Thanksgiving and The Holiday Season in Virginia

Thanks to Richmond VA new home builder Lifestyle for the below article about the upcoming Holidays in central Virginia!

--

In Central Virginia, the acknowledgment of upcoming holidays is often felt throughout the region as early as mid-November. Decorations such as cornucopia, pumpkins and adorned door wreaths are reminiscent of the falling autumn leaves. As families gather around the table for a traditional Thanksgiving feast it is evident that the holidays are in full swing. Once the fresh-cut Christmas tree stands start opening residents get in the spirit of decorating for the holidays. Excited shoppers can find extended hours, and deals, at all of the shopping centers and outlet malls, where Santa and his elves are waiting to greet young children. Each year brings new and annual holiday traditions to Virginia and below is a short guide of different holiday happenings coming to the region, in particular in Richmond and Williamsburg.

Richmond, VA

Ukrops Christmas parade takes place in early December and attracts more than 100, 000 Virginians from all over the state. It traverses two miles of Richmond, complete with marching bands, floats, and life size helium holiday balloons. It is the single largest event of the year in the state of Virginia, and begins at the Science Museum on Broad Street and makes its way deeper into the city at 7th Street.

Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter is another area holiday tradition. The light show features more than a half million bulbs arranged in botanical themes throughout the beautifully vast gardens at Lewis Ginter. Handmade decorations and lavish ribbons are also used to decorate the gardens for the fest of lights. Months of preparation are put into this event, as organizers and staff start adorning the gardens with lights in August and some aren’t taken down until February. Make a day or night of its beauty and reserve a dinner reservation among the phenomenal lights in the garden.

The Bizarre Bazaar makes a visit to the Richmond Raceway Complex every holiday season. This a large-scale exhibition provides a unique offering of gourmet foods, toys, clothing and accessories, imported and handmade jewelry, quality crafts and fine arts, antiques, reproduction and hand-painted furniture and of course, holiday treats, ornaments and decorative accessories, and this doesn’t even cover most of it! You don’t want to miss this kick-off to the holiday season! The Bizarre Bazaar offers a unique shopping experience, but also grants charities and non-profit foundations the opportunity to raise funds for their organizations through special volunteer hours and sales at the show.

Williamsburg, VA

Busch Garden’s is often referred to as one of the world’s most fanciful theme parks, and the holiday season is no exception. The park’s Christmas Town celebration is an annual holiday event. It includes more than a million sparkling lights, scents of potpourri and fresh baked Christmas baked goods, unique gift ideas, and an extravagant 45-foot, light-animated Christmas tree. Visitors can still enjoy some of the park’s most well-known rides, and its entertaining shows—all with a holiday twist!

In most parts of Williamsburg, you can feel the holidays approaching when the town decorates in a fashion true to their roots—in colonial 18th century fashion. Ranging from the Grand Illumination, lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, caroling and 18th century live holiday stage productions, this area of Central Virginia does not fall short on holiday happenings!