‘Tis the season: Holiday happenings in Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The holiday season is quickly approaching, and we want to ensure you are ready to celebrate.

The Central Virginia community has a lot of events happening this holiday season and you’re invited to join the fun.

Check out the list below to start planning your holiday season.

Saturday, Nov. 5 - Saturday, Dec. 24

Santa’s Wonderland Experience

• Santa arrives at Bass Pro Shops (Ashland) and Cabela’s (Short Pump) on Nov. 5. Photo sessions begin Nov. 6
• Reservations recommended: Bass Pro Shops | Cabela’s

Monday, Nov. 7 - Friday, Dec. 2

The Salvation Army Angel Tree

• This event will take place Monday through Friday at Stony Point Fashion park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Angel Tree is located in the Salvation Army Distribution Center at Stony Point Fashion Park (former Dick’s Sporting Goods location, parking lot entrance).
• Shoppers can adopt an angel which represents a child from one of our trees by selecting a tag with a child’s wish. Buy gifts for them and return to the Angel Tree site by Dec. 2
• More information

Friday, Nov. 11 - Saturday, Jan. 1

Illuminate Light Show

• Rain or shine at Meadows Event Park
• More information

Saturday, Nov. 19

Light up the Tracks celebration

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ashland Town Hall located at 121 Thompson Street
• More information

Holiday Tree Lighting

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stony Point Fashion Park
• More information

Saturday, Nov. 19 - Monday, Jan. 2

Stony Point Ice Rink

• This event will take place at Triangle Park near Anthropologie located at Stoney Point Fashion Park
• More Information

Sunday, Nov. 20

Ashland / Hanover Holiday Parade

• 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. the parade will begin between the intersection of Thompson Street at Snead Street
• More information

Monday, Nov. 21 - Thursday, Jan. 8

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

• This event will take place at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• More information

Thursday, Nov. 24 - Saturday, Dec. 31

Richmond Holiday Lights Show

• This event kicks off Thanksgiving Day at Richmond Raceway
• More information

Friday, Nov. 25 - Saturday, Dec. 31

Made in RVA Holiday Shop at Art Works

• This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 320 Hull Street
• More information

Friday, Nov. 25 - Wednesday, Nov. 30

Christmas Craft Show “Christmas at the Inn”

• This event will take place at the Virginia Cliffe Inn located at 2900 Mountain Road
• More information

Friday, Nov. 25 - Sunday, Dec. 18 (Black Friday & Weekends only)

Sip & Shop

• This event will take place at Stony Point Fashion Park
• More information

Saturday, Nov. 26 - Sunday, Nov. 27

Richmond Symphony presents Let it Snow!

• This event will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday at Dominion Energy Center located at 600 E. Grace Street.
• More information

Saturday, Nov. 26 - Saturday, Dec. 24

Legendary Santa

• This event will take place at the Children’s Museum of Richmond.
• More information

Tuesdays, from Nov. 29 - Tuesday, Dec. 20

Holiday Theme Ice Skating Nights

• This event will take place at Stoney Point Fashion Park
• More Information

Thursday, Dec. 1

Virginia Union University Host annual Winter concert

• This event will begin at 7 p.m. at Allix B. James Chapel in Coburn Hall located on the campus of Virginia Union University on 1500 N Lombardy Street.

Thursday, Dec. 1 - 4

The Bizarre Bazaar - The 47th Christmas Collection

• This event will take place at the Richmond Raceway Complex
• More information

Friday, Dec. 2

RVA Illuminates Kanawha Plaza

• This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kanawha Plaza located at 801 E. Canal Street.
• Count down the tree lighting and Downtown Richmond skyline lights at 5:59 p.m. when all the lights come ON! Enjoy this free event featuring live performances, food trucks and a little extra sparkle from holiday lights in Richmond, VA.

Elf at Kanawha Plaza

• This event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Kanawha Plaza located at 801 E. Canal Street.
• Enjoy an evening featuring the movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell, while taking in the stunning views of Downtown’s holiday skyline.

RVA Illuminates at 17th Street Market

• This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 17th Street Market located at 100 N. 17th Street.
• Join WWBT NBC12 at 17th Street Market as they kick off the holiday season in Shockoe Bottom! Activities include the countdown and lighting of the 17th Street Market tree, performances and food trucks. This event is free and open to the public.

RVA First Friday

• This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Downtown’s Arts District along Broad Street
• More information

A Richmond Big Band Christmas

• Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
• More information

A Jazz Christmas with David Esleck

• Friday at 7 p.m. at Second Baptist Church located at 9614 River Road
• More information

Saturday, Dec. 3

Dominion Energy Christmas Parade

• This event will begin at 10 a.m. starting at the Science Museum of Virginia.
• More information

The Official Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

• This event takes place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• More information

Cookies with Santa

• This event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center located at 13900 Hull Street Road.
• More information

Ashland Christmas Market

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Historic Downtown Ashland 201 South Railroad Avenue
• More information

Hot Cocoa with Santa

• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Werkit RVA Selfie Museum located at 4915 West Broad Street
• More information

A Jazz Christmas with David Esleck

• 7 p.m. at Second Baptist Church located at 9614 River Road
• More information

Kakes Contours Toy Drive

• 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Stony Point Fashion Park
• More information

Smile with Santa at Hardywood

• 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery located at 2410 Ownby Lane
• More information

24th annual Tree Lighting

• 4:30 to 7 p.m. at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen at 2880 Mountain Road
• More information

Sunday, Dec. 4

Holiday Guided History Tour

• 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ashland Museum located at 105 Hanover Avenue
• More information

A Jazz Christmas with David Esleck

• 5:30 p.m. at Second Baptist Church located at 9614 River Road
• More information

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Christmas with the Celts

• Doors open at 6 p.m. event starts at 8 p.m. at The Tin Pan located at 8982 Quioccasin Road
• More information

Thursday, Dec. 8

Senator Amanda Chase’s Christmas Gala

• This event will start at 6 p.m. at the Keystone Antique Truck & Tractor Museum located at 880 W Roslyn Road.
• More information

Holiday Villages Kicks off at the Valentine

• This event will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Valentine located at 1015 E Clay St.
• More information

Friday, Dec. 9 - Friday, Dec. 23

Richmond Ballet’s The Nutcracker

• This event will take place at the Dominion Energy Center located at 600 E. Grace Street. The times for performances will vary.
• More information

Saturday, Dec. 10

Jolly Jaunt Bar Crawl

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Origin Beer Lab located at 106 South Railroad Avenue
• More information

Tacky Light Tour

• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at JC Penney Parking lot located at 4541 Laburnum Ave
• More information

Tacky Light Run

• 6 p.m. at Midlothian Mines Park located at 13301 N Woolridge Road
• More information

Richmond Boat Parade of Lights

• This event will start at 4:45 p.m. at Rockett’s landing
• More information

Sunday, Dec. 11

The Valentine presents Winter Wander

• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Valentine located at 1015 East Clay Street
• More information

Annual Advent / Christmas Concert with the River Road Chancel Choir

• 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at River Road Church located at 8000 River Road
• More information

Smile with Santa at Hardywood

• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery located at 820 Sanctuary Trail Drive
• More information

Wednesday, Dec. 14

A Magical Cirque Christmas

• Doors open at 6:30 p.m. event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Altria Theater
• More information

Saturday, Dec. 17

Tacky Light Tour

• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at JC Penney Parking lot located at 4541 Laburnum Ave
• More information

The Official Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

• This event takes place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• More information

Sunday, Dec. 18

Santa Breakfast at Oakdale

• 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Oakdale located at 13497 Ashland Road
• More information

Friday, Dec. 23

American Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive

• This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stony Point Fashion Park.
• More information

Please note: If you’re looking for New Year’s Eve events, we will publish a list in December!

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