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Photo by Sarah Ferguson © Richmond Ballet 2011
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Photo by Tina Eshleman
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Photo courtesy Dominion Christmas Parade
The Richmond Ballet will present 13 performances of The Nutcracker from Dec. 14 to 23, with live music from the Richmond Symphony in the Carpenter Theatre. $20 to $125. Meet your favorite characters at Clara's Tea Party in Rhythm Hall after select matinee performances on Dec. 14, 21 and 23. $25. 344-0906, ext. 224, or richmondballet.com Legendary Santa will be sitting fireside daily through Dec. 24 at the Children's Museum of Richmond at 2626 W. Broad St. Visits are free, but beat the line by reserving Sunrise and Sunset visitations ($60 for six family members) or Tea with Santa ($39 for nonmembers). 474-7000 or c-mor.org The 13th annual Chanukah on Ice community event, featuring a giant ice menorah as well as latkes, doughnuts, arts and crafts, is planned for Dec. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at SkateNation Plus. Admission is free. Skating is $10, laser tag is $5, dinner (falafel and a drink) is $5. 740-2000 or chabadofva.org On Dec. 16, the female, African-American a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock presents "Celebrating the Holydays," a seasonal concert of music from many faiths and regions of the world. 7 p.m. $32 to $53. Carpenter Theatre. 800-514-3849 or richmondcenterstage.com/events A musical rendition of the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, complete with reindeer on the roof and Ma and Pa in their caps, is showing at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn through Dec. 29. $20. 282-2620 or va-rep.org Ring in the holiday season with the Grand Illumination on Dec. 6, when the buildings, trees and reindeer downtown near the James Center light up. 6 to 7 p.m. 344-3232 or thejamescenter.com/grandill.html Now in its ninth season, Bethlehem Walk at Salem Baptist Church in Manakin is an interactive outdoor drama that recreates the time and place of Jesus' birth. Dec. 4 to 8. Times vary. Free. 784-4171 or salembaptistchurch.info Theatre IV on Tour will present a musical adaptation of Dickens' classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol, on Dec. 21 at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $12. 261-2787 or artsglenallen.com The national tour of "Andrew Peterson's Behold The Lamb of God" is coming to the Landmark Theater on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The musical performance tells the "true tall tale" of the coming of Christ. $10 to $15. (800) 514-3849 or landmarktheater.net The 30th annual Dominion Christmas Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Dec. 7 in front of the Science Museum and heads downtown on West Broad Street. The floats, marching bands and huge balloons draw more than 100,000 spectators each year, and 150,000 more watch the live broadcast. 788-6478 or richmondparade.com The Richmond Symphony Chorus will join the Richmond Symphony to perform Handel's Messiah, at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Carpenter Theatre. $20 to $45. On Dec. 7 and 8, the symphony and chorus will present Let it Snow! Genworth Symphony Pops, featuring vocal virtuoso Lisa Edwards-Burrs. 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. $10 to $76. 788-1212 or richmondsymphony.com The Lug Nuts, a fictitious teen a cappella group from the 1960s, reunites decades later for A Lug Nuts Christmas at the Hanover Tavern through Jan. 5. $40. 282-2620 or va-rep.org
