Thursday, Dec. 12

RVA Broads Holiday Bash Benefit for Art180 with Mackenzie Roark, Erin Lunsford, Kelsey Ryan, Sweet Touch and more @ Reveler Experiences

Presented by RVA Broads, a group that supports women in the arts, tonight’s special event features eight “femme-fronted acts” and handmade wares by some of “RVA’s best craftswomen,” all in support of the great local nonprofit, Art180, which offers workshops, education and events for young people. Performers include Erin Lunsford, Kelsey Ryan, Mackenzie Roark (pictured above), IONNA, Sweet Touch, Sophie Colette, Mara Smith, and Allie Longworth, and many special guests! Makers include Zandra, Jukebox Bolos, and more. Admission is $15. Doors at 7 p.m. and music at 8 p.m.

Drag Bingo hosted by Michelle Livigne at Hardywood
You know you like bingo. So get on down for a few fabulous rounds at Hardywood plus a drag show. Come hungry with 20% off select pizzas for those participating. Rain or shine. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings at Bolling Haxall House

Experience classic Christmas carols by the Listeso String Quartet surrounded by thousands of candles in a historic setting. 211 E. Franklin St. The next one is on Dec. 20. Tickets start at $24. Times vary. Find more information go here.

Friday, Dec. 13

The Holiday Spectacular from the Central Virginia Wind Symphony with Music Director Mike Goldberg at Cosby High School (Chesterfield)

Comprised of talented high school musicians from around Central Virginia, this free night of holiday music allows you to check out rising young musicians from schools in Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield and Goochland, as well as Stafford County and the Tri-Cities. The ensemble will be conducted by Mike Goldberg (WTVR-CBS 6 and VPM) and will feature John Porter, host from VPM Music, as the guest narrator for “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” CBS6 anchor Bill Fitzgerald will also host the evening. The performance will be recorded for broadcast by WTVR-CBS 6 and VPM Music. Free to attend.  8 p.m. More information is available at www.thewindsymphony.com.

Richmond Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at Carpenter Theatre

Stoner Winslet’s take on this holiday classic has gotten mileage out of some major New York Times props, and for years this show has been somewhat of a rite of passage in RVA that features plenty of local kids in great costumes; a true community effort. Friday night’s show is at 7 p.m. while there are also shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 14) and 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 15). Runs through Dec. 23. Ticket prices start at $27.

Saturday, Dec.14

RVA Tacky Light bike ride

It’s so cold and dark out there, who could resist a big crew of well-lit, easily visible RVA bikers riding long and far to check out all the holiday lights – ‘tis the season to be tacky. The event page also says there will Mexican hot chocolate. 5 p.m. at Monroe Park. Be safe out there, y’all.

Richmond Boat Parade of Lights

When it gets dark early, it can be a little depressing; many people go to work in the cold dark and come home in the cold dark without so much as a moment of outside sun (sounds a little like beginner’s prison, right?) So it’s not surprising that so many winter events feature lights at night – like this parade of decorated boats which starts at City of Richmond’s Intermediate Terminal, 3101 Wharf St. You can watch along the riverfront, or from the Boathouse at Rocketts, or the Lilly Pad, which offers a private riverfront viewing area for $10. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

UPDATED: Silent Music Revival Holiday Edition featuring “Kerstmis-Herinneringen” at Shop Two Three (1437 Hull St.)

Frohe Weihnachten, Richmond! You might think that you’ve seen every Christmas movie there is – even “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” – but chances are you’ve never been treated to “Kerstmis-Herinneringen,” an atmospheric 1925 holiday film to be screened on Saturday. This rare example of early German cinema will be the main attraction of a holiday edition of the Silent Music Revival, a long-running series curated by Jameson Price, that pairs impossibly hard-to-find silent films with improvised live soundtracks from area musicians (who have never before seen the film). For this seasonal installment, the folky Mead the Dear will supply the tones, and there will be a live spoken word translation of the film’s German subtitles. “It’s similar to Santa-themed movies we’ve shown in the past,” says Price. “But it was made by a director [Frank E. Kleinschmidt] who specialized in making Arctic nature films. The environment is one of the main characters.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the program will commence at 7:30 with the 1923 documentary short, “Winter.” The event is free but seating is limited and donations are appreciated. –Don Harrison

Carytown Holiday Artisan market at City Stadium

Looking for some day shopping for gifts? This two-day event features unique, handmade gifts and goods, over 150 vendors, live music, craft beverages and food trucks. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also on Dec. 15.

’90s Mall Holiday Market at Bingo Beer Co.

It’s hard to resist a theme like “The Mall is Da Bomb,” so why try? An indoor and tented event, this market offers two days of all local shopping think vintage, home décor, art, jewelry, woodworking, and apparel — as well as pictures with Santa, special food court snacks and of course, the arcade. Dec. 14 and 15, noon to 5 p.m. at Bingo Beer Co., 2900 West Broad St.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Fifth Annual Holiday Artisan Market at Main Line Brewery

Avoid the big box stores and shop RVA small businesses at this indoor and outdoor event featuring all kinds of artisans and craftspeople. Bring your pup and after shopping, stay for live music and games for the little ones. Dec. 15, 2 to 6 p.m. at Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Lane. (Karen Newton)

Winter Black Market at Fallout

This is the market for the fetishists and dark souls on your gift list. Here you can shop to find body-shaped planters, sadistic monstrosities and handmade bone jewelry, all to a killer soundtrack. Fallout celebrates diversity and inclusion, so check your hate or intolerance at the door. Dec. 15 and 22, 5-9 p.m. at Fallout, 117 N. 18th St. (K.N.)