What to Do in Richmond This Week: Dec. 5-11

"Elf: The Musical," holiday house tours, boozy Santas + more.

Dec. 5

M&T Bank Lights Up For Reading Night: Join the GardenKeeper, Nutzy and more holiday character friends for story time on the half-hour. Children can participate in a craft to make a literacy-themed holiday garland. Bring new or like-new books to donate to the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s RVA Book Buggy. Runs 5-7:30 p.m., tickets cost $5-$13.

Dec. 8

A Celtic Christmas Concert at Ashland Coffee and Tea. 8 p.m. Tickets $15.

University of Richmond’s Chapel Guild Christmas House Tour features four historic houses in Goochland County and the university chapel. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $40. 289-8500.

Dec. 9

“Elf, the Musical” at Altria Theatre. 8 p.m. Experience the stage version of the classic Will Ferrell holiday movie. Runs through the weekend with showings Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets cost $38-$73 plus fees.

RVA Tacky Light tour. Winn Transportation picks up at Gus’ Bar and Grill. 7-11 p.m. Registration required. Cost: $35. kickball.com/season/varvatackylighttourfall2016.

A Church Hill Holiday Tour: Vesper service at St. John’s Church followed by candlelight walk from there to Libby Hill Park, led by bagpipers. Caroling, cider and cookies follow. Free. 7 p.m.

Three-Penny Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol: a Ghost Story for Christmas” at 7 p.m. at the Gayton Kirk at 11421 Gayton Road in Henrico County. Pay what you can.

VCU Department of Music Holiday Gala in Vlahcevic Concert Hall features VCU’s Jazz Orchestra II, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Commonwealth Singers and other university ensembles. Tickets $5-$10.

An evening of holiday favorites featuring the Ranier Trio with soprano Leslie Mabe at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center. Tickets $15-$20.

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities holds a holiday open house at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road from 6-8 p.m.

A Crooner’s Christmas with the Good Shot Judy Little Big Band at the Tin Pan at 8 p.m. Tickets $15-$18.

A Butcher Brown Christmas at Cary Street Café. 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Dec. 10

The 2016 Fan Holiday House Tour. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 day of tour. Visit fantourrichmond.com to buy online through Dec. 9.

Quirk’s Boozy Santa Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Quirk Hotel, 201 W. Broad St. Free photos with Quirk Santa.

Sail into the season with a lighted boat parade at the James River Parade of Lights at Osborne Park and Boat Landing. 4 p.m. Free.

Richmond Ballet presents the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” at the Dominion Arts Center with the Richmond Symphony. Choreographed by Stoner Winslett. Runs through Dec. 23. Tickets start at $20. Visit richmondballet.com for details.

Kentucky Christmas Morning Release (Gingerbread Stout with Coffee aged in Bourbon Barrels) at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Bands to be announced. 1 p.m.

Church Hill Holiday Party with music, food, dancing in a party tent behind ChildSavers, overlooking the city skyline. Open to all. Tickets are $45 in advance from churchhill.org. 7-11 p.m.

CarMax Tacky Light Run in Midlothian Mines Park. 5 p.m. $10-$45.

Dec. 11

30th annual Court End Christmas features nine historic downtown sites, each host to a free holiday open house. Events include guided tours, living history, children’s activities, refreshments, carriage rides and music. Sites include the Valentine and the 1812 Wickham House, the Valentine First Freedom Center, the John Marshall House, the State Capitol, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monumental Church, the Egyptian Building and St. John’s Church. Free.

Yuletides at Agecroft: a Christmas Open House. Experience the Christmas season at Agecroft in three different eras: England in 1640, London in 1860 and Richmond in 1942. Plus a reading of the classic “A Christmas Carol.” Free.

Church Hill Holiday Homes Tour starts at noon. $25 in advance from churchhill.org or various businesses listed. $30 day of the tour, available for pickup on tour day from St. John’s Church. Details on houses are on the website.

For more ideas on what to do in Richmond between now and New Year’s, check out the 2016 Holiday Almanac Calendar.

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