5 Things for Families

If you’re like me, you keep thinking that Thanksgiving is this week and you have a long weekend ahead. Well, it’s not, and you don’t.

November 20, 2013; 6:45 AM • by Kelly Gerow

Don’t let your puny two-day weekend go to waste, though. Ice skate, appreciate local wildlife, and get some holiday cheer locally or in Old Europe, which is conveniently located in Williamsburg.

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1. Give Thanks to the Animals

Do one better than giving thanks for eating animals. Give thanks to the animals for non-edible reasons, too. Learn about the animals at Maymont, create and give treats to them, and then bring home a special treat for any critters in your backyard. This program is for kids five and older (accompanied by an adult). Register online here.

• Saturday, November 23rd • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Maymont Nature Center, 2201 Shields Lake Drive
• $15 child (Nature Center admission included)

2. RVA on Ice

The City’s ice skating rink (located behind CenterStage) opens for the season this Saturday. The outdoor rink will have events throughout the winter months including movies and holiday music, and also has a snack bar with warm beverages and supplies to make s’mores. Enjoy it now before Richmond makes a multi-million dollar deal with the Ice Capades and turns the simple rink into a giant sports complex with retail space and apartments (that is a joke, but also, probably going to happen next year).

• Saturday, November 23rd through January 20th • see website for hours
• 6th and Broad Streets
• $3 to $5 (skate rental is an additional $3 to $5)

3. Tree Lighting Celebration at Willow Lawn

I’ve made it a life goal to see a big fancy tree light up for the first time. Until I do, I’m going to report every tree lighting I find out about. This week’s is at Willow Lawn. In addition to the tree lighting, there will be horse-drawn wagon rides, music from Silly Bus, face painting, and other activities.

• Saturday, November 23rd • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Willow Lawn Plaza, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive
• Free

4. Busch Gardens Christmas Town

Get out of town and travel through time and also to Europe to see…penguins. OK, you’re not going for the history or geography lessons. Christmas Town repurposes all the regular BG attractions to be holiday-themed (Escape from Pompeii is now Polar Pathway, and so on), while also offering shopping, shows, Santa, clydesdales, giant gingerbread men, and a penguin exhibit.

• Saturday, November 23rd through December 31st • see website for hours
• Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
• $30

5. Holiday Open House at Wilton House

The Wilton House Museum, decorated for a 1930s-style Christmas, is free to the public during this open house. Games, house tours, and performances from the Concert Ballet of Virginia and Barefoot Puppet Theatre are among the activities.

• Sunday, November 24th • 12:00 – 5:00PM
• Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road
• Free

Photo by: jspad

November 20, 2013 6:45 AM 0