Discover the charm of the holidays in Richmond with our ultimate guide. From Richmond locals to international travelers, our guide reveals the city's seasonal charm.
One highlight of the season is Lewis Ginter’s Gardenfest of Lights, where thousands of twinkling lights transform the garden into a winter wonderland. Another delightful experience is The Nutcracker, which captivates audiences with its enchanting tale and stunning performances. And the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring festive floats and joyous music that usher in the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Richmond Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Richmond
- Lewis Ginter’s Gardenfest of Lights
- The Nutcracker
- Tacky Lights Tours
- Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
- Let It Snow Richmond Symphony Concert
- Holiday Illumination: 25TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
- Craft and Design’s Contemporary Craft Show
- Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Studio Two Three Winter Market
- Light Up the Tracks in Ashland (Ashland)
See these and even more events listed below!
Richmond Holiday Light Displays
Lewis Ginter’s Gardenfest of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and themed model train exhibits.
Description:
Lewis Ginter’s Gardenfest of Lights features millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, and festive dinners, celebrating interconnected environments and ecosystems.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Lewis Ginter’s Gardenfest of Lights
Tacky Lights Tours
What to Expect:
Customizable holiday light tour with BYOB option.
Description:
Explore Richmond's best holiday lights displays on a comfortable, climate-controlled bus. See the wildest, brightest, and zaniest light displays all over town. Customizable tours allow you to visit specific homes or make pit stops, and BYOB is permitted. Pick-up and drop-off within Richmond city limits are included.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Tacky Lights Tours
Light Up the Tracks in Ashland
What to Expect:
Mile-long holiday light display with over ten thousand lights.
Description:
Downtown Ashland transforms its historic district into a vibrant holiday spectacle with a mile-long light display and six weeks of special events. Over ten thousand twinkling lights illuminate the route, offering a dazzling experience for visitors. The event features dining, shopping, and entertainment along the way, making it a memorable holiday experience.
Where: Ashland | More Info: Light Up the Tracks in Ashland
Richmond Holiday Markets and Shopping
Craft and Design’s Contemporary Craft Show
What to Expect:
Premier holiday shopping event with handcrafted, museum-quality art.
Description:
Craft and Design is a museum-quality contemporary craft show featuring over 150 artists from across the country, showcasing their original works in various media like ceramics, glass, and jewelry.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Craft and Design’s Contemporary Craft Show
Studio Two Three Winter Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market with local art and vendors.
Description:
Studio Two Three's Winter Market offers a vibrant marketplace with hundreds of visitors, sales processing, and advertising. Vendors provide their art and wares, and the studio handles sales tax collection and promotion. The event is open daily from November 27th to December 24th.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Studio Two Three Winter Market
Holiday Villages 2023: The Richmond Night Market
What to Expect:
Celebrating creativity and commerce in a vibrant community setting.
Description:
The Richmond Night Market is an open-air market held every 2nd Saturday from 5pm-9pm at 17th Street Market in Richmond, VA. It showcases creativity, commerce, and community by featuring artisan villages, creative kids' hangouts, live music, and live art activations.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Holiday Villages 2023: The Richmond Night Market
Carytown Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Juried event for handmade, unique artistic products.
Description:
The Carytown Holiday Artisan Market is a two-day event featuring artisans, makers, and food trucks at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia. This juried event showcases handmade, unique artistic products.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Carytown Holiday Artisan Market
Richmond Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker, choreographed by Stoner Winslett and featuring Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's iconic score, is a holiday classic that has charmed Virginians for over four decades with its stunning choreography, lavish sets, and costumes.
Where: Richmond | More Info: The Nutcracker
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Colorful floats and giant helium balloons.
Description:
The Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is a vibrant holiday event featuring colorful floats, giant helium balloons, high school and college marching bands, princesses, superheroes, and Legendary Santa. The parade begins at the Science Museum of Virginia and travels eastbound on Broad Street to conclude near the Richmond Coliseum.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
Let It Snow Richmond Symphony Concert
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with special guest appearances and family-friendly performances.
Description:
The Richmond Symphony presents Let It Snow featuring holiday classics and special appearances by Desiree Roots and Soul Santa, with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and Greater Richmond Children's Choir.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Let It Snow Richmond Symphony Concert
Holiday Illumination: 25TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live music and Santa visit.
Description:
The 25th Annual Tree Lighting at the Cultural Arts Center features holiday music performances, a toasty bonfire, and a special visit from Santa to light the iconic cedar Christmas tree. The event includes the grand opening of the Illumination - A Festival of Trees Exhibit.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Holiday Illumination: 25TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Handbell performance lighting a 20-foot tall tree.
Description:
The First Annual Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony at the American Civil War Museum features a performance by the James River Ringers, Richmond's premier handbell ensemble, as they illuminate a 20-foot tall tree in the lobby.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa’s Symphony Soirée
What to Expect:
Woodwind quintet performances with festive food and drinks.
Description:
Join the Richmond Symphony for an exclusive holiday fundraising event featuring stellar performances by the Richmond Symphony Woodwind Quintet, accompanied by festive food, craft cocktails, and thematic glassware. Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer and support the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Santa’s Symphony Soirée
Richmond Other Holiday Activities
Colonial Heights Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Unique nighttime parade with holiday-themed floats and performances.
Description:
The 71st Annual Colonial Heights Christmas Parade features a "Candy Canes and Christmas Carols" theme, drawing people from the Tri-Cities area with its unique nighttime event. The parade includes floats, bands, and holiday performances, evoking fond memories for long-time residents and visitors alike.
Where: Colonial Heights | More Info: Colonial Heights Christmas Parade
Yuletides at Agecroft Hall
What to Expect:
Historical holiday celebration with family-friendly activities.
Description:
Time travel through the holiday season at Agecroft Hall Gardens, where you can explore a FREE family-friendly event filled with historical charm and festive activities.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Yuletides at Agecroft Hall
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Oxford (24 miles)
- Trotwood (31 miles)
- Middletown (34 miles)
- Hamilton (34 miles)
- Miamisburg (35 miles)
- Muncie (36 miles)
- Dayton (37 miles)
- Fairfield (38 miles)
- Troy (39 miles)
- Kettering (40 miles)
- Huber Heights (41 miles)
- Piqua (41 miles)
- Riverside (41 miles)
- Centerville (41 miles)
- Beavercreek (45 miles)
- Mason (45 miles)