America seemingly shifted into Christmas mode at midnight Halloween and the Richmond event calendar rose to the challenge. There are more re-occurring events throughout December than there are flavors of Hershey’s kisses. For our day by day December almanac, click here.
“A Colonial Christmas” at Jamestown Settlement
Holiday traditions of 17th- and 18th-century Virginia are recalled through special interpretive programs. Runs from Dec. 1-Jan. 5, 2014. Click for details on hours and pricing: http://historyisfun.org/a-colonial-christmas.htm
Bizarre Market Holiday
A month-long pop-up market at Chop Suey Books in Carytown to satisfy holiday handmade needs. This is hosted upstairs at Chop Suey Books at 2913 W. Cary Street in Carytown. It runs Nov. 28 until Dec. 24. Hours depend on bookstore. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/558555410882109/
Centuries of Christmas at Berkeley Plantation
Berkeley Plantation will offer special Christmas tours through the holiday season. The elegant 1726 mansion will be beautifully decorated with fresh greenery from Berkeley’s gardens. Costumed guides will add a special touch to your holiday season with stories of Christmas at Berkeley through four centuries of history.
Runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Saturday, December 07 through Wednesday, January 01, 2014 p.m. on 12602 Harrison Landing Road. Click for more infohttp://events.wtvr.com/Centuries_of_Christmas
Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
A holiday tradition that is open nightly from 5-10 p.m., Nov. 29-Jan. 13, 2014. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more ticket and schedule information visit http://www.lewisginter.org/
LEGENDARY SANTA AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Legendary Santa is in town with the Snow Queen and many elves. You can catch him for free at the Children’s Museum in Richmond. Photo prices and hours are here http://www.c-mor.org/legendary-santa/hours
Maymont Mansion Holiday Tours
Major and Mrs. Dooley’s spectacularly decorated Gilded Age home brings the wonders and festivities of Christmas past to life. Guided tours available every half-hour starting at noon, and the last tour begins at 4:30 p.m. Runs Nov. 22 through Jan. 5. Open daily except for Monday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. $5 suggested admission. For more info visit http://maymont.org/
The Nutcracker, by the Richmond Ballet
This grand Richmond tradition returns with live music by Richmond Symphony, with 13 performances in the grand Carpenter Theater. Runs Dec. 14-23. For tickets and showtimes, click here: http://www.richmondballet.com/nutcracker
Polar Express in IMAX at the Science Museum
The adventure of a doubting boy who boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. Runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 1 2014. Admission is $9 or $5 for members. All showtimes are daily at 2 p.m., with an extra 10 a.m. showing on Saturday.
RVA on Ice
The ice ring just kicked off its fourth season and will run through January 20, 2014. Click for info on skating, parking, and even where to eat near the rink. http://wtvr.com/2013/11/25/rva-on-ice-2013/
Stony Point Fashion Park
Free entertainment while you shop. Click here to see dates and times entertainers play. http://www.shopstonypoint.com/holidayentertainment
Tacky Lights
Last but certainly not least based on all the media attention our city has received over our dazzling lights display.
Looking for the definitive Tacky Lights guide? Click over to Richmond.com, who took over the tradition of compiling a list from the Richmond Times Dispatch. To get on their list, houses need a minimum of 10,000 lights. Check out their online guide http://www.tackyrichmond.com/.
If we missed one, let us know in the comments or send an email to newstips@wtvr.com.
