2017 Holiday Almanac Calendar

Nov. 22

Dranksgiving. 3-11:45 p.m. at Maple and Pine. With seasonal cocktails including Apple Pie Moonshine.

Maymont Mansion Holiday Tours. At Maymont Park. An extravagant Victorian home decorated as it would have been by the Dooley family. $5 suggested donation. Through Dec. 31.

“The Santaland Diaries” and “Season’s Greetings” at the Richmond Triangle Players. Comical holiday stories in action, as written by author David Sedaris. Tickets $10-$30. Through Dec. 16.

Nov. 23

Thanksgiving Dinner at Maple and Pine. 1-5:30 p.m. A special three-course dinner with a menu prepared by the restaurant’s chef, David Dunlap. $65 per person, or $22 for children 12 and younger.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Shula’s Steak House. 1-7 p.m. $20-$43.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Glen Restaurant. Noon-4 p.m. Featuring hearty Thanksgiving cuisine, plus a “holiday beverage extravaganza.” At Virginia Crossings Hotel. $20-$44.

Nov. 24

Artisan gifts, crafts for kids and Virginia wine tasting at the Art Works Holiday Shop for a different kind of Black Friday. Noon-10 p.m. Free.

Dominion GardenFest of Lights. At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Half a million twinkling lights along with activities, refreshments and awe. $8-$13 garden admission. Through Jan. 8 (see story in Arts and Culture).

Nov. 25

Friendship, Trade and Feast. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park. Enjoy food, games and music of the 17th century, and learn about the first real Thanksgiving in English America. $6-$8.

“The Snowman.” 11 a.m. at the Carpenter Theatre. A little boy’s magical friendship with a snowman, as told by the Richmond Symphony. Tickets $10-$20.

More than 20 small businesses are bringing art, jewelry and home décor to the RVA Artisan Market. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Studio Two Three.

Nov. 26

The 40th annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia. Classic displays of model trains from around the state. $13.50-$14.50. Through Nov. 26.

Cynthia Gale New York Holiday Trunk Show. Sterling silver jewelry, on sale at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts through Nov. 27.

Nov. 27

Thirty-first Tree Lighting at the Jefferson Hotel. The first seasonal lighting of hotel’s majestic Christmas tree with music and other holiday festivities. 5 p.m. Free.

Contestants from Ru Paul’s Drag Race dressed in their holiday finest for a Drag Queen Christmas: the Naughty Tour at the Carpenter Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets $22-$152.

Holiday Festival of Music. 7-9 p.m. Christmas classics provided by the Richmond Symphony and area choirs. Tickets $40-$60.

Nov. 28

Craft a wreath just as ornate as the ones seen at Maymont in the Wreath Workshop at the Maymont Stone Barn. Bring your own clippers and gloves. Tickets $25-$30. Through Nov. 30.

This classic ’90s boy band, 98 Degrees at Christmas, in sweaters. 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenter Theatre. Tickets $52-$128.

Bring a pink ornament or a toy for Quirk Hotel’s Tree Trimming and Toy Drive for ChildSavers. Receive a seasonal drink for donation.

VIP Night with the Legendary Santa. At the Children’s Museum of Richmond Central. Visit with Santa and enjoy treats and refreshments. 5:30-8 p.m.

Nov. 29

Join Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his family during the official Capitol Tree Lighting. 5-7 p.m. at the Executive Mansion. Afterwards, the house will be open for choral music and holiday refreshments. Free.

Nov. 30

GardenFest for Fidos. At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Let your leashed pup enjoy the holiday glitz of Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. $8-$13 garden admission with $2 suggested donation to the Richmond SPCA. Additional date: Jan. 4.

Bizarre Bazaar. At the Richmond Raceway Complex. Nearly 500 booths with artisanal gifts, jewelry, home and garden supplies, and crafts. Tickets $9. Through Dec. 3.

Big Band Holidays, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. 7:30 p.m. at the Altria Theatre. With guests Catherine Russell and Kenny Washington. Tickets $12-$62.

Dec. 1

Grand Illumination. 5:50-7 p.m. at the James Center. The official commencement of the renowned James Center holiday lights. Free.

The Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden will be covered in lights for the Enchanted Gardens Illumination. Filled with costumed interpreters discussing the Christmases of Poe’s time. 5-9 p.m. at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Free.

Art 180’s exhibition space, Atlas, will become a holiday market featuring arts and crafts by rising local artists such as Matt Lively and Hamilton Glass. Opens during First Fridays Art Walk and will remain open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Dec. 4 through 14.

“Miracle on South Division” at the Hanover Tavern. A comical Christmas production about a barbershop, a miracle and a scandalous deathbed confession. Tickets $42. Through Dec. 31.

Deck the Halls Workshop. 6 p.m. at the Maymont Stone Barn. Create your own holiday decorations with help from Maymont experts. Tickets $37-$45.

Andrew Peterson’s “Behold the Lamb of God.” 7 p.m. at Altria Theater. Telling of the tale of the coming of Christ. Tickets $20.

The Richmond Symphony and the Richmond Symphony Chorus combine forces for the holiday classic, Handel’s “Messiah.” 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenter Theatre. Tickets $14-$50.

A Holidaze Market and group art show will be held at Gallery5 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Featuring music from Kenneka Cook, Opin, Unmaker and Big No. Free.

An Evening of Holidays and Harps. 7 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Presented by the American Youth Ensemble. Tickets $17-$21.

Dec. 2

Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. 10 a.m. on W. Broad St. heading east from the Science Museum of Virginia to Seventh Street. See huge holiday floats, marching bands and Santa himself. Free.

Holiday shopping with 80 of the best local and national artists at the Handmade Holiday 2017, displaying products and gifts. Early bird shopping available at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2 for $5 donation to TheatreLab. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Through Dec. 3.

Pet Photos with Santa. Noon-4 p.m. at All Dog Adventures. Bring your kids and your pets to have their pictures taken with Santa by a professional photographer. Event is free but donations to Veterinary Emergency Treatment Fund are encouraged.

Gingerbread Workshop. 1 p.m. at the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. A classic holiday activity with a building demonstration, presented by the owner of Sweet Fix. $10-$30

It’s year five of RVA Krampusnacht, or Krampus Walk in Carytown where participants dress up and celebrate the horned, hooved and furry yuletide icon. Meet at Citizen Burger Bar at 5:30 p.m., walk at 6 p.m.

Let It Snow. 8 p.m. at the Carpenter Theatre. Holiday concert by the Richmond Symphony Pops. Tickets $10-$80. Through Dec. 3.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. 1-6 p.m. at England Street Tavern. Crafts, games, music and pictures with Santa. Free. Saturdays through Dec. 16.

Light Up the Tracks. 5:30 p.m. at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. The official illumination of Ashland, decorated around the tracks for all train passengers to see. Free.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen’s 19th annual Tree Lighting includes musical performances, holiday refreshments and a visit from Santa to light the tree himself. 4:30 p.m. Free.

Illumination: a Festival of Trees. See the string of Christmas trees, each with their own theme, at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Grand opening 5-7 p.m. Through Dec. 31.

Dec. 3

Clarke-Palmore Christmas Open House. 2-5 p.m. at Clarke-Palmore Museum. Tour the museum house and see what Christmas was like during the Great Depression. Free.

Old-Fashioned Christmas. Noon-4:30 p.m. at Maymont Mansion and Carriage House lawn. Enjoy Victorian-era Christmas festivities, such as games, carriage rides and festive music. Free admission, fee for activities.

Dec. 4

Henrico Concert Band Holiday Concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. With director Randy Abernathy. Free.

Dec. 6

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. The critically-acclaimed musical powerhouse on its annual winter tour. Tickets $36-$76.

Dec. 8

Holiday Tea at Virginia House. 2-4 p.m. at the Virginia Historical Society. Holiday decorations, house tours and Virginia history with a side of scones. Tickets $28-$34.

“Elf” screens at 7 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. A holiday comedy starring Will Ferrell. Rated PG. Tickets $1. Through Dec. 9.

A Charlie Brown Christmas. At the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. The charming holiday movie tradition brought to life. Presented by Henrico Theatre Company. Tickets $12. Through Dec. 9.

Bring a candle and walk through Church Hill for the Historic Candlelight Walk. Afterwards, gather at Libby Hill for Christmas carols and a visit from Santa. 7:15 p.m. at Jefferson Park. Free.

Dec. 9

Three Centuries of Virginia Christmas. Noon-5 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park. Demonstrations of Christmas traditions during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Free.

Fan Holiday House Tour. Noon-5 p.m. in the Fan. Enjoy the modern dècor, elegant holiday decorations and striking architecture of select Fan houses. Tickets $25-$35. Through Dec. 10.

The Taters Christmas Show. 8 p.m. at the Tin Pan. A local Americana band with a seasonal twist. Tickets $15.

Minor Poet’s Holiday Special. 9 p.m. at the Camel. Featuring Pirhana Rama, the Trillians and Angelica Garcia. Tickets $8-$10.

Christmas Victorian Teas. 1 and 3 p.m. at Historic Centre Hill Mansion in Petersburg. Enjoy a holiday tea at Centre Hill, one of the filming locations for the PBS series Mercy Street. Tickets $35. Additional dates include Dec. 10, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.

CarMax Tacky Light Run. 6 p.m. A 6-kilomter course covered in tacky holiday spirit. Meet at Midlothian Mines Park. $40-$45 to run.

See a parade of boats decorated for the holidays at the James River Parade of Lights. Viewing sites include Libby Hill Park, Osborne Park and Boat Landing and Dutch Gap Boat Landing of Henricus Historical Park. Viewing sites vary. 6-9 p.m. Free.

The Nutcracker at the Carpenter Theatre. The traditional holiday favorite, as performed by the talented Richmond Ballet and Richmond Symphony. Tickets $25-$125. Through Dec. 23.

Dec. 10

Carytown Artisan Market. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Carytown. Dozens of artisans with holiday shopping selections. Free.

Historic High Street Holiday Homes Tour. Noon-5 p.m. Tour eight unique and old-fashioned houses in Petersburg, on High Street, Market Street and Grove Avenue. With live music and costumed re-enactors. Tickets $20-$25.

Santa Paws. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Short Pump Park. Bring your dog out for holiday shopping and photos with Santa. Free.

Carriage rides, refreshments and music at the Valentine museum’s Court End Christmas. Includes admission to nearly a dozen participating historic sites, including St. John’s Church, the Virginia State Capitol and the John Marshall House. Noon-5 p.m. Free.

Forty-Fourth Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. 5 and 8 p.m. at Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond. Carols in the tradition of King’s College, Cambridge. Free.

This year, the theme for the Chester Kiwanis Christmas Parade is Parade of the Christmas Toys. Runs from the Chester YMCA and ends at Centre Street and Harrowgate Road. 2-5 p.m. Free.

Joe the Spy (Christmas Party). 7 p.m. at the Tin Pan. Tickets $10.

Dec. 11

Fresh Wreaths with Natural Materials. 1-4 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Personalize and decorate wreaths with a variety of embellishments. $60-$73.

Dec. 13

Richmond Divas: Holiday Divas. 7 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Female jazz vocalists performing holiday classics and Broadway hits. Tickets $30.

Community Menorah Lighting. 5:45 p.m. at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center. A Festival of Light celebration with blessings, songs and community. Free. Select dates through Dec. 19.

Dec. 14

The Weinstein Jewish Community Center presents Community Hanukkah Celebration and Laser Light Show.” Hanukkah-themed refreshments, activities, music and of course: a laser light show. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

Dec. 15

A Christmas Carol: a One-Man Play. 7 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. See all 40 characters in this classic holiday show portrayed by a single actor. Tickets $10.

Tuckahoe Plantation Open House. 4-7 p.m. at Tuckahoe Plantation. Tour the 18th-century plantation and enjoy holiday treats and cider. Tickets $5-$10.

Holiday Tea at Virginia House. 2-4 p.m. at the Virginia Historical Society. Holiday decorations, house tours and Virginia history with a side of scones. Tickets $28-$34.

Dec. 16

Wear your best ugly sweater and follow the course to participating venues in the annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Noon to 9 p.m. in downtown Richmond. Tickets $30-$46.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. A comedic spin on the classic Christmas poem. Tickets $12.

Christmas with Kos and Susan Greenbaum. 4 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. Arrangements of seasonal songs. Tickets $10.

Holiday Lantern Tours: Seven Generations of Sheppard Family Christmases. 4:30-8 p.m. at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park. Activities depicting seven generations of Sheppard family Christmases. Free.

Henrico Pops Chorus: a Holiday Portrait. 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Tickets are free, but reservation required.

Dec. 17

Chabad Hanukkah on Ice. 3-6 p.m. at the Rink at West Broad Village. Celebrate Hanukkah with Jewish food, music, ice skating and a menorah lighting. Free to attend, $10 to skate.

Dec. 19

More Naughty Than Nice Ladies Night Out. 7:30 p.m. at Firehouse Theatre. A male revue performing a seductive burlesque show. Tickets $28.45. Through Dec. 20.

Dec. 20

A benefit for the Byrd and WRIR, filmmaker John Waters presents his one-man show, a John Waters Christmas, at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown. 8 p.m. show. $40-$50 (see feature).

Dec. 22

“The Polar Express” screens at 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. A classic holiday book turned into a movie starring Tom Hanks. Rated PG. Tickets $1.

Dec. 25

The Weinstein Jewish Community Center is serving Breakfast at the J. Communal breakfast with pancakes, eggs and potatoes. 9-11 a.m. Free.

Dec. 26

Holiday Glitter Walking Tour. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn about the history of houses in the Fan, while enjoying the lights and traditions of the holidays. Presented by the Valentine museum. Meet at the Robert E. Lee statue. Tickets $5-$15. Through Dec. 27.

Dec. 30

Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. 2-9 p.m. Celebrate Kwanzaa with African-inspired dancers, drummers and singers, and African cuisine. Presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Tickets $5-$7.

TRENDING

WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW — straight to your inbox

* indicates required
Our mailing lists: