Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. Featuring more than 1 million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday activities and more. Through Monday. 5-10 p.m. $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $8 for children age 3-12. 804/262-9887; lewisginter.org.
Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Enjoy festive food and drink, holiday shopping and heartwarming shows. 2-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $30 and up; discounts available. christmastown.com/va.
“Clifford the Big Red Dog” Storytime, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway. 11 a.m. Free. 540/785-3504.
Stories at the Museum, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 North Blvd., Richmond. Enjoy a group reading of a history-themed book and a craft activity. 11 a.m. to noon. Included with admission. Other events: 18th-Century Chocolate-Making Demonstrations, 1-4 p.m. Free. 804/340-1800; virginiahistory.org.
Shake Up Your Saturdays: “Celebrate Twelfth Night,” Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. Get festive with Twelfth Night traditions. 10-11 a.m., recommended for ages 4-7, and 11 a.m. to noon, recommended for ages 7-11. Free. Program has a limited number of spots; please register and receive a confirmation before attending. Register at folger.edu/family-programs.
Family Afternoon: Capturing Light with House Lanterns, National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. Construct and decoratea paper lantern to take home. Free family drop-in program. All ages. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 202/272-2448; nbm.org.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. See Thursdsay’s listing.
Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. See Friday’s listing.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. See Thursdsay’s listing.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. See Thursdsay’s listing.
“Octopants” Storytime, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway. 11 a.m. Free. 540/785-3504.
Preschool Palette, Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth. Introduce your child to arts education in a museum setting with this monthly award-winning class. Enjoy hands-on art activities and projects, along with age-appropriate studio tours, garden walks and stories. 10–11 a.m. Ages 2–5 are accompanied by an adult. $12 child/adult pair ($10 Friends of Belmont). Register at garimelchers.umw.edu/education/preschool-palette.
CarMax $1 Family Nights, The Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2626 W. Broad St. Held the second Friday of each month from 5-7:30 p.m. $1 admission per person (adults and children). c-mor.org.
Special Nights at Children’s Museum Fredericksburg, 1275 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Find museum exploration, adapted materials, a cool-down space and a reduced number of visitors. For families with children ages 15 years and younger who have challenges or disabilities. Jan. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free; no reservations required. 540/656-2233; c-mor.org.
Art Extravaganza, Rowser Building, Stafford. Enjoy a variety of hands-on artistic activities at over 15 stations, using paint, markers and more. Wear old clothes. Jan. 12, 9 a.m. to noon. For ages 3-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult. $8 in advance or $10 at the door. staffordparks.com.
“Love, Z” Storytime and Activities, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway. Jan. 12, 11 a.m. Free. 540/785-3504.
Family Afternoon: Capturing Light with Stained Glass, National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. Draw inspiration from historic drawings from the Washington National Cathedral to create an acrylic square “stained glass” to take home. Free family drop-in program. All ages. Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 202/272-2448; nbm.org.
Camp Arena Stage Open House, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, Mead Center, 1101 Sixth St. SW, Washington, D.C. Features sample activities and classes taught by camp staff and provides an opportunity for prospective campers and parents to experience a taste of Camp Arena Stage. Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For ages 8-15. Free; no reservations are required. Camp Arena Stage’s four-week intensive is scheduled for June 24-July 19 and two-week session on July 22-Aug. 2. arenastage.org/camp-open-house.
“Winnie the Pooh,” Riverside Children’s Theater, 95 Riverside Parkway. Jan. 17 to March 2. Saturday matinees at 1 p.m., arrive at noon. $18 lunch and show, $14 show only. 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com.
“The Dutchess and Guy: A Rescue-to-Royalty Puppy Love Story” Storytime and Activities, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway. Jan. 19, 11 a.m. Free. 540/785-3504.
Sensory-Friendly Day, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 North Blvd., Richmond. Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to $5. 804/340-1800; virginiahistory.org.
Sensory-Friendly Day, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 North Blvd., Richmond. Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to noon. Included with admission. 804/340-1800; VirginiaHistory.org.
Charlottesville High School Orchestra: Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville. Jan. 20, 3 p.m. $12 youth, $17 adult, $75 meet and greet plus book and preferential seating. 434/979-1333; theparamount.net.
The Enchantment Theatre Company: “The Phantom Tollbooth,” The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville. Jan. 24. $10.75 youth, $14.75 adults. 434/979-1333; theparamount.net.
”The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel written by Rick Riordan. Eisenhower Theater. Feb. 15–17. 202/467-4600; kennedy-center.org, lightningthiefmusical.com.
Paramount Presents: Richmond Symphony’s “The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant—With Really Inventive Stuff,” The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville. March 3. $14.75-$24.75. 434/979-1333; theparamount.net.
—Compiled by Gail Choochan
—Compiled by Gail Choochan
