Photo courtesy of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The following events are in addition to our spotlighted events that can be found in the Datebook section. Please visit Datebook for our editors' highlighted picks. Are you looking to submit an event of your own? Please submit it here for our consideration.
holiday events
Dominion Christmas Parade, 12/6
The parade returns for its 31st year with floats, marching bands, balloons and, of course, Santa Claus. The parade will depart from the Science Museum of Virginia on West Broad Street and continue on to 7th Street. Dec. 6. 10 a.m. 788-6478 or richmondparade.org.
Drifty’s Snow Dance, 12/1-22
A new show in Swift Creek Mill Theatre’s “Drifty the Snowman” series, for children in pre-kindergarten through third grade. $8.75, with a pizza lunch available for $2. 748-5203
or swiftcreekmill.com
Bethlehem Walk, 12/3-7
Now in its 10th year, this event at Salem Baptist Church’s Manakin campus promises
an interactive, realistic experience of the time and place of Jesus Christ’s birth, as well as scenes of major occurrences in the life of Christ. Times vary. Free, but donations are welcome. 784-4171 or salembaptistchurch.info.
Behold the Lamb of God, 12/4
Andrew Peterson performs the “true tall tale of the coming of Christ” in concert with singer/songwriters Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn and Ben Shive at Richmond CenterStage’s Carpenter Theatre. 7 p.m. $20 to $30. 592-3330 or richmondcenterstage.com.
Grand Illumination, 12/5
Watch Richmond’s downtown light up during this annual event at the James Center (1051 E. Cary St.) kicking off the holiday season. 6 to 7 p.m. Free. 344-3232 or thejamescenter.com/grandill.html
“An Evening of Holidays from Stage and Screen,” 12/5
The Richmond Men’s Chorus and Richmond Women’s Chorus will present beloved selections from the past 50 years and beyond at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. 7 p.m. $15 to $18. 261-2787 or artsglenallen.com
Michael W. Smith, 12/6
The three-time Grammy Award winner performs holiday songs from his new album, Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas. Altria Theater. 8 p.m. $35 to $65. (800) 514-3849 or altriatheater.com
Richmond Symphony Chorus, 12/6-7, 13
The chorus’ annual “Let It Snow” concert at the Carpenter Theatre is performed Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. $10 to $78 for adults. The chorus will also perform Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. $20 to $50 for adults. 788-1212 or richmondsymphony.com
Hanover Christmas, 12/12-13
Camp Hanover invites guests to be part of the story of Jesus’ birth through music, drama and fellowship in an event suitable for all ages. 6 to 9 p.m. A $10 donation per person is suggested, and overnight accommodations are available. 779-2811 or camphanover.org
Ashland Walking Tour, 12/14
The Ashland Museum will conduct two guided holiday walking tours through downtown Ashland, a couple of historic neighborhoods, the old campus of Randolph-Macon College and inside 304 College Ave., where light refreshments will be served. 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. $25 to $30. 368-7314 or ashlandmuseum.org
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, 12/14
As part of the 30th anniversary of the annual tour, Mannheim Steamroller stops in Richmond to perform Christmas melodies in a holiday show created by Grammy Award winner Chip Davis. Altria Theater. 7 p.m. $38 to $68. (800) 514-3849 or altriatheater.com
The Nutcracker, 12/19-28
Richmond Ballet’s professional company as well as students from the School of Richmond Ballet will perform Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic at the Richmond CenterStage’s Carpenter Theatre. $20 to $125. On Dec. 20 and 23, guests can attend Clara’s Tea Party in Rhythm Hall after the show and enjoy snacks and tea with their favorite characters. $25. Times vary. 344-0906, ext. 224, or richmondballet.com
Twas the Night Before Christmas, 12/20
Theatre IV on Tour performs this family-friendly musical based both on the famous poem and on the life of the poet, Clement Moore. Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. 10 and 11:30 a.m. $12. 261-2787 or artsglenallen.com
Legendary Santa through 12/24
The jolly old elf returns to the Children’s Museum of Richmond. General admission is free, but avoid the lines with Sunrise or Sunset with Santa and see St. Nick come down the chimney ($60 per family). Another tradition, Tea with Santa, returns downtown to the Hilton Garden Inn (the former Miller & Rhoads location) for several dates ($40 for afternoon teas, $46 for an evening tea Dec. 20). 474-7000 or c-mor.org/legendary-santa
Santa’s Christmas Miracle through 12/28
Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn will present a country and western musical comedy about a town where Christmas has been outlawed. Come early for brunch and sing-alongs with Santa, Snow Bear and characters from the show. Times vary. $20 for the show, $16 for a brunch ticket. 282-2620 or va-rep.org
Dominion GardenFest of Lights through 1/12
This year’s theme, “Legacy in Lights,” pays homage to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s past, when the facility used to be a bicycle club, with bicycle-themed decorations, over 500,000 holiday lights and more. $12. 5 to 10 p.m. 262-9887 or lewisginter.org
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival, 12/27
Experience the culture, family and community of Kwanzaa presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Event highlights include performances, workshops, speakers, an African market and a candle lighting. Altria Theater. 1 to 9 p.m. $5 to $7. 644-3900 or efsinc.org
New Year’s Eve Family Frolic, 12/31
Guests can literally “roll in the new year” (if the weather permits) at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Kelly Education Center. In addition to a hillside tumble, guests get the chance to meet the “ululating mummies” and take photos with the Butterfly Fairy and GardenKeeper. 2 to 5 p.m. $5 to $12. 262-9887or lewisginter.org
music
Annie Moses Band with Joshua Carswell, 12/6
An acclaimed classical crossover ensemble, the Annie Moses Band reimagines holiday classics and debuts original songs. The Heights Baptist Church. 7 p.m. $20. 526-0424 or theheightsonline.com
Tedeschi Trucks Band, 12/11
Husband-and-wife team Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi lead an 11-piece ensemble performing a blend of blues, jazz, rock and soul. Carpenter Theatre. 8 p.m. $35 to $79. 592-3400 or rich mondcenterstage.com
Kenny Rogers with special guest Linda Davis, 12/17
Join Kenny Rogers for a holiday performance of “Christmas & Hits Through the Years.” Altria Theater. 8 p.m. $45 to $90. 592-3384 or altriatheater.com
No BS! Brass Band, 12/19
Richmond’s favorite big, brass band brings its New Orleans-infused sound to The Broadberry in conjunction with a canned food drive. 8 p.m. $12 (or $8, with canned goods). 353-1888 or thebroadberry.com
art
Joshua Barber, 12/4-1/11
The Sara D. November Art Gallery at the Weinstein JCC will exhibit the paintings of Joshua Barber, featuring modern-day icons and landscapes. 285-6500 or weinsteinjcc.org
“Black Forest” through 12/20
Candela Books and Gallery exhibits surrealist photographs in its front gallery to complement the release of Black Forest, a book of surrealist images, edited by Russell Joslin. 225-5527 or candelabooks.com
“Forbidden City” through 1/11
This exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts includes more than 200 ancient works from the Ming and Qing dynasties. $20. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum
“Table” through 1/16
Curated pieces and original works by eight artists both celebrate and scrutinize traditional formal dining through ceramics, wood, metal, fibers and glass. Visual Arts Center of Richmond. 353-0094 or visarts.org
“To Be Sold” through 5/30/2015
This exhibition exploring the domestic slave trade includes paintings by British artist Eyre Crowe and more than 100 artifacts and documents. Library of Virginia. 692-3500 or lva.virginia.gov
stage
A Christmas Carol, 12/5-11
Charles Dickens’ story of Ebenezer Scrooge encountering three ghosts on Christmas Eve returns to Randolph-Macon College’s Cobb Theater. Times vary. $5. 752-7316 or rmc.edu/departments/drama/current-season
Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend, 12/9-10
Join Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby and other Sesame Street favorites as they explore friendship and celebrate cultural similarities during a performance highlighted with singing and dancing. Carpenter Theatre. 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 9; 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 10. $17 to $60. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com
G2K Once Upon a Mattress, 12/11-21
Directed by Taylor Bernard with musical direction by Dee Lynch, the show is part of the G2K (Getting to Know) series from the Rodgers & Hammerstein Musical Theater Library. SPARC Center. $12. 353-3393 or sparconline.org
The Melody Lingers On: The Songs of Irving Berlin, 12/11-21
It’s the only musical telling of Irving Berlin’s story approved by his estate, and 44 of Berlin’s famous songs are featured in this Weinstein JCC production. $10 to $20. 285-6500 or weinsteinjcc.org
We Three Lizas through 12/13
A Mid-Atlantic premiere at Richmond Triangle Players, We Three Lizas is the quirky retelling of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. $18 to $30. 346-8113 or rtriangle.org
A Civil War Christmas through 12/20
It’s 1864 and the coldest Christmas Eve in years. The president and Mrs. Lincoln are in the White House; exhausted troops hunker down on the banks of the Potomac; and slaves are looking to find their way to freedom in this musical at Firehouse Theatre. $35. 355-2001 or firehousetheatre.org
They’re Playing Our Song through 1/4
In this Tony-nominated musical filled with laughter, love and catchy beats, a wisecracking composer and a slightly disorganized, offbeat lyricist come together in hopes of a successful collaboration. Hanover Tavern. $40. 282-2620 or va-rep.org
Mame, 11/21-1/11
Emily Skinner plays Mame Dennis, an eccentric, wealthy woman whose
life changes when her new nephew comes to live with her. Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre. $48 to $60. 282-2620 or va-rep.org
