More What’s Booming RVA: November 30 to December 7
A week of events, announcements, and a link to future fun
More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, November 30 to December 7, 2023. Holiday cheer in various forms – lights, historic homes in holiday garb, music, theater, shopping, a parade – plus author events, new exhibitions, documentary film, and more.
Check out the Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA, browse the week ahead below, or go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
November 30 to December 7
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region
Thursday, November 30
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox “Life in the Past Lane.” A blend of modern-day earworms and iconic pop hits with the original styles that put American popular music on the map: ragtime, swing, big band, country / western, doo wop and soul. November 30, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
Maymont Wreath Workshops. Create a beautiful evergreen wreath to take home, with guidance from the Maymont staff. Wreath forms and a variety of freshly cut evergreens provided, plus refreshments (take ID for alcohol). Bring your own clippers and gloves. Through Dec. 2 at Maymont, Richmond.
“The Imaginary Invalid.” VCUarts Theatre brings Molière’s hilarious satire to the Richmond stage, highlighting the 17th-century French hypochondriac who wants his daughter to marry a doctor so he can save on his medical bills. November 30 to Dec. 3 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond.
Bizarre Bazaar’s 48th Christmas Collection. Some 475 exhibitors selling a diversity of goods fill four big buildings. November 30 to Dec. 3 at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.
Friday, December 1
Friday at the Museum: The Clarke-Palmore House. Learn about Henrico County’s people, places, and events through tours and hands-on activities at historic museums and homes. This tour interprets the story of the family that lived in the house in the 1930s. Dec. 1, noon to 4, at the Clarke-Palmore House, Henrico.
RVA Illuminates. Tree lighting and illumination of the downtown skyline, plus live performances, food trucks, and a showing of the 2018 “Grinch” movie at 7 p.m. FREE. Dec. 1, 4 to 7 p.m., at Kanawha Plaza, Richmond.
Say Goodbye to The Funkhaüst. Industrywide, the interest in wild and spontaneous beers has declined, so The Veil Brewing is reducing its wild and spontaneous beer program. The farewell party includes food truck, DJ, a market, and some funky beer. Dec. 1, 5 to 9 p.m., at The Funkhaüst Café, Richmond.
First Fridays at VMHC. Free museum admission, café specials, and family activities. Dec. 1, 5 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond.
Merry Market at Maymont. Two weekends of twinkling lights, evergreen garlands, cozy fire pits, adult cheer or hot cocoa, hundreds of gift items for sale, live music, roaming carolers, and food trucks. Dec. 1 and 2 and Dec. 8 and 9 at Maymont, Richmond.
RVA First Fridays. Stroll the art galleries along and around Broad Street, plus restaurants, shops, and other organizations. Presenting live music, special events, tastings, and more. Dec. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. – times vary at venues around downtown Richmond.
“Elf” in Concert. The humorous, heartwarming holiday film is accompanied by live music from the Richmond Symphony. Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Richmond Symphony: Holiday Brass. Holiday hits for the whole family, plus a pre-concert talk. Dec. 1, talk at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.
USA Fencing Competitions. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Saturday, December 2
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. Floats, giant balloons, marching bands, superheroes, Legendary Santa, and more. Begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia and heads east along Broad Street to 7th Street, Richmond.
Ecoff PTA Jingle Bell Bazaar. More than 100 vendors of crafts, books, and more. Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ecoff Elementary School, Chester.
Making Holiday Ornaments. Ages 18+, while supplies last. Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to noon, at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.
Fresh Holiday Sprays. Ages 18+. Create a holiday adornment using freshly cut greenery of cedar, pine, magnolia, and nandina, while supplies last. Please take garden shears and garden gloves. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to noon, at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.
Holiday Book Fair & Author Meet & Greet. Browse an assortment of books and gifts and meet the author of “Poe for Your Problems.” Free gift wrapping. Dec. 2, noon to 4, at Hatch Local Food Hall, Richmond.
Victorian Christmas at Magnolia Grange. The historic house and museum will be decorated as it would have been during the mid to late 19th century. The open house includes children’s craft activities, refreshments, music, a visit from Santa, and more. Dec. 2, 1 to 4 p.m., at Magnolia Grange House Museum, Chesterfield.
Ancient Art of Grave Dowsing. Ages 18+. Test grave dowsing techniques at the Sheppard family graveyard and learn about 19th-century and earlier funeral practices. Involves a short walk with some uneven terrain. Dec. 2, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.
Author Marco Lopez. The award-winning comic book writer talks about things that go bump in the night, including his new supernatural adventure comic, “The Nightcrawlers.” Dec. 2, 2 to 4 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.
Richmond Symphony Holiday Brass. Chia-Hsuan Lin conducts a celebration of holiday hits. Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., at St. Christopher’s, Richmond.
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show. The “Queens of Christmas” bring their spicy humor and hijinks to the Richmond stage. Dec. 2, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
“Both Sides Now.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Centre Hill Holiday Showcase. Local musicians entertain while visitors tour the historic mansion, decorated for the holidays by talented designers. FREE. Dec 2 and 3 at Centre Hill Mansion and Museum, Petersburg.
Soulful Sounds of the Season Featuring Bak N Da Day. Richmond’s harmonious, quintessential oldies vocal group celebrates the holidays with a delightful mix of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s tunes. Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 3, 3 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.
18th-Century Chocolate-Making Demonstrations. Learn how chocolate was prepared and enjoyed in 18th-century Virginia – and how it tasted! FREE. Every Saturday in December at 11 a.m. at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond.
Sunday, December 3
Holiday Home Tours in Historic Petersburg. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Fresh Holiday Sprays. Ages 18+. Create a holiday adornment using freshly cut greenery of cedar, pine, magnolia, and nandina, while supplies last. Please take garden shears and garden gloves. Dec. 3, 2 to 4 p.m., at Deep Run Park & Recreation Center, Henrico.
Marie Curie: A Woman of Radiance. Ages 13+. In December 1898, Marie Curie discovered a new element, radium. She became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only woman to win the Nobel twice. Learn how her groundbreaking discovery shaped the scientific community and the sacrifices she made for her work. Dec. 3, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.
Richmond Symphony Holiday Brass. Chia-Hsuan Lin conducts a celebration of holiday hits. Dec. 3, 3 p.m., at Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.
Christmas with the Richmond Choral Society. Seasonal music by Rutter, Lauridsen, and others. Markus Compton, conductor; Christopher Martin, organ; Keith Tan, piano. Dec. 3, 4 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Henrico.
Monday, December 4
Community Celebration of the Henrico Sports & Events Center. Ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by games, music, and giveaways. Dec. 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, Glen Allen.
Tuesday, December 5
Created Equal Film Series: “The Space Race.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland. Acrobats, aerialists, and hilarious pranks accompanied by music for a magical, spellbinding dose of holiday cheer. Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Vexine on Shockoe Sessions Live. The Richmond-based four-piece band presents their super-charged rock music, unveiling some new songs. Live, and also live-streamed on YouTube @shockoesessionslive. Dec. 5, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at In Your Ear Studios, Richmond.
“Indigenous Perspectives.” A multimedia exhibition highlights the commonwealth’s Indigenous history and how the tribes remain a vital part of Virginia’s culture today. Includes video interviews, archival records, and objects contributed by tribes. Dec. 5 through Aug. 17, 2024, at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
Wednesday, December 6
“A Christmas Carol” by Virginia Theatre Machine. The 30-minute, two-person, outdoors production precedes the arrival of Henrico’s Holiday Express Tour. Dec. 6, 7 to 7:30 p.m., at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.
On the Air Radio Players present A Hearthside Holiday. Old-time radio performances on holiday themes for all ages. Dec. 6 and 7, 7:30 to 9 p.m. both days, at The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen.
Thursday, December 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
“Fate at Petersburg.” Pamplin Park Roundtable presents Dr. Sean Heuvel on the story of Col G. L. Prescott, 32nd Mass., before and during the Civil War. Dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg.
“Hollywood” Launch Party with Author Howard Owen. The newest Willie Black crime novel delves into two possibly coincidental deaths, including one on a tombstone in Hollywood Cemetery. Dec. 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Sam Miller Café, Richmond.
Centre Hill Mansion Under the Lights. See the historic mansion with holiday lights and décor plus seasonal music and light refreshments. Dec. 8, 6 to 8 p.m., at Centre Hill Mansion & Museum, Petersburg.
Day Trips
Lights at the Lake. Drive through the park’s campground and beach area for a winter presentation of lights and displays. Plus s’mores kits, campfire, and crafts. Admission: a new, unwrapped toy or monetary contribution for the Cumberland Christmas Mother. Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. each night, at Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland.
Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination. Tour the historic area, take in musical performances on multiple stages, and ooh and ahh to fireworks displays. Dec. 2, 9, and 16 in Colonial Williamsburg.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-1964: Eyes of the Storm. Get a peek into Beatlemania through more than 250 photographs taken by the band member using his own Pentax camera. Dec. 5, 2023, to April 7, 2024, at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk.
News Worth Knowing
RIFF 2024. The Richmond International Film Festival has announced its next annual celebration of film, with more than 200 filmmaking and musical guests from around the world, more than 150 film premieres, more than 30 musical performances, and more. Sept. 24 to 29, 2024, at various venues around Richmond.
RRRC Candy Cane 5k. A ½-mile fun run and 5k, with proceeds donated to Girls on the Run Greater Richmond. Dec. 10, 8:30 and 9 a.m., at Bryan Park, Richmond.
Diana Krall is coming to Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, on March 3, 2024. Use Code ‘BACKSTAGE’ to access presale tickets through Nov. 30 at 10 p.m.
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