It’s the first week of the New Year with lots of great fun for kids and adults. We’ve listed lots of holiday celebrations for New Year’s Eve parties and fun, along with plenty of great activities and events throughout the week.
We’re excited about the coming year 2013 and all the great plans for Richmondmom.com. Thanks for being the best supporters ever!
ONGOING
Closer Than Ever (November 28, 2012 – January 6, 2013) at Virginia Repertory Theatre is an intimate musical about love, friendship, security, and happiness – holding onto those essentials in a world that seems to spin faster every day. In 1989, the New York Times described it as “one of the half-dozen finest American theater scores of the last decade.”
Rocky Mountain Express (film in IMAX®DOME) Through-Friday March 1 – Join in the epic adventure of building Canada’s first transcontinental railway as you are propelled on a steam train journey through the Canadian Rockies. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World - Now-Sunday, January 6 – Take a journey through a motley crew of legendary guitars in our latest exhibition as you explore the history of the world’s most recognized musical instrument, examine more than 60 guitars, historical artifacts and play the world’s largest guitar! Included with exhibit admission.
Polar Express (film in IMAX®DOME) Saturday, November 17-Wednesday, January 23 – Based on the modern holiday classic written by children’s author Chris Van Allsburg, Polar Express follows the journey of a young boy named Billy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. With a family who believes everything from the elves to flying reindeer are myths, Billy’s whole viewpoint changes when a mysterious train visits him on Christmas Eve promising to take him and other children to the North Pole. The train’s conductor, along with other passengers, help turn Billy’s crisis into a journey of self-discovery in this heart-warming holiday film. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
Monday, December 31, 2012
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.
2nd Annual Drop the Ball @ Art Works. It’s a New Year’s Eve party for the arts starting at 8pm. 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. Food, champagne toast, noisemakers, desserts, coffee, 2 art raffle tickets, great music, and more.
Skyfall: The New Year’s Eve Ball – 8:00 pm – 2:00 am – Exclusive Va Events is doing it again. Bring in the New Year with style and class at the beautiful Hippodrome Theater. Last Year’s event was hands down the best NYE party in city and this year we’re doing it even bigger!!!! This will be the most exclusive and upscale New Year’s event in the city. DJs, live bands, free appetizers, midnight champagne toast, and over $500 in prizes and giveaways.
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.
Take advantage of VA529 savings by December 31, 2012!
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.
First Day Hike at Virginia Parks. Join us on the first hike of 2013 and get a healthy start to the New Year on lots of trails across Virginia’s State Parks. Visit website for details.
Club Mom at 9am at Chesterfield Towne Center. Club Mom occurs the first Tuesday of every month in our Food Court from 9-11 a.m. and features great entertainment, fun giveaways for the adults, and free breakfast for children 12 years or younger. (Breakfast tickets are given out until 10:30 a.m. and are valid until 10:45 a.m. on Club Mom event days.).
Wednesday, January 2
Animated Film Festival at Glen Allen Library, 10501 Staples Mill Road. Meet runaway rodents with a secret. It’s free. Stars at 2pm.
Thursday, January 3
Celebrate Richmond at Spirited Art. Come and celebrate Richmond with us and paint your very own “RVA” painting. Our instructors will lead you step by step as you create your own “RVA” masterpiece. Food and drinks are available for purchase from The Wine Loft. Registration is required.
Marshmallow Shooters -3pm at Twin Hickory Library. Ages 11 and up, all supplies will be provided. Registration required: 804-290-9200 x5. It’s free!
Friday, January 4
Pajama Time Musical Playdate at Melody Magic Music Studio. Eat dinner, get ready for bed… and come have a pajama party with Melody Magic! Based on this fun book by Sandra Boynton, this class features a pajama parade (complete with drums!), a family pajama dance party, and ends with a calming rocking song to prepare our little kiddos for a good night’s sleep. Ages 0-7 years with a parent.
Everything Parenting! Free Q&A. Starts at noon at 8500 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA, 23116. A FREE and open Q&A class. Please come visit the office of Collaborative Parenting of Richmond; meet Suzanne Hanky and bring your questions! This is an easy fun opportunity to ask anything kids, parenting and family!
Saturday, January 5
Arena Racing at 7:00 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. Fantastic fun for all ages!
Sunday, January 6
Open Studio Sundays for kids of all ages at VMFA.
Enchanting Icicles at Three Lakes Nature Center at 1:30 pm. For ages 4-5. Hanging from the rooftop draped like sheets of shimmering glass, icicles add a touch of magic to our winter days. Find out how these icy marvels are formed. Register: 804-501-7275. $6.
