Your guide to Richmond's top holiday events this year
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Richmond's biggest holiday weekend of the year is here.
Why it matters: This jam-packed weekend marks the official start to the holiday season in RVA, a time filled with half-days, sparkling events and plenty of seasonal cheer.
State of play: But it's just the start.
- Here's your guide to all the can't-miss seasonal events so you can make the most of the festivities this year.
The big-deal events:
π RVA Illuminates, formerly known as the Grand Illumination, is Friday. Dec. 5.
- The free event that lights up most of the downtown skyline begins at 5:30pm at Kanawha Plaza, and the switch gets flipped at 5:59pm.
- Of note: the live performances have been canceled this year due to the snowy forecast, the city announced Thursday.
- π₯ Dominion Energy Christmas Parade, is Saturday, Dec. 6.
- The best little Christmas parade around kicks off at 10:15am, led by grand marshal Clifford the Big Red Dog (he was selected by patients at the children's hospital).
- The route is east down Broad from the Science Museum to 10th Street, and attendees can line up anywhere.
π³ Parade of Lights at Rocketts Landing is Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5pm.
- Richmond boaters light up and sail from Rocketts to Osborne Landing or from The Boathouse to The Lily Pad, or however you prefer to think about nautical distance.
- Spectators can post up anywhere along the route, though Rocketts and Osborne are the easiest to access and offer the clearest view.
- Ancarrow's Landing on the south bank is a popular, albeit very dark, alternative watch spot.
π A Hanukkah Party is at Art Factory in Midlothian on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5:30-7pm. Sharp.
- There'll be menorah lighting, nonalcoholic cocktails, kids' games and more. Free, but RSVP required.
π Capital City Kwanzaa Festival from Elegba Folklore Society is Saturday, Dec. 27 from 1-7pm at the Convention Center.
- Organizers say it's one of the largest Kwanzaa celebrations on the East Coast with performances, kids activities and an African market. Tickets start at $7.
Other awesome, seasonal events happening this weekend:
π The Bizarre Bazaar, the grande dame of Richmond-area holiday markets, runs through Sunday at Richmond Raceway. Times vary. Advance adult tickets are $11.
ποΈ Maymont's Merry Market, which brings together more than 70 local makers for a day of shopping, plus live music, food and booze trucks, and a holiday train. Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm. $10 for adults.
π Soul Santa will be at the Black History Museum on Saturday from 11am-3pm doing story time and pictures with kids.
- The event is free, but advance registration for photos is recommended. He'll be back Dec. 13, too.
πΉ The 13th annual Yuletide Monster Parade (aka RVA Krampus Walk) through Carytown (meet at Aquarian Bookshop). Saturday, 5:30pm. Free.
- The event is an homage to the half-goat, half-demon monster that 12th-century eastern Europeans said rode along with Santa to punish misbehaving children.
Ongoing:
β²οΈ Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is happening nightly (save Christmas and Christmas Eve) through Jan. 4, from 4-8:30pm.
- Its display was voted the best botanical garden holiday light display in the nation by USA Today.
- There are more than 1 million lights, and this year's theme is "The Elements."
- Advance tickets are required and priced based on peak and off-peak nights, starting at $12 for kids and $22 for adults for nonmembers.
βΈοΈ Ice skating at Stony Point Fashion Park is open daily through mid- January.
- Stake tickets (with or without skate rentals) are $16.
π¨ Studio Two Three's Winter Market, a seasonal pop-up market in their Manchester space that's jam-packed with things for sale from more than 100 local artists.
- Open 11am-5pm daily (and until 8pm on Thursdays) through Dec. 23. Free.
π©° Richmond Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center is a holiday tradition for generations of Richmonders.
- Performances run through Dec. 23. Tickets start at $32.
π Tacky lights tours β The most can't-miss of all can't-miss local events, a self-guided tour of the metro area's best holiday light displays.
- For more than 30 years, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has verified and compiled a list of every house in town that aggressively decorates with Christmas lights. Find it here.
π¬ Saber the Elf Husky is back for a second year, once again delivering directly to Santa all the letters dropped in his South Richmond mailbox on 29th Street.
- And Saber, being the best little pup, also delivers a reply from Santa (usually within 24 hours) to all the good little Richmond boys and girls.
