RIC is a Winter Wonderland of Activities

Enjoy the season with local events!

In case you have free time between Thanksgiving and New Year's and need something to do here is a great list of events and activities in Richmond and a lot of them are free!!!!!!! 

• Go Ice Skating...outdoors!!!!!  If you don't want to skate outdoors you can also do public skates at Skate Nation or Richmond Ice Zone.
• Visit Santa-No matter what your age you have to admit it is fun to see Santa and you don't have to buy the picture unless you look absolutely fabulous! Santa can be found at any of the malls, Bass Pro Shop and the Legendary (and real) Santa is checking his list twice at the Children's Museum.
• Don't forget about your furry friends! Several places have photo opportunities for your pet and Santa, including area Petsmarts.
• The Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter
• Walk through the light display at the James Center
• Tacky Lights Tour-plan your own route and drive around or book a private limo or a ticket on the Richmond Trolley!  One of our favorite houses in located on Rosewood near Maymont!  If this doesn't make you smile...what are we saying of course this will make you smile...it is AWESOME! 
• Pop into the Jefferson-Grab a cocktail from TJ's and then sit and enjoy the giant tree and big ginger bread house. 
• Christmas Parade-Did you miss the Richmond Christmas Parade this passed weekend?  Don't worry it will be re-aired on WTVR-CBS channel 6, Christmas morning so you may enjoy the whole thing from the comfort of your own home.
• Maymont-Wander the grounds of Maymont to take in all the natural and handmade Christmas decorations. While you are there take a holiday tour of the mansion.
• Downtown-If wandering Maymont didn't wear you out head downtown and take in the decorations of the Court End historic homes, museums, St. John's, St. Paul's, Monumental Church, the Executive Mansion, the State Capital and everything else downtown!
• James River Parade of Lights-This happens Saturday, December 14, 2013. Boats are decorated with lights and parade down the James. This is sponsored by James River Advisory Council who help advocate and promote our awesome river.
• Richmond Nativity Pageant-at the Carillion-Monday, December 23, 2013.
• Music and a Show-See brat packer Molly Ringwald or Sweet Honey in the Rock at Center Stage. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Richmond Symphony or catch a holiday show with Virginia Repertory Theatre (the combination of the former Barksdale and Theater iv). Don't miss the Richmond Ballet's annual performance of the holiday classic The Nutcracker.  Head back to The Jefferson for Music at Midday or take in one of the Richmond Concert Band's performances.
• Carytown New Year's Eve-The Richmond tradition of celebrating the new year by watching the ball rise over the Bryd is 9 years strong!

Want to celebrate the season with friends and family on your own turf? Consider hosting one of these fun themed events.

• Ugly Sweater Party-If everyone gets into it, it is a blast!
• Holiday Baking Day-we have a great friend whose family (3 generations deep of women, started by earlier generations) have the tradition of getting together to make a family recipe of Saffron Bread every year.
• Host a Cookie Party- we have another wonderful friend who does these every year and you always end up with a wonderful selection of sweet treats and you only had to make one, brilliant!
• Crafting Day-because crafting is fun and when you add wine and girlfriends it becomes an annual tradition.
• Holiday Happy Hour-heck you could even combine this with an Ugly Sweater Party your group will be the envy of everyone a the bar!
• Re-gifting Party-everyone brings that thing you have received that just doesn't work and it turns into someone else's treasure! This too can be combined with an Ugly Sweater Party!
• New Year's Eve Eve Party-One of Heather's best friends does this every year and it is awesome! You avoid the crazy of the 31st and are less likely to be hungover on the 1st so you are bright eyed and bushy tailed to return to work on the 2nd.
• New Year's Day Open House-avoid the crazy of late night celebrating and welcome the New Year with a pot of chili and good friends on the 1st!
• Favorite Holiday Movie Night- We have a group of friends who gather annually for a viewing of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, accompanied by snacks (often roasting marshmallows in the fireplace) and recently a tacky sweater contest. The prize for the tackiest sweater? The golden otter!

How do you celebrate the holiday season?  Let us know on our facebook page.

Cheers!

K&H