Experience the joy of the festive season in Richmond! Our guide has all the top exciting events. Whether you're a Richmond insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's festive heart.
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the Dominion GardenFest of Lights, where vibrant displays and enchanting gardens come to life with twinkling lights. Additionally, the Tacky Lights Tour showcases the city's most elaborately decorated homes, providing a whimsical experience for visitors and locals alike. And the Lewis Ginter's Gardenfest of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring stunning light artistry that transforms the gardens into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Richmond
- Lewis Ginter's Gardenfest of Lights
- Dominion GardenFest of Lights
- Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
- The Nutcracker by Richmond Ballet
- Tacky Lights Tour
- Colonial Williamsburg Christmas (Williamsburg)
- Altria Theater’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Musical
- Kings Dominion Winterfest (Doswell)
- Yuletides at Agecroft Hall
- Fan District Holiday Tour
See these and even more events listed below!
Richmond Holiday Light Displays
Dominion GardenFest of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and themed ecosystems.
Description:
Dominion GardenFest of Lights features millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, and festive dinners, celebrating interconnected environments and habitats.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Dominion GardenFest of Lights
Tacky Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with dozens of homes showcasing top tacky lights.
Description:
Join thousands of walkers and runners for a holiday celebration featuring Midlothian's best tacky light displays. Snap photos, wear your ugliest holiday sweater, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Tacky Lights Tour
Lewis Ginter's Gardenfest of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and themed habitats.
Description:
Lewis Ginter's Gardenfest of Lights features millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, and festive dinners, showcasing interconnected environments through various ecosystems.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Lewis Ginter's Gardenfest of Lights
Light Up the Tracks in Ashland
What to Expect:
A mile-long holiday light display with over ten thousand twinkling lights.
Description:
Downtown Ashland transforms its historic district into a dazzling holiday spectacle with a mile-long light display and six weeks of special events, featuring dining, shopping, and entertainment along the route.
Where: Ashland | More Info: Light Up the Tracks in Ashland
Kings Dominion Winterfest
What to Expect:
300-foot-tall Christmas tree and large ice-skating rink.
Description:
Kings Dominion Winterfest transforms the park into a winter wonderland with millions of shimmering lights, a 300-foot-tall Christmas tree, and one of the largest ice-skating rinks around. Enjoy live shows, delicious holiday treats, and a variety of fun Christmas activities.
Where: Doswell | More Info: Kings Dominion Winterfest
Richmond Holiday Markets and Shopping
Craft and Design’s Contemporary Craft Show
What to Expect:
Showcasing diverse contemporary crafts by local and national artists.
Description:
Craft and Design is a museum-quality contemporary craft show featuring works by over 150 artists in various mediums, including basketry, ceramics, and jewelry. The event takes place in Richmond, Virginia, at Main Street Station’s renovated train shed, offering panoramic views of the city.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Craft and Design’s Contemporary Craft Show
Bizarre Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique handmade goods and artwork by local makers.
Description:
Bizarre Holiday Market is a beloved handmade pop-up shop featuring the very best in handmade goods and artwork. Located at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, it showcases brilliant, funny, and talented makers with lovingly crafted items.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Bizarre Holiday Market
Made in RVA Holiday Shop
What to Expect:
Handmade local gifts featuring Richmond's historical landmarks.
Description:
Made in RVA Holiday Shop offers a curated selection of handmade local gifts, including ceramics, jewelry, candles, and paintings, all showcasing Richmond's historical landmarks and city scenes.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Made in RVA Holiday Shop
Richmond Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by Richmond Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker by Richmond Ballet is a timeless holiday classic featuring stunning choreography, lavish sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. This production has charmed audiences for over four decades with its elegant and captivating performance.
Where: Richmond | More Info: The Nutcracker by Richmond Ballet
Altria Theater’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Musical
What to Expect:
Timeless story with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical is a heart-warming holiday classic featuring hit songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Altria Theater’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Musical
Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Handbell performance by Richmond's premier ensemble.
Description:
The Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event featuring a performance by the James River Ringers, Richmond's premier handbell ensemble, as they illuminate a 20-foot tall tree in the lobby of the American Civil War Museum.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Tredegar Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa’s Symphony Soirée
What to Expect:
Exclusive holiday fundraising event with Richmond Symphony ensembles.
Description:
Santa’s Symphony Soirée is an exclusive holiday fundraising event featuring performances by the Richmond Symphony Woodwind Quintet, accompanied by festive food, craft cocktails, and thematic glassware. The event supports the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program and offers three chances to experience stellar performances.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Santa’s Symphony Soirée
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
American Civil War Museum Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Handbell performance by Richmond's premier ensemble.
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, illuminating a 20-foot tall tree in the lobby.
Where: Richmond | More Info: American Civil War Museum Tree Lighting
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
What to Expect:
Fabulous spectacle with whip-smart comedy and brand new songs.
Description:
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show is a spectacular event featuring whip-smart comedy, brand new songs, and annual favorites. Join BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon for an evening that lifts your spirits and makes you howl with laughter.
Where: Richmond | More Info: The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
Christmas with Elvis at Altria Theater
What to Expect:
Elvis's iconic hits in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas with Elvis at Altria Theater, where the King's music meets holiday cheer in a special performance.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Christmas with Elvis at Altria Theater
Richmond Other Holiday Activities
Fan District Holiday Tour
What to Expect:
Tour of homes showcasing neighborhood architectural cohesiveness and distinctiveness.
Description:
The Fan District Association's Holiday House Tour showcases homes that capture the neighborhood's architectural cohesiveness and distinctiveness, highlighting what makes the Fan uniquely Richmond.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Fan District Holiday Tour
Yuletides at Agecroft Hall
What to Expect:
Historical holiday celebration in a 16th-century English country house setting.
Description:
Time travel through the holiday season at Agecroft Hall and Gardens, where you can explore a FREE family-friendly event filled with historical charm and festive atmosphere.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Yuletides at Agecroft Hall
Church Hill Candlelight Walk
What to Expect:
Historic gas-lit streets illuminated by participants' candles.
Description:
The Church Hill Candlelight Walk is a family-friendly event featuring a community Vespers service at Historic St. John's Church, followed by a candlelit walk through Church Hill's historic gas-lit streets. The walk includes caroling, live music, and vendors offering food, beverages, and flowers. Participants are encouraged to bring their own candles.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Church Hill Candlelight Walk
Colonial Williamsburg Christmas
What to Expect:
Historical holiday celebrations with authentic 18th-century decorations and activities.
Description:
Colonial Williamsburg Christmas offers enduring traditions, charming decorations, and world-class dining experiences. The holiday season is filled with unique holiday programs, festive decorations, and historical reenactments.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Colonial Williamsburg Christmas
Christmas Tea at The Jefferson
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday tea with seasonal ingredients and decorations.
Description:
Indulge in a traditional tea experience at The Jefferson, featuring seasonal ingredients and delightful decorations.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Christmas Tea at The Jefferson
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Tuckahoe (6 miles)
- Mechanicsville (6 miles)
- Short Pump (11 miles)
- Chester (14 miles)
- Hopewell (20 miles)
- Petersburg (23 miles)