Downtown Richmond’s Holiday 2019 Calendar

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Take in the magic of this holiday season with events like the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade, The Nutcracker, FREE Horse and Carriage Rides & more!

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Now in its 55th year, Craft + Design is a museum-quality show that has garnered a reputation for showcasing the finest in contemporary craft. Shoppers spend the weekend browsing the work of over 150 artists from across the country. Tickets start at $5.

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Join Broad Street businesses like Little Nomad, Verdalina, Someday, and more for Shop Small Saturday, a nationally celebrated shopping holiday that highlights local and small business owners throughout the community! Participating retailers will be giving away FREE Richmond Arts District canvas totes. Don't forget to check out all the small businesses beyond Broad Street, like in Shockoe Bottom & Shockoe Slip!

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Participating retailers include 68 Home, Aubergine Depot, Blue Bones Vintage, Chilalay, Little Nomad, Mod & Soul, Pop City, Quirk Gallery, Rosewood Clothing Co., Round Two, Someday, Steady Sounds, and Verdalina.

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This holiday season at The Jefferson promises to be memorable, fun and festive! The evening's festivities begin at 5:00pm with holiday musical performances. The Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 5:35pm and includes a host of holiday characters. The ceremony concludes with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus for the lighting of the tree. Guests are invited to the Empire Ballroom following the ceremony to enjoy complimentary refreshments.

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Coming to the live stage for the first time ever, this all-new musical features an original story and score, dazzling sets and costumes and wondrous holiday moments that make even the most cynical believe. Tickets start at $29.

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Join the City of Richmond at Kanawha Plaza for an old tradition as they welcome you and your family to help countdown the biggest light reveal downtown has ever displayed! Kick-off the holidays with Mayor Stoney, 8News, 103.7 Play, NO BS Brass Band and many other special guests. City lights go on at 6:00pm. Free shuttle service will run from City Stadium to Kanawha Plaza starting at 5:00pm, last shuttle returns at 9:00pm. Originally hosted by the James Center, the City of Richmond will now hold this “grand illumination” at Kanawha Plaza. FREE Admission.

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Join the City of Richmond as they illuminate the 17th Street Market – tree lighting at 6:00pm! Celebrate the holidays with family entertainment, a great assortment of holiday vendors and a very special guest from the North Pole! Visit the children’s art tent to make light catcher tree ornaments and watch the holiday dance troupe from The Baffa Academy of Irish Dance, performing at 7:00pm. FREE Admission.

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Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones and jingle bells ringing signal the holidays are here in downtown RVA. Carriages circle Shockoe Bottom. One round trip ride per person please. FREE rides are sponsored by Venture Richmond. For more information, call 804-350-7752.

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The Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus perform Handel’s masterwork, a holiday classic that has delighted Richmonders for generations, on Friday night and perform the family favorite "Let It Snow" Saturday & Sunday. Tickets start at $20.

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The parade departs from the Science Museum on W. Broad Street and continues downtown eastward to 7th Street. For many Richmonders, it kicks off the Christmas season, featuring a very special Grand Marshal, holiday floats, marching bands, huge helium balloons, and, of course, Santa himself! FREE Admission. Rain or Shine.

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This community tradition includes free admission and shuttle transportation to the following historic sites: The Valentine, The Valentine First Freedom Center, The Governor’s Mansion, The Virginia State Capitol, Monumental Church, The John Marshall House, Historic St. John’s Church, and The American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy. Court End Christmas attendees can also enjoy children’s activities, performances, refreshments, gift shops, music, entertainment, tours and much more. Ardent Craft Ales and 103.7 Play will be on-site at the Valentine. FREE Admission.

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$10 a person (children 4 and under sitting in your lap are free). Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones and jingle bells ringing signal the holidays are here in downtown RVA. Carriages circle Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. Join James River Carriages for this traditional holiday treat. Each ride is scheduled on the half-hour and is approximately 20 minutes long. You must reserve your seat by calling 804-350-7752. Pick-up area is at 10th & E. Cary Streets.

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The Nutcracker continues to charm generations. Tickets start at $25. Clara’s Tea Party - Join Clara and her friends for a special party after select matinee performances of The Nutcracker! Guests will enjoy meeting their favorite characters from the Kingdom of Sweets along with an elegantly seated tea and tasty sweets all accompanied by live piano. Clara’s Tea Party is a separately ticketed event.

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A fresh open air platform for handmade and independent artists. Shop the local artists and support the Shockoe Bottom restaurants too. Entertainment and programming include live music, cultured and diverse programming and activities for all ages!

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Each year, boaters decorate their boats and converge on the James for a parade that marks the beginning of the holiday season. Thousands are expected to gather at viewing sites in the Richmond region to see the boats and enjoy holiday entertainment. Admission is free.

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$10 a person (children 4 and under sitting in your lap are free). Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones and jingle bells ringing signal the holidays are here in downtown RVA. Carriages circle Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. Join James River Carriages for this traditional holiday treat. Each ride is scheduled on the half-hour and is approximately 20 minutes long. You must reserve your seat by calling 804-350-7752. Pick-up area is at 10th & E. Cary Streets.