Yuletide Cheer in the Iron Triangle
Downtown Holiday Festival
Is one of Richmond Main Street Initiative’s longest running annual events. Beginning in 2012, Richmond Main Street and East Bay Center for the Performing Arts formed a partnership to bring this special event filled with yuletide cheer to the community. Thanks to the help of countless volunteers, we transform the Center’s beautifully remodeled facility—the historic Winters Building, located at 339 11th Street—into a winter wonderland. We invite families from the Iron Triangle and surrounding communities to participate in a unique holiday celebration complete with festive music, “A Richmond Nutcracker” performances, tasty snacks, group caroling, the magical illumination of Macdonald Avenue, and a memorable visit from Santa Claus.
*COVID19 Update*
Due to the COVID19 pandemic and in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone who participates in our Celebrate Downtown events — guests, residents, visitors, performers, vendors, businesses, volunteers, and staff — we have made the difficult decision to cancel all in-person summer events. We hope to be able to host the Downtown Holiday Festival in December.
Downtown Holiday Festival 2019 was Magical
Truly magical! For four hours the Downtown Richmond was filled with laughter, holiday cheer, and joy. About 800 visitors, including 350 children filled theEast Bay Center for the Performing Arts to enjoy spectacular annual festivities: visiting with Santa and watching performances of A Richmond Nutcracker. The festival also included new features that were a big success: LifeLong Medical Care and the Census Bureau joined Kaiser Richmond’s Ask a Doc in hosting informational resource tables. And a cheerful snow family popped up near the coloring station, providing a pop of whimsy and the perfect selfie scenario. Guests also enjoyed visits with elves, caroling, and refreshments.
Biggest thanks to our sponsors, community partners, and 37 volunteers–including staff and artists from NIAD–for contributing 100+ hours to set-up and staff the festival.