Holiday Hours and Events

The department, its community centers and its cultural arts and community center at Pine Camp will be closed Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; and Monday, January 2 for the holidays. All parks will remain open as usual from sunrise to sunset.

     The department’s Before and After School program is closed during Richmond Public School’s winter break and will resume when schools re-open on January 3, 2012. The programs provide children with a safe place before and after school at 20 Richmond elementary schools. In addition, children in the After School Program are introduced to cultural arts and sports. Registration is just $50 and decreases for each additional child per family. Scholarships are available so that no child is excluded from the program. For more information or to register, call 646-6034.

      The First Tee of Richmond will be closed Thursday, December 22, through Sunday, January 1, and will re-open on Monday, January 2. The golf practice facility is conveniently located downtown at 400 West School Street off of Brook Road just blocks from Belvedere and Broad. It includes a heated driving range, putting green, chipping green with sand traps, six-hole par-three course, and a clubhouse. Regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call 646-4074.

     The department’s indoor Swansboro swimming pool will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26, and on Monday, January 2. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, Thursday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 27 through Friday, December 30. 

      The department will hold a free Winter Solstice Celebration on Belle Isle on Thursday, December 22, at 4:30 p.m. at the Tredegar Street entrance. Join the James River Park staff and the Friends of James River Park around the bonfire to welcome the start of the winter season. For more information, call 646-8911.

    
The Richmond Community Nativity Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 23, at the Carillon, located at 1300 Blanton Avenue in Byrd Park. This live outdoor presentation is a Richmond tradition and was originally narrated by Douglas Southhall Freeman. It includes a cast and choir of approximately 200, some who have participated in the pageant for 30, 40 or 50 years or more. The pageant is produced by the non-profit Richmond Community Nativity Pageant organization with assistance from the department. It is a rain or shine event. For more information, call Paige Quilter at 804-358-8481.

     The department will hold Free Movies on Ice at 7 p.m. for those enjoying ice skating at RVA On Ice Saturday, December 24, Sunday, December 25, and Saturday, December 31. The 8,400 square-foot outdoor skating rink is located adjacent to Richmond CenterStage between Sixth and Seventh streets on East Broad. The movies scheduled are as follows:

            December 24 – “Shrek the Halls”

December 25 – “White Christmas”

December 31 – “It s a Wonderful Life”

For more information about the department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, call 646-5733. 

City to Present Free Holiday Performance at the Landmark

WHO: City and Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Officials

WHAT: A performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act opera for the entire family, sung in English, telling the story of a mischievous shepherd boy named Amahl, his mother, the three kings who visit them, and the miracle that changed their lives forever.

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Landmark Theater, 6 North Laurel St.

BACKGROUND: This one-act family opera, composed by Gian Carlo Minotti, was commissioned by NBC and broadcast live for the debut of the Hallmark Hall of Fame on Dec. 24, 1951. This heartwarming holiday classic that will charm both children and adults, is thought by some to be the most frequently produced opera in the world. This year, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities presents its production featuring an all-volunteer cast, for the 50^th time as its holiday gift to the city. Admission is free, no reservations are required, and seating is based on a first-come, first-served basis.