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.

Today – December 15th

Ring Around the Rosy Holly Days Sale.  Oxbridge Square Shopping Center, 9939 Hull Street Rd.  Richmond, VA 23236.  At the intersection of Hull Street & Courthouse Rd. Next to Martin’s.  Shop for Holiday Wear, Winter Clothing, Toys, Books, DVD’s, Home Decor, Holiday Decor and gifts, coats, Women’s Clothing & Accessories, shoes, Infant Equipment & Supplies, Furniture and Much Much More!!!Now Accepting ALL Major Credit Cards.  (NO MINIMUM PURCHASE!)

Monday, December 9th

Homemade Holiday Candy.  6pm-7:30pm.  The Armour House & Gardens.  Ages 10+. Registration of a paying adult is required with participants under 16. Come and share in making some holiday homemade chocolate candy-making fun. Space is limited. Information: 343-3506. Fee.

Henrico Concert Band Holiday Concert.  7:30pm.  Henrico Theatre, Highland Springs.  Festive music for the entire family! Reservations are required at 501-5859.  Free.

Monday, December 9th – Tuesday, December 10th

Shop Jingle Bell Bazaar for holiday gifts, clothing, jewelry, artwork, food, and more while avoiding the holiday mayhem at the local malls. Hosted by Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services (GFCFS), shopping begins Monday, December 9th at 10:00am to 6:00pm and then on Tuesday, December 10th, at 10:00am to 5:00pm. Free to the public, this annual event is at the Richmond Country Club located at 12950 Patterson Avenue (just off the 288) with free & easy parking. For more information, visit www.goochlandfreeclinicandfamilyservices.org or call 804.556.6260.

Tuesday, December 10th

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.

Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting.  11am.  Short Pump Mall Food Court.  Enjoy this puppet show by Barefoot Puppets as two tales rolled into one make for twice the fun!  Fee.

Richmond’s First Annual Sensitive Legendary Santa.  5pm-8pm.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central.  Families with special needs children to have a sensory-friendly visit with Legendary Santa.   Space is limited in order to provide a calm, quiet experience.  Register at www.RVASensitiveLegendarySanta.eventbrite.com or call 804-353-2571.  Free.

Transitions: A Survival Guide (Parents/Caregivers of Children 2-6 yrs)  6pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  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.

The Fresh Beat Band Live in Concert.  6:30pm.  Landmark Theatre.  Fee.

Holiday Concert.  7pm. River Road United Methodist Church, 8800 River Road, Richmond.  The Richmond Concert Band, Richmond’s oldest and largest community band, presents four Christmas concerts. All concerts are free, and handicapped accessible.

Tuesday, December 10th & Wednesday, December 11th

On the Air Radio Players.  7:30pm.  Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  “Christmastime Around the Dial” – an old-time holiday radio show! Come be a part of the studio audience for this hour-long taping featuring live music and sound effects. All ages welcomed!  Free.

Wednesday, December 11th

Mommy & Me and Daddies Too.  10am–11:30am.  Willow Lawn Plaza.  A free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children.   This month –  Hope Harris and the Cousins Jamboree.  Free.

Susan Greenbaum: Carols in the Library.  6pm- 7pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Education and Library Complex .  Richmond’s favorite singer/songwriter Susan Greenbaum performs and you can sing along, too.  Free with garden admission.

Discipline Decisions: Choosing a Behavior Modification Plan (Parents/Caregivers of Children 3-9 yrs)  6pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Holiday Stories and Crafts with Mrs. Claus.  6:30-7:30pm.  The Armour House & Gardens.  Ages 3-6. Registration of a paying adult is required. Celebrate the holiday season with Mrs. Claus. Enjoy holiday stories and fun craft activities. Bring along your wish list for Santa, and Mrs. Claus will be sure to deliver it for you! Information: 343-3506.  Fee.

Thursday, December 12th

Happy, Sad, Smiley, Glad!  11am-Noon.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Connecting with Your Teen  12:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Series of Blocks.  4:15pm-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Ceramics: Holiday Ornaments.  6:30-7:30pm.  The Armour House & Gardens.  Ages 10+. Registration of a paying adult required with participants under 16. Paint a festive ceramic ornament to hang on your tree this holiday season. Information: 343-3506.  Fee.

Friday, December 13th

Gingerbread Houses.  5pm-7pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Costume Illustration.  5pm-6:30pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Teen Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

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.

Friday, December 13th – Saturday, December 14th

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) PG.  Henrico Theatre, Highland Springs.  Fri, Dec 13 at 7pm and Sat, Dec 14 at 2 & 7pm.  $1.

Saturday, December 14th

Free Upward Cheerleading Clinic.   9am-12:30pm.  Bethia UMC, 10700 Winterpock Road.  For ages K5-8th grade. Come and learn dance steps, cheers, and motions. You can also register to cheer during the 2014 Upward basketball season. Contact Tammy Zabrosky (tzabrosky@gmail.com) for more information or to register for the clinic.  Free.

Reindeer Games.  10am-11am.  Three Lakes Nature Center.  Ages 4-5. December brings to mind images of reindeer pulling a sleigh through the snowy night skies. But reindeer don’t really survive on rations of milk and cookies. Learn where these deer live, what they eat, and more. Information: 262-5055.  Fee.

Build a Train Engine.  10am.  Local Lowes Stores.   The holidays are right around the corner! Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can build this festive Train Engine!  Registration required.  Free.

Felting Frenzy.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

The Gift of Art.  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Registration required.  Fee.

Ornament Making and St. Nick.  1pm-3pm.  Meadow Farm Museum.  Join Meadow Farm Museum’s sewing guild and make your own Victorian ornament. Get cozy and sit by the fire while you listen to our 1840 St. Nick read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Information: 501-2130.  Free.

Berkeley’s Colonial Christmas.  1pm-3pm.  Berkeley Plantation, 12602 Harrison Landing Road, Charles City.  Partake in the festive atmosphere created by colonial music and decorations from the gardens. Costumed guides tell stories about Christmas hospitality over 200 years ago. Reservations required: 888-466-6018. Fee.

Holiday on Parade—An Eastern Henrico Celebration.  Spend the day soaking in the holiday spirit of Eastern Henrico. From historical to present day, many fun, nostalgic, and exciting events are in store for your holiday season. Children can enjoy a craft and bake Christmas cookies at Hidden Creek Recreation Center. Take a trip down memory lane at the Clarke-Palmore House, decked out with vintage 1930-40’s holiday decorations, and listen to the sounds of the season from that era. Enjoy sweet treats and make a vintage holiday decoration to take home! Tour the Armour House, circa 1917, and enjoy mantelpieces and trees adorned with period holiday decorations. Children’s craft activities and refreshments will surely put you in the spirit of the season. Tour “The Barn” while children can decorate a pine cone and enjoy holiday refreshments at Dorey. Take in a show at the Henrico Theatre and wrap up the evening at the James River Parade of Lights at Osborne Park.  Free.

James River Parade of Lights. 4:30pm – 8:30pm. Osborne Park.  Looking for a unique holiday event for the entire family?  You won’t want to miss the James River Parade of Lights sponsored by the James River Advisory Commission in cooperation with Henrico Recreation and Parks.  Henrico County’s viewing celebration will take place at Osborne Park.  Enjoy the bonfire, holiday music and activities to celebrate the magic of the season.  Beginning at 3pm, the Toy Parade sponsored by the Battlefield Ruritans will precede the Parade of Lights.  Entertainment and concessions will follow the Toy Parade.  Free.

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.

Sunday, December 15th

Gingerbread Tea and Tour.  10am-Noon.  Virginia House, 4301 Sulgrave Rd, Richmond.   Design and build your own gingerbread house, and cider and cookies will be served as staff talk about holiday traditions.  For families with children 5 and under. Reservations required: 804-353-4251. Fee.

Holiday Open House.  1pm-3pm.  Visual Arts Center of Richmond.  Bring your family to make and take sweet origami ornaments, printmaking workshops, and leather cuff making.   Shop for unique items from the VisArts Clay Guild at the craft sale.

Holiday Concert. 4pm.  Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1925 Grove Ave., Richmond. The Richmond Concert Band, Richmond’s oldest and largest community band, presents four Christmas concerts. All concerts are free, and handicapped accessible.