• Three Zoning Changes Update includes a review of actions to date and upcoming public meetings, the last of which is this week.
• Richmond CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for children) is recruiting for its winter training session.
• Got leaves? The Department of Public Works offers three leaf disposal options. Note that our last bulk pickup-with-regular-trash day is Saturday, December 10. 

This Week in the Museum District will not be released this coming Monday, December 12, but this edition includes two weeks of events and activities so you won't miss a thing! We'll see you again at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19.

While the MDA continues its search for a new supplier, our West of the Boulevard Historic District house plaques remain unavailable. Watch this space for updates! 

The Byrd Theater, 2908 W. Cary Street. Historic landmark showing big screen classics. Showtimes include:

• Monday, December 5, 7:00 p.m. A Christmas Story (1983) $8
• Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. The Nightmare Before Christmas (2020) $8*
• Thursday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. Banshees of Inisherin (2022) $8
• Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m. Frozen (2013) $5*
• Saturday, December 10, 7:00 p.m. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) $8*
• Sunday, December 11, 7:00 p.m. White Christmas (1954) $8*

• Monday, December 12, 7:00 p.m. White Christmas (1954) $8
• Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. Gremlins (1984) $8*
• Saturday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. The Polar Express sensory friendly (2004) $5
• Saturday, December 17, 7:00 p.m. Elf (2003) $8*
• Sunday, December 18, 2:00 p.m. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) $8*

* Featuring a performance on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ

Farmers, Flea, and Specialty Markets, Classes, and Events. Single events are listed first by date; recurring events follow by day of the week.  

• Monday, December 5, 10:00–11:00 Toddler Time: Winter Wiggles. $11.25–$15 per toddler/adult pair.   
• Monday, December 5, 7:00 p.m. Holiday Pops with the Richmond Philharmonic. Virginia Museum of History & Culture, free
• Tuesday, December 6, 3:00–4:00 p.m. or 4:30–5:00 p.m GardenFest of Lights Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Lewis Ginter. $10–$25
• Tuesday, December 6, 5:30–7:00 p.m. Controversy/History: The Crisis at Our Doorstep—Housing in RVA at Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W Leigh Street. Free and open to the public
• Wednesday, December 7, 12:00–12:45 p.m. Lunch Break Science presents Electrifying Transportation: The Roles of Batteries. Science Museum of Virginia. 2500 W Broad Street. Free
• Wednesday, December 7, 2:00–7:00 p.m. Holiday Villages at the Valentine, free
• Thursday, December 8, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Pines & Pints Wreath Decorating Event at Blue Bee Cider, 1320 Summit Ave, Scott's Addition. $50 includes 1 cider and 1 fir wreath with all decorations included. 
• Friday, December 9—23, varying times, Richmond Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker, Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace Street. $25–$130
• Friday, December 9, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Keeping Christmas: 200 Years of Virginia Traditions includes a candlelit tour, warm cider, and festive music. Wilton House Museum, free by advance reservation
• Saturday, December 10, 9:00–11:00 a.m. Holiday Wreath Workshop, Lewis Ginter. $71–$79 admission includes a light snack and all materials
• Saturday, December 10, 10:00–11:30 a.m. Plants and Spices for the Holidays, Lewis Ginter. $35–$42
• Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 11th Annual Carytown Artisan Market. City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue
• Saturday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. A Christmas Carol outdoor puppet performance. North Avenue Library, free
• Saturday, December 10, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Christkindlmarkt at Blue Bee Cider, 1320 Summit Ave, Scott's Addition. 
• Saturday, December 10, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Keeping Christmas: 200 Years of Virginia Traditions includes a candlelit tour, warm cider, and festive music. Wilton House Museum, free by advance reservation 
• Sunday, December 11, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 11th Annual Carytown Artisan Market. City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue
• Sunday, December 11, 12:00–4:00 p.m. Winter Wander in the Court End neighborhood, from the Valentine. Free
• Sunday, December 11, 12:00–5:00 p.m. Yuletides at Agecroft: Christmas Open House. Agecroft Hall & Gardens, free

And next week: 

• Monday, December 12, 10:00–11:00 Toddler Time: Winter Wiggles. $11.25–$15 per toddler/adult pair.   
• Tuesday, December 13, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Dreaming Home, a workshop and forum (with lunch!) from the Richmond Office of Aging & Disability Services. Free by advance registration; call 804-646-0251 by Tuesday, December 6 to register. 
• Wednesday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. A Christmas Carol outdoor puppet performance. Westover Hills Library, free
• Thursday, December 15, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Valentine Member Holiday Shopping Day. Free to members by advance registration 
• Thursday, December 15, 6:30–9:30 p.m. Cosmic Holiday Party, The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, $50
• Friday, December 16, 7:00 p.m. No BS! Brass Band 12th Annual Canned Food Drive, The Broadberry, 2729 W Broad Street. $15

Recurring events include:

• Daily:
  • Through Sunday, January 8, 4:00–10:00 p.m. Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. $7–$30 by advance online ticket (no walkups)
  • Through Sunday, March 12, varying times. Characters: Type & Progress. Read more from Style Weekly and Print Magazine. Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, $5
• Tuesdays:
  • Birdhouse Farmer’s Market, 3:00–6:30 p.m. Check the vendor list to order in advance and pick up at the market. There's also onsite drop-off for a free community composting program. 1507 Grayland Avenue.
  • Pickleball at Richmond’s First Baptist Church, 4:00–6:00 p.m. with beginner and intermediate/advanced courts. 2709 Monument Ave via Mulberry St. entrance; $3 suggested donation; 804-355-8637
  • Foundations Flow Yoga with Erin Lingo, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Branch Museum of Architecture and Design social gallery or back garden; pay-what-you-can (suggested $15–$20) in advance to reserve a space. 
• Wednesdays:
  • Lakeside Farmer's Market, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 6110 Lakeside Avenue, 23228
  • Richmond Short Stories, 1:30–2:00 p.m. A 30-minute gallery tour at the free-on-Wednesdays Valentine Museum.
  • Starting December 21, Special Hours at the Robins Nature Center, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at Maymont. $0–$8
  • The Valentine Museum of Richmond history is free every Wednesday for as long as Jefferson Davis is on display. Hours are 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 
  • Wilton House Museum open 1:00–4:00 p.m. for guided tours, $8–$10
• Thursdays:
  • Northside Farmers Market, 4:30–7:00 p.m. through November. 201 E Brookland Park Blvd behind Richmond Community High School 
  • Richmond Short Stories, 6:00–6:30 p.m. A 30-minute gallery tour of the free-after-5:00 p.m.-on-Thursdays Valentine Museum. 
  • Starting December 21, Special Hours at the Robins Nature Center, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at Maymont. $0–$8
  • Wilton House Museum, open 1:00–4:00 p.m. for guided tours, $8–$10
• Fridays: 
  • Starting December 21, Special Hours at the Robins Nature Center, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at Maymont. $0–$8
  • Storytime in the Garden, 10:00–10:30 a.m. Lewis Ginter. Included with garden admission. 
  • Wilton House Museum, open 1:00–4:00 p.m. for guided tours, $8–$10
• Saturdays:
  • Farmer's Market at St. Stephen's, 8:00 a.m–12:00 p.m. 6000 Grove Avenue. Please, no pets (except service animals). Each week's vendor list is here.
  • Lakeside Farmer's Market, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 6110 Lakeside Avenue
  • RVA BIG Market at Bryan Park, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road
  • Robins Nature Center at Maymont, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. $0–$8
  • Wilton House Museum, open 1:00–4:00 p.m. for guided tours, $8–$10
• Sundays: 
  • Robins Nature Center at Maymont, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. $0–$8
  • Wilton House Museum, open 1:00–4:00 p.m. for guided tours, $8–$10 

• Saturday, December 10, CarMax Tacky Light Run. $20-$35 registration includes a virtual option
• Saturday, April 22, Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k and Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini. $20–$40 includes virtual options; prices increase Wednesday, January 4

• Discover Richmond Tours offers a Museum District scavenger hunt and food tours of Carytown, Scott's Addition, and more. From $24 for a team of four. 
• Hollywood Cemetery, a free self-guided tour created in collaboration with Steven K. Smith, author of The Virginia Mysteries book series. Additional Hollywood Cemetery tour options are available. 
• James River Scenic Walk Guides include where to park and how to get around Belle Isle, Canal Walk, Pipeline Trail, Pony Pasture, and Potterfield Bridge. Free.
• The James River Park System attracts nearly two million visitors every year. Details about trails, bike paths, historical landmarks, and more are available. 
• The Richmond Garden Trail includes 10 gorgeous sites within 10 miles, from Agecroft Hall to the VMFA. How many have you visited? 
• Richmond Road Runners Club offers free Richmond running tours, including:
  • Richmond Transportation Highlights, 12 miles
  • Black History Highlights, 14.25 miles
  • The James River, Richmond’s raison d’être, 18 miles with a 13-mile option
  • Richmond's Historic Northside plus Culinary Tidbits, 12 miles
  • Tipsy Tour, 11 miles with a 13.1 mile option
  • Early Richmond History Highlights, 13 miles
  • Richmond Historic Parks & Rec, 10 miles
• Richmond Tour Guys offer two-hour walking tours that bring the rich history of RVA to life. Scheduled tours Thursday–Sunday include Downtown/Capitol Square, Church Hill, and Shockoe. Private, group, and custom options are also available. 
• RVATukTuk offers a variety of private tours including Poe's Richmond and custom bar crawls.
• The Valentine offers free, self-guided Richmond history tours of Capitol Square, Court End, the Fan, Jackson Ward, and more.

• ongoing: In preparation for the VMHC's January 6–16 Used Book Sale, bring your gently used hardcover and softcover fiction and nonfiction books to the Museum Store daily from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. There are some do's and dont's.
• Thursday, December 8, 10:30 a.m. American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith Member Tour. Free to members; also available Thursday, December 15. 
• Thursday, December 8, 12:00 p.m. The Heart of Hell: The Soldiers' Struggle for Spottsylvania's Bloody Angle, a virtual lecture, available to livestream via YouTube and Facebook 
• Saturday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. Chocolate-Making Demonstration. Free; no registration required; also December 17, 24, and 31
• Sunday, December 11, 12:00–4:00 p.m. Virginia House Open House. Free on a drop-in basis at 4301 Sulgrave Road in the Windsor Farms neighborhood.  

• Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 p.m. Created Equal Film Series presents the Emmy® award-winning documentary Mending Walls film and panel discussion. Free by advance registration 
• Wednesday, December 14, 10:00 a.m. Different Paths to Freedom: Slavery and the American Revolution, a virtual student webinar. Free by advance registration
• Thursday, December 15, 10:30 a.m. American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith Member Tour. Free to members
• Saturday, December 17, 11:00 a.m. Chocolate-Making Demonstration. Learn how chocolate was made in 18th-century Virginia and sample American Heritage Chocolate. Free; no registration required; also December 24 and 31