11.21.2008




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River District Celebrate Illuminate Events 2008

Friday, December 5th
James Center's Grand Illumination
10th & E. Cary Streets, Free admission, 6pm-7pm
Come see Santa Claus and Snow Queen! Be at the James Center at 6pm for the countdown to the lighting of the downtown office buildings. Then the Varina High School Marching Band will perform holiday favorites leading up to the fabulous lighting of the holiday reindeer at 6:25pm. This year's theme is A Soulful Christmas, and both Bak N Da Day and NYCE will perform around the James Center's reindeer lights from 6:30pm-7pm. The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet will make a magical appearance too! Come down to see Tuba Christmas, Harpist Rickie Denton, Shore Leave, the Virginia Piedmont Model Railroad Club and much more. Radio Disney will entertain children with some delightful activities. This event is provided by James Center Property LLC. For more information call 804-344-3232.

Friday, December 5th
Holiday Market
17th Street Farmers Market, Free admission, 5pm-9pm
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! Enjoy the sounds of the season while you shop! Henrico Pops Chorus will be performing live at 6:15pm and will be followed by a Tuba Christmas at 7:45pm. Coinciding with the Grand Illumination, 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.

Friday, December 5th
FREE Glow Necklaces for Children
Shockoe Slip, 6:30pm while supplies last
In the spirit of Celebrate Illuminate, Venture Richmond staff will be distributing red and green glow necklaces to all children. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Friday-Saturday, December 5th-6th
FREE Horse and Carriage Rides
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the fountain at 13th and E. Cary Streets, 6pm-10pm
Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses' hooves on the cobblestones, jingle bells ringing, the holidays are here in Richmond's historic River District. Holiday decorated 12 passenger wagon circles Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. One round trip ride per person please. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. Call Roger at 804-769-4010 with questions.

Friday, December 5th
Canal Boat Rides
Turning Basin at 14th & Dock Streets, $2 per person (children 4 and under free), 6pm-9pm
Celebrate the Season on Richmond's historic canal by enjoying a 25 minute canal boat tour on the James River & Kanawha Canal. Don't miss the VMI Pipe Band perform in all of their revelry at the Turning Basin too. Lite 98 will also be on-site live to ring in the holidays with all your seasonal favorites. For more information call 804-788-6466.

Friday, December 5th–Wednesday, December 31st
Giant Holiday Cards on Display Downtown
The James Center (10th & E. Cary) & Richmond Public Library (2nd & E. Main), Free admission, check the hours of operation at each location
This year's 6th annual exhibition of art cards will be a display of vintage holiday cards from metro Richmond area public and private schools during the month of December. The 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 County, Chesterfield County and private schools. Sponsored by Siewers Lumber and Venture Richmond. For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Friday, December 5th
Main Street Station Holiday Open House
Main Street Station and the Plaza at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main Street, Free admission, 5pm-9pm
The City of Richmond welcomes all for a Holiday Open House with a Polar Express theme, free Kiddie train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and live entertainment. Enjoy the gorgeous restored glory of Main Street Station and explore the lighted "Cathedral Walk" at the Plaza at Main Street Station and celebrate the holiday season. Sgt. Santa will also roll into town for the event from 6-8pm, don't forget to bring a small toy donation or book to benefit Sgt. Santa's workshop! This year's event will focus on literacy. Professional storytellers will be on hand to read to children, as they enjoy cookies and cocoa by the fireplace. Come early, the Richmond Public Library will also donate books to the first 300 children in attendance! Event parking is only $2, and will be available on the west side of the station using the Franklin St. entrance and within the Plaza using the Main St. and Cary St. entrances. Don't miss the holiday fun! For more information call 804-646-5665.

Friday, December 5th
Capitol Square Tree Lighting
Capitol Square, Free admission, 5pm-7pm
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill. For more information call 804-371-2642.

Friday, December 5th
4th Annual Holiday Open House at the Bell Tower Visitor Center
Capitol Square, Free admission, 11:00am-2:00pm
Light refreshments provided. For more information call 804-545-5584.

Saturday, December 6th
Governor's Executive Mansion Open House
Capitol Square, Free admission, 1pm-4pm
Come tour Virginia's Governor's Mansion in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill. For more information call 804-371-2642.

Sunday, December 7th
3rd Annual Holiday Happenings at Historic Tredegar
490 Tredegar Street, Reduced admission fees, 1pm-5pm
Light refreshments, children's activities and tree decorating. Period musicians will perform. For more information call 804-780-1865, ext. 10 or visit www.tredegar.org.

Monday, December 8th
Home for the Holidays, Richmond Philharmonic
James Center Atrium (10th & E. Cary Streets), Free admission, 7:00pm
Popular holiday songs and carols, and seasonal light classics, are sure to entertain everyone in the family at the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra's annual Family Holiday Concert in the James Center Atrium. Robert Mirakian, RPO Music Director, invites all to a celebratory program, "Home for the Holidays," including: Tchaikovsky, Selections from The Nutcracker; Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on "Greensleeves"; Leroy Anderson, Sleighride and Christmas Festival; Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"; Selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas; and Songs of the season with Aaron Ellerbrock, baritone. For more information call 804-344-3232.

Friday-Sunday, December 12th-13th
Horse & Carriage Rides
Pick up area at 10th and E. Cary Streets (James Center), $12 a person (children 4 and under are free – they must sit in your lap), 6pm-10pm
Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses' hooves on the cobblestones, jingle bells ringing, 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 15 minutes. You must reserve your seat by calling Roger Poteat at 804-769-4010.

Friday, December 12th
Church Hill Vespers & Candlelight Walk
St. John's Church (25th & E. Broad Streets), Free admission, 7pm
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 and are lead by bagpipers through the neighborhood to Libby Hill Park for more carols. For more information call 804-814-1066.

Saturday, December 13th
16th Annual James River Parade of Lights
Libby Hill Park, corner of 28th and E. Franklin Streets, live entertainment at 4:30pm, parade viewing at 6pm; and the Intermediate Terminal Dock, at Dock and Water Streets, parade viewing at 6pm
This year's parade features festively decorated boats with the theme "Saluting our Military on the Historic James", chosen to honor the many men and women serving our country. The boats cruise the parade course from Richmond to Chesterfield and Henrico counties with spectators from throughout the region that gather at several official viewing locations. 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 804-748-1567 or visit jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com.

Sunday, December 14th
22nd Annual Court End Christmas
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; 12pm-5pm
A 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 9 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 1pm. Free shuttle service provided from 12:30pm-4:45pm (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.

Sunday, December 14th
Church Hill House Tour
Church Hill Neighborhood, Advance Tickets $15, Day of the Tour $20, 12pm-5pm
Don't miss your chance to visit the beautiful homes and other venues of historic Church Hill. Fourteen houses and historic buildings are open and decorated for the holidays. Free carriage rides and roving carolers are also on the Hill for your enjoyment. There will be local shuttles, as well as a shuttle to and from the Court End Christmas Event at the Valentine History Center. For more information, or to find out where tickets are being sold, contact Lisa at 804-200-8020 or www.churchhillrichmond.com.

Friday-Sunday, December 19th-20th
Horse & Carriage Rides
Pick up area at 10th and E. Cary Streets (James Center), $12 a person (children 4 and under are free – they must sit in your lap), 6pm-10pm
Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses' hooves on the cobblestones, jingle bells ringing, 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 15 minutes. You must reserve your seat by calling Roger Poteat at 804-769-4010.

Downtown Love Lights
Beginning the night of Grand Illumination on December 5 and lasting until Valentine's Day, the Love Lights program, initiated by Richmond Free Press, will once again outline the buildings of downtown Richmond and showcase the beauty and pride of our city, highlighting our sprit of cooperation. For more information call 644-0496 or 788-6466.

PARKING
E. Cary and Virginia Street parking deck (fronting Virginia St.)
Evening fee 3pm-11pm: Monday-Friday, $3 flat rate
Weekend fee: $3 flat rate per day
Central Parking System 225-7897
12th and Canal Street Parking Deck
Evening fee 3pm-3am: Monday-Friday, $4 flat rate
Weekend fee: $4 flat rate per day
Lanier Parking 225-1336

For a list of more parking in the area, visit http://www.venturerichmond.com/experiences/canalcruises.html and click on parking garages.

FYI - Construction to Begin on Shockoe Plaza Settlement Repair Project
The parking lane and one westbound travel lane on Canal Street between 12th Street and 13th Street will be closed to traffic. Also, 13th Street from Shockoe Plaza to Canal Street will only allow traffic to travel one way southbound. However, there should be minimal or no interruption during Grand Illumination activities.



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