Ash Lawn-Highland
PHOTO BY Tony the Misfit - Flickr

Visitors can enjoy the sight and smell of fresh boxwoods, fruit, and holly adorning the historic estate of Ash Lawn-Highland. In the original Monroe home, decorations reflect the early 19th-century style of President James and First Lady Elizabeth Monroe. In the 1882 Massey addition, a festive tree and ornaments are in keeping with Victorian-era Christmas traditions. 1000 James Monroe Parkway. 293-8000.

Monticello
PHOTO BY Tony the Misfit - Flickr

Monticello invites visitors to climb the little mountain for an intimate look at how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson’s time, plus the rare opportunity to experience Monticello after dark. Holiday Evening Tours feature a relaxed-pace one-hour guided excursion through the rooms on the main floor of the house, which are decked with local greenery, and a visit to the third-floor Dome Room. Reservations are required. 984-9822.

Brunswick stew
PHOTO BY Justinlai - Flickr

amFOG invites city folks to take a drive out to the country for a taste of steaming Brunswick Stew and the sounds of bluegrass music. While you’re there, take a look a wide selection on fresh local foods, Christmas trees, firewood, and more in the farm market. The old-time music jam is open to anyone with an instrument to play and everyone with ears to listen. 9264 Critzer’s Shop Rd., Afton. 540-456-7100.

Sunrise
Watercolor painting by CWS student

Kim John Payne, nationally noted for his work with bullying and social inclusion, presents a lecture regarding his new book, Simplicity Parenting, at Burnley Moran Elementary School auditorium, 1300 Long St. Sponsored by the Charlottesville Waldorf School. 434-973-4946, ext. 102.

New Dominion Bookshop

Author Carol Lemons comes to New Dominion Bookshop to conduct a children’s art activity and to sign copies of her book Matisse and the Boy Who Loved to Draw. The book tells the story of artist Henri Matisse in his later years as he created his “cut-outs” or collage paintings and as he designed the small Dominican Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, France. It is written and illustrated by two teachers as a way to introduce Matisse to young students and present them with their own art projects in the Matisse style. These activities are introduced in the last section of the book, entitled “Now It’s Your Turn.” On the east end of the Downtown Mall. 295-2552.

Kids in grades 1 and up are invited to play with their food and create interesting and edible concoctions at Northside Library. Make a mess with peanut butter playdough, snack on sweet candy sushi, cast a spell with edible wands, and show off your talent by creating an edible necklace. Registration is required. We will be using ingredients containing allergens (nuts, wheat, dairy, etc). Please inform children’s staff of any allergies when registering. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

People making
PHOTO BY Myrone D - Flickr

Crafty youngsters ages 6 and up are invited to “bobbin” to Gordon Avenue Library where they can learn how to make charming little people from spools.  You’ll wind up with a collection of adorable spool friends to decorate your room or to present as one-of-a-kind gifts. “Wooden” that be fun?  Registration is required. 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544.

Bookshelf
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Tired of those stacks of books you’ve read 10 times? Swap them for new ones at one of two book swap parties at Crozet Library. If you are a beginning reader ages 5-7 who has memorized all the words by heart, you can swap them for new ones at 10am. If you are older, say 7-12, you can swap at 1pm. Simply bring along any book(s) that you would like to pass on to others your age and take home some new used reads. The library will provide some books to swap also. Stick around afterwards for a game and lots of book loving fun. Registration is required. In the Old Train Station in Crozet. 832-4050.

Mittens
PHOTO BY LaurenWeinhold - Flickr

Teens in grades 6-12 can make a pair of mittens for yourself or as a gift at a craft workshop at Northside Library. All materials provided. Registration is required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Amazement Square
PHOTO courtesy of Amazement Square

Families are invited to kick off the holiday season with a fun-filled day at Amazement Square. Have your picture taken with Santa, make holiday crafts, enjoy a meal together (choose breakfast at 9am or 11am or lunch at 1pm or 3pm when you purchase your ticket), decorate cookies, visit the children’s gift store and explore the museum. This is a popular event, so early reservations are recommended. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.

The Jolly Old Elf
PHOTO BY Matti Mattila - Flickr

Get your wish list ready and come to the Paramount Theater when Santa comes to Downtown Charlottesville. Good girls and boys of all ages can sit on Santa’s lap, talk with Santa’s helpers, and tell the jolly old elf what you want most this year. Downtown mall. 295-9073.

Pinatas
PHOTO BY Gustavo Serrano - Flickr

The Charlottesville Fire Corps, along with City firefighters and their families welcome our Hispanic neighbors and the greater community to La Posada, a traditional Mexican holiday celebration. The event includes a traditional enactment of a man and a woman seeking lodging. After knocking on three doors, the group is invited to enter the warm building for Spanish and English carols, hot chocolate, tamales and cookies, and pinatas for the children. Santa Claus just may arrive on a fire truck to hear the secret wishes of children of all ages. Fire safety information in English and Spanish is available, and attendees will be able to sign up for free smoke detectors. Ridge Street Fire Station. 970-3554.

Enjoy a one hour-tour of the holiday lights around Downtown Charlottesville with the annual Holly Trolley bus tours. Tours will run every hour starting at 6:00pm. Early reservations are required for this popular holiday tradition. Tickets go on sale November 30 at 9am. 977-1812.

Charlottesville Municipal Band
PHOTO courtesy of CMB

It’s not Christmas in Charlottesville until the Municipal Band of Charlottesville plays seasonal and traditional music at its annual holiday concert. Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center at CHS, Melbourne Rd.

McGuffey Art Center.
PHOTO courtesy of MAC

McGuffey Art Center offers a day of creative activities for children of all ages. Artists in their studios conduct mini workshops such as painting, bookmaking, and ornament making. Live music, performances, dance, and refreshments for purchase from local food vendors are also part of the fun. Please see website in December for more specifics. 201 Second St., NW. 295-7973.

Michie Tavern
PHOTO courtesy of Michie Tavern

Modern folks are invited to step back in time at a Yuletide Feast in the  Ordinary at Michie Tavern. Strolling Tavern musicians entertain guests dining by candlelight. The bill of fare features a banquet of Virginia favorites including country ham, roast turkey, and an array of delicacies appropriate to the season. The Ordinary is decorated in festive 18th-century tradition, featuring fresh greens and fruits. Also on these two special evenings, a variety of special activities are offered in the original Tavern. Visitors of all ages are invited to sing traditional carols with Tavern musicians. Mr. Michie’s apprentice will be serving tankard drinks from the original tap bar as living history interpreters and story-tellers entertain guests, and period refreshments will be served from the 18th-century tap bar. Admission is free to the original Tavern on these two evenings. Reservations are required.  683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway/Rt. 53. 977-1234.

SMV’s IMAX theater
PHOTO courtesy of SMV

Once the turkey’s been eaten, the holiday is over. For the kids, though,  it’s the perfect time for adventure - maybe even several adventures. The Science Museum of Virginia invites families to come pet a shark, crash through whitewater rapids, go deep sea diving, shrink to the size of a bug, explore caves around the world, and do it all without leaving Richmond. During their Thanksgiving Weekend Free Movie Adventure, free tickets for the IMAX movies Grand Canyon Adventure, Coral Reef Adventure, Bugs!, and Journey Into Amazing Caves are available on the day of the show on a first-come basis to visitors with exhibit admission. Admission to Shark Space and Masters of the Night are included with admission. See website for show times. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1400 or 800-659-1727.

Menorah
PHOTO BY the Gifted Photographer - Flickr

Chabad of Charlottesville invites people of all faiths to join in the lighting of Charlottesville’s tallest Menorah in celebration of the Jewish Chanukah. Enjoy refreshments and cool treats for the kids. The event will take place at Central Place on the Downtown Mall. 293-5994.

Boxing Day is holiday traditionally held after on the day after Christmas in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Local folks can get a taste for the British holiday as they spend the weekend at Amazement Square enjoying an assortment of sweet treats which are traditionally served on Boxing Day. In the Imagination Studio.  27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.

Frontier Culture Museum
PHOTO courtesy FCM

Modern folks can experience holidays in history complete with warm fires, candle light, and holiday cheer at the Frontier Culture Museum. Holiday Lantern Tours take visitors to four historic farms to see family vignettes about the holiday heritage of Christmas in 1720s Germany; 1730s Northern Ireland; 1690s England; and 1850s Shenandoah Valley. Tours leave every 30 minutes. Reservations required. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850.

The Homecoming
Publicity photo courtesy of the Hamner Theater

The Hamner Theater presents a holiday favorite: The Homecoming on stage. Earl Hamner’s celebrated play features the heart-warming story of a family waiting for the magic of Christmas Eve to arrive - not Santa, but Daddy - told from the perspective of the adult Clay-Boy as he remembers the journey he took, that snowy evening long ago. Reservations are advised. 434-361-1999.
“It is remembered in my family that on Christmas Eve of 1933 my father was late arriving home. That, along with the love he and my mother bestowed upon their eight red-headed offspring, is fact. The rest is fiction.” - Earl Hamner

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Publicity Photo

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo comes to the newly renovated Jefferson Theatre with a concert for kids combining hip hop culture with kid-friendly music in a fun new genre he calls Kid Hop. With funk, reggae, bluegrass, and classic breaks laying out a landscape populated by witty stories and party rhymes, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo raises the bar for this genre higher than the cookie jar on top of the fridge. He’s joined for this concert by the musically diverse and boundlessly energetic Rocknoceros, the energy-filled trio of Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie. This concert is sponsored by the Virginia Discovery Museum. 110 East Main St., on the Downtown Mall. 295-3321.

J. Serz, Engraver Published by C. Bohn. Engraving of the Rotunda and Lawn from the south, 1856. RG-30/1/8.801

The University Art Museum hosts a Family ArtJAM, “Bird’s Eye View: Design Your Own Academical Village.” The workshop for 5-7 year olds meets 1-3pm, followed by one for 7-12 year olds, 3-5pm. 155 Rugby Road. To register call 243-2050, or write .