We warned you! The holiday season has begun! November 1st and the end of Halloween marks the unofficial start to the holiday season whether you like it or not! We’ve pulled a list of holiday events and activities for the whole family to enjoy happening in the Richmond area to get you in the spirit of the season.
November 1 – 2, 2014
5th Annual Virginia Christmas Market Choose from a high quality, innovative holiday collection of porcelain, pottery, quilts, folk art, fine art, reproduction furniture, flags, ironwork, carvings, leather, toys, tinware, candles, dollcraft, wovenwares, book authors, musicians, jewelry, basketry and more. Sample all types of scrumptious gourmet and specialty foods and wine from Virginia wineries– all set amid festive Christmas displays. Bring the children for pictures with Santa.
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival November 2nd. Find out about the REAL First Thanksgiving and party like it’s 1619! There will be period interpreters strolling the grounds, children’s games, family friendly activities, food and craft vendors.
November 7 – 9, 2014
The Craftsman Classic Arts & Crafts Festival This three day event features over 450 different artists and craftsmen from all over the US and Canada.
Museum Stores of Richmond Holiday Shoppers Fair. November 7th and 8th, Richmond-area museum gift shops sell their wares, including many specialty items. Proceeds benefit the museums. 9am-5pm both days. 20th Anniversary Reception: Friday, November 7 from 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Holiday Decorating For Your Home This class will teach you how to deck out your home in “grand style” for this year’s holidays! Table settings, fabrics, lighting design, wreath, tree, and floral arrangement will be taught.
Santa Arrives at Chesterfield Towne Center Friday, November 7th, 6pm. Santa is eager to meet and greet all his little friends who want to come and visit. He will arrive at our food court and then head towards his Snowy Wonderland, located in front of Homegoods. He will be receiving guests at Chesterfield Towne Center through Wednesday, December 24, when he then will depart for his around-the-world gift trip.
Community Tree Lighting Saturday, November 8th 6-8 p.m. Kick off the holiday at Stony Point Fashion Park with a community tree lighting, ice skating and more.
Animated Light Shows beginning November 9th at Stony Point Fashion Park. Animated light shows take place at the top and bottom of each hour, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Community Tree. Continues through January 4.
November 13 – 15, 2014
Champagne ‘n’ Shopping November 13th. Join us at the Garden for a special evening of shopping just in time for the holidays. Guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne or sparkling cider and enjoy live music and door prizes while you shop. No admission fee required.
Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village Park. Opens November 14. The lights shine brightly for guests nightly, including holidays, and are enjoyed from the comfort of a vehicle. Also featured is Santa’s Village, complete with family-friendly activities, Christmas tree lot, pictures with Santa, tasty treats, and more.
Holly Jolly Christmas on Lakside Avenue. Lakeside is known as a unique shopping district with shops featuring home decor, clothing, antiques and vintage treasures, toys, gourmet food and beverages and much more! Friday, November 14: Participating merchants (including the Garden Shop) extend hours until 9 p.m. Saturday, November 15: Regular hours apply
Holiday Weekend Celebration at Short Pump Mall, November 15 & 16. The celebration continues all weekend long with holiday performances at 1PM and 3PM in the Main Plaza, meet and greets with your favorite holiday characters at noon and 2PM and live music throughout the center!
Santa Arrives at Regency Square Mall November 15 at 9 a.m. Watch in wonder has Mickey the Magician magically makes Santa appear. Santa parade follows.
November 20 – 23, 2014
Ladies’ Night Out: Holiday Open House & Sale Thursday, November 20, join Cross Creek Nursery for the 3rd annual November Ladies’ Night Out. All holiday décor, gifts for gardeners and blooming seasonal plants will be discounted 25%. Enjoy refreshments, music and design workshops.
3:00pm – 9:00pm, 501 Courthouse Rd, Richmond, Virginia 23236.
Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town™ Experience Christmas traditions from around the world and keep warm with a mug of Busch Gardens’ signature hot chocolate. This year, Christmas Town is brighter than ever with more than eight million lights. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop and meet the jolly old elf-himself. Unwrap the gift of Christmas Town starting Nov. 21 select days through Dec. 31.
InLight Richmond Friday, November 21 in Monroe Park. InLight 2014 will kick off with the Community Lantern Parade and will feature performances, sculpture, large-format projections, and interactive projects that will illuminate pathways, walls, sidewalks, green spaces, trees, benches, building facades, and more, in and around the park.
The Victorian Holidays Begin November 21st at Maymont. runs through January 4, 2014, 12-5pm.For seven weeks, Maymont is decked out for the holidays! Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beautiful decorations and delightful events that attract visitors from all over the country and the world. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season! Tour the mansion to see the beautiful trimmings on the Christmas tree, the opulent dining room set for a feast, evergreen decorations and lavish gifts welcome the season in grand Victorian style.
Legendary Santa Holiday Breakfast at Saks Fifth Avenue November 22, Join the Legendary Santa for his first appearance of the season for a spectacular holiday breakfast at Saks Fifth Avenue.
November 27 – 30, 2014
The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast November 27. Each year, approximately 3000 volunteers and guests will gather to enjoy wonderful meal of traditional Thanksgiving foods. This event is open to everyone, with special emphasis on inviting area homeless, seniors, working class families, military and those who would otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving Day. All are welcome! The Greater Richmond Convention Center. FREE.
Santa’s Christmas Miracle opens at Virginia Rep- A holiday treat for young audiences, this charming musical comedy is set in Broken-Bone, Montana on December 24, 1883, where the sheriff has outlawed Christmas! It is up to a mysterious stranger and a bungling bandit named Big Bad Bart to unravel the plot and bring the true meaning of the season back into focus. This delightful story emphasizes love and the holiday spirit to the accompaniment of foot-stompin’ country and western music.
RVA on Ice Go ice skating in the heart of downtown Richmond. In addition to skating, there will be a Christmas tree lot with trees $25 – $35, hot chocolate, s’mores and holiday music and warm up near the pit fire and snack shack (provided by Johnny Rockets this year!). Free arts and crafts sessions will be offered Saturdays from 2 – 4 pm.
37th Annual Model Railroad Show Opens November 28 – November 30th Enjoy the most magical train layouts in Virginia. Featuring all the bells and whistles, guests enjoy unique and traditional model train displays from across the state. Learn how trains work, conduct experiments, check out special demonstrations and enjoy a holiday weekend filled with fun for the whole family.
Dominion GardenFest of Lights 2014 Opens November 28th. This holiday tradition features more than a half million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. Visit often to fully experience Dominion GardenFest of Lights — the region’s ultimate holiday extravaganza!
The Day After Thanksgiving Art Affair November 28th, a great alternative to Black Friday. Enjoy yourself with music, door prizes, an auction and shopping in the hallways, nooks and crannies of Art Works where artisans and fine craftsmen have set up shop. Find holiday handmade gifts on Sugar Plum Street, Jolly Jingle Junction and Candy Cane Circle. All items are $50 and under.
Virginia’s Thanksgiving of Feast and Prayer at Henricus November 29, Join the Henricus interpreters and volunteers for a first-person living history experience where visitors will get to see how the English gathered; and discover why and how they gave thanks for their survival. See what they would give thanks for and how they would eat well during special occasions.
Wilton House Holiday Open House November 30 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Enjoy light refreshments craft, games, and performances by Barefoot Puppet Theatre and the Concert Ballet of Virginia throughout the afternoon. Tours of Wilton, elegantly set for Twelfth Night, will be available throughout the day.
