Gardenfest Goes BOGO

Photo by Trevor Wrayton

Admission to the Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is now Buy One Get One free. General Admission: $10 adults; $9 seniors age 55+; $6 children (ages 3 - 12); free for children under age 3. Garden Members: $5 adults; $4 child on membership (ages 3 - 18); The Gardenfest runs through Monday so you still have three more chances to go. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Christmas at The Jefferson

The Jefferson Hotel is a Richmond landmark and instituion. It is one of 27 American hotels with Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Hotel ratings. It is accompanied by Lemaire, a Five Diamond Restaurant rated as on of the top three new restaurant's in America after a recent makeover. Every year The Jefferson puts on the Christmas Ritz featuring the best Christmas tree in the city.

From Christmas at The Jefferson

The Gardenfest of Snow

Photo by Lisa Bainbridge

The Gardenfest of Lights continues at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, this year with a twist. The grounds have been carpeted with snow, transforming it into a magical wonderland. Tonight will feature a concert in the Children's Garden by Susan Greenbaum at no additional charge.

Photo by Trevor Wrayton

Photo by Trevor Wrayton

The Moongate by Don Williamson

Photo by Jay Paul

Anyone who purchases a new family membership ($85) will not only get free admission to the Garden all year for 2 adults (and up to 6 kids), but will also get 2 free tickets to GardenFest, a great last minute holiday gift. Gardenfest of Lights will continue daily through January 11th, but will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

• General Admission: $10 adults; $9 seniors age 55+; $6 children (ages 3 - 12); free for children under age 3. Garden Members: $5 adults; $4 child on membership (ages 3 - 18); FREE for Members on Member Nights. We have one remaining member night on Monday, January 11. Learn more. lewisginter.org/events/
  
• Purchase GardenFest tickets 1) at admissions desks in the Visitors Center (daily 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. til Jan. 11; closed Dec. 24 & 25); 2) online; or 3) by calling 1-800-594-TIXX. Membership information required for member pricing. Tickets ordered online and by phone incur nominal service charge with pick up at "Will Call" in the Visitors Center.

Christmas Spirit at Christian-Lorraine

Oriental Rug store Christian-Lorraine is one of the few stores in downtown Richmond that maintains the holiday tradition of seasonal window displays. It's one of the few bits of grassroots holiday spirit remaining. If there was an award I would give it to them. It's these small creative displays that really add to the Christmas spirit. There is still a lot of small business left downtown. Wouldn't it be great if the vast majority went all out and dressed up for the holidays. That's the kind of spirit festive that could turn around people's attitude about downtown and bring people back to the kind of strolling and people watching that used to be part of the Christmas tradition.

Shockoe Slip Open House - Tonight

From the Open House Facebook Page.

Open House Block Party!

Come to our first annual Shockoe Slip Open House Block Party charity event December 10th and 11th for a barrage of amazing specials and deals and tons of fun! Get an edge on your holiday shopping, take advantage of drink and dinner specials, pet some puppies for adoption, warm up with hot cider, sing some Karaoke, dance to hot holiday music and be among friends all while helping Shockoe Slip raise funds for charities!

Food and drink specials as well as prizes will be available at many businesses. This is a good opportunity to take in the holiday lights and enjoy some great deals in one of Richmond's most historic locations.

• *SEGWAY OF RICHMOND* is going to host dogs and puppies from the SPCA for adoption and raffling off a Segway Tour of Richmond to benefit the Richmond SPCA.
  
• *FRAME NATION* will be collecting **URGENTLY NEEDED**
  Small to large bags of dry cat/dog food (unopened only)
  Small to large cans of wet cat/dog food (unopened only)
  Coupons for/samples of dog and cat food for Richmond SPCA.

Toys for Tots will have drop offs at The Berkley Hotel and Helium.