Maymont’s Merry Market

Friday, Dec, 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9

— Ring in the holiday season with Maymont at the Maymont Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St. Enjoy twinkling lights, evergreen garlands, cozy fire pits and live music. Grab some food and beverages to fuel your shopping in a curated local artisan market. Upcoming dates are Friday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Details: (804) 525-9000 or visit www.maymont.org/ calendar/merry-market-2023.

Richmond Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Friday, Dec. 8, through Saturday, Dec. 24

— Celebrate the holidays with the Richmond Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker at the Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Performances will feature choreography by Stoner Winslett and music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky with the Richmond Symphony. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online or at the box office. Details: (804) 344-0906 ext. 224, or visit www.richmondballet.com/event/the-nutcracker/2023-12-08.

Soul Santa at the Black History Museum

Sunday, Dec. 10, and Dec. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

— Soul Santa is back for another year at the Black History Museum of Virginia to take photos. Breakfast with Soul Santa Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. Saturday, Dec. 9, and Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy a buffet breakfast with Soul Santa along with holiday fun and activities in Soul Santa’s workshop! Each child will receive a special gift from Soul Santa himself. Ticketed event; 5 years old & younger, FREE. Find more information here: https://eventsonleigh.com/events/ To register, visit www.blackhistorymuseum.org/event/soul-santa-2023. Don’t forget your wish list!

Winter Wander: Court End at the Valentine Museum

Sunday, Dec. 10, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

— Visit the Valentine Museum, 1015 E. Clay St., for a free day of live music, refreshments, games and family crafts. Performances will include Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion Ambassadors, Virginia Opera’s Musical Storytime and Klezm’Or’Ami’m. Guests can also enjoy tours of the historic Court End neighborhood and use shuttles to visit nearby cultural sites for open houses and other activities.

Details: www.thevalentine.org/event/winter-wander-2023.

Quirk Hotel Holiday Market

Sunday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— The Quirk Hotel, 201 W. Broad St., will present its free annual holiday market event including music, talent and libations. Shop from over 30 vendors around the hotel. Details: www.quirkhotels.com/hotels/richmond/happenings.

Winter Enchanted Garden at the Poe Museum

Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

— The Poe Museum, 1914 E. Main St., will take a festive turn to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy family fun with free arts and crafts including ornament and bookmark decorating, and quill writing. Local authors Adele Gardner and Phil Hilliker will lead storytimes. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided. The event is free for families with children ages 1 to 17. Details: www.htru.io/SGm5, or paul@poemuseum.org.

Virginia House Holiday Open House

Sunday, Dec. 17, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

— The Virginia House, 4301 Sulgrave Road, will have a free open house for guests to enjoy festive holiday decorations. Tickets are not required. Details: (804) 340-1800.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Shop Holiday Bazaar

Thursday, Dec. 21, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

— Visit the VMFA Shop, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, for its first Holiday Bazaar. Find festive gifts for the family that celebrate art and culture. Five local artists will showcase their handmade items, including jewelry, home décor and accessories. Admission is free. No tickets or registration are required. Details: www.vmfashop.com/trunk-shows

Elegba Folklore Society’s Capital City Kwanzaa Festival

Saturday, Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— Celebrate the holidays with Elegba Folklore Society for its annual Capital City Kwanzaa Festival at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St. The festival will include workshops, performances, an African market and a cultural ceremony. There will also be activities for children. Tickets start at $5. Details: www.efsinc.org/events/festivals/kwanzaa-festival.

Made in RVA Holiday Shop at Art Works

Tuesdays-Sundays through Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— Visit Made in RVA’s Holiday Shop at the Art Works, 320 Hull St., for local handmade holiday gifts, including jewelry, candles, ceramics and paintings. The shop will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Details: www.artworksrva.com/blog/events/made-in-rva-holiday-shop.

Joy at the Jefferson

Through Jan. 7

— The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin St., will be decorated for the holidays with live poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and twinkle lights. Signature displays and more than 20 decorated trees will be placed throughout the hotel. The decorations and displays are free to view with no reservation required. Details: (804) 649-4750 or visit www.jeffersonhotel.com/holidays.

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

Nightly through Sunday, Jan. 7

— A favorite tradition of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Ave., featuring lights, botanical decorations, model trains, warming fire, hot chocolate and s’mores, and more! Select nights through Jan. 2 will have live music performances. Santa Brunches will be on Saturdays and Sundays in December with seatings at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. GardenFest Dinners with Santa will be Dec. 17, 18 and 19 with seating at 5 p.m. Advance tickets are required and are available online only.

Christmas in Early America Tours

Through Dec. 17

— Enhance your winter holiday with a visit to the historic John Marshall House at 818 E. Marshall St. Set off on a 45-minute guided tour and see the Chief Justice’s 1790 home bedecked in period garnish and ornament. Themed youth scavenger hunts and coloring sheets will be available to take on tour, and special holiday gifts can be found in the Museum Shop. Ticketed event.

Details: https://bitly.ws/34AaX

Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring The Nutcracker + More!

Wednesdays, Dec.13, 20 and Thursday, Dec.21, times vary

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to the awe-inspiring Bolling Haxall House, 211 E. Franklin St. Get your tickets now to discover holiday inspired music under the gentle glow of candlelight!

Ticketed event. Details: https://bitly.ws/34Ac8

First Annual Santa Visit to Tredegar

Sunday, Dec.17, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

A new holiday tradition starts at Tredegar with a visit from Santa. Visit the American Civil War Museum, 4807 Tredegar St., for a day of jolly festivities. Start by meeting with Santa in Tredegar’s lobby, then venture inside for kids’ crafts, all-day showings of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and hot cocoa. Free event. Details:https://acwm.org/blog/series/tredegar-holiday-series/

Visit Venture Richmond for more holiday happenings!

https://venturerichmond.com/news/holiday-parties-experiences/