Holiday and Christmas Events in Richmond

Richmond holiday-time events include parties, house tours, ice skating, collective singing, performances and socializing.

This list of holiday and Christmas events in Richmond spans markets, art galleries, shops, and museums captures the festive feeling during December that can also translate into gift giving and enjoying yummy food Richmond is becoming famous for. Enjoy!

Ongoing events:

Through Dec. 24. Bizarre Market Holiday 2018 at Chop Suey Books, 2913 W Cary St. Richmond. A full month of handmade Bizarre Market magic at Chop Suey Books in Carytown! Featuring the snuggly, sparkly, oh-so-gifty goodness of 50+ local vendors, this pop-up is set up and managed by market elves from November 23rd to December 24th in the upstairs gallery of the book store. Ceramics, jewelry, housewares, toys, knitted goods, and magical bits and bobs of all kinds abound. If you want a literally one-of-a-kind gift, check out the Tiny Auction, where each (tiny) item is made just for us and proceeds benefit Richmond Young Writers! Runs until Dec. 24.

Through Dec. 20 – Holiday tree sales at 17^th Street Market, Pick up your holiday tree at 17th Street Farmers Market! Come down to Shockoe Bottom for ice skating at RVA On Ice and pick out your tree for the season. Tree sales will occur on select dates and times at the Market, and will often coincide with other events. See full schedule below. Market staff will be available to help tie on your tree.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018
11am – 7pm – Shop the Shed – Winter Market, Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond

11am-5pm – Handmade Holiday 2018 – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Hardywood Richmond) It’s the Richmond Craft Mafia’s 14th annual Handmade Holiday craft showat Hardywood, with all of our vendors outside under big heated tents. Over 50 of the best crafters, artists, and makers for the city’s favorite holiday shopping event! Lots of amazing new art and gifts.

1—4 pm – Open Studio Sunday – VMFA Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond. in the West Rock Art Education Center Free! Stop by VMFA’s Art Education Center to participate in an art activity that’s fun for the whole family! Create your own work of art that reflects the light-based installations found Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden‘s annual Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights.

2pm, Mechanicsville Christmas Parade sponsored by Rotary Club of Mechanicsville

4-6pm – Chanukah on Ice, The Rink at West Broad Village, 2301 Old Brick Rd. Glen Allen. Join BBYO, Chabad Of Virginia, Friendship Circle, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, and Weinstein JCC, for a community Menorah Lighting on the first night of Chanukah! Enjoy Hot Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Donuts, Skating, Great Swag and more, at Richmond’s biggest, brightest Chanukah celebration!

Mon. Dec. 3
7:15pm – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St. Richmond. It’s Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.

7pm – Free Holiday Pops Concert at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Boulevard, Richmond, The Richmond Philharmonic invites you and your family to ring in the holiday season with our FREE Holiday Pops Concert at our new location — The Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Featuring all the holiday classics you love as well as our annual sing-a-long of carols, this concert is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Tues. Dec 4, 8, 11 & 16
6pm – Holiday Sweater Party / Tacky Lights with Vasen Brewing, 1320 School St. Richmond – RVA Paddlesports’ bus will take you to some of the most famous tacky themed houses in the Richmond area. We will provide hot beverages, cookies, blankets, and great music. We do allow for our guests to bring their own beverages and snacks. There will be a restroom stop halfway through the tour to ensure that everyone has a comfortable ride. Our tacky themed bus provides a festive and relaxing area for groups and families. We will have everyone feeling in the holiday spirit as we cruise around the city. Tickets required.

Thurs. Dec 6 & 13
Holiday Farm & Craft Market – 17^th Street Farmers Market, local farmers, seasonal products, specialty vendors, artisans, music, and more!

5-10pm – GardenFest for Fidos – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, Dogs can enjoy the holiday lights at GardenFest for Fidos! Leashed dogs are allowed on these special Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights nights: Thursday, December 6, 2018, and Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. All dogs must be leashed and current on rabies vaccinations.Please be aware this can be a stressful event for some dogs. It is at night and there can be a lot of people, especially children, and other dogs in close proximity.

6-9pm – The Broad Bazaar & Open House – The Broad, 209 N. Foushee St. Richmond, A night of shopping and touring as you check out our space as well as wares from local Broads selling art, prints, mugs, Tees, ornaments, illustration and skincare..

6-9pm – Annual Transgender Holiday Dinner & Celebration – Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave. Richmond – Celebrate the season with delicious food and good friends.

Fri. Dec. 7, 10, 11, 12 & 13
6-9pm – Atlas Holiday Market – ART 180, 114 W. Marshall St. Richmond, Shop local during the holidays! ART 180 is opening its annual pop-up market featuring art, jewelry, crafts, and handmade goods by local artists just in time for gift giving season! Shop one-of-a-kind finds while dancing to DJ beats and eating tasty treats

Fri. Dec. 7, 10, 14, 15 & 22
6-9pm – 2018 RVA Tacky Light Tour – This guided tour departs from: Target – White Oak, 4521 S Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23231, Come escape the hustle and stress with Traveling with Deb, LLC and rekindle your Christmas spirit with one of Richmond’s most famous holiday traditions: The Tacky Light Tour! I have crafted a fun Tacky Light Tour to include the “best of the best” of Richmond’s tackiest homes. Grab some friends and let me take you on a holiday lights tour that has become a Richmond tradition. I take care of the route planning and the driving, so you and your family and friends are free to relax with drinks and holiday snacks while you take in the best that Richmond has to offer. The bus will depart and take you through the city and the West End of Richmond for a 3 hour tour. The bus is BYOB, and we will stop for a snack/restroom break mid-tour. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to start the celebration of the holiday season. Price: $35 per person. Tickets required.

Sat. Dec. 8
10am – Holiday Market At The Depot – Ashland Meat Co. At Cross Bros. 107 South Railroad Ave. Ashland. A wide variety of vendors set up for all of your holiday shopping, so come on out and support local artists, craftsmen, and makers. Baked goods from Whisk and warm coffee will be available for purchase while you shop!

10am-3pm – Winter Artisans’ Bazaar – LaPrade Library – Chesterfield County Public Library

11am-4pm – 14^th Annual Christmas on MacArthur – Bellevue Merchants Association, Get a head start on the holidays, come out and join us for the 14th annual Christmas on MacArthur to Benefit Toys for Tots. A day of family fun, loads of vendors, live bands on the stage. Sponsored by and organized by the Bellevue Merchants Association. Santa will be here again, being pulled in a custom sleigh by a miniature draft horse. We will have The ACCA Shriners, the Students from our own Holton Elementary School, including the safety patrol, band , chorus and more. The Richmond Police Departments Mounted unit, K-9, and various other RPD units, The Mobile Emergency command center, The U.S. Marines. The YMCA’s Indian Princess’s Cayuga and Indian guides Waccamaw tribes, Boy scouts, Cub scouts, St. Andrews Legion Pipe and Drums and the Benedictine Cadets, Alpacas . Antique & Hot Rod cars and trucks, the Lakeside Trolley. The Moore Castle Float, Franklin Military Academy with about 120 cadets, which will include the Honor Guard and standard bearers of All Fifty States. And many more participants. Tons of vendors offering their handmade arts and crafts all along the street on MacArthur Avenue Please bring an unwrapped new toy for the toy drive, we collected well over 3,700 toys in 2016 year and are trying to break that record this year.

11am-4pm – (Sat. & Sun.) Winter Print Fair – Art Market at Studio Two Three, 3300 W. Clay St. Richmond. Art from scores of local makers, a grilled cheese & tomato soup bar, portraits with a vintage camera and holiday cheer.

12pm – Christkindlmarkt – Blue Bee Cider, 1320 Summit Ave. Richmond, annual holiday shopping event returns with new vendors and new drink specials suited to the cold weather.

12-3pm – Here Comes Santa Claus! The Tottering Teacup, 3222 W. Cary St. Richmond

Dec. 8, 15 & 22 – Have you been good this year? Although it’s one of his busiest times of the year, he knows Mrs. Claus and the elves are holding down the fort at the North Pole. Visit our jolly Santa at The Tottering Teacup and snap your own pic or selfie! The Tottering Teacup will also have goodies and hot chocolate available to purchase to really get you in the spirit.

12:30pm – Pet Photos with Santa at Pet Valu, 1601 Willow Lawn Dr. Richmond, Dec. 8, 15 & 22 Pet Photos with Santa at Willow Lawn. Enjoy a doggie goodie bag with coupons & treats with a donation to the Richmond Animal Care and Control.

5:30-8pm – Carytown Chanuka Party – The Tottering Teacup, 3222 W. Cary St. Richmond, FREE! All are welcome! Live menorah lighting (bring your own or we will give you one to use). Latkes and donuts by RVA’s newest James Beard nominated chef Henry Preston and pastry chef Kristin Johnson. Children’s music by Robin Rio. Dreidel and other games, “Ask the Rabbi” booth and more. Co-sponsored by Kehillah, Tottering Teacup and the National Center to Encourage Judaism.

7:30 pm – Handel’s Messiah – Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Richmond, The Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus proudly present Handel’s Messiah, a classical fixture of the Holiday season. A time-honored and well-loved tradition, the Messiah has moved Richmonders for generations. Conducted by Chia-Hsuan Lin, the concert will take place on December 8 at 7:30pm at the Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

Sun. Dec. 9
9:30am – Richmond run-A-Latke – Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave. Richmond, The 2018 Richmond Run-A-Latke. 5K and 1 miler family fun event. Run, walk, stroll, eat, have fun. The only race of its kind in Central VA. Enjoy a family-friendly 5k & Miler (for adults and kids), complete with latkes and donuts at the finish line in celebration of Chanukkah! No matter what holiday you celebrate, everyone needs a run in December!
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Richmond/RunALatke

10am-5pm – 32^nd Annual Court End Christmas – The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. Richmond, The 32nd Court End Christmas takes place Sunday, December 9, from noon to 5 p.m.! Free admission and shuttle transportation will be provided to the following historic sites: The Valentine, The Valentine First Freedom Center, Historic St. John’s Church, Virginia State Capitol, The John Marshall House, Monumental Church, and ACWM – White House of the Confederacy. This fun community event includes children’s activities, carriage rides, performances, refreshments, gift shops, music and tours. 103.7 Play will also be at the Valentine from noon to 2 p.m.

11am-2pm – Brunch with Santa at Dover Hall, 1500 Manakin Rd. Goochland, Join Santa Claus for Brunch, Christmas wishes and story time at Dover Hall Dec. 9 & 16

4-7pm – Coats, Boots & Toys Holiday Party – Buddy’s Place, 600 N. Sheppard St. Richmond, Please buy a coat and/or boots, or unwrapped toys and bring them to Buddy’s Sunday to kick off the Holidays by giving back to St. Joseph’s Villa with their annual event.

Tues. Dec. 11

7:30pm – Cirque Musica Wonderland – Altria Theater, Acrobatics and holiday songs.

6:30pm – Christmas Caroling: City Singers Youth Choir – Carytown, Richmond, City Singers Youth Choirs will be out and about caroling to bring the magic of Christmas to Carytown! Make it a great night, grab some food, and enjoy holiday music while you walk through beautiful Carytown. For additional details about City Singers Youth Choir and getting involved in this community,

Dec. 14-23
Richmond Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Richmond, Tchaikovsky’s brilliant ballet score comes to life for this magical annual collaboration between Richmond Symphony and Richmond Ballet! Heralded as “perfect” by the New York Times, Stoner Winslett’s production of The Nutcracker returns as one of the River City’s holiday highlights of the 2018 season! Join the Russian Bear, Chinese Dragon, Butterfly and the Mouse King as they celebrate the magic of the holidays. Tickets required.

Sun. Dec. 16
The 5^th Annual Brew-Ho-Ho! – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Ln. Richmond, Yearly celebration of local authors and beer held at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. As always, Chop Suey Books will donate 10% and Hardywood will donate a portion of sales to the wonderful Virginia Children’s Book Festival, a free yearly event each October in Farmville, VA. The Brew-Ho-Ho is free and open to the public. Tickets required.

Fri. Dec. 21
7:30pm – A Celebration of Light: Music for the Winter Solstice – St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Ave. Richmond, A one-hour, candlelit concert featuring the Virginia Girls Choir and Sanctuary, the Compline Choir. On the longest night of the year, listen to music about light, Advent, Mary, and Jesus as the Light of the World.

Sun. Dec. 23
Christmas Eve’s Eve/tour of Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S. Cherry St. Richmond, Celebrate the season with an afternoon tour of Hollywood Cemetery. One- hour tour from 3-4pm, leaving some time to explore the grounds before the gates close at 5pm. The tour will focus on symbolism of the season. Meet at the bottom of the hill at the corner of Westvale Ave & Confederate Ave. When you enter the cemetery, head down the hill. Turn right and you’re there. Parking is available in the cul-de-sace area. You may park in the grass. Please park like spokes on a wheel to accommodate as many as possible.

Sun. Dec. 30
The Hip Hop Nutcracker in Richmond – Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. Richmond, A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a contemporary work set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is an evening-length production performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, DJ and violinist. Through the spells cast by the mysterious Drosselmeyer, Maria-Clara and her prince, Myron, travel back in time to the moment when her parents first meet in a nightclub. Digital scenery transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story of a palace of sugarplums into a romance set in 1980s Brooklyn. The dance work celebrates love, community and the magic of New Year’s Eve. Tickets required.

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