It's official, Richmond.  The holidays are here! 

Kick start the season right with GardenFest Illumination, Santa, Tacky Lights, ice skating and the Susan Greenbaum Holiday Show.

1. GardenFest Illumination & GardenFest of Lights
Friday, Nov. 27

You probably already knew that GardenFest of Lights lights up this Friday for the holidays. But did you know that RVA Hoop Lovers will be there, performing with LED hoops and fire hoops? Or that Santa Claus, the Butterfly Fairy and the GardenKeeper will also be mingling with guests? Plus over 500,000 lights will be turned on for the first time?

It's true. Expect Friday's GardenFest Illumination to be a luminous event to remember. This year's theme is "Wings of Wonder" with lighted forms of butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other winged insects appearing throughout the Garden.

Also, new this year: check out the Lotus Bridge, a “shining ribbon of light” crossing Sydnor Lake and linking the Rose Garden and the crossroad between the Children’s Garden and Grace Arents Garden. This permanent bridge’s debut will be on the opening night of GardenFest. Large “lotus lights” will float in the lake beside the bridge.

GardenFest of Lights starts Friday, Nov. 27 and continues daily through the holiday season. Check our calendar for specific hours and pricing.

2. Legendary Santa
Friday, Nov. 27

• Festivals
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• Holiday Guide

Santa is coming to town this week. Line up early and get your kid's picture taken at CMoR with Legendary Santa. He'll be on hand with the Snow Queen and his helpful elf to hear your kids' Christmas wishes. While you're there, check out the Holiday Village, a neighborhood of Fan District inspired houses that feature holiday celebrations from around the world such as Hanukkah, Lunar New Year and Kwanzaa. The Holiday Village is on display in CMoR's lobby and is free to the public. Or check out other Santas around town at local malls.

3. Tacky Lights
Starts Thanksgiving and continues throughout the holidays

What's Christmas in Richmond without driving around and checking out all the Tacky Lights? Check out our Tacky Lights Guide for an interactive map, listings on each house, photos, driving directions and much more.

Several houses will be lighting up this week for Thanksgiving. Take a look at Tacky Lights for Turkey Day to plot your course. Other houses will continue lighting throughout the holidays season. You can rent a limo to check out the tacky lights or just plan your own tour with our map.

If you're a die-hard Tacky Lights fan, sign up for our Tacky Lights newsletter where you'll get the latest feature story, new houses, video and more delivered to your inbox every week throughout the holidays.

4. Free Ice Skating & MagicSnow at Stony Point
Friday through Sunday

Enjoy free ice skating this weekend at Stony Point Fashion Park. The outdoor ice rink is now officially open and you can hop on for a free skate this weekend. Here are the hours:

Friday & Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m.

Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Complimentary sessions begin every hour on the hour. Each one hour session consists of 45 minutes of skating with 15 minutes in between sessions to condition the surface. Capacity of rink is 25 individuals per session.

The ice rink will be open for the remainder of the holiday season and normally charges $4 per session.

While you're there, stick around for MagicSnow, a nightly snow experience in the Park District. You never know, living in the South, that might be the closest we get to seeing snow this year.

5. Susan Greenbaum Holiday Show at Ashland Coffee
Saturday, Nov. 28

Pull yourself away from the TV, the football and the turkey. Kick off your holiday season with Richmond's own sparkplug of songs and entertainment, Susan Greenbaum. Featurying holiday tunes and original songs.

It's officially the Holidays, Richmond. For lots more fun things to do and see all season long, check out our Holiday Guide.