Join the crowd for the 42nd Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6. | Photo via the City of Richmond
We’re here to help you fill the wrap up the year with some or your favorite memories — from upcoming festivals + parades to spontaneous one-day events around the city. Make this holiday season one for the books with these 30+ December events.
Coming up soon:
RVA Krampusnacht | Monday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 14 | Locations vary | Prices vary | Get ready for two weeks of monstrous festivies, including Gallery5’s Holidaze Market and the 13th Annual Yuletide Monsters Parade in Carytown.
GardenFest of Lights | Monday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Jan. 4 | 4 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $22 | A winter tradition for many, be sure to stop by the hot cocoa stand before strolling through the twinkling gardens.
On the radar:
4 Tha Culture Women’s Holiday Hoops Classic | Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Henrico Sports + Events Center, Glen Allen | $25+ | Reserve single-game or all-session tickets, and be among the first to experience this premier tournament of talent.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 1-7 p.m. | Greater Richmond Convention Center | Free | Organized annually by the Elegba Folklore Society, Richmond’s first Kwanzaa festival took place in 1990.
French Quarter New Year’s Eve Dinner | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 5-9 p.m. | Blue Atlas | $20 | Reservations are open for this curated holiday dinner, ringing in 2026 with Creole-Cajun cuisine.
Legends on Grace: Yes And! Theatrical Company | 8-10 p.m. | Dominion Energy Center | $42+ | Yes And! Theatrical Company brings you Trunk Show Band to present a mixed tape set featuring a rollicking program of holiday tunes and seasonal pop hits.*
Custom orders are also available. | Photo courtesy of Emily Warden Designs
Richmond’s gem for meaningful holiday gifting, Emily Warden Designs brings together ethical sourcing, heirloom-inspired style, and modern craftsmanship.
Shop online or stop by the storefront on 2225 Hanover Ave. for gifts rooted in bespoke, artisanal craftsmanship. Plus, take advantage of the Cyber Week sale from Friday, Nov. 28 to Monday, Dec. 1.
While development proposals remain open, this design gives Richmonders an idea of what GRTC’s Downtown Transfer Hub could become.
Rendering via GRTC + Design Collective
Development
A downtown GRTC junction has become the first domino in Richmond’s 9.4-acre City Center redevelopment project. Located on North 10th Street, city officials are seeking proposals to transform the bus site, which will connect to the future North-South Pulse line. Two design requirements: a 10-bay transfer hub + a mixed-use building rising above.
Seasonal
Joining the ranks of Richmond’s iconic animals, we present Todd Fowler, Henrico County’s first pardoned turkey. County leadership pardoned the feathered fellow Last Friday, Nov. 21 at Meadow Farm at Crump Park, but Fowler’s not all about pomp and circumstance. You can visit him for free any day. (WRIC)
Sports
Richmond’s ice-sports scene is leveling up, from new teams and youth engagement to major facility developments. Set to open in summer 2026, Richmond Ice Box aims to be the largest ice-rink facility in the region — a space fit for a rising star. We know who we’re rooting for. (Richmond Magazine)
Film
The Byrd Theatre has unveiled its December film schedule, featuring wintertime classics like “Home Alone,” “Fargo,” and — kicking off the month — “Die Hard.” If you’re still looking for seasonal flicks, check out the upcoming screenings at Goochland Drive-In. Pro tip: The drive-in will add soups and hot cocoa back onto the concessions menu.
Biz
Small business shoutout: holiday gift edition. Catering to the farm-to-table crowd, VegTable uses regionally-sourced ingredients to create snacks and spreads “made for the late-night kitchen hang.” Doubling down on the local love, Richmond-based duo Monday Morning Creative tagged in behind-the-scenes to launch VegTable’s farm-fresh new branding look.
Mailbag
“As an 80-year-old artist and crafter, SCRAP RVA allows me to donate my lifelong collection of unused supplies knowing they will find good homes.” That’s what reader Cate F. shared after seeing yesterday’s local DIY inspo. Keep reading for another sustainable SCRAP-craft idea in today’s Wrap.
Athleta’s full site is 30% off for Black Friday, happening right now through Saturday, November 29. From sunrise workouts to Sunday strolls, these are the pieces you’ll reach for on repeat. Grab 30% off today.*
The Buy
Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale features thousands of deals. Don’t spend hours sorting through them — we already did that for you. Here are three you can’t miss:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
As a craft lover, I was delighted to see several reader emails in our inbox, requesting more sustainable DIY ideas. I figured I’d keep the ball rolling with my next personal project, accessible for beginners + achievable within a day.
DIY paper garland:
Save a few paper grocery bags or cardboard boxes.
Cut and lay the bags or boxes out flat. Trace a dozen or more holiday shapes. I’m planning to free-hand star shapes for some added whimsy. You can use cookie cutters to trace for extra crisp lines.
Paint the shapes (before cutting them) and let them dry.
Cut out your shapes.
Punch holes, string twine or holiday ribbon, and use them to decorate as you see fit.
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