Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Richmond? Here’s our list of the top free and cheap events, discounts, and deals to have fun around Richmond this weekend.
These are things to do this weekend in Richmond that won’t cost you your whole week’s paycheck.
Besides some of the highlighted events listed here, check out posts highlighting museums and historical sites. If you are looking to keep the kids busy and entertained, clothed or fed on a budget this weekend, peruse the Fun With Kids category for leads. Check out the list of the Top FREE Things to Do in Richmond for more good ideas of possibilities. If you are looking to make the weekend special be sure to check out our ideas for a cheap date including viewing Richmond’s FREE outdoor murals.
Some events may require advance registration, and some deals may end before the event occurs, so plan early. But if this list feels a bit short check out these “must do’s.”
Sign up for deals through Goldstar to learn about discounted events and shows in Richmond and nearby areas. Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals. Does your business or organization have an event that you would like to feature here? Send it in news@rvaonthecheap.com.
⭐️ Related post:2020 Richmond Area December Craft Shows, Holiday Bazaars and Markets
⭐️ Related post: 2020 Places to take photos with Santa in the Richmond area
⭐️ Related post 2020 December holiday fun and FREE events around Richmond
⭐️ Fri. Dec. 4, 2020 at 5pm – RVA ILLUMINATES – VIRTUAL EVENT
⭐️ Fri. Dec. 4, 2020 at 5pm – RVA ILLUMINATES – VIRTUAL EVENT countdown to flip the big magic switch that powers up the city for the holidays. You might not be able to come downtown for the live show, but you can join us on-air and online for this very special event. The event will be broadcast on ABC 8News and on WRIC.com starting at 5 p.m. 103.7 Play is also asking Richmonders to nominate a RVA Illuminator this year. Illuminators are someone who is doing good in our community. You can learn more about RVA Illuminators and submit your nomination on their website. https://bit.ly/3nT8B7a
⭐️ Fri. Dec. 4, 2020 from 6-8PM – Holiday Lights on the Riverfront, is a FREE and NEW holiday display of lights organized by Venture Richmond, be there when the lights switch on at Brown’s Island. Enjoy vendors Espresso-A-Go-Go and Curbside Creations and family entertainer Jonathan the Juggler on Brown’s Island or take a festive stroll along the Canal Walk to the Turning Basin. Presented by Venture Richmond. Please practice safe social distancing. Parking is available at the American Civil War Museum ($), Belle Isle parking lot, and on-street parking along 2nd and 5th Streets.
⭐️ Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights at Ginter Botanical Garden runs nightly through January
Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights at Ginter Botanical Garden is a holiday tradition in Richmond. Pre-purchased tickets & masks required; available online ONLY. Tickets are limited and have arrival times. November 23, 2020 – January 10, 2021 (CLOSED Thanksgiving, Dec. 24-25), Nightly 4-10 p.m.
Friday, December 4, 2020
🔔 SAT. Dec. 5-10 AM – 12 PM-37th Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade TELEVISED Special
The 37th annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade will shift to a televised-only Christmas special. Tune in to WTVR CBS 6 News on Saturday, December 5 at 10 am. For those of you who do not live in the Central Virginia area, CBS6 will stream the Christmas Parade online. It will also be available on the CBS streaming channel, AppleTV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. There will be all-new performances from your favorite entertainment groups, heart-warming stories focused on celebrating our Richmond community, “best of” clips from past parades featuring giant helium balloons and colorful floats, and even a special appearance by Legendary Santa himself. You will not want to miss the must-see television event of the holiday season.
🌲 Fri. (12/4) 3-6pm & Sat. (12/5) 9:00am-2pm (or until sold out!) Fox Elementary PTA Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale – 2300 Hanover Ave., Richmond, VA
🎄 Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration limited-capacity event on select dates from now through Jan. 3.
‘Tis the season to experience the ALL-NEW Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration limited-capacity event on select dates from Nov. 13 – Jan. 3. The holiday season will come alive with treasured traditions both old and new, including Christmas lights, coasters, holiday shopping, Santa, NEW entertainment & more! Reservations are NOW AVAILABLE. Admission is included with Membership (reservations still required)! Event tickets start at $39.99. For more details and enhanced safety measures, visit http://spr.ly/6005GCm09
⭐️Sat. Dec. 5, 2020 from 11 AM– 4 PM Carytown Open Air Christmas Market, 2810 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
⭐️ Buy local at the 2020 Richmond Area December Craft Shows, Holiday Bazaars and Markets
Saturday, December 5, 2020
⭐️ Whether visiting Legendary Santa, taking weekday classes or dropping in during a rainy day to play and explore, the Children’s Museum of Richmond offers enriching experiences for families and children. Find out about Places to take photos with Santa in the Richmond area
The Children’s Museum of Richmond is open with an 18’ tire climber and CarMax exhibit at CMoR Chesterfield, a new outdoor iSpy and new Bright exhibit at CMoR Downtown, plus other great new ways to play. Guests over the age of 5 will be required to wear a mask, new procedures have been put in place to allow for social distancing (including new hours & timed tickets), and additional cleaning protocols have been implemented. Until further notice the weekly schedule will be Thursday – Sunday. Learn more about the museum reopening by visiting: https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/news-updates/covid-19-updates
Sunday, December 6, 2020
🎄 Sun., Dec AT 12 PM EST – 4 PM –Winter Wander event at The Valentine museum (1015 E Clay St. Richmond, VA)
Grab a free, warm beverage before you begin our special, self-guided walking tour of the historic Court End Neighborhood, and don’t forget to grab one of our take-away children’s crafts before you go. FREE
⭐️ Richmond Triangle Players (Robert B. Moss Theatre, 1300 Altamont Avenue, in Scott’s Addition, Richmond, Virginia) presents The Santa Closet by Jeffrey Solomon – onstage and streaming through December 19, 2020. In this hilarious and at times touching one-person show Little Gary’s gender-atypical gift request, sent to the North Pole, is denied. A series of subsequent heart-felt letters from the child nudge Santa Claus out of the closet and right into the center of a heated culture war.
Want to see more than just this weekend’s events? You can view any date on our Richmond events calendar. Learn about more food and drink deals in Richmond and as well as events at eating establishments. And don’t forget to check our current restaurant deals category, as well as the list of the Top FREE Things to Do in Richmond for more good ideas. Sign up for deals through Goldstar to learn about discounted events and shows in Richmond and nearby areas.
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If you know of a free or cheap event you think we should add, Submit Your Deal. Does your business or organization have an event that you would like to feature here? Send it in news@rvaonthecheap.com.
Thankfully, Richmond has lots of free events and affordable entertainment so you never have to be bored or broke! You’re bound to find something fun to do.
Related Content: FREE and cheap activity ideas for kids at home during self isolation during the Corona Virus outbreak
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