Downtown Holiday Events

Where to get your holiday spirit on in the downtown area.

Ho, ho there. Indeed, there will still be twinkling lights and cheerful holiday music downtown, even as we close out this most awful of years – and really, this is a season when many of us need the holiday cheer more than ever. Check out some of these downtown happenings to help get you in the spirit.

Holiday Villages, Saturdays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19
A multicultural holiday market shopping experience presented by the Richmond Night Market and community partners, shop at six designated and activated spaces featuring 8 to 12 vendors per location and live music. For details, visit richmondnightmarketva.com.

Atlantic Union Bank and Trust LolliPops: “The Snowman” at the Carpenter Theatre, Saturday, Nov. 28
Kick off the holiday season with the Richmond Symphony and this animated film either in person in a socially distanced performance or virtually. 11 a.m. to noon. For information, visit richmondsymphony.com.

Shop Small Saturday Downtown, Saturday, Nov. 28
Join Broad Street businesses such as Little Nomad, Elegba Folklore Society, Verdalina, Someday and Waller & Company Jewelers in this celebration of small businesses. Visit venturerichmond.com for information. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

RVA Illuminates, Friday, Dec. 4
That switch gets flipped to light up Richmond’s downtown skyline, which likely features a lot of empty buildings this year, but they won’t dampen the beauty. The event also includes music and performances – and you can watch it all on television this year, ABC channel 8. 6 p.m.

Holiday Lights on the Riverfront, Dec. 4, 12 and 19
The bridges to Brown’s Island will be strung with lights so that people can take a socially distanced walk outside in a big open space and enjoy the talents of Jonathan the Juggler, and food and drink from Curbside Creations and Espresso-a-Go-Go. 6 to 8 p.m.

Screening of “Elf” at Brown’s Island, Saturday, Dec. 5
Sit outside in a socially distanced fashion for a screening of that modern Christmas classic starring Will Ferrell as a ginormous, sugar-swilling doofus. Don’t forget your face masks. 6 p.m. $5.

Winter Wander at the Valentine, Sunday, Dec. 6
This free event replaces Court End Christmas at the Valentine and offers live music in the garden, hot beverages and self-guided tour of historic Court End neighborhood. Noon to 4 p.m.

Home for the Holidays, Richmond Symphony livestream, Dec. 7.
Stay home for the holidays and join a virtual live stream Holiday Festival of Music featuring favorites by the Richmond Symphony. 6:30 p.m. richmondsymphony.com.

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