a busy career as a children’s author.

Did Santa bring you a new air fryer for Christmas this year?

Westerly wind gusts won't be as strong today and high temperatures hit the 30s

Santa Claus is already delivering presents.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as wintry weather moves through the state.

Are you making those cookies for Santa and his elves, or are you making them for yourself? (We won’t tell the jolly fella, promise.)

Santa is getting ready to deliver presents to millions of children across the world but first, he is making a special visit to babies in the NICU at Carilion.

Oh, to feel the excitement rumbling in your tummy as you hand your parents the letter you wrote to Santa. What will he bring this year? Will you be on the naughty or nice list?

The holiday season is a busy time of year for Amazon delivery drivers. After all, helping Santa deliver last-minute gifts is no easy task.

Santa is coming to town and he needs your help to feed families in need.

Roanoke County is inviting the community to join together to begin the holiday season. The county is hosting its ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, Dec. 5.

What better way to celebrate the holidays than pictures with Santa – Santa Paws that is.

Let's get the Elf on the Shelf to work for us this year (and hopefully every year moving forward).

Your kids and four-legged friends can get into the Christmas spirit by visiting Santa soon.

Get set for the U.S. Ski Jumping Olympic Trials, airing live on Christmas Day.

Every year, Santa’s elves show up in homes and cause mischief.

A local nonprofit is spreading a little holiday cheer by providing meals to those in need.

Many of the little ones will leave out cookies for Santa Christmas eve, but few actually get to have breakfast with the big guy. One event lets you do just that.

A man who loves to decorate for the holidays has taken the Christmas spirit to a whole new level.

We’re used to seeing Santa at the mall, or better yet, on his sleigh delivering toys to children around the world, but you don’t see Santa (let alone hundreds of him) skiing or snowboarding down a mountain.

Chugging along for the last time this weekend, families got a taste of the Candy Cane Express at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Hop on board the Candy Cane Express! The holiday-themed train ride returns to Roanoke this weekend. It will be at the Virginia Museum of Transportation on December 4th and 5th.

The free event is open every night 5-9PM through Dec. 31.

Join Rachel and Bridget as they chat about Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s birthday, how Santa is on his way to Roanoke and how 40 women broke a record in Arizona.

Christmas is a little over a month away, which means one thing: Santa is coming back to the mall!

Nearly two years into a global health crisis that has killed more than 5 million people, infections are again sweeping across parts of Western Europe.

Holiday family pictures are back at Roanoke Public Libraries throughout November.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – There’s always a debate around this time of year whether to keep your Christmas decorations up or take them down. After an award-winning display, a Christiansburg man is keeping his up, but he’s adding some red and blue to his white lights. The Town of Christiansburg awarded Jeff and Lisa Gandee a trophy for winning the town’s first-ever Christmas decoration contest. The Gandees have now turned their elaborate Christmas decor into a patriotic display. They encourage the families near and far to drive by and check out the display at 1460 Sleepy Hollow Road in Christiansburg.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Liberty University history professor is giving a lesson, not on topics like war or democracy, but on Santa Claus. Dr. Carey Roberts is appearing in a new documentary titled “The True Saint Nicholas.”It’s about how the man with the long white beard and the red suit has changed with America’s cultural shifts. Roberts said the jolly old man we know him as today was created in the 1920s and 30s when Coca-Cola hired a Swedish artist for a national campaign. “He drew on this New York image of Santa Claus and really produced the modern Santa Claus we have today, so it’s a Southern beverage company, it’s a Swedish immigrant and it’s a New York tradition,” said Roberts. He said before that time, most Americas would’ve been visited by “Father Christmas” or “Saint Nicholas.”

RADFORD, Va. – It takes a lot of work for Santa to make his yearly trip around the world. Thankfully, he’s receiving some help from first responders in the New River Valley on Christmas Eve. Radford’s police dispatchers are tracking Santa’s every move and can tell kids who call them exactly where he is. The dispatchers-turned-elves say they signed up to help Santa so that kids know who to call on the other days of the year. The elves were taking calls until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Thursday marks Christmas Eve and you know what that means... Santa Claus is coming to town! CLICK HERE TO TRACK SANTA’S JOURNEYEvery Christmas Eve, there are men and women in the military who have the best job of all. They get to follow along as Jolly Saint Nick treks around the world to deliver presents to everyone on the nice list. The North American Aerospace Defense Command created the Santa Tracker, which allows you to see where Santa is in the world and just how close he is to delivering your presents. You can follow along with NORAD’s interactive map or on Twitter where officials are updating where Santa is.

A new coat of paint and a sign that says Santa made her home at 29973 Spruce Rd. After getting just 43 letters last year, Santa’s helper has received more than 300 letters in 2020. Many have questions about what the reindeer eat and what Santa does for fun. “I’ve even had a mom who wrote me a letter cause she’s having a rough year,” said Pickering. All written from the heart with answers about what the reindeer eat and messages that can help both kids and adults cope.

Tonight from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. you can call 540-267-3704 and speak to a dispatch elf. Today on 10 News at Noon, we will talk to NORAD as it tracks Santa’s journey. Gathering Place in Buena Vista is hosting a free drive-thru Christmas Dinner today, in an effort to bring hope to those going through hard times. The production is usually done live at the Berglund Center, but is not this year due to the pandemic. Enjoy can enjoy the lights one last time tomorrow night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m at Ballou Park.

Santa will help with food distribution today at the YMCA of Virginia Tech’s Meals on Main. He’ll be at the Thrift Shop Parking Lot from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. helping hand out meals and holiday treats. Today is the last day to register for the Build Smart Institute Core Fundamentals of Construction Program. It’s free to any Bedford County student in tenth through twelfth grades who is interested in learning about construction and building trades. You could qualify for free tuition due to money from the CARES Act.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has added 1,092 new coronavirus cases in a resurgence that is erasing hard-won epidemiological gains and eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to handle the outbreak. It would deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Preliminary data on U.S. deaths show the coronavirus pandemic contributing to a 15% or more increase in deaths over last year. ___MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials have reported a new daily high in confirmed coronavirus cases as the country awaits its first shipment of vaccine. ___WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation is reporting 151 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths related to COVID-19.

Will I see snow tonight? The most impactful weather of the week will come Christmas Eve and Day. What we're tracking on Christmas Eve (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) What we're tracking Christmas Eve into Christmas Day (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) Holiday cold blast (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)

LUDOWICI, Ga. – Dozens of children who attended a tree lighting event in Georgia may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a pair performing as Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for the virus, officials said. Commissioners' Chair Robert Parker said about 50 children, including his own, took pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, whose names weren't immediately released. “I have personally known both “Santa” and “Mrs. The county school system has asked parents to keep children at home if they were exposed or if they are showing symptoms. “Children are in close contact with both other children and adults daily at school, rec functions, and church,” Parker said.

RADFORD, Va. – Move out of the way because Santa is cruising in Radford. With sirens blaring and lights flashing, Santa rode in style with the police department late Sunday afternoon. Santa’s elves tossed out candy to children eagerly waiting for him to pass by. 8-year-old William Beasley even made a sign showing his admiration for the police as he jumped up and down with his 2-year-old brother, Arthur. “Well since the police was doing all this kind stuff in this hard year we wanted to make a sign and stuff,” he said.

ROANOKE, Va. – Santa’s Workshop held in downtown Roanoke on Saturday as a part of the 25 Days of Dickens. He couldn’t be there in person because of the coronavirus pandemic but was live from the North Pole for one-on-one Zoom calls with the kids. Organizers hope the event can kickstart support for local businesses. We got decorations all over the building, all over downtown. Downtown Roanoke is following all COVID-19 guidelines to make sure everyone stays safe.

Enjoy the Southwest Virginia Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Normally, this is performed at the Berglund Center before a live audience. Head to Uptown Christiansburg, formerly the New River Valley Mall, for the Town of Christiansburg’s reverse Christmas Parade. The theme for this year’s event is “Light up the tree, it’s Christmas you see.” the parade runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy Christmas lights and interact with Santa and Mrs. Claus starting tonight. On Friday and Saturday nights, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

One dad in Vinton not only surprised his family this week but everyone on Santa’s sleigh. The Vinton Christmas parade was canceled, but Santa still rolled through the neighborhoods. Patrick Harper waited until Santa pulled up in front of his house to run outside in his Buddy the Elf costume and re-enact one of the movie’s iconic scenes. That’s the reaction I get regardless of where I’ve gone. I’ve gone through grocery stores before in the past, just walking around with the elf suit on,” said Patrick.

ROANOKE, VA. – Some folks in Roanoke are opening up a direct line to Santa this holiday season. You may have seen the special book drop-off boxes at some of the area libraries. Kids can drop their letters to Santa in those boxes and the library will make sure they get to him. Libraries director Sheila Umberger said they wanted to keep the holiday spirit going with the ongoing pandemic. The libraries have a number of other events planned for this month as well.

SALEM, Va. – A holiday cookie competition is underway in Salem. Votes were cast on Saturday for the 15th annual Gingerbread Festival. Organizers say they still wanted to hold the event, but social distancing was a must. Some activities were even moved across the street from Salem Museum to Longwood Park to allow for more space. Salem is also holding a gingerbread hunt in shops and on social media all month long to help support local businesses.

’Tis the season to give, and we have a feeling this might be one of the best ways yet to do exactly that.

The town also holds a reverse Holiday Parade. Patrick Henry Drive will be closed from Progress Street to North Main Street beginning at 5:30 for setup. That’s followed by the winter WonderLot Christmas Parade from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The reverse Christmas Parade will take place in the Salem Civic Center Parking lot. The Town of Amherst holds its reverse Christmas Parade tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Botetourt County Schools is holding a job fair today. It’s looking for nurses and nurses substitutes, as well as substitute teachers, bus drivers, custodians and other positions. The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lord Botetourt High School. Santa will begin calling children in Christiansburg today. The Town of Christiansburg will light its Christmas Tree virtually tonight.

Organizers have canceled the Vinton Christmas Parade due to limits on gatherings due to the pandemic. The parade was originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3. While the parade is a huge expense to the town, from paying security officials overtime, renting barricades and attaining digital signs, nearby businesses and restaurants will see fewer customers without it. [18 holiday events happening in Southwest, Central Virginia to put you in the Christmas spirit]“This was a very hard decision and was not decided easily,” said Angie Chewing, executive director of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. “Even the food trucks that we have around the area that we would have stationed in different places throughout the parade route.

Simply by writing a letter to Santa, you can help Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. During Macy’s “National Believe Week,” the company will donate $2 to Make-A-Wish for every letter written to Santa. National Believe Week ends on Saturday, December 5, at which time Macy’s will go back to donating $1 per letter until December 24. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to help the nonprofit that makes the wishes and dreams of sick children come true. The partnership with Make-A-Wish is part of Macy’s 13th Annual Believe Campaign.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – If the dancing Santa doesn’t give it away, we’ll make it clear: Franklin County is definitely in the spirit. The Land of Lights is a new drive-thru experience, making smiles and shining bright. “With so many things canceled due to COVID we decided that we wanted to provide folks with something to bring a little joy this year,” said Nikki Custer, Franklin County Parks and Recreation athletics manager. Riley Smith gave it her seal of approval while her grandmother Emily Smith said it was pure Christmas joy. 2020 has shown us to make the best of the situation at hand, and this is an example of that.

Santa Claus is coming to town and the only thing he’s spreading is lots of Christmas cheer. According to the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Man in Red is COVID-19 free. Fauci wants to assure those kids that Santa isn’t going to be spreading the infection to anyone. So, get the milk and cookies ready, kids! COVID-19 isn’t stopping Santa from visiting your home this Christmas.

Santa at River Ridge Mall in LynchburgDates and Times: Nov. 21 - Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring the family to Explore Park to see all the twinkling holiday lights displays Roanoke County Parks has to offer. Watch holiday lights choreographed to the festive sounds of the season from the comfort of your car. Santa’s Winter Wonderland in RoanokeDates: Dec. 4 - Dec. 24In this drive-thru experience, kids can listen to Santa speak to them via a specific radio station. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in SalemDate and Time: Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.Join the City of Salem at the Farmers Market Christmas Tree to ring in the season.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall is teaming up with the Salvation Army for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. Guests can sponsor a child by taking a tag off the ‘Angel Trees’ and bringing the gift back to River Ridge or the Salvation Army. And starting next weekend, you can meet Santa, but guests are asked to make reservations online. “We’ll be cleaning between each visit with Santa Claus. You do have to be socially distant from Santa Claus, so you can’t sit on his lap this year; but that’s okay because we’re still going to make the photos look really great,” said Katie Farris, the mall’s marketing manager.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. – The Macy’s Santa may be gone this year, but the Bridgewater Plaza Santa is here to stay. One of Smith Mountain Lake’s oldest holiday traditions, Santa Around Bridgewater Plaza, will take place in Nov. 28 with a few new safety precautions in place. Right at 11 a.m., Santa is making a special appearance by boat at 11 a.m. to hear all the good boys and girls' wish lists at Smith Mountain Lake Coffee House while enjoying some free hot chocolate and cookies. “Santa will wear a face shield and children will take turns sitting in a circle six feet away to talk to him,” Gray said. “Smith Mountain Lake has so many awesome merchants who are eager to help you find the perfect holiday gifts.”Admission to the event is free.

ROANOKE, Va. – The holidays are going to look a lot different this year, especially for children in the hospital. Carilion Children’s usually relies on corporate sponsors to provide holiday gifts but because most people are working virtually, employee toy drives are less likely this year. Junior League of Roanoke Valley (JLRV) is partnering with Carilion for a toy drive, asking the community to step up and help make the holidays brighter for these children. “It is an unprecedented year and a difficult time for many across the Roanoke Valley. Community members must wear masks when dropping off toys, and they will be asked to place them in the bins themselves.

Postal Service is primarily in charge of delivering packages before Santa’s sleigh takes off Christmas Eve, and the Roanoke Main Post Office has a lot of packages to sort through in the week leading up to Christmas. Postal Service administrator partially based out of Roanoke’s Main Post Office. The Postal Service said the deadline is Friday for first-class mail, Saturday for Priority Mail packages, and Monday for Priority Mail Express Packages. “It’s critical that they get those packages in here as soon as possible,” Diggs said. “Dolly trucks are moving, and people are scurrying about making sure mail is getting to the right area.”Nationwide, the Postal Service expects to deliver 2.5 billion pieces of mail in the week leading up to Christmas.

Anonymous donations have paid off $70,000 in layaway purchases at two Walmart stores in Alabama. According to WFAA, a company spokesman says someone paid off $45,000 in purchases at a store in the east Alabama city of Anniston on Monday. He says someone paid off another $25,000 in layaway purchases two days later at a Walmart in nearby Oxford. It's unclear whether the same person was responsible for both donations. Customers who arrived to pick up layaway items on Monday got a note that says: “God loves you.

If you’ve ever been to a holiday cookie swap, then you know just how intense and daunting they can be.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Virginia Museum of Transportation held it’s annual “Candy Cane Express” event Saturday. The event allowed families to stop by and see what the museum has to offer. It also allowed children to take a photo with Santa and ride take a train ride. Employees said the event was a way to get people in who normally wouldn’t stop by. The Candy Cane Express will run again Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEA dog that captured many hearts in a social media post is back with his original owner. However, the Humane Society shared an update on Thursday night that they were able to track down Tank’s original owner and return him safely. The short version is that Tank’s original owner lived in the trailer where the fire took place. So he did lose his whole family but the original owner was tracked down through a microchip.They came and provided the documentation for the chip so were able to reclaim him.” Humane Society of Amherst County***UPDATE*** Tank is back with his original owner! Please let my human and doggie siblings know that I’m okay, that I miss them all so much already.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Volunteers are still needed to help light up Explore Park for the holidays. Illuminights is taking over Explore Park for a 26-night event that will deck out the park with more than 500,000 lights starting Nov. 29. Joel Mosca from Mosca Design, the holiday lighting company, said the first challenge was finding the money, then a good location. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Center in the Square and Explore Park. "In addition to getting your [Illuminights] hat and scarf, there are other perks if you volunteer multiple nights," Ramsburg said.

Mariah Carey woke up Friday and sang that song, so you know it's the beginning of Christmas season. The diva posted a video of herself waking up on Nov. 1 and answering a call from Santa, and so begins the seemingly nonstop advertising for holiday spending deals. If you're in New York City, you can treat yourself to the newly opened, seven-floor monolith that is Nordstrom's cathedral to consumerism near Columbus Circle. The high-end department store offers tailoring while you wait, personal shoppers, four restaurants, a beauty salon and two bars. RELATED STORIESSuspect Arrested Nearly 40 Years After Teen's Brutal Murder While Christmas ShoppingHere's How to Save Time and Money During Last-Minute Christmas ShoppingA Toddler Found a Bag of Crystal Meth While Christmas Shopping With Mom at Walmart

ROANOKE, Va. - Are you missing the snowflakes and decorations of the holiday season? Cult favorite Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are back in stores as the company celebrates "Christmas in July," according to People. While the sweet treats are the same on the inside, they're not the same on the outside -- Santa is on vacation, after all. Instead of the traditional holiday theme, the boxes will feature Santa on the beach with a cool glass of milk. The cakes will be available exclusively at Walmart for $2 for a limited time.