Now that 2012 is almost over, it’s time to celebrate the New Year. What better place to enjoy the holidays and ringing in the New Year than right here in Richmond? There are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the last week of the year. We’ve listed some of them below. If you know of others, please leave a comment below so our readers will know about them too.
Thanks and Happy New Year from Richmondmom.com!
FaithinRichmond.com has a large listing of faith-based celebrations for New Year’s. Click here to visit their site.
Wednesday, December 26
Guitar Performance: Eric Sommer – Science Museum from 1-3pm. Guitarist, song crafter, and writer Eric Sommer, performs live in Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World, sharing his original guitar work. His presentation includes Q&A for guitar players and demonstrations. Included with exhibit admission.
December 26-30, 2012
Fruitcake Science at Science Museum from 9:30am – 5pm. Join us as we subject fruitcake to the rigors of scientific testing — see what happens when we freeze it with liquid nitrogen, try to float it on water, drop it from 3-stories high and burn it! Included with exhibit admission.
Saturday, December 29
RVA on Ice – Face Painting and Kwanzaa Craft-making.
FREE movie at RVA on Ice – It’s a Wonderful Life.
Create: Adults and Kids Paint Together at 1:00 p.m. at Spirited Art.
Sunday, December 30
Family Class for All Ages at Spirited Art at 1:00 p.m.
Monday, December 31
The ball will rise in Carytown to ring out 2012 and ring in 2013. It’s a Richmond tradition – now in its eighth year. Todd Schall-Vess, general manager of the Byrd Theatre, created the ball and started the Carytown “ball rise” in 2007. The ball takes about 10 minutes to rise to the top and Schall-Vess times it to coincide with midnight. The street won’t be closed to traffic, but typically thousands of Richmonders fill the streets just before midnight. Last year, roughly 10,000 people turned out to see the ball rise.
First Night Virginia, New Year’s Eve, Charlottesville – A short drive for a lot of celebrations and fun in Charlottesville! First Night Virginia transforms the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall into a New Year’s Eve extravaganza with over 40 performances of music, magic, dance, improv and more, all finished off with the midnight ball drop.
Lewis Ginter New Year’s Family Frolic – From 2-5pm, enjoy concerts, rolling down the hill to the Garden, photos with the Garden Keeper and the Butterfly Fairy, crafts, trains, and more.
Dominion GardenFest of Lights from 5-10pm.
The Wine Loft celebrates New Year’s Eve with DJ music, food, specials on drinks, big screen TVs and celebrations. 9pm-2am.
Noon Year’s Eve powered by Radio Disney at the Science Museum. 10am – 1pm. Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve with a party and a live performance by internet sensation and local musician George Dennehy! Included with exhibit admission.
RVA on Ice – 12 noon to 4 p.m. — Face Painting and Caricature portraits by Artist Stanley Rayfield
1 to 4 p.m.—-Uncle Curt of Uncle Curt and Hugs and Kisses balloon art.
New Year’s Eve Bash at the Children’s Museum. Ring in the new year at CMoR’s Annual New Year’s Eve Bash. Join Seymour from 11am to 1pm for a special “Countdown to Noon” juice toast, fun games and prize giveaways.
Genworth Holiday Village at CMoR.
2nd Annual Drop the Ball at Art Works Studios and Galleries. Come dressed-to-impress and Drop the Ball at Art Works New Years Eve Party where you can rock to live music by the Robbin Steel Band and party like it’s 1999 (or 2013).
Harlem Globetrotters at the Richmond Coliseum at 2:00 p.m.
Holiday Tours at Maymont Mansion. Major & Mrs. Dooley’s spectacularly decorated Gilded Age home brings the wonders and festivities of Christmas past to life. Guided tours (upstairs only) are available every half-hour; last tour begins at 4:30. $5 suggested admission. (Closed New Year’s Day). For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329.
Cooper Vineyards Musical Event from 11am – 5pm in Louisa, VA. Virginia’s 2012 BEST TASTING ROOM offers LIVE music every weekend plus award-winning wines! Open 11-5 daily, only 35 minutes west of Short Pump. Pack a picnic or purchase local cheeses & crackers. Kid & Dog friendly.
2nd Annual Big Year’s Eve Dancing Party 2012 from 9pm to 12:30am. Join us for the 2nd annual Big Band NYE Dancing Party featuring the Big Band sounds of Joe Enroughty And His Royal Virginians. Vocals provided by Deborah Leone & Jay Daniels. Complete details are available on our web site.
Fredericksburg First Night at 10:00 a.m. Historic Downtown Fredericksburg. Non Alcoholic Celebration of the Arts for New Years Eve. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in historic downtown Fredericksburg. Over 20 stages/venues and 47 acts. 6,000 attendees expected.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
RVA on Ice – 12 noon to 4 p.m. Face Painting and Caricature portraits by Artist Stanley Rayfield. 1 to 4 p.m. Uncle Curt of Uncle Curt and Hugs and Kisses balloon art.
