November 26th – December 2nd

There are lots of fun family events the last week of November as we head into December — and plenty of holiday events too. Don’t miss our complete listing of holiday events, including:

2012 Grand Illuminations and Tree Lightings as Santa arrives in Richmond.
Complete Holiday Plays and Performances listing.
Legendary Santa schedule, including Special Sunrise and Sunset Visits with Legendary Santa.

Check out many plays and performances around town – including inexpensive movies. Click here for Movies, Plays, and Performances.

For a list of Seasonal Kid Consignment Sales coming up in December – click here.

To have an event posted on the Completely Kids events listing, send us an email.

Monday, November 26th

Grand Illumination at The Jefferson Hotel. Music begins at 5:15 pm, sparkling display of lights at 6 pm, and a parade of holiday characters follows.

Monday, November 26th – Saturday, December 22nd

Drifty’s Polar Parade. Swift Creek Mill Theater, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Visit the website for show times and fees.

Tuesday, November 27th

Young @ Art: Magnificent Animals. 10am-11am. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs. Fee.

Young @ Art: Magnificent Animals. 3pm-4pm. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs. Fee.

Dadchat (Men only). 7pm-9pm. Open, informal group offering helpful ideas and conversation. Facilitated by a seasoned dad. By Commonwealth Parenting. Free.

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL. 7:30pm. Landmark Theater. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas”, THE GRINCH discovers there’s more to Christmas then he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Fee.

Wilton House Museum Holiday Open House. Noon-4:00pm. This free event showcases the Colonial-style home and offers a performance by the Barefoot Puppet Theatre, games, refreshments and holiday vendors.

Wednesday, November 28th

Trans- Siberian Orchestra – The Lost Christmas Eve. 7:30 pm. The Richmond Coliseum. Fee.

St. Francis Watkins Centre Holiday Celebration and Grand Illumination. 6pm. Caroling, refreshments, and pictures with Santa Claus at the St. Francis Watkins Centre Holiday Celebration and Grand Illumination. Free.

Wednesday, November 28th – Sunday, December 2nd

Bizarre Bazaar 37th Christmas Event. See website for hours. Richmond Raceway Complex. It is time once again for The Bizarre Bazaar’s Christmas Collection show, a wonderful Richmond tradition for 37 years. Our unique offerings feature holiday gifts and decorations, gourmet food and cookbooks, fine linens, designer women’s and children’s clothing, toys, fine crafts and artwork, decorative home accessories, furniture and jewelry – to name a few. Find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on your list!

Thursday, November 29th

Young @ Art: Magnificent Animals. 10am-11am. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs. Fee.

After-School Art Club: Adventure to Africa. 4:15pm-6pm. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs. Fee.

Richmond Shakespeare presents A Child’s Christmas in Wales. 7:30pm. Virginia Repertory Theatre, 114 W. Broad Street. A new adaptation of Dylan Thomas’s beloved seasonal work. As Thomas writes, recalling his favorite moments from Christmases past, they come to life. Director Jan Powell and music director Andrew Hamm have created a unique musical theatre event to charm audiences of all ages.

Thursday, November 29th – Sunday, December 2nd

The Bizarre Bazaar. Richmond Raceway Complex. Unique holiday gifts, decorations, toys, crafts, artwork, home accessories, jewelry, outdoor, sculputure, and more. Entrance fee.

Friday, November 30th

Capitol Tree Lighting. 5pm. Gov. Bob McDonnell and first lady Maureen McDonnell will light the Capitol tree on Friday.The ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond also will include a tribute to the military, and appearances by the Virginia National Guard 29th Band and Santa Claus.Following the tree lighting ceremony, the public will be able to walk through the Executive Mansion and view the holiday decorations.The ceremony begins at 5 p.m.

Nutzy’s Winter FUNN Fest. 4pm-8pm. The Flying Squirrels jump into the holiday spirit with Nutzy’s Winter FUNN Fest in conjunction with Nutzy’s Rotary FUNN Run. Come out to The Diamond for registration pick-up for the 5k race and also bring a toy to donate for Toys for Tots! We have a lot of FUNN lined up including Tree Lighting, Toys for Tots pickup – bring toys and be entered to win prizes, Stroller Decorating Contest, Enjoy floats from the Richmond Christmas Parade, Live band, Beer Garden Area for Adults and so much more! Free.

Parents Night Out. 5pm-9pm. Tuckahoe Sports. Need the night off for Holiday Shopping? Drop your child off at Tuckahoe Sports for a night of interactive games, relays, crafts and more. Fee.

Family Friday Art Night: Fused Glass. 5pm-7pm. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs. Fee.

The Grand Illumination of James Center. 5:50pm-7pm. Between 9th-12th & Cary Streets. Reindeer and Buildings Illuminate at 6pm. Visit the website for parking information.

The Poe Illumination at The Poe Museum.

American Girl Book Club. 7pm. Barnes & Noble, Short Pump. Bring a doll to this book club. Free.

Sweet Spot celebration for Movember. Time to be announced. The Sweet Spot captain and mustache grower extraordinaire, Matt, will be handing out stache awards and they’ll be celebrating all the money raised for men’s health.

Christmas Tree Lighting at Yorktown: A tradition that began in 1945 continues with the Yorktown Christmas Tree Lighting. Evening highlights include a 7 pm performance by The Fifes and Drums of York Town at theVictory Monument, festive music at Riverwalk Landing, the procession of lights through the historic village, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Friday, November 30th – Saturday, December 15th

A Christmas Story. The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Henrico Theatre Company. Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the 1940′s Midwest follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. He pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” All of the elements from the beloved motion picture are here for this joyous celebration of childhood. Tickets on sale starting October 29. Fee.

Friday, November 30th – Sunday, December 30th

Madeline’s Christmas. Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. Presented by Virginia Repertory Theatre. Visit the website for show times and fees.

Saturday, December 1st

14th Annual Tree Lighting at Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center. 4:30-5:45pm. Along with the County of Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks, The Center welcomes the community to this very special holiday event featuring hoilday music, a toasty bonfire and of course Ol’ St. Nick! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies as Old St. Nick makes his arrival via fire truck to light the 60-foot cedar tree at The Center’s entrance on Mountain Road. Free.

Dominion Christmas Parade from the Science Museum of Virginia. 10am-noon. 29^th Annual Dominion Christmas Parade begins at the Science Museum of Virginia. The action for this beloved Richmond tradition starts at the Museum complete with holiday floats, marching bands, huge helium balloons and Santa himself. More than 100,000 spectators come everywhere in Virginia for this favorite spectacular, holiday event.

The 1st annual James River Run. 8am. The Reedy Creek Meadow at 4001 Riverside Drive. The course will wind through single track trails next to the James before taking runners over to Belle Isle and eventually back to the meadow via Buttermilk Trail. Online registration is $25 and will be open until November 30th. In person registration will also be available on race day for $30. For more information and to register go to the website.

Historic Christmas Open House at Hanover Tavern. 11am-5pm. Hanover Tavern welcomes the public to visit the 2nd Annual Historic Christmas Open House. Admission is free and the day includes a visit and photos with Colonial Mr. & Mrs. Claus, a community bake sale, children’s colonial holiday crafts, roving “Pick-a-Pocket Lady” and Magician, storytelling, Magician/Juggler Jonathan Austin, caroling and free refreshments on the porch, and lighting of the Hanover Tavern Christmas tree at 4:45 pm.

Inaugural Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run. 7am. The 5K course will begin at The Diamond and will incorporate part of the annual Dominion Richmond Christmas Parade route along Broad Street before ending back near the ballpark. All proceeds from the Funn Run will go to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond and First Things First of Greater Richmond.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk. 7am. Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving. Bring your dog to Stony Point Fashion Park.

Let It Snow! at the Richmond Symphony. 8pm. Timeless favorites and holiday surprises to fill you with holiday spirit. Call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) for tickets or visit website.

Sunday, December 2nd

Let It Snow! at the Richmond Symphony. 3pm. Timeless favorites and holiday surprises to fill you with holiday spirit. Call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) for tickets or visit website.

Youth Concert Orchestra at the Richmond Symphony. 7pm.

Pet Photo Night with Santa at Chesterfield Towne Center. 6:30-8pm. Bring your furry family member to get a photo taken with Santa at Chesterfield Towne Center.

Super Writers: A Class for Creative Kids Grades K-1. 4:30pm. Melody Magic Music Studios. Watch your writer take flight in this writing series with Henrico County teacher, Sarah Simmel. As students work through the writing process, confidence and ability will soar. Using nationally-recognized teacher, Deanna Jump’s curriculum, your junior writer will build skilss that can be used in and out of the classroom. Class is limited to five children. Rate includes materials/no registration fee required. Call 804.334.6241.

Old Fashioned Christmas at Maymont. 12noon-5pm. Celebrate a charming, old-fashioned Christmas and experience a tradition enjoyed by generations of families. Holiday tours, carriage rides, festive music and special activities that are sure to fill everyone with a merry holiday spirit. Guided mansion tours: $5 per person/$3 members and children 12 & under. Carriage rides: $5 per person/$3 members and children 12 & under. For event details and reservations, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329.