Downtown Richmond’s Holiday 2020 Calendar

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1708 Gallery’s 13th annual InLight Richmond will take place November 12-15, 2020 at sites across the city. Artists will present 17 light-based artworks that respond to and elaborate on themes of Safety and Accountability.

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Artworks will be located near Virginia Union’s campus, in Church Hill, through the Downtown Arts District, at the T. Tyler Potterfield Bridge, along the Richmond Slave Trail, in the Randolph neighborhood, and more. Additionally, a series of streaming and virtual projects will be featured online. Visitors will explore the artworks over 4 nights, navigating the sites via a digital platform; all artworks will be outside.

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Join Basket & Bike and RVA on Wheels for a Bike and/or Walk the Holiday Lights Tour of Downtown Richmond. On these tours and beneath the sparkly lights and starry sky, you will marvel in the warmth of the season and a celebration of stories covering the rich history and natural beauty of RVA.

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Join Broad Street businesses like Little Nomad, Verdalina, Someday, Waller & Company Jewelers, Elegba Folklore Society and more for Shop Small Saturday, a nationally celebrated shopping holiday that highlights local and small business owners! Visit all small businesses downtown, in Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip, and the museum shops like those at the Valentine, Holocaust Museum, Library of Virginia, the Virginia State Capitol, and the downtown art galleries too!

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Kick-off the holiday season with the Richmond Symphony! Hear the charming story of a young boy’s magical friendship with a snowman and enjoy other holiday favorites during this program as well. To accommodate at home viewers, the Snowman will be presented with narration alongside orchestral performance. Join the Symphony for an hour-long safe, socially-distanced in-person concert or watch from home via their online livestream option.

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A time-honored Richmond tradition will continue in 2020! See RVA shine when the switch is flipped ON to light up downtown’s skyline for the 2020 holiday season. RVA Illuminates is a virtual event this year with ABC8 TV airing live complete coverage of performances, uplifting stories, and the official lighting at 6pm. Melissa & Jack from Morning’s with Melissa & Jack will also be doing a LIVE radio countdown to the holiday lights turning on just before 6pm on 103.7 Play, in addition to live radio call-ins from Kanawha Plaza.

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When downtown RVA lights up for the holiday season, Brown’s Island and the Turning Basin on the Canal Walk will join in the cheer and help the City of Richmond kick off the season with Holiday Lights on the Riverfront, a display of decorative lights that is open and FREE to the public! Enjoy vendors Espresso-A-Go-Go and Curbside Creations and family entertainer Jonathan the Juggler on Brown’s Island or take a festive stroll along the Canal Walk to the Turning Basin. Presented by Venture Richmond. Please practice safe social distancing. Parking is available at the American Civil War Museum ($), Belle Isle parking lot, and on-street parking along 2nd and 5th Streets.

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A two-day multi-cultural holiday market virtual shopping experience presented by the Richmond Night Market and community partners. Shop with over 50 talented artists and small businesses and listen to amazing bands from the comfort of your own home! Enjoy a market experience that supports the artisan and small business community. FREE to attend but please register in advance by clicking the link below.

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This year on WTVR-CBS 6, watch all-new performances from your favorite entertainment groups, heart-warming stories focused on celebrating our Richmond community, "best of" clips from past parades featuring giant helium balloons and colorful floats, and even a special appearance by Legendary Santa himself! You will not want to miss the must-see television event of the holiday season! This is a television-only event.

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Commonwealth Catholic Charities invites you to stay Home for the Holidays! On December 7, from the comfort of your own home, enjoy the very first virtual Holiday Festival of Music featuring holiday favorites by the Richmond Symphony. Tickets are available on the Commonwealth Catholic Charities website. Your ticket to Holiday Festival of Music – Home for the Holidays, helps our neighbors across the Commonwealth access the care and resources that they need to live and thrive.

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The first annual Winter Wander featuring FREE hot beverages and a special, self-guided walking tour of the historic Court End neighborhood and a take-away children's craft for the kids. This event is FREE and open to the public. Face masks encouraged.

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For the first time in history, the Richmond Ballet is releasing a recording of their beloved production of The Nutcracker. From Nutcracker gift boxes to ‘Behind the Curtain’ videos to visits from characters from the Kingdom of Sweets, the Richmond Ballet has crafted a selection of virtual packages and in-person experiences that will allow you to bring the magic of The Nutcracker home this holiday season!

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Now a virtual experience, Stanley and his baby sister, SuSu, don’t know whether or not to believe in Santa Claus, so they set out for the North Pole. Trapped in a blizzard, they wind up in a dilapidated gas station run by a mysterious old man named Nick. Could this be Santa’s Enchanted Workshop? Imagination is the key in this joyous holiday musical, which features a singing robot, a dancing rag doll and one of the silliest villains you’ll ever see!

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A display of decorative lights is open and FREE to the public, featuring vendor Espresso-A-Go-Go and acoustic music from Trombone Trio on December 12 and light holiday music from Justin Paciocco on December 19. Presented by Venture Richmond. Parking is available at the American Civil War Museum ($), Belle Isle parking lot, and on-street parking along 2nd and 5th Streets.