Holiday events guide: Celebrate the holiday season with festivities in the Richmond area

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Searching for fun events this holiday season? Look no further — 8News has a list of exciting holiday activities in the Richmond area.

From local winter markets to illumination displays and house tours, 8News has you covered with festivities happening later this month and throughout December.

❄️???? November Events ❄️????

Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights

• Time: Monday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 4
• Location: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, located at 1800 Lakeside Ave.

The event will feature millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, festive dinners and more! There will be musical performances on select nights — including The Nutcracker by the Concert Ballet of Virginia.

Tickets are required and available for purchase online only. Visit Gardenfest for more information.

Tredegar Tree Lighting

• Time: Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Location: The American Civil War Museum, located at 480 Tredegar St.

The annual tree lighting will once again illuminate the 20-foot-tall tree in the museum lobby. There will be live music and holiday cheer. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m., organizers said.

The event is free to attend.

Light Up the Tracks

• Time: Saturday, Nov. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 1
• Location: Downtown Ashland in Hanover County

Downtown Ashland Association will host a mile-long holiday light display that illuminates the trackside historic district all season long. There will be a raffle for the Santa Train and a parade, among other celebrations.

The light display is free and open to the public.

Sweater Weather Market

• Time: Sunday, Nov. 23, from noon to 4 p.m.
• Location: Agecroft Hall & Gardens, located at 4305 Sulgrave Rd.

The outdoor market will feature local artisans as well as drinks, food and treats from local vendors.

Admission is free for the market. Admission to the house museum is available at the regular rates. Visit Agecroft Hall & Gardens for more information.

Christmas at the Inn Arts and Crafts

• Time: Friday, Nov. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on select event dates
• Location: The Virginia Cliffe Inn, located at 2900 Mountain Road in Glen Allen

The craft show will feature a collection from over 70 local crafters, artists and bakers for visitors. Guests can enjoy candied apples and s'mores by the fire pits and explore the venue's heated pavilion, tent and cottage.

Tickets are $5 each.

Legendary Santa

• Time: Friday, Nov. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 24
• Location: Children's Museum of Richmond Downtown, located at 2626 W. Broad St.

Attendees will have a chance to see Legendary Santa at Richmond's longstanding tradition from Black Friday to Christmas Eve.

Two ticket options — priced at $35 and $70 — are available for purchase online. Visit Legendary Santa or contact santa@cmorva.org for more information.

Richmond Symphony Concert's "Let It Snow!"

• Time: Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Location: Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center, located at 600 E. Grace. St., Suite 400

The annual musical tradition will feature holiday favorites and performances to celebrate the season.

Tickets start at $14. Visit Richmond Symphony for more information.

New Kent Grand Illumination

• Time: Sunday, Nov. 30, from 3 to 6 p.m.
• Location: Historic New Kent County Courthouse, located at 12007 New Kent Highway

Attendees can see the historic courthouse illuminated and enjoy food and beverages. There will be a variety of holiday marketplace vendors, a candy cane scavenger hunt, a silent auction and more.

Admission is free.

☃️???? December Events ????☃️

Colonial Heights Christmas Parade

• Time: Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.
• Location: The Boulevard in Colonial Heights

This year's parade theme is "A Hollywood Christmas."

The night-time parade is free and welcomes the public.

The Bizarre Bazaar 50th Christmas Collection

• Time: Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 7
• Location: Richmond Raceway Complex, located at 600 E. Laburnum Ave.

The holiday marketplace will showcase exhibitions and collections from local artists and crafters. Food and drinks are also available at The Cafe.

Early bird tickets are $15. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $2.5 for children aged 2 to 12 years old. Visit The Bizarre Bazaar for more information.

RVA Illuminates

• Time: Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.
• Location: Kanawha Plaza, located at E. Canal Street and S. 7th Street

RVA Illuminates, a beloved Richmond and 8News tradition, will once again light up the River City. 8News personalities like 8News anchors Deanna Allbrittin and Eric Philips, StormTracker8 Chief Meteorologist Matt DiNardo and several others will join city officials in flipping the switch on Richmond’s more than 80,000 holiday lights.

While the skyline will light up at 6 p.m., there will be plenty of wintry fun to be had in the hours leading up to the ceremonial lighting.

The event is free and open to the public.

Dominion Energy Christmas Parade

• Time: Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Location: West Broad Street in Richmond.

The parade will start at the Science Museum of Virginia, then travel eastbound on West Broad Street and conclude at 7th Street near the Richmond Coliseum. The line-up includes local organizations, businesses and public entities.The Christmas Parade is free to attend.

Maymont Merry Market

• Time: Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Location: Carriage House Lawn, located at 1700 Hampton St.

More than 75 local artisans will be present at the market with handmade gifts. There will be seasonal beverages and sweet treats, the holiday train, a photobooth and more!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for attendees 16 years old and younger, and free for members. Visit Merry Market for more information.

Richmond Ballet's "The Nutcracker"

• Time: Saturday, Dec. 6, through Tuesday, Dec. 23
• Location: Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center, located at 600 E. Grace. St., Suite 400

The beloved production will bring the magic of Richmond Ballet to attendees this holiday season.

Tickets start at $31.60. Click here to purchase.

CarMax Tacky Light Run

• Time: Saturday, Dec. 13
• Location: Midlothian Mines Park, located at 13301 N. Woolridge Rd.

There will be plenty of activities — including Santa's Workshop, Twilight 1-Mile Kids Run and a costume contest — to energize participants before the light run begins at 6 p.m.

Visit CarMax Tacky Light Run to see the course and register for the event.

Fan District's Holiday House Tour

• Time: Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, noon to 5 p.m.
• Location: Various locations in the Fan District

The annual Holiday House Tour will take attendees through 10 locations this year to showcase the architectural style of the historic Fan District. There will be refreshments and entertainment in Meadow Park, which will be fully decorated for the holiday season.

Tickets for both days of the tour are $60. Pre-sale tickets are $45. Visit the Fan District Association for more information.

8News will continue to update this list throughout the holiday season. Check back for more events!