Best Things to Do in Richmond with Kids During Thanksgiving and Christmas Break
Looking for things to do in Richmond with kids this holiday season?! I've got you covered with my favorite guide to VERY RICHMOND HOLIDAYS!
I've rounded up some of my favorite Thanksgiving events, Christmas activities and winter fun. Plus, there are a few special events that are brand new to Richmond for you and your family to try. Think: holiday lights, an art-centric tea time, meeting Barbie and more!
Since there's not shortage of holiday fun around Richmond for families, this is PART 1 to VERY RICHMOND HOLIDAYS!
*Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for things to do with kids in Richmond!
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Best Things to Do in Richmond with Kids During Thanksgiving and Christmas Break:
Here are my picks for things to do with kids around Richmond over Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks. Some events happen on certain dates and times, and other activities are open daily throughout November and December 2026.
Thanksgiving break activities in Richmond:
The Model Railroad Show at The Science Museum of Virginia
RVA’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition is back for its 49th year! The Science Museum of Virginia’s annual Model Railroad Show is Friday, November 27-Sunday, November 29, 2026.
This family-friendly event is perfect for rail fans of all ages. You can see train displays, watch blacksmiths work, check out steam engine demos & participate in collaborative train builds!
Highlights: an entire room of model train displays, intricate landscapes & mini cities, steam engine demonstrations, hands on collaborative train scene build, and an interactive family train yard.
*Check here for more details on The Model Railroad show!
When: November 27–29, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM only
Where: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA
Seasonal events, festivals, and special holiday experiences in Richmond:
WinterWorld at CarMax Park: This brand new holiday experience is an immersive winter wonderland, and it's the most exciting new holiday adventure in Richmond. And WinterWorld has fun for all ages! Families can skate on the ice rink, stroll through the Light Tunnel, ride the Ferris Wheel, tube down ice slides, visit Santa’s Workshop, crafts & storytime with Mrs. Claus, wander the Tree Maze and MORE! It’s even home to the tallest live Christmas tree in Richmond.
When: WinterWorld is open from November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
Where: CarMax Park, 2929 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230
*Check here for a sneak peek of WinterWorld, and check here for the most asked questions about WinterWorld.
Lewis Ginter’s GardenFest of Lights: GardenFest of Lights fills Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with more than a million of lights! And it was voted Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the US by USA Today (’23 and ‘24)!
This self-guided stroll has illuminated displays & pathways… plus a Jingle Bar & Grill! While it’s mostly outside, you can warm up inside watching model trains or by the fire with s’mores. The garden is ADA accessible, and it’s a beautiful multigenerational event!
The Members-Only Preview is November 20-22, 2026. GardenFest of Lights is open to the public from November 23, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
*Check here to see GardenFest of Lights from 2025.
3. Busch Garden' Christmastown: This is worth the road trip to Williamsburg!
Visiting Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of my family's holiday traditions, and I love to squeeze it in over Thanksgiving Break!
Between mid-November and News Year's Day, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is decked out with more than 10 thousand lights! You can watch holiday shows, ride select rides & try lots of festive treats. Some of our favorite things at Christmas Town with little kids are meeting Rudolph, riding the Holly Jolly Express & Kinder Karussel and watching Elmo’s Christmas Wish!
Mom Tips for visiting Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Make sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time for the best price on tickets. We always get ours during the 1/2 off deals or select date specific tickets to get the best price. Also, the "preferred" and "VIP" parking lots are worth it if you're traveling with little kids. There's so much walking inside the park that you'll be grateful for the shorter walk when you leave!
When: November 13, 2026-January 3, 2027
Where: 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg, VA 23185
*Check here for my review of Busch Gardens Christmas Town with kids. Check here for more information on Busch Gardens Christmas Town.
Indoor activities for cold or rainy days in Richmond:
The Model Railroad Show at The Science Museum of Virginia
RVA’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition is back for its 47th year! The Science Museum of Virginia’s annual Model Railroad Show is Friday, November 29-Sunday, December 1.
This family-friendly event is perfect for rail fans of all ages. You can see train displays, watch blacksmiths work, check out steam engine demos & participate in collaborative train builds!
Highlights: an entire room of model train displays, intricate landscapes & mini cities, steam engine demonstrations, hands on collaborative train scene build, and an interactive family train yard.
When: November 27–29, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Where: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA
*Click here to learn more about The Model Railroad Show at The Science Museum of Virginia!
Rescue! at The Science Museum of Virginia
Rescue! is a new, interactive STEM exhibit that lets you step into the role of a first responder, navigating daring land, sea and air missions! With 12+ hands-on rescue missions, the whole family can try out the tools, training & technology used in real emergency situations.
Highlights of Rescue! for kids are: piloting the life-sized helicopter simulator, racing jet skis on the rescue mission, navigating a smoke-filled emergency scene, and conquering the 360-degree climbing challenge.
When: now through January 17, 2027 from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Where: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA
*Check here for my review of Rescue with kids!
The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse! at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse opens November 14 at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! This special exhibit from the Dallas Museum of Art examines the interesting story of Impressionism from 1874 to its impact on the 20th century. You’ll get to see nearly 50 famous pieces from Impressionists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Berthe Morisot and even works by avant-garde artists like Vincent van Gogh and Henri Matisse.
To help children and families (aka young artists!) understand the exhibit, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse is organized into four major sections: Rebels with a Cause, Field Notes, Side Effects, and Ever After.
The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse, like all Special Exhibitions, have special ways to learn. Families can learn by reading, looking and hearing. Throughout the exhibit, you will find introductory text panels and object labels, "Look, Explore, Connect" labels, a video projection of Claude Monet at work in Giverny, and a curated playlist of innovative compositions by the Impressionists' musical contemporaries who also broke from tradition
This special exhibits opens of November 14, 2026 with a special celebration for Monet’s Birthday!
*Check here for the Educator's Guide if you're visiting with kids!
When: November 14, 2026 – April 4, 2027, daily
Where: 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23220
*While you're at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, don't miss Monet's Garden Tearoom experience at Floris.
Floris at The VMFA is an art-centric tea room — their tea service is inspired by The VMFA’s permanent collections & special exhibitions. Each season, it’s always a new experience. Starting November 14, you can enjoy Afternoon Tea inspired by The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse!
You get to enjoy unlimited tea & you can pick from over 20 teas - like VMFA Blend, Earl Grey (my fav), Moroccan Mint & Himalayan White. Hot cocoa is available for children too! Each table gets its own 3-tiered tea stand with house-made scones, savory sandwiches & sweet treats.
*Check here for my review of Afternoon Tea at Floris with kids!
Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibition at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Barbie: A Cultural Icon has over 250 vintage dolls, including a special "Virginia is for Barbie" collection! In this self-guided exhibit, you can walk through Barbie's 65 year evolution, showcasing her fashion and careers. You can also explore local spotlights on notable Virginians like Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, and Gabby Douglas -- all in dolls modeled after these famous locals!
Highlights of the Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibition for families and kids are the life-sized pink Barbie Corvette, an oversized Barbie photo box, and a re-creation of the Dream House!
This special exhibit is open now through January 19, 2027 at VMHC.
When: October 17, 2026 – January 18, 2027, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Where: 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23220
Holiday Performances in Richmond over Thanksgiving and Christmas Break
Virginia Repertory Theatre's A Christmas Carol
Part of the Jessie Bogese Family Series, A Christmas Carol brings the beloved classic to life on the stage in Richmond! You can watch Ebenezer Scrooge's journey through Christmas Past, Present and Future in play form with live music. This live production also includes water-based haze, theatrical smoke and flashing lights.
This local holiday performance runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
Best for Ages: 7 years old and up
Ticket Prices: start at $39 pp
When: November 18 through December 27, 2026
Performance Times: 2pm or 7pm
Where: Virginia Repertory Theatre
Location: 114 West Broad St, Richmond VA 23220
*Click here for more information!
The Richmond Ballet's The Nutcracker
It’s time to travel to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy! The Richmond Ballet's The Nutcracker is one of my family's favorite Christmas traditions in Richmond; we go every year! You can see The Nutcracker at Dominion Energy Center December 5 to December 23, 2026. Grab your tickets NOW!
During this 2 hour show, you will see all your favorite characters from The Nutcracker & hear Tchaikovsky’s masterpieces performed by The Richmond Symphony. This playful and vibrant performance is family-friendly, particularly at the matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays!
When: select days in December
Where: Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center
*For more details on these fun, festive spots and things to do with kids in Richmond VA, follow me on @thewestendmom on Instagram!
