Christmas Eve Services in Harrisonburg (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 13, 2026 · Checked weekly

5 churches in the Harrisonburg area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 2 have posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 5 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 2 have posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church.
  • Latest service posted: 8:00 PM at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.
  • 4 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Harrisonburg and Christmas train rides in Virginia.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Harrisonburg

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
4:00 PMFirst Presbyterian ChurchFamily
6:00 PMFirst Presbyterian ChurchFamily
8:00 PMHarrisonburg Mennonite ChurchCandlelight

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg

Showing all 5 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

First Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian · Downtown

  • 4:00 PMChristmas Eve (Family-friendly service with music and a closing candlelight hymn)
    Family
  • 6:00 PMChristmas Eve (Family-friendly service with music and a closing candlelight hymn)
    Family

17 Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

(free with email) Directions to First Presbyterian Church (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for First Presbyterian Church (opens in a new tab)

More Harrisonburg area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Harrisonburg

Every church on this page, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg (1)

Lutheran services in other cities

Mennonite Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg (1)

Methodist Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg (1)

Methodist services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg (2)

Presbyterian services across VirginiaPresbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Harrisonburg.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Harrisonburg.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Harrisonburg before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Harrisonburg every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Harrisonburg. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy

More Christmas Eve services near Harrisonburg

All Christmas Eve services in VirginiaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Harrisonburg

Family Christmas plans in and around Harrisonburg, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Harrisonburg area hold services from the afternoon into the evening.

How many churches in the Harrisonburg area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 5 churches in the Harrisonburg area with Christmas Eve services. 2 have posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 8:00 PM at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Which churches in Harrisonburg have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include First Presbyterian Church. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Are there candlelight Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg?

Yes. Harrisonburg Mennonite Church lists a candlelight service for 2026. Times are on each listing above.

Which parts of the Harrisonburg area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Downtown, South High Street, Sterling Street and West Mosby Road. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Harrisonburg?

The 5 churches on this page include 1 ELCA, 1 PCA, 1 Presbyterian, 1 United Methodist and 1 Virginia Mennonite Conference. ELCA: Muhlenberg Lutheran Church. PCA: Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Which Harrisonburg churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Covenant Presbyterian Church, Muhlenberg Lutheran Church and RISE | A Faith Community held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Harrisonburg churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

Muhlenberg Lutheran Church held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Harrisonburg post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there a Presbyterian Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Yes. This page lists 2 Presbyterian churches in Harrisonburg with Christmas Eve services, including Covenant Presbyterian Church (West Mosby Road) and First Presbyterian Church (Downtown). First Presbyterian Church has posted 2026 times starting at 4:00 PM.

Is there a Lutheran Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Yes. This page lists 1 Lutheran church in Harrisonburg with Christmas Eve services, including Muhlenberg Lutheran Church (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Mennonite Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Yes. This page lists 1 Mennonite church in Harrisonburg with Christmas Eve services, including Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (South High Street). Harrisonburg Mennonite Church has posted 2026 times starting at 8:00 PM.

Is there a Methodist Christmas Eve service in Harrisonburg?

Yes. This page lists 1 Methodist church in Harrisonburg with Christmas Eve services, including RISE | A Faith Community (Sterling Street). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Harrisonburg that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in Virginia?

Our page for Virginia lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Harrisonburg?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Harrisonburg lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Eve Services in Huntsville (2026)
Next

Christmas Eve Services in Fort Lauderdale (2026)