More What’s Booming RVA: Dec. 29 to Jan. 3

More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, from December 29, 2022, to January 3, 2023: New Year’s Eve, music, museums, event news, and much more.

Bring in a New Year: December 29, 2022, to January 3, 2023

Thursday, December 29

Infamous Stringdusters. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks. 

Sizzling Science. A variety of activities such as daily firework demos, homemade Shrinky Dinks in The Forge, and other fiery science explorations. Through Jan. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

Friday, Dec. 30 

Elegba Folklore Society’s Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks. 

Rickey Smiley and Friends New Year’s Celebration. The comedy legend and entertainment mogul brings clean laughter to your holiday, joined by comedians Shaun Jones, Marvin Hunter, Sean Larkin, and Rita Brent. Dec. 30, 8 p.m., at Altria Theater.

See our top 5 event picks:
What’s Booming RVA: Infamous and Richmond-Famous Musicians

Saturday, Dec. 31 

Happy New Year!

Need a Sober Ride Home? The law firm of Allen & Allen continues its annual program, in partnership with the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association (VRLTA). Allen & Allen is providing participating bars and restaurants with Uber gift cards to distribute to customers on New Year’s Eve. Spread the word!

Chocolate Making Demonstrations. Learn how chocolate was prepared and enjoyed in 18th-century Virginia. Demonstrations using reproduction cooking tools and equipment, with samples of American Heritage Chocolate. Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Noon Year’s Eve. For families and those who prefer an early bedtime! Balloon drop at noon, Jonathan the Juggler, games, food, and drinks. Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hardywood West Creek, Goochland.

Kings Dominion New Year’s Eve Bash. Family-friendly event to ring in 2023. Includes WinterFest lights and décor, rides till 10 p.m., live entertainment, parade, dancing, and seasonal treats and drinks. Dec. 31, 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Doswell.

Light the Way. Add your own lights to the sparkle of Ashland’s Light Up the Tracks in this lighted “parade.” Stroll, bike, or skate the sidewalks along Center Street. Dec. 31, 6 ot 7 p.m. at Hanover Arts and Activities Center, Ashland.

Bubbly + Brews New Year’s Bash. Food, beer, and music. Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m., at Hardywood Richmond.

New Year’s Eve Comedy. Two improv shows to bring laughter to the end of 2022. Dec. 31, 7 to 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight at Comedy Sportz, Richmond.

Rooftop NYE Bash. DJ, live ball drop, drinks, foods, and party favors. Dec. 31: pregame beer and food trucks at 7 p.m. and full bash at 9 p.m. at Sloop: John B, Richmond.

New Year’s Eve Bash with The Jangling Reinharts. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks. 

Don’t Make Me Sing: A Fabulous New Year’s Eve with Brian Baez. A local comes home for a visit and an evening of nostalgia, camp, irreverence, and reflection. Dec. 31, 8 and 10:30 p.m. at Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond.

Black-eyed Peas, New Year’s Day, and Luck

Sunday, Jan. 1

RRRC First Day 5k. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

First Day Hike at Virginia State Parks. Get some exercise, explore outdoors, and get your dose of nature therapy with solo or ranger-led hikes and activities. Parking is FREE at all Virginia State Park locations on Jan. 1.

Tuesday, Jan. 3

Coming Up Short – Richmond Needs Schooling. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Submit your event for What’s Booming!

Last Chance! 

American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. Examine our government’s founding and the continuing story of America’s bold experiment in a government “of, by, and for the people.” Through Dec. 31 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond.

Made in RVA Holiday Shop at Art Works. Richmond holiday shopping made easy with handmade local gifts, from ceramics, jewelry, candles, and soaps to paintings and photography of Richmond’s historical landmarks, the river, and unforgettable city scenes. Through Dec. 31 at Art Works, Richmond.

“Miracle on South Division Street.” You know those family legends that turn out to not exactly what everyone thought? The Nowak family does, with resulting heartbreak and hilarity. Through Dec. 31 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Chesterfield.

Light Up the Tracks in Downtown Ashland. The historic small town in the Center of the Universe transforms into a vintage Christmas village, with light displays and special events, along with ongoing shopping, dining, and entertainment. Through Jan 1 in downtown Ashland.

Victorian Christmas at the Maymont Mansion. Decked out for the season, the Dooley mansion offers self-guided Christmas-themed audio tours. Through Jan. 1 at Maymont, Richmond.

“A Broadway Christmas.” A one-of-a-kind holiday performance of timeless Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa songs composed for and performed on stage. Through Jan. 1 at Hanover Tavern, Hanover Courthouse.

“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.” In the charming sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the Bennet sisters celebrate the holidays at the Darcy estate. Through Jan. 1 at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre, Richmond.

News & Announcements 

Mingus Awareness Project ALS Benefit Jazz Concert. In honor of bassist/composer Charles Mingus, who died of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), the performance supports individuals with ALS and their families. Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

Playing with Light. Using basic physics principles, interactive experiences, and fun, the exhibition explores light using 22 exhibits, encouraging engagement with light, laser, and lens-based experiences. Feb. 11 to Aug. 20 at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

New license plate honoring Virginia’s women military veterans. To make the new plate a reality, the Virginia Department of Veterans Services must receive 450 pre-applications and deposits by Jan. 11, 2023.

Ongoing

“Cheers, Virginia!” Learn about how everyday people and crafters have used their skills and ingenuity to make and improve beer, cider, spirits, and wine for their home tables and to consumers – from early settlers to today’s craft beverages. Through Feb. 9 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

“Storied Strings.” A new exhibition premiering at the VMFA explores the guitar’s symbolism in American art and its story, through a variety of artistic and musical media. Through March 19 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Forging Freedom, Justice and Equality. An exhibition covering important themes of Black history across Virginia, from commerce to military, education, sports, entertainment, and more. Through April 29 at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

“A Powerful Influence: Early Photographs of African Americans from the Collection of Dennis O. Williams.” View 25 portraits of Black Americans, enslaved and free, to explore the complicated histories of identity, family, citizenship, and race. The installation includes daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, and early works on paper made from the 1840s through the 1880s. It complements the upcoming exhibition, “Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour – Frederick Douglass.” Through May 8 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

“Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour – Frederick Douglass.” The poignant 10-screen film installation collapses time and space to bridge persistent historical and contemporary challenges, honoring the great 19th-century abolitionist. FREE. Through July 9 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Down the Road

Have you heard that Benedict Arnold, 200 stories, “Hairspray,” and 50 years post-Vietnam are coming to Richmond? These and so much more are just around the corner and down the road.

Check out our listing at BoomerMagazine.com

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