There are lots of fun family events in 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.

Today – 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.

Today – 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.

Today – Dec 24th

Nightly Holiday Light Shows & Live Holiday Entertainment.  Stony Point Fashion Park.  Come celebrate the season and enjoy live entertainment every Friday – Sunday throughout the center. View the complete schedule here.  Animated light shows take place at the top and bottom of each hour, beginning at 5 pm at the Community Tree.  Free.

Today – 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.

Today – Monday, December 31st

A Colonial Christmas.  Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Offers a glimpse of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions with special tours and interpretive programs and, from December 26 through 31, musical entertainment of the period.

Today – Monday, January 7th (Closed Dec. 24 & 25)

GardenFest of Lights. Nightly, 5pm-10pm. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. One of Richmond’s most popular family holiday events. Holiday tradition features more than a half million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. Activities for families and children include Merry Mondays every Monday evening from 5pm-8pm throughout GardenFest, featuring story time with the Garden Keeper, s’mores at the warming fire, and Santa sightings in the Conservatory. Fee.

Today – January 31st

RVA on Ice. 4pm-10pm. 6th and Broad Street. Grand Opening of ice skating rick next to CenterStage. Open through January 31st (weather permitting). Visit the website for rink times and hours. Fee.

Monday, December 3rd

Family Holiday Concert. 7 pm.  The Atrium of The James Center, 1051 E. Cary St., Richmond. A program of songs for the season and light classics, including the annual sing along, presented by the Richmond Philharmonic. Free, donations accepted.

Henrico Community Band Holiday Concert. 7:30pm.  The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. The Henrico Community Band will perform a concert of festive holiday music. For all ages. Reservations required.  Free.

University of Richmond Chamber Ensembles Concert. 7:30 pm Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music, University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond. Performances by student instrumentalists, vocalists, and pianists. Free.

Tuesday, December 4th

Nutcracker Selections. 6pm-7pm. Henrico Theatre,305 E Nine Mile Road, Henrico. The Concert Ballet of Virginia presents dance and music selections from the Nutcracker. Young viewers will enjoy watching dancers perform in full ballet attire. The evening will conclude with a social to meet the dancers. A special guest will also be on site to greet the children. For ages 2-5 with an adult. Free. www.henricorecandparks.com or 501-5859.

Staying Ahead of Your High Tech Kid. 6:30pm-8:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Everything Parenting! Free Q&A.  Collaborative Parenting of Richmond, 8500 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA, 23116.  A FREE and open Q&A class. Meet Suzanne Hanky and bring your questions! This is an easy fun opportunity to ask anything kids, parenting and family!  Free.

Wednesday, December 5th

Orchestra Concert. 7:30 pm Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music, University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond. The University Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Richuan Hu will be the featured soloist in the first movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Free.

Homemade Holiday Candy.  6pm-7:30pm.  The Armour House & Gardens.  Registration of a paying adult is required with participants under 16. Celebrate the season! Nothing says happy holidays like homemade chocolate candy. Come and share in some holiday candy-making fun. For ages 10+.  Fee.

Thursday, December 6th Managing the Ups and Downs of Family Emotions. 9:30-10:30am.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Scream-Free Parenting. 6:30-8:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Children’s Storytime. 10:30am.  Barnes and Noble Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad St., Richmond. Free.

Short Pump Symphonette.  7pm.  Twin Hickory Library.  Seasonal music.  Free.

National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Washington,D.C.

Friday, December 7th

An Evening of Classical & Holiday Pops.  An Evening of Classical & Holiday Pops featuring The Rainier Trio with Soprano Leslie Mabe.  Fee.

Polar Express Pajama Storytime. 7 pm. Barnes and Noble Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad St., Richmond. Free.

Victorian Christmas Traditions. 3pm-4:30pm.   The Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay St., Richmond. Find out how people celebrated Christmas during the Victorian Era, which included the years of the Civil War. First, a Powerpoint presentation will cover Christmas traditions of the time. Then take a guided tour of the White House of the Confederacy, specially decorated for the holidays. Fee.

Friday, December 7th and Saturday, December 8th

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) NR.   Henrico Theatre, Highland Springs. Enjoy a movie – Tickets are only $1 per person and can be purchased at the door. Information: 328-4491.

Living Nativity Performance. 7pm.  Swift Creek Presbyterian, 5900 Woolridge   Road, Moseley. Outdoor production with live music, actors and live animals. Cookies and hot chocolate around the bonfire after the performance. Free. Raindate is Dec. 9.

Friday, December 7th – Sunday, December 9th

Clean Closet Consignment Sale. In Mom’s Treehouse, John Rolfe Commons Shopping Center, 2292 John Rolfe Parkway, Richmond, VA 23233.

Saturday, December 8th

Behind The Scenes.  1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.

Parade of Lights and Colonial Christmas.  6pm-8pm.  Henricus Historical Park.  Enjoy the 20th Annual James River Parade of Lights, sponsored by the regional James River Advisory Council. A treasured Richmond tradition, thousands of residents look forward to viewing the procession of boats decorated with holiday lights each year. Spectators will be able to enjoy the parade and experience a colonial Christmas presented by historical interpreters at Henricus Historical Park free-of-charge. Colonial Christmas activities begin at 6pm with viewing of boat parade from 7:30-8pm.

Make Your Own Gingerbread House. 2pm-3pm. Virginia Center for Architecture. Reservations required. Fee.

A Ghost Story for Christmas. 7 pm. Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church,11421 Gayton Road, Henrico. Actor Ray Carver in a one-performance of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Family friendly. Donations accepted. For reservations and directions visit www.thegaytonkirk.org or 741-5254.

Holiday on Parade – An Eastern Henrico Celebration. Spend the day soaking in the holiday spirit ofEastern Henrico. 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. Enjoy sweet treats and make a vintage holiday decoration to take home! Tour The Armour House & Gardens, circa 1917 where decorations and children’s craft activities will surely put you in the spirit of the season. Stop Dorey Recreation Center for holiday refreshments and a children’s holiday craft. Take in a show at the Henrico Theatre and wrap up the evening at the James River Parade of Lights at Osborne Park. The movie is $1 at the door; all other events are free!

Kids Night Out at Romp n Roll. 5pm-8pm.  Romp n’ Roll Midlothian,  11541 Busy St., Richmond VA 23236.  Every kid deserves a special night out…and so do you! That’s why we created Kids Night Out. Parents get an evening to themselves while the children get to run and play with our energetic instructors and enjoy a Pizza Party dinner at Romp n’ Roll! A perfect evening indeed! $30, which includes a pizza dinner. Ages 2-5 (potty-training not required). Reservations Required.

Parade of Lights.  Activities begin at 4:30 p.m. Osborne Park.  Looking for a unique holiday event for the entire family? You won’t want to miss the 20th annual 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. Join us around the bonfire as we enjoy holiday music and activities to celebrate the magic of the season. Beginning at 3 p.m., the Toy Parade sponsored by the Battlefield Ruritans will precede the Parade of Lights. Entertainment and concessions will follow the Toy Parade.

Sunday, December 9th

Ornament Making and St. Nick.  1pm-3pm. Meadow Farm Museum.  For all ages. Come join in the fun as Meadow Farm sets up its annual Ornament Making Workshop! Visitors can make their own Victorian ornament and join an 1840 St. Nick as he reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Free.

Behind The Scenes.  1pm. Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.