Come on out Friday Dec.5 and Saturday Dec.6 for the real kick-off of the holiday season: James Center’s Grand Illumination, Holiday Market @17th Street Farmers Market, Free Horse and Carriage Rides, Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin, Giant Holiday Cards on Display Downtown, Main Street Station Holiday Open House, Capitol Square Tree Lighting…

James Center’s Grand Illumination

Friday, Dec. 5
10th and E. Cary Streets, free admission, 6-7 p.m.
Come down to see Santa Claus and Snow Queen!
The night begins at 6 p.m. with a live countdown to turn on the outline lighting for the downtown office buildings. The VMI Marching Band will perform holiday favorites leading up to the lighting of the holiday reindeer at 6:25 p.m. This year’s theme is A Soulful Christmas and both Bak N Da Day and NYCE will perform around the James Center’s reindeer lights from 6:30-7 p.m. The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet will make a magical appearance too! Come see Tuba Christmas, Harpist Rickie Denton, Shore Leave, the Virginia Piedmont Model Railroad Club and much more while Radio Disney entertains children with activities. This event is provided by James Center Property LLC. For more information call (804) 344-3232.

Holiday Market

Friday, Dec. 5
17th Street Farmers Market, free admission, 5-9 p.m.
Avoid the mall rush! This annual holiday shopping extravaganza features holiday wreaths, fresh cut mistletoe, gourmet desserts, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved wooden toys, handmade ornaments, vintage collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts and so much more! Enjoy the sounds of the season while you shop! Henrico Pops Chorus will be performing live at 6:15 p.m. and will be followed by a Tuba Christmas at 7:45 p.m. Coinciding with the Grand Illumination; this last evening of the market season is the perfect destination for finding unique gifts for the holidays! For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

Free Glow Necklaces for Children

Friday, Dec. 5
Shockoe Slip, 6:30 p.m. while supplies last
In the spirit of Celebrate Illuminate, Venture Richmond staff will be distributing red and green glow necklaces to all children. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Free Horse and Carriage Rides

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the 13th and E. Cary Street fountain, 6-10 p.m.
The holidays are here in Richmond’s historic River District with the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones and jingle bells ringing on the holiday decorated 12-passenger wagons. One round trip ride per person please. Sponsored by Venture Richmond. Call Roger at (804) 769-4010 with questions.

Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin

Friday, Dec. 5
14th and Dock Streets, $2 per person (children 4 and under free), 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate the Season on Richmond’s historic canal by enjoying a 25 minute boat tour on the James River and Kanawha Canal in one of our covered boats. Lite 98 is hosting a live radio show from the Turning Basin to ring in the holidays. Santa will join you for a ride between 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more information call (804) 788-6466.

Giant Holiday Cards on Display Downtown

Friday, Dec. 5–Wednesday, Dec. 31
The James Center (10th and E. Cary) and Richmond Public Library (2nd and E. Main), free admission, check the hours of operation at each location
This year’s 6th annual exhibition of art cards will be a display of vintage holiday cards from students in metro Richmond area during the month of December. The giant cards, each created from wooden doors, are creatively designed and painted by art classes and clubs in schools from the city of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties, and private schools. Sponsored by Siewers Lumber and Venture Richmond. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Main Street Station Holiday Open House

Friday, Dec. 5
Main Street Station and the Plaza at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main Street, free admission, 5-9 p.m.
The city of Richmond welcomes all for a Holiday Open House with a Polar Express theme, free kids train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, decorations, tree lighting and live entertainment. Enjoy the gorgeous restored glory of Main Street Station and explore the lighted Cathedral Walk at the Main Street Station plaza to celebrate the holiday season. Sgt. Santa will roll into town from 6-8 p.m. and don’t forget to bring a small toy donation or book to benefit Sgt. Santa’s workshop. This year’s event will focus on literacy and professional storytellers will be on hand to read to children as they enjoy cookies and cocoa by the fireplace. Come early, the Richmond Public Library will also donate books to the first 300 children! Event parking is only $2 and will be available on the west side of the station using the Franklin Street entrance and within the Plaza using the Main and Cary streets entrance. For more information call (804) 646-5665.

Capitol Square Tree Lighting

Friday, Dec. 5
Capitol Square, free admission, 5-7 p.m.
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree in its holiday finest on Capitol Hill. For more information call (804) 371-2642.