Month Long Events At:

The Children’s Museum of Richmond

Legendary Santa Opens.  The Children’s Museum – Central.  Visit Richmond’s Favorite Santa Claus.  A visit with Legendary Santa is free to the public.  There are also special ticketed programs like Sunrise, Sunset or Tea with Santa. Through December 24th.

Block by Block: National Tour.  Children’s Museum Chesterfield location.  This exhibition features ten landmark skyscrapers from around the world and visitors can create their own architectural marvels with blocks.  Through Dec 31st.  Free with museum admission.

The Science Museum of Virginia

Identity: An Exhibition of You.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Challenge your perception of personal identity. Discover the connection between our thoughts and relationships with our genes, brains and all things scientific!  Through January 4th.  Included with exhibit admission, free for members.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Dominion GardenFest of Lights.  Nightly, 5pm-10pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   Featuring more than a half million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. This is a “rain or shine” event and is only closed for extreme inclement weather.  Through Monday, January 13th (Closed Dec. 24 & 25.  )Fee.

Stony Point Fashion Park

Outdoor Skating Rink.  Stony Point Fashion Park.  Bring the kids to Stony Point Fashion Park to skate, spin and glide. View  operating hours here.  Through January 5th.  Fee.

Live Holiday Entertainment.  Stony Point Fashion Park.  Enjoy live holiday entertainment every Saturday and Sunday at Stony Point Fashion Park through December 24th.  Free.

Nightly Holiday Light Shows.  Stony Point Fashion Park.  Nightly animated light shows take place at the top and bottom of each hour, beginning at 5 pm at the Community Tree.  Through January 5th.  Free.

Theatres Around Town

Fiddler on the Roof.  7pm-9pm. The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre (formerly the Empire).  Visit the website for show times and fees.  Through January 14th.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas.  The Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn.   This charming Christmas musical is complete with a jolly Santa, reindeer on the roof, moonlight on the snow, Ma and Pa in their caps, and sugarplums dancing in the dreams of hopeful children.  Visit the website for show times and fees.  Through December 29th.

Hello Dolly. Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Avenue, Richmond.  December 12th – 22nd.  Visit the website for fees and show times.

Other Holiday Fun

RVA on Ice.  The entrance, skate rental desk and the ticket box office are located near the entrance to Richmond CenterStage located at 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23219. All children MUST BE accompanied by an adult. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. Call 804-592-3400 for more information.  Through January 20th.

ChristmasTown.  5pm-10pm.  Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.   Celebrate the season as you explore the winter wonders of the premier Christmas experience. See six million twinkling lights, dazzling shows and a magical 50-foot Christmas tree. Visit the website for hours and fees.  Through January 5th.

Saturday, December 14th – Monday, December 23rd

Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker.  Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage.  A beloved holiday tradition returns to Richmond, when Richmond Ballet presents Stoner Winslett’s full-length The Nutcracker. Heralded as “one of the country’s most perfect [Nutcracker productions]” by The New York Times, The Nutcracker will feature the company’s full roster of professionals, as well as 26 trainees and over 150 accomplished students from The School of Richmond Ballet.  This grand Richmond tradition returns with live music by Richmond Symphony, with 13 performances in the grand Carpenter Theatre. Make your holiday season complete and share the fun of the Mouse King, the Chinese Dragon, the Russian Bear, and much, much more!  Visit the website for fees and show times.

Monday, December 16th

Parenting an Anxious Child (Parents/Caregivers of Children 2-8 yrs)  6:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Tuesday, December 17th

Kid’s Club.  9am-10:30am.  Chick-fil-A at Westchester Commons.  Crafts, games and story time. Free fun for parents and kids.

People, Places, and Things  10am-11am.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Jingle Bell Rock.  6pm-7:30pm.  Belmont Recreation Center.  Ages 2-7. Registration of a paying adult is required. Join us for live music and a relaxing holiday dinner. Cindy and Shelley will present kids holiday songs and holiday songs from around the world. Registration ends Dec 13. Information: 501-5809.  Fee.

Ceramics: Old World Santa.  6:30pm-8pm.  Ages 18+. Come and create a beautiful ceramic Santa figurine. Bisque pieces are prepared and ready for you to paint and personalize. Space is limited. Information: 343-3506.  Fee.

Holiday Concert. 7pm.  Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave, Richmond. The Richmond Concert Band, Richmond’s oldest and largest community band, presents four Christmas concerts. All concerts are free, and handicapped accessible.

Henrico Pops Chorus Holiday Concert.  7:30pm.  Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  A holiday concert for the entire family! Under the direction of Bobbie Moore, the chorus will perform many of your favorite “Holiday Traditions.” Reservations are required and can be made beginning November 4th at 804-501-5859.  Free.

Wednesday, December 18th

My Face, Your Face.  11am-Noon.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

My Face, Your Face  1pm-2pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Concert Ballet of Virginia Presents.  6pm-7pm.  Deep Run Recreation Center.  All ages. Registration of a paying adult is required. Come see the Concert Ballet of Virginia present dance and music selections from the “Nutcracker.” Young viewers will enjoy watching dancers perform in full ballet attire. The evening will conclude with refreshments and time to meet the dancers. A very special guest will also be on site to greet the children.  Pre-register.  Fee.

Thursday, December 19th

Barn Days.  11am-Noon.  Dorey Park & Recreation Center, Henrico County.  Tour the barn with farmer Sheila, preschoolers will make a cow craft and go through the hay bale obstacle course. Register: 804-501-7275. Fee.

Chester’s Reading Play Date.  11am/11:30am.  Chesterfield Towne Center – Creek Crawl Play Area, During Chester’s Reading Play Date each child will receive a coloring book and crayons.  For children pre-K thru second grade.  “Chester” the Reading Retriever, and Chesterfield Towne Center’s official mall ambassador, loves to meet and greet with area kids every opportunity he gets.  Free.

Is It Art?  4:15pm-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

The Taters Do Christmas.  7pm.  Henrico Theatre.  Call for reservations: 328-4491.  Free.

Friday, December 20th

YA Movie Day and Popcorn.  4pm-5pm.  Richmond Main Library.  School is out, begin your winter break & join your friends for a movie and popcorn.  Free.

Maymont By Moonlight.  5:30pm-9:30pm.  Enjoy an enchanting holiday evening at Maymont…by moonlight! Elegantly costumed Victorian ladies and gentlemen welcome you to the home of Major and Mrs. James H. Dooley to witness the excitement of Christmas 1893. The Dooleys’ gracious family, guests and domestic staff bring to life the busy preparations for a special celebration – the first Christmas in their new home. A horse-drawn carriage ride under the stars, seasonal refreshments and joyful carol singing by the bonfire make this an evening to remember!  Reservations required.  Fee.

LiveSky: Hollywood in Space.  6:30pm.  Science Museum of Virginia.   Star Wars, Gravity, Armageddon and many movies involve space, but do these sci-fi films get it right? Find out as we look at these Hollywood blockbusters through the lens of science! After the show, join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society at 7:30 pm, weather permitting, as they point telescopes up into the vastness of space! $5, free for members.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) PG.  7pm.  Henrico Theatre, Highland Springs. $1

Saturday, December 21st

Winter Day of Fun.  9am-12:30pm.  Kids will go to Sweet Spot for cookie decorating, then walk to All Fired Up and they will do fingerprint snowman mugs and finish at Spirited Art with Stocking painting. Pre-registration is required online at www.myspiritedart.com or by calling 804-360-5909.  $60 per day.

Holiday Holly Jump.  9:30am-11:30am.  Pump it Up – Chesterfield location.  Enjoy time with Rudolph and

Center Season – A Christmas Carol.  11am and 1pm.  Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  Theatre IV on Tour presents this adaptation of Dickens’ classic that is perhaps the best loved holiday story of all time. Recount as Scrooge comes face to face with ghosts and visions of his past, present and even his future. Join Scrooge in Christmas morning as he wakes up a changed man, thanking the spirits who helped him see the real truth about all life has to offer beyond wealth. Suitable for all ages.  Fee.

Holiday Holly Jump.  6:30pm.  Pump it Up -Hanover location.  Enjoy time with Rudolph and bouncing, jumping and sliding or making a holiday craft. Fee.

Saturday, December 21st – Sunday, December 22nd

Kids Fun Shops.  All Fired Up – Carytown & Midlothian locations.   Kids will create festive Christmas crafts. Call for specific hours and advance registration: 804-355-3412. Fee.

Saturday, December 21st – Monday, December 23rd

The Miracle of Christmas.  Richmond Metro Zoo.  A live nativity pageant with special musical performances.  Shows at 7pm, 7:45pm, 8:30pm.  Visit the website for details.  Free.

Sunday, December 22nd

Winter Day of Fun.  1pm-4:30pm.  Kids will go to Sweet Spot for cookie decorating, then walk to All Fired Up and they will do fingerprint snowman mugs and finish at Spirited Art with Stocking painting. Pre-registration is required online at www.myspiritedart.com or by calling 804-360-5909.  $60 per day.