Richmond Bargains

Cheap Christmas cheer is plentiful in Richmond this weekend…

FRIDAY

Friday night is Celebrate Illuminate, with loads of free events downtown.

Grand Illumination of James Center 6 to 7 p.m., 10th and E. Cary streets
This year at 6 p.m. the downtown office buildings and the James Center Reindeer will come to light! From 6 to 7 p.m., experience the magic of the season with two blocks of family entertainment. Entertainment includes: the Varina High School Marching Band, The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet, the VCU Trombone Choir, the Coventry Ringers, Harpist Rickie Denton, Singer Patsy Butler, the Virginia Piedmont Model Railroad Club and much more. Radio Disney will be at James Center to entertain children with delightful activities. For more information, call (804) 344-3232.

Holiday Market – (Free) 5 to 9 p.m., 17th Street Farmers’ Market
This annual holiday shopping extravaganza features Virginia’s finest holiday trees from Floyd County, Va., the tree capitol of the south. Fresh wreaths handmade by Mustard Seed Farms, fresh cut mistletoe, gourmet desserts, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved toys, handmade ornaments, vintage collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts and so much more. Enjoy the sounds of the season while you shop! The Henrico Pops Chorus will be performing followed by The Salvation Army International Brass Honor Band. For more information, call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

Horse and Carriage Rides – (free) Friday-Saturday, Dec. 4-5 6 to 10 p.m.
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the 13th and E. Cary streets fountain
Clip-clop, clip-clop — the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones, jingle bells ringing, the holidays are here in Richmond’s historic River District. Holiday decorated 12-passenger wagon circles Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. One round trip ride per person please. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. Call Roger at (804) 769-4010 with questions.

Canal Boat Rides – ($2) 6 to 9 p.m., Turning Basin at 14th and Dock streets
Celebrate the season on Richmond’s historic canal by enjoying a 20 to 25 minute canal boat tour with historic narration on the James River and Kanawha Canal. The Varina High School Marching Band will perform on the Canal Walk at the Turning Basin at 6:50 p.m. Produced by Venture Richmond. For more information, call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Free Glow Necklaces for Children – 6:30 p.m. while supplies last, River District
In the spirit of Celebrate Illuminate, Venture Richmond staff will be distributing red and green glow necklaces to all children. For more information, call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Main Street Station Holiday Open House – (free) 5 to 9 p.m., Main Street Station and the Plaza at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main Street
The City of Richmond welcomes all for a Holiday Open House with a Polar Express theme, free children train rides, hot cider and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and live entertainment with “The Angels.” Enjoy the gorgeous restored glory of Main Street Station and explore the lighted “Cathedral Walk” at the Plaza at Main Street Station and celebrate the holiday season. This year’s event will focus on literacy. Professional storytellers will be on hand to read to children, as they enjoy cookies and cider by the fireplace. Come early, the Richmond Public Library will also donate books to the first 300 children in attendance!Event parking is only $2 and will be available on the west side of the station using the Franklin Street entrance. Additional non-event parking is available within the Plaza using the Main and Cary Street entrances. For more information, call (804) 646-5665.

Capitol Square Tree Lighting – (free) 5 to 7 p.m., Capitol Square
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree on Capitol Hill. For more information, call (804) 371-2642 or visit www.executivemansion.virginia.gov.

Governor’s Executive Mansion Open House (free) 5:30 to 7 p.m., also Saturday from
1 to 4 p.m., Capitol Square
Come tour Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion on Capitol Hill. For more information, call (804) 371-8687 or visit www.executivemansion.virginia.gov.

The American Red Cross Keeps you Warm for the Holidays – (free) 5 to 6:30 p.m., The American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter, 420 East Cary Street
Serving free coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts to passersby en route to the Grand Illumination. The chapter will also distribute free winter and fire safety brochures and other information to help keep families safe during the winter season. For more information, call (804) 780-2250 or visit www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org.

SATURDAY

Ukrop’s/SuperValu Christmas Parade – (free) 10am, down Broad St from 7th St to Science Museum of Virginia
The 26th Annual Ukrop’s/Supervalu Christmas Parade, featuring Grand Marshals the Harlem Globetrotters, is a must-see event! Bring the whole family and get into the Christmas spirit with festive floats, your favorite character balloons, and marching bands.

Hanover Tavern Holiday Open House – (free) 10am – 4pm, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road
Come celebrate the holiday season with historic tavern tours, crafts, games, goodies and a community holiday concert! Also find unique gifts for your loved ones at our Shoppers fair. Vendors from our community will be selling their artwork and goods throughout our historic landmark.
Special Performances:
10:00am: Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol performed by Eric Douglass
11:00am-12:00pm: Hanover High School small orchestra
3:00pm-4:00pm: Development Studios Children’s Choir and Strings

The Mountain Road Corridor Holiday Celebration – For all ages. The Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks and The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen cordially invite you to attend a holiday celebration on Mountain Road. Take a tour down Mountain Road, starting with historic Courtney Road Service Station. Proceed down the corridor to the early 19th-century Forest Lodge Cupola. Enjoy an open house at Walkerton Tavern and attend the annual tree lighting ceremony at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Finish the day with lantern tours at Meadow Farm Museum. All events are free! Information: Jeannie Murray, 501-5121.
* Noon-2 p.m. Courtney Road Service Station: Open for Tours
* 1-6 p.m. Walkerton Tavern: Open House
* 4:30-5:45 p.m. The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen: Tree Lighting
* 6-8 p.m. Meadow Farm Museum: Lantern Tours

Ashland Holiday Weekend – (free) 500 S Center St
Catch some Christmas spirit all over town, during the Ashland Holiday Weekend. December 5 & 6. Trolley rides, town tree decorating, photos with Santa, gingerbread house contest, and of course, great shopping! Sponsored by the Hanover Arts and Activities Center, Ashland Main Street Association & The Market Ashland Partnership.

Elves Run (kid’s race) 1/3 mile and 2/3 miles Fun Run at Railside Park – 10:30 am
Tree Trimming at Town Hall – 11 am
Open House at the Ashland Welcome Center (train station), cider and cookies – 11 am to 5 pm
Carriage Rides from Hanover Arts and Activities Center – 12 pm to 5 pm
Santa’s Workshop (kid’s ornament making and gift buying) and Gingerbread House Contest at Hanover Arts and Activities Center – 12 pm to 5 pm
Photos with Santa at Henry Clay Inn- 2 pm to 5 pm
Town tree lighting ceremony – 5:30 pm
Trolley rides stopping at Ashland retailers – all day
Alpacas at Ashwood Gardens
Pet Photos with Santa at Ashland Feed Store

Christmas Open House – (free) 1-4pm, Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Road
Enjoy the holiday season by experiencing life in the 19th century at Magnolia Grange. The plantation house will be elegantly decorated for the holidays just as it was in 1822. The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia hosts a free Christmas Open House on Saturday with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Children may have their picture taken for free. Details: 796-1479 or chesterfieldhistory.com

Holiday Lantern Tour at Meadow Farm – (free) 6-8 p.m., Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen
For all ages. Dr. Sheppard’s family and friends are welcoming guests to Meadow Farm. Through guided lantern tours, experience the family’s holiday traditions as they celebrate Christmas evening in 1860. Guided tours leave the Orientation Center every 15 minutes. Information: Anna Truong, 501-2130.

SUNDAY

4th Annual Holiday Happenings at Historic Tredegar – (Reduced admission fees) 1 to 5 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with storytelling, music and children’s craft activities. For more information, call (804) 780-1865, ext. 10 or visit www.tredegar.org. 500 Tredegar Street

An Old-Fashioned Christmas – ($5 fee for carriage rides & mansion tours) 12pm to 5pm, Peacock Alley at Maymont
Victorian ladies and gentlemen welcome you to the Maymont Mansion as you marvel at the grand Christmas tree, the beautifully decorated formal rooms and the traditions enjoyed by the Dooleys and their guests in 1893. Horse-drawn carriage rides and festive music fill everyone with the holiday spirit.