From Legendary Santa to the Model Railroad Show, here’s a look at a few events for the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.
Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia
Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia
Friday, Nov. 29 — Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street in Richmond
www.smv.org.
The three-day post-holiday event features model train displays with various scaled locomotives riding through intricate landscapes and miniature cities created by HO, O and N-scale model train enthusiasts from across Virginia. Other features include the Museum’s vintage train cars (which are only open once a year during the Model Railroad Show); Teddy Bear Express; Clydesdale horses; blacksmiths, steam engine demos and watch “Rocky Mountain Express” on the Giant Dome screen. Guests can also see the Museum’s centennial anniversary exhibition featuring photography and artifacts that tell the story of Richmond’s booming train station during its years in operation (1919-1975).
The Model Railroad Show is included with Museum admission, which is $15.50 for adults, $13.50 for youth and seniors and $10 for preschool-age children. Museum members and children two and under are admitted free. The Museum offers discounts for military, teachers and EBT cardholders. Dome tickets to see “Rocky Mountain Express” are additional.
GardenFest
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Nightly through Jan. 6 from 5 – 10 p.m. (Closed Dec. 24 and 25)
1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond
Tickets $13 for adults | $8 for children age 3-12
www.lewisginter.org
The holiday season brings many events and activities for the whole family to Richmond, including the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The holiday tradition features one million twinkling lights, handcrafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, firepit with s’mores and hot chocolate (for purchase); nightly family activities & more.
This year’s theme “Magic in the Air” is inspired by things that fly. Fireflies and flying pigs, spaceships and unicorns take flight across the Garden, suspended on radiant wings of light and even an astronaut made of lights.
The show runs from 5 10 p.m. nightly but is closed Dec. 24 and 25. For more information call at 804-262-9887 or visit them online at www.lewisginter.org.
Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village
Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village
Now through Dec 31 5:30 — 10 p.m.
Meadow Event Park
13191 Dawn Blvd. in Doswell
Tickets: $25 for car admission (1-9 passengers)
http://www.illuminatelightshow.com
Christmas light and music shows, with over two million LED lights, displayed over a 2.5-mile route, synchronized to rocking Christmas music played through your own car stereo.
Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night, through Christmas Eve, Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village is giving $5 off admission to anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy for Mason’s Toy Box. Mason’s Toy Box is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 to honor Mason Clark Thomas. Mason fought a rare childhood cancer from age 5 to age 11 and lost his battle on June 20th, 2011. Donations for teens and babies are the biggest need. Illuminate Light Show and Santa’s Village has partnered with Richmond Harley Davidson of Ashland to host a Toy Ride on Saturday, Nov. 30, benefiting Mason’s Toy Box. Approximately 200 riders are expected to take part in the Toy Ride, riders will depart for Illuminate Light Show at 5 p.m. All riders will receive free admission to Illuminate Light Show, with a donation of at least one new, unwrapped toy.
Legendary Santa at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
Legendary Santa at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
Friday, Nov. 29 through Tuesday Dec. 24
Children’s Museum of Richmond
2626 W. Broad Street in Richmond
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/full-menu/legendary-santa/
As Richmond legends since 1936, Legendary Santa and the lovely Snow Queen have been delighting families for 83 years. It all started on the 7th floor of the historic Miller & Rhoads department store and now 25,000 children and families head to the Children’s Museum to continue, or start, their family tradition.
Special event with Santa: Sunrise and Sunset with Santa, Sensitive Santa, families with children who have sensory or other special needs are invited to a sensory-friendly visit with Legendary Santa, presented by Altria Companies Employee Community Fund, including special access to the Genworth Foundation Holiday Village, CMoR Central’s Exhibits, and the Virginia529 Fawn Shop. Details visit https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/full-menu/legendary-santa/
Visit Soul Santa
Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14 from Noon – 4 p.m.
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
122 West Leigh Street in Richmond
Blackhistorymuseum.org
Soul Santa is returning to Richmond at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia during the museum’s annual holiday open house Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14, noon – 4pm, The free event features pictures with Santa, storytelling for children, arts and crafts, and refreshments.
Details at details: http://www.blackhistorymuseum.org or (804) 780-9093.
NOTE: The museum is closed Nov. 28 and 29, but will be open Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Salsa Night at the Vineyard Estate
Saturday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 10 p.m.
New Kent Winery
6800 New Kent Highway in New Kent
Salsa Connection Dance Company is back to teach you the moves and DJ Kevlar will keep the music playing. After lessons, dancing until 10pm. Wine and dinner available. Tickets available https://newkentwinery.com/calendar/2019/4/27/salsa-night-at-new-kent-winery or https://newkentwinery.com/
RVA Holiday Day Party
Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Main Stage at 112 North 5th Street in Richmond
The fourth annual RVA Holiday Day Party by KLM Scholarship Foundation is the “Hottest Holiday Day Party in RVA.” Music By DJ DRAKE, and hosted by CBS 6’s Shelby Brown. There will be a Cash Bar, Free Hors D’oeuvres (between 3:00pm – 4:30pm) Reserved Seating is available. Door Prizes. Funds raised will benefit book scholarships. For tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-rva-holiday-day-party-tickets-69461285575.
‘Hamilton’ at the Altria Theater
Now through Sunday, Dec. 8
Altria Theater
6 N Laurel St, Richmond, VA 23220
https://www.altriatheater.com/
HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.
Forty (40) tickets will be sold for every performance for $10 each. Digital lotteries will begin two days prior to each performance. Details at the Altria Theater https://www.altriatheater.com/
- You can also visit http://hamiltonmusical.com/lottery to register.
- The lottery will open at 11:00 AM two days prior to the performance date and will close for entry at 9:00 AM the day prior to the performance.
- Winner and non-winner notifications will be sent between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM the day prior to the performance via email and SMS (if mobile number is provided.)
