Freeze the day with these RVA winter to-dos
Illustration by Anika Hammel.
Emily McCauley, Spectrum Editor
The CT’s Spectrum Editor details some of Richmond’s top winter events that are a must-attend!
- Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights 2024 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens opened to the public on Nov. 18 and will close on Jan. 5, 2025. The event features more than a million lights, botanical decorations, model trains, festive dinners, warming fire, hot chocolate, s’mores and more. Advance tickets, which cost $22 for adult non-members and $12 for adult members, are required and available online only. Starting Dec. 13 Tickets will be $25 for adult non-members and $15 for adult members on weekends starting Dec. 13.
- CarMax Tacky Light Run takes place on Dec. 14 at the Mid-Lothian Mines Park at 6 p.m. This 6k running course shows off Midlothian’s Walton Park neighborhood with the best display of tacky lights in the area. Tickets are $46 for adults and $27 for youth until Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for youth from Monday, Dec. 9 through Dec. 15 and can be purchased online. 3
- The Jasper in Carytown presents Miracle on Cary from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. Miracle is a Christmas cocktail pop-up bar celebrated around the world. Miracle has a themed menu served in matching glassware. The bar is open seven days a week from 5 p.m. to midnight and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Miracle on Cary will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on New Years Eve.
- Carytown Holiday Artisan Market will be at City Stadium at 3201 Maplewood Ave. on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The artisan market will feature over 150 vendors, unique handmade gifts and goods, craft beverages and food trucks, live music and more.
- The Ultimate Chanukah Drop with Jewish Life at VCU is on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. in Monroe Park. The celebration will feature a DJ, take-home menorahs, donuts, raffles and more. All VCU students, faculty and staff are invited to attend for free and can RSVP on the Jewish Life at VCU website.
- RVA Illuminates will be held at Kanawha Plaza on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event features the tree lighting, illumination of the Downtown Richmond skyline, live performances by Desiree Roots, AJ Jones and The Falcon Notes of Huguenot High, a holiday soundtrack by DJ Lonnie B, food trucks and extra sparkle from the holiday lights. This is a free rain-or-shine event.
- The 2024 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival will be held on Dec. 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The festival has been hosted by the Elegba Folklore Society since 1990 and presents performances, workshops, children’s activities, The African Market, a cultural affirmation of values and more. Tickets are $7.30 for general admission, $6.25 for students 12-18, seniors 65-plus and for group rates and can be purchased online.
- Studio Two Three presents Winter Market from Nov. 29 until Dec. 23. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market features artwork, clothing, housewares, jewelry and more from over one hundred local artists. The Winter Market is hosted at Studio Two Three at 109 W. 15th St. and Shop Two Three at 1437 Hull St.
