The fire’s crackling, the lights are twinkling, and Sinatra’s playing throughout your home — there’s no better place to be during the holidays than beautiful Virginia! At Cornerstone Homes, we believe in the spirit of the season, and you don’t have to travel far to find the magic of wintertime.

This holiday venture outside for family-friendly events and activities that’ll make this year the most memorable of all. From spectacular tree lightings to Santa visits with your grandchildren, there’s never a shortage of holiday happiness here. Check out our top picks for things to do before you head into 2022:

Ashland

December 11: COTU Holiday Market

Center of the Universe is proud to present the 4th Annual COTU Christmas Market! Looking for something unique for that hard to buy for person on your list? Or, are you just looking for a little something for yourself!?! Well don't worry, we have you covered. We will have handcrafted local vendors at the brewery for a one day market for all your shopping needs. Admission is free, as always! December 11, 2-6pm.

December 11: Brunch in the Barn & Pop Up Market

When you live in Chickahominy Falls, this event is right outside your front door!  A Pop-Up Farm Stand Saturday, December 11th, from 10 am to 1 pm and a locally sourced brunch along with the usual Woodside Farms Produce. Shop for your favorite winter veggies (salad, spinach, arugula, kale, collards and more) and then get a hot plate featuring local chicken, pork, eggs, and our field-grown veggies! Spice it up with a Bloody Mary or refresh with a crisp Mimosa!

December 12: Central VA Masterworks Chorale Winter Concert

 Experience the magnificence! The 70-member Central VA Masterworks Chorale will perform Part 1 of Handel's "Messiah" (along with the Hallelujah Chorus), which has become a staple of the choral repertoire during the holiday season. The other work in the winter concert is Cecilia McDowall's "A Winter's Night," a cantata combining five popular carols to create a performance full of Christmas spirit. Ryan Tibbetts will conduct the singers and orchestra, and nationally-renowned organist Daniel Stipe will accompany. Sunday December 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Ashland. 

December 15: Santa Brunch at the Henry Clay Inn

 Take your grandchildren to the wonderfully charming Henry Clay Inn for a delicious brunch with Santa in this beautiful historic building. Indulge in breakfast favorites and take photos with everyone’s favorite holiday saint.  

Richmond

Recurring: Maymont Mansion Holiday Tours

Explore the festively-decorated mansion with a self-guided audio tour and hear about the Dooleys, the domestic staff and preparations for the holiday season. Every Saturday and Sunday!

Recurring: Illuminate Night Show

 Experience the magic of central VA’s largest drive-through light show! In Caroline County, you’ll drive through a spectacular park filled with a million LED lights with music to match… it’s a stunner! 

Recurring: Tacky Lights Tour

Mark Gormus, Times-Dispatch , when it comes to Christmas decorations, we think “over-the-top” really just means “top-of-the-line.” Take a tour through the tackiest houses of the neighborhood! Homes must have at least 40,000 lights.

Recurring: Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker

 If you’ve never seen this Christmas classic, this is your year! Perfect for the whole family, a night out at the theater is always one to remember. This show will run until December 23.

Recurring: Lewis Ginter Garden Fest of Lights

 This is truly a festival like no other… A beloved town tradition, this event features one million lights, botanical decorations, model trains, delicious dinners, a firepit to roast s’mores, and so much more.

Fredericksburg

 December 11: FXBG Drive In Holiday Movie Series

 December 11th and 17th Come join us for a FREE family movie night in the park. The movie will be played through your car radio. Food truck available for dinner.

December 11: Frosty 3 Miler and Reindeer Run

 If you love to exercise (even in the cold!) this event is for you. Great for all ages, everyone finishes this fun 3 mile with a medal and a long-sleeve t-shirt. Afterward, enjoy the Stafford Christmas Parade! 

Smithfield

December 11: Christmas Parade

Don't miss this old-fashioned community event scheduled for the second Saturday in December along Main and Grace Street in downtown Smithfield. This year's theme is "Parade of Champions" and the Grand Marshalls are the Smithfield High School State Title Champion Coaches for Basketball, Debate, Soccer and Track. Floats, bands, dance troupes, marching units, animals and more!

December 12: Afternoon Tea and Holiday Craft with Mrs. Claus

Mark your calendar for an enjoyable and memorable holiday experience! Join Mrs. Clause and bring your children or grandchildren to make a keepsake Christmas craft.

December 12: Holiday Boat Parade

When you live near the water, a staple for the holidays is a festive boat parade! Calling all boaters to decorate their boats then parade down the Pagan and Cypress Creek to spread a little Christmas cheer! 5:30pm on Sunday! 

The fun and festivities are just outside of our communities, but even more right in the neighborhood!  Our homeowners are busy preparing Holiday parties at each of our communities.  The clubhouses will be buzzing with activities, festive food and drinks, holiday music by the fire, and an abundance of holiday spirit will be flowing among neighbors and friends.   Stop by and check out the decorations and catch the spirit of living in a Cornerstone Home community.   There’s nothing like it anywhere else!!!  

From our family to yours, we hope you have the most wonderful holiday of all!