Schedule of Activities for Celebrate Illuminate in the River District

Friday, December 3
The 26th Annual Grand Illumination of James Center
10th & E. Cary Streets, Free admission, 6pm-7pm
Bright Lights at James Center! Bring your family to James Center for a beautiful (free) family tradition. At 5:59 p.m. Santa and Lite 98 will be counting down the seconds to turn on the downtown office buildings AND James Center's Great Tree & Reindeer! From 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. experience the magic of the holidays with two blocks of family entertainment. James Center is very excited to present Big Ray and the Kool Kats as our featured performance at 6:30 p.m. Shelly Perkins of Lite 98 is Snow Queen! Entertainment also includes: The Greater Richmond Children's Choir, Varina High School Marching Band, The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet, Characters from the Nutcracker Cast, the VCU Trombone Choir, Harpist Rickie Denton, Singer Patsy Butler, the Virginia Piedmont & Central HO Model Railroad Club and much more. Join the Radio Disney Road Crew for holiday fun including sing-a-longs, games, & prize giveaways! $3.00 parking is available at the parking deck on the corner of 10th & Canal Streets after 4:00 p.m. This event is provided by James Center Property LLC. Call 804-344-3232 for more information.

Holiday Market
17th Street Farmers' Market, Free Admission, 5pm-9pm
We are celebrating our Grand Illumination Celebration on Friday, December 3rd from 5:00PM to 9:00PM at the 17th Street Farmers' Market featuring homemade crafts, gifts, music, snacks, cider and most of all…Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information call 804-646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

FREE Glow Necklaces for Children
River District, 6:30pm while supplies last
In the spirit of Celebrate Illuminate, Venture Richmond provides FREE glow necklaces to all children (while supplies last). Necklaces will be distributed by Venture Richmond Staff and volunteers. For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Friday (and Saturday, December 4th)
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. A 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.

Canal Boat Rides
Turning Basin at 14th & Dock Streets, $2 per person(discounted rate) (children 4 and under free), 6pm-9pm
Celebrate the Season on Richmond's historic canal by enjoying a 20-25 minute canal boat tour with historic narration. The Varina High School Marching Band will perform on the Canal Walk at the Turning Basin at 6:50pm. The Southside Baptist Christian School will be singing your favorite carols in and around the canal, and Current restaurant will be providing free hot chocolate. A little elf told me that Santa has been known to take a canal boat ride or two after the marching band. Produced by Venture Richmond. For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

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 cider and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and live music from Sharon Rae North! Professional storytellers will be on hand to read to children, as they enjoy cookies and cider by the fireplace. Come early, because as a surprise the Richmond Public Library will be donating 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. For more information call 804-646-5665.

FREE Governor's Executive Mansion Open House and Tree Lighting
Capitol Square, Free admission, 4:30-8pm
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill 4:30 - 5:30 and stay to tour Virginia's Governor's Mansion in its holiday finest. House Tours 5:30 to 8pm, Please bring a canned item to support the food bank. For more information call 804-371-8687 or visit www.executivemansion.virginia.gov.