Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
River District Holiday Events 2007
James Center’s Grand Illumination
Friday, Nov. 30
10th and East Cary Streets, free admission, 6 – 7 p.m.
Come down to see Legendary Santa and Snow Queen! The night begins at 6 p.m. with a live count down hosted by Lite 98 to turn on the outline lighting for 15 downtown office buildings. The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet will make an appearance! The VMI Marching Band will perform holiday favorites leading up to the lighting of the reindeer at 6:25 p.m. Legendary Santa will give the countdown, the lights will come on and the VMI band will lead followers into Shockoe Slip and down to the Canal Walk’s Turning Basin. At 6:30 p.m. the three caroling bears – The MOPO Bears – will sing and entertain children. Don’t miss Tuba Christmas, harpist Rickie Denton, the Handbell Choir from FBC Richmond, the Virginia Piedmont and Central HO Model Railroaders exhibit, Nutcracker character appearances by the Richmond Ballet, enormous local high school “Greeting Cards” and much more! This event is provided by James Center Property LLC. For more information call (804) 344-3232.
Tree lighting and Governor’s Executive Mansion open house
Nov. 30
Capitol Square, Free admission, 5 – 7 p.m.
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree and tour Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion in its holiday finest on Capital Hill. For more information call (804) 371-2642.
Holiday Market
Friday, Nov. 30
17th Street Farmers Market, free admission, 5 – 9 p.m.
Avoid the mall rush. This annual holiday shopping extravaganza features holiday wreaths, fresh cut mistletoe, gourmet desserts, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved wooden toys, handmade ornaments, vintage collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts and so much more. Coinciding with the Grand Illumination and the Main Street Station Open House, this last evening of the market season is the perfect destination for finding unique gifts for the holidays. For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Main Street Station Holiday Open House
Friday, Nov. 30
Main Street Station and new Plaza at Main Street Station, 15th and East Main Streets, free admission, 5 – 9 p.m.
The city of Richmond welcomes all for an Open House with a Polar Express theme and the Mouse King from the Nutcracker, free kiddie train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and entertainment. Enjoy the gorgeously restored Main Street Station and explore the lighted “Cathedral Walk” at the Plaza. Event parking is available at the station using the 15th and Franklin Street entrance for $2. For more information call (804) 646-5871.
SPARC Carols for the Community
Friday, Nov. 30
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, free admission, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
SPARC students, families and SPARC’s STAGES students from Swansboro Elementary School will join together to sing your favorite Holiday Carols at Richmond’s Historic Canal Walk Turning Basin. SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community) has been Richmond’s premiere training organization for young people in acting, singing and dance for 26 years. For more information contact Erin at (804) 788-6448 or ethomas@sparconline.org.
Free glow necklaces for children
Friday, Nov. 30
Shockoe Slip, 6:30 p.m. while supplies last
In the spirit of Celebrate Illuminate, Venture Richmond staff will be distributing red and green glow necklaces to all children. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com/.
Free horse and carriage rides
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the fountain at 13th and East Cary Streets, 6 – 10 p.m.
The holidays are here in Richmond’s historic River District. Holiday decorated 12-passenger wagons will circle Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. One round trip ride per person please. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. For more information call Roger at (804) 769-4010.
Canal boat rides at the Turning Basin
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30 – Dec. 1
14th and Dock Streets, $2 per person (4 years old and under free), 6 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate the season on Richmond’s Historic Canal! Ring in the holidays on decorated canal boats while enjoying a historic tour on the James River and Kanawha Canal. Enjoy a leisurely 25-minute tour in one of our covered boats. Santa will join you for a ride on Friday night from about 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more information call (804) 788-6466.
Giant holiday cards on display in downtown
Friday, Nov. 30 –Monday, Dec. 31
The James Center (10th and East Cary) and Richmond Public Library (2nd and East Main), free admission, check the hours of operation at each location
The 5th annual exhibition of art cards will be on display downtown during the month of December. Giant cards, each created from wooden doors, are creatively designed and painted by art classes and clubs in schools from the city of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield County, and private schools. Sponsored by Siewers Lumber and Venture Richmond. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com/.
Governor’s Executive Mansion open house
Dec. 1
Capitol Square, free admission, 1 – 4 p.m.
Come tour Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion in its holiday finest on Capital Hill. For more information call (804) 371-2642.
Horse and carriage rides
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 7-9, 14-16
10th and East Cary Streets (James Center), $10 a person (children 4 years old and under, free – they must sit in your lap), 6 – 10 p.m.
The holidays are here in Richmond’s River District. We hope you and your family will join the triple “R” horse and carriage for this traditional holiday treat. Each ride is scheduled on the half-hour and is approximately 25 minutes. You must reserve your seat by calling Roger Poteat at (804) 769-4010.
* Schedule subject to change
Church Hill vespers and candlelight walk
Friday, Dec. 7
St. John’s Church (25th and East Broad Streets), free admission, 7 p.m.
Holiday carols start at St. John’s Church and then a candlelight walk through the streets of historic Church Hill follows the traditional vespers service. Participants are given candles to carry, then are lead by bagpipers through the neighborhood to Libby Hill Park for more carols with a barbershop quartet. For more information call (804) 814-1066.
15th Annual James River Parade of Lights
Saturday, Dec. 8
Libby Hill Park, corner of 28th and East Franklin Streets, entertainment starts at 4:30 p.m., parade viewing at 6 p.m.
Intermediate Terminal Dock, at Dock and Water Streets, parade viewing is at 6 p.m.
“Reflections on the James,” this year’s parade features festively decorated boats that cruise the parade course from Richmond to Chesterfield and Henrico counties. Spectators from throughout the region gather at several official viewing locations, while others gather along other riverfront properties with family and friends to view the floating parade. The event has become a cherished holiday tradition for people from throughout the region. Sponsored by the James River Advisory Council. For more information call (804) 717-6681 or visit jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com.
Ten Year Anniversary celebration and Hanukkah party
Saturday, Dec. 8
Virginia Holocaust Museum, 2000 East Cary St., Tickets are on sale for $50 a couple, $30 for singles, $25 for museum members and free for children 8 years old and younger, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate 10 years of teaching “Tolerance through Education.” In honor of this milestone year and the Festival of Lights, the museum invites you to an evening of live music with the John Winn Jazz Quartet, dancing, a light show, food, beverages and a balloon drop finale that promises to be one of the highlights of the holiday season. To purchase tickets or become a museum member and receive the discounted rate, contact the museum at (804) 257-5400 x243 or online at www.va-holocaust.com. Everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, is encouraged to attend this party.
Court End Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 9
Valentine Richmond History Center, John Marshall House, the Virginia State Capitol, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monumental Church, the Egyptian Building, the Beers House, Hunton Student Center, and St. John’s Church; free admission; Noon – 5 p.m.
An annual Richmond tradition celebrates the season in 19th century style with reenactments, children’s activities, refreshments, carriage rides, music, special guest appearances, and free admission and tours of nine historic downtown sites. This year, the event welcomes Klezm’Or’Ami’m, klezmer musicians from Congregation Or Ami, who will play live at the Valentine Richmond History Center at 1 p.m. Free shuttle service provided from 12:30 – 4:45 p.m. (shuttle stops at each site every 15-20 minutes). For more information call (804) 649-0711 ext. 322 or visit www.richmondhistorycenter.com/courtendchristmas.htm.
Church Hill House Tour
Sunday, Dec. 9
Church Hill Neighborhood, advance tickets $15, day of the tour $20, Noon – 6 p.m.
Don’t miss your chance to visit the beautiful homes of historic Church Hill. Fourteen houses are open and decorated for the holidays. Free carriage rides and roving carolers are available for your enjoyment. For ticket information e-mail apseibert@gmail.com or bsarrett@comcast.net.
Holidays at the American Civil War Center
Sunday, Dec. 16
500 Tredegar Street, $4 for students/seniors and $2 for children under 17
1 – 5 p.m.
There will be free refreshments, ornament making and tree decorating with Southern Horizon Civil War period musicians performing at 2 p.m. Civil War Santa will be there to greet the children and there will be reduced admission to the museum. For more information call (804) 780-1865, ext. 10 or visit www.civilwarcenter.com.