Christmas in Richmond?

[scote3232]

Without reading all of the posts...try Lewis Ginger Botanical Gardens.

Awesome walking light tour. Very festive.

[mloa69]

I cannot believe that you posted all the wrong dates for these folks on this site. YOU ARE A WEEK OFF! Why in the world would you think that everything is beginning in November? Native Richmonders, such as yourself, should know that the downtown festivities are ALWAYS on the first weekend of December! They also mirror the Williamsburg dates! Hopefully, anyone who read your extensive post, went ahead and clicked on the links to see the real dates. (some of the later dates stated are correct, just not the beginning ones)

[richmondpics]

Ummm, maybe because that post was for LAST year. It's always wise to check the date of a post (November, 2007) before jumping to conclusions.....

[Erma]

Upper left hand corner of the post box...
I think you own richmondpics an apology, you were a bit over the line on your post mloa69.

[PickPatrick]

Yes Virginia --- We have a lot to do at Christmas :-)

[richmondpics]

Thanks Erma,

As for 2008, here is a list of some events happening, dates included:

James Center’s Grand Illumination
Friday, Dec. 5
10th and E. Cary Streets, free admission, 6-7 p.m.

Come down to see Santa Claus and Snow Queen!

The night begins at 6 p.m. with a live countdown to turn on the outline lighting for the downtown office buildings. The VMI Marching Band will perform holiday favorites leading up to the lighting of the holiday reindeer at 6:25 p.m. This year’s theme is A Soulful Christmas and both Bak N Da Day and NYCE will perform around the James Center’s reindeer lights from 6:30-7 p.m. The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet will make a magical appearance too! Come see Tuba Christmas, Harpist Rickie Denton, Shore Leave, the Virginia Piedmont Model Railroad Club and much more while Radio Disney entertains children with activities. This event is provided by James Center Property LLC. For more information call (804) 344-3232.

Holiday Market
Friday, Dec. 5
17th Street Farmers Market, free admission, 5-9 p.m.

Avoid the mall rush! This annual holiday shopping extravaganza features holiday wreaths, fresh cut mistletoe, gourmet desserts, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved wooden toys, handmade ornaments, vintage collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts and so much more! Enjoy the sounds of the season while you shop! Henrico Pops Chorus will be performing live at 6:15 p.m. and will be followed by a Tuba Christmas at 7:45 p.m. Coinciding with the Grand Illumination; this last evening of the market season is the perfect destination for finding unique gifts for the holidays! For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit 17th Street Farmers Market.

Free Horse and Carriage Rides
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the 13th and E. Cary Street fountain, 6-10 p.m.

The holidays are here in Richmond’s historic River District with the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones and jingle bells ringing on the holiday decorated 12-passenger wagons. One round trip ride per person please. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. Call Roger at (804) 769-4010 with questions.

Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin
Friday, Dec. 5
14th and Dock Streets, $2 per person (children 4 and under free), 6-9 p.m.

Celebrate the Season on Richmond’s historic canal by enjoying a 25 minute boat tour on the James River and Kanawha Canal in one of our covered boats. Lite 98 is hosting a live radio show from the Turning Basin to ring in the holidays. Santa will join you for a ride between 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more information call (804) 788-6466.

Giant Holiday Cards on Display Downtown
Friday, Dec. 5–Wednesday, Dec. 31
The James Center (10th and E. Cary) and Richmond Public Library (2nd and E. Main), free admission, check the hours of operation at each location

This year’s 6th annual exhibition of art cards will be a display of vintage holiday cards from students in metro Richmond area during the month of December. The giant cards, each created from wooden doors, are creatively designed and painted by art classes and clubs in schools from the city of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties, and private schools. Sponsored by Siewers Lumber and Venture Richmond. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit Venture Richmond.

Main Street Station Holiday Open House
Friday, Dec. 5
Main Street Station and the Plaza at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main Street, free admission, 5-9 p.m.

The city of Richmond welcomes all for a Holiday Open House with a Polar Express theme, free kids train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and live entertainment. Enjoy the gorgeous restored glory of Main Street Station and explore the lighted Cathedral Walk at the Main Street Station plaza to celebrate the holiday season. Sgt. Santa will roll into town from 6-8 p.m. and don’t forget to bring a small toy donation or book to benefit Sgt. Santa’s workshop. This year’s event will focus on literacy and professional storytellers will be on hand to read to children as they enjoy cookies and cocoa by the fireplace. Come early, the Richmond Public Library will also donate books to the first 300 children! Event parking is only $2 and will be available on the west side of the station using the Franklin Street entrance and within the Plaza using the Main and Cary streets entrance. For more information call (804) 646-5665.

Capitol Square Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 5
Capitol Square, free admission, 5-7 p.m.

Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill. For more information call (804) 371-2642.

Governor’s Executive Mansion Open House
Saturday, Dec. 6
Capitol Square, free admission, 1-4 p.m.

Come tour Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill. For more information call (804) 371-2642.

3rd Annual Holiday Happenings at Historic Tredegar
Sunday, Dec. 7
490 Tredegar Street, reduced admission fees, 1-5 p.m.

There will be light refreshments, children’s activities and tree decorating while period musicians perform. For more information call (804) 780-1865, ext. 10 or visit The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar » Home.

Home for the Holidays, Richmond Philharmonic
Monday, Dec. 8
James Center Atrium (10th and E. Cary Streets), free admission, 7 p.m.

Popular holiday songs and carols, and seasonal light classics, are sure to entertain everyone in the family at the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Family Holiday Concert in the James Center Atrium. Robert Mirakian, RPO Music Director, invites all to a celebratory program, “Home for the Holidays,” including: Tchaikovsky, Selections from The Nutcracker; Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on “Greensleeves;” Leroy Anderson, Sleighride and Christmas Festival; Bach, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring;” Selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas; and Songs of the season with Aaron Ellerbrock, baritone. For more information call (804) 344-3232.


Church Hill Vespers and Candlelight Walk
Friday, Dec. 12
St. John’s Church (25th and E. Broad Streets), free admission, 7 p.m.

Holiday carols start at St. John’s Church and then a candlelight walk through the streets of historic Church Hill follows the traditional vespers service. Participants are given candles to carry and are lead by bagpipers through the neighborhood to Libby Hill Park. For more information call (804) 814-1066.

16th Annual James River Parade of Lights
Saturday, Dec. 13
Libby Hill Park, corner of 28th and E. Franklin Streets, live entertainment at 4:30 p.m., parade viewing at 6 p.m.
Intermediate Terminal Dock, at Dock and Water Streets, parade viewing at 6 p.m.

This year’s parade features festively decorated boats with the theme “Saluting our Military on the Historic James,” chosen to honor the many men and women serving our country. The boats cruise the parade course from Richmond to Chesterfield and Henrico counties with spectators from throughout the region that gather at several official viewing locations. The event has become a cherished holiday tradition. Sponsored by the James River Advisory Council. For more information call (804) 748-1567 or visit James River Advisory Council (JRAC) :: Home.

22nd Annual Court End Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 14
Valentine Richmond History Center, John Marshall House, the Virginia State Capitol, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monumental Church, the Egyptian Building, the Beers House, Hunton Student Center, and St. John’s Church; free admission; noon-5 p.m.

A Richmond tradition celebrates the season in 19th century style with reenactments, children’s activities, refreshments, carriage rides, music, special guest appearances, and free admission and tours of nine historic downtown sites. This year, the event welcomes Klezm’Or’Ami’m, klezmer musicians from Congregation Or Ami, who will play live at the Valentine Richmond History Center at 1 p.m. Free shuttle service provided from 12:30-4:45 p.m. with stops at each site every 15-20 minutes. For more information call (804) 649-0711 ext. 322 or visit Court End Christmas.

Church Hill House Tour
Sunday, Dec. 14
Church Hill Neighborhood, advance tickets: $15, day of the tour: $20, noon-5 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to visit the beautiful homes and other venues of historic Church Hill. Fourteen houses and historic buildings are open and decorated for the holidays. Free carriage rides and roving carolers are also on the hill. There will be local shuttles, as well as a shuttle to and from the Court End Christmas at the Valentine History Center. For more information about tickets contact Meagan or Lisa at (804) 200-8020 or e-mail contact@omnifariousva.com.

Above events from Venture Richmond – Venture Richmond Events

Also, the 25th Annual Ukrop’s-Supervalu Richmond Christmas Parade is December 6th beginning at 10 AM at the Science Museum of Virginia and heading east to 7th Street Downtown.
Richmond Christmas Parade

Feel free to add other events!

[dizliz0925]

WOW...What a blast from the past.....just casually checking out the Ricmond posts and saw this was back up there. We've been back in FL 10 months now (our house didn't sell) but I was just thinking about Maymont and all the lights in downtown. Good to be back close to family here, but do miss VA at times.

Hope all is well to everyone and thanks again for all the useful info when we were up there (especially richmondpics).



-Dean