Plus, two restaurants closing at Chesterfield Towne Center
 
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49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.
 

Light up your holiday season

The ultimate guide to holiday lights in Richmond
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Find this treasure trove of tacky lights on Laurel Street. | Photo by RICtoday
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Richmond. Here’s our gift to you — the ultimate guide to local lights, from tacky light tours to festive experiences.

✨ Must-see houses

Let’s get this glow on the road — here are a few houses to highlight on your map.

Oregon Hill Christmas House, 408 S. Laurel St.
Lights at this iconic home go on at 6 p.m. and remain lit until 10 p.m.

RVA House, 3209 Hanover Ave.
This Museum District house is recognizable for its gleaming “RVA” sign and cast of inflatable characters.

Trippin Breakers, 3307 Kensington Ave.
You can recognize this Museum District display by the lights draped over the sidewalk.

RICtoday_TackyLights_HanoverRVA

3209 Hanover Ave. also has wrapped columns and a cast of inflatable characters.

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Photo by RICtoday

A Phifer Christmas, 9604 Asbury Ct.
Lights turn on at 5:20 each night through the end of the year at this iconic tacky light house. Bonus: They’ve got hot cocoa.

The Live Grinch, 1411 Pennsylvania Ave.
Homeowner Brett Aliotti will greet visitors at the decked-out house, which is sure to make your heart grow three sizes.

Christmas on Wendhurst, 9716 Wendhurst Dr.
This year is the 25th season for this Glen Allen home featuring 200,000+ lights and all homemade decorations.

RICtoday_TackyLights_Trippin Breakers_Kensington

3307 Kensington is another city highlight.

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Photo by RICtoday

Christmas Court, 12618 Dawnridge Ct.
The Walton Park neighborhood gets in on the tacky light fun with multiple homes decorated in the Dawnridge cul-de-sac, aptly nicknamed Christmas Court.

Christmas on Coralview, 600 Coralview Ter.
Also in Walton Park, this home features lights set to a variety of Christmas songs.

For an extensive list of addresses, RTD has you covered with its official tacky light list. Did you know? The Times-Dispatch started compiling its guide in 1989.

Click the button to see our roundup of official tacky light tours and light-based experiences around town.
Keep reading the guide
Poll

Tacky light tours: Official or DIY?

A. I’d rather go on an official tour
B. I like to drive around myself
Tell us the bright way
 
Events
Monday, Dec. 4
  • Ruen Brothers | Monday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $12 | The English band brings their twangy pop-rock to the River City.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
  • Grace Street Seven | Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | The Basement, 300 E. Broad St., Richmond | Free entry | The venue is marking 90 years since the end of Prohibition with a 1920s-themed party complete with live music and libations.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
  • Candlelight: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics feat. Ella Fitzgerald | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 6:30 + 9 p.m. | The Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd St., Richmond | $27+ | Listen to holiday classics at this immersive, multi-sensory musical experience.
  • University Symphony Orchestra | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Modlin Center for the Arts Camp Concert Hall, 455 Westhampton Way, Richmond | Free | The University’s largest music ensemble will perform a varied program of classical repertoire.
Thursday, Dec. 7
  • “You’ve Got Mail” | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See the classic rom-com starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan on the big screen.
  • “Cabaret” | Thursday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave., Richmond | $25-$30 | Come see the Tony-winning musical described as daring, provocative, and exuberantly entertaining.
Friday, Dec. 8
More December events
Click here to have your event featured.
Tech

Cut holiday spammers off at the source
Incogni-paper-airplane.png
This service protects your personal data not only from targeted ads, but also from scammers and identity thieves. | Image by Incogni
The best way to cut down on all those holiday spam emails, texts, and calls? Cut marketers off at the source by removing your personal information from data brokers — aka companies that sell contact info to spammers (and scammers).

Save yourself the manual work and get your data off 180+ data brokers and people search sites automatically with Incogni.

Bonus: Sign up for a one year subscription with code 6AM60 and get 60% off.
Snag 60% off for a limited time
News Notes
Opening
  • There’s a new dining concept opening at the VMFA on Sunday, Dec. 10. Floris at VMFA will be a tearoom in the Pauley Center Parlor. The menu will be seasonal, with special offerings based on the museum’s exhibitions. Find the entrance in the sculpture garden.
Closing
  • Two Chesterfield Towne Center restaurants owned by the HOUSEpitality Family Restaurant Group are closing. Casa del Barco and Island Shrimp Co. will shut their doors on Sunday, Dec. 31. The Lindsey Food Group is taking over, opening a second location for ML Steak and a new concept in 2024. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Traffic
  • Look out for slower traffic in Northside at the intersection of Brook Road and Brookland Park Boulevard this week. Crews will be installing a new traffic signal foundation, so some lanes will be closed. Work should be complete by Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Holiday
  • The Richmond Boat Parade of Lights returns to the water this Saturday, Dec. 9. Decked-out boats will make their way from Rocketts Landing to Osbourne Landing from 5 to 8 p.m. Check the parade’s Facebook page for ideal spectator spots.
Number
  • 734,093. That’s how many books patrons have checked out from Richmond Public Library this year, according to RPL’s Wrapped-inspired Instagram post. Fun fact: The most borrowed adult fiction book of 2023 was “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus.
Watch
  • If you missed the Shockoe Sessions Live! Christmas event last week, don’t worry. You can watch the whole show on YouTube and hear some festive tunes from a variety of local artists.
Cause
  • The Hibbett Sports location in White Oak Village is hosting a toy and coat drive to support youth in foster care with UMFS. Drop off donations through Saturday, Dec. 16.
Eat
  • Essence included the River City on its list of the best destinations for culinary travel in 2024. The magazine highlighted 10 cities from around the globe and shouted out Richmond as a foodie magnet where creativity reigns.
Shop
  • Exclusive giveaways, gifts with every purchase, and champagne to sip on while you shop? You’ll find all that and more at the Let it Glow Synergy Social + Savings event tomorrow, Dec. 5, at Synergy Face + Body. Drop in at any location to snag special deals and share in holiday fun.*
Finance
  • Masterworks is a platform that helps you invest in multi-million dollar art by names like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, for just thousands – not millions. When Masterworks sells a painting, like the 16 it’s already sold, investors can get a return. 6AM City readers can skip the waitlist to join.**
**Investing involves risk and past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures and aggregate advisory performance masterworks.com/cd.
 
Civic

Share your transportation thoughts

Share your thoughts on the Richmond Connects transportation plan
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Explore the interactive map to see priority projects in the plan. | Screenshot via city materials
You’ve got until tomorrow to comment on the Richmond Connects Draft Action and Strategic Plan — a document addressing the future of transportation in the River City.

The Primary Action Plan includes potential transportation investments for the next 10 years, including projects identified as priorities by the public.

Bonus: Explore the map of priority projects to give your thoughts on specific proposals. Here are a few we spotted:
  • Evaluating the potential of a car-free Carytown through temporary or permanent street closures
  • 16 new sidewalk construction projects in Southside
  • Traffic calming and safety improvements on Semmes and Cowardin Avenues, including limiting the number of lanes
  • Potentially expanding the Pulse east to the airport via Williamsburg Road
Check out the plan and provide your comments by clicking the button below. Pro tip: You can also see what others have commented while reviewing the plan.
See the plan
The Buy

The Buy 12.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A fun and useful gift that’s sure to get the holiday party started: a margarita machine.
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
December seems off to a great start with so many local events happening over the weekend. I had a swell time with my sisters at Maymont’s Merry Market, which continues this Friday and Saturday.
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