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Good grief: At Wilderness Branch Library, it's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and 'Jack Frost' at 3 p.m. on Friday. Refreshments provided, no registration required, and free! 540/854-5310.
You can still see (and smell!) the Gingerbread House exhibit at Ferry Farm--including the |
TODAY
Gingerbread House Exhibit, Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway, Stafford County. The theme for this year's contest is "Historic Virginia Landmarks." Runs through Dec. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Included with general admission.
"The Polar Express: An IMAX 3-D Adventure," Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington. A holiday tradition with an incredible sound system and a six-story-high screen. Runs through Jan. 4. Tickets and information: 202/633-4629, si.edu/imax.
TOMORROWFamily Double Feature, Wilderness Branch Library, 6421 Flat Run Road, Locust Grove. See the seasonal films "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Jack Frost." 3 p.m., refreshments provided, no registration required, free. 540/854-5310.
Santa Visit, Fredericksburg Area Museum, 907 Princess Anne St., downtown Fredericksburg. Santa will be there from 6 to 8 p.m. 540/371-3037.
Snow Bear, Empire Theatre, 114 W. Broad St., Richmond. Have your picture taken with Snow Bear and go to the lighthearted holiday show for all ages, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." Snow Bear will appear in the lobby 30 minutes before the show. 7 p.m., also runs tomorrow and Sunday 10 a.m.; tomorrow, 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 p.m. Tickets: $22/adults, $21/seniors and students, $17/12 years and younger. 804/344-8040, theatreivrichmond.org.
LiveSky: The Ringed Giant Planets. Find out about the rings around planets like Saturn at this interactive planetarium show. 6 p.m. Sky Watch: Join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society on the front lawn of the museum as they share their telescopes. 7 p.m. Both events are free at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804/864-1400, smv.org.
SATURDAY"A Little Princess," Riverside Dinner Theater, Falmouth. Runs various times Saturdays and weekdays through Jan. 10. $15. 540/370-4300, rsdinnertheater.com. Appearance
Breakfast with Santa, Old Country Buffet, 3940 Plank Road, Spotsylvania. Bring your camera for a free photo-op. 8-11 a.m. 540/786-5331.
Breakfast with Santa, Salem Fields Community Church, 11120 Gordon Road, Spotsylvania. See Santa arrive on a helicopter from the North Pole, pancakes and sausage, photo with a holiday character, games and crafts. 9-11 a.m. 540/786-6212.
Breakfast with Santa, Garden Kitchen, 404 Mill St., Occoquan. 9:30-11 a.m, $10/adults, $5/children ages 2-10, free/under 2. Reservations required. 703/499-8809.
Brunch with Santa, Amy's Cafe, 103 West Cambridge St., Stafford. Have your picture taken and eat with Santa. $15/person. Reservations: 540/373-3663.
Holiday Open House, The Virginia Sports Complex, 22182 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ruther Glen. Meet the Fredericksburg Gunners soccer team and participate in soccer interactive games. There also will be tryouts for boys and girls ages 13 and up for the USL Super 20's team. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tryout times and information: 804/448-1520, ext. 308; fcfred.com.
Winter Open House, Caledon Natural Area, 11617 Caledon Road, King George. Nature trail, old-time crafts, hayrides and refreshments. Fees for hayrides and some crafts. Noon-9 p.m., $3/vehicle fee. 540/663-3861, caledonnaturalarea.com.
Santa Strolls, downtown Fredericksburg. Santa will be strolling the streets of downtown Fredericksburg 1-3 p.m. today and tomorrow.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Chatham, Route 218, Chatham Heights Road, Falmouth. Living-historian Kevin Rawlings will appear as Civil War-era Santa Claus. Also hear music by "Evergreen Shade." 1-4 p.m. Free. 540/373-6122 or 540/786-2880.
Pictures with Santa, Richard Johnston Inn. 711 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. Bring your camera and get a picture with Santa. 3-4 p.m. 540/899-7606.
Night Before Christmas Hay Rides, Caledon Natural Area, 11617 Caledon Road, King George. Take a ride through the forest in a holiday decorated wagon. After the ride, have hot chocolate and hear the story of "The Night Before Christmas." Bring a warm blanket. 5 and 7 p.m., $3/person, $8/family; reservations required. 540/663-3861, caledonnaturalarea.com.
"Flights of Fancy," Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W., Washington. Story and art activity for children featuring "Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon," an Aesop's fable retold and illustrated by Oliver J. Corwin. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., free. 202/633-1000, nasm.si.edu/events/calendar.cfm.
Science Saturday: Illusions Day, Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. Hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, more. Included with admission, $9/children, $10/adults. 804/864-1400, smv.org.
Kids Holiday Weekends, Colonial Williamsburg. Kids, especially ages 6 to 12, can explore how 18th-century families celebrated special occasions through activities at various sites throughout the town. Also runs tomorrow and Dec. 27-28. Information: 800/447-8679.
MONDAY
Preschool Gift Workshop, Courthouse Community Center, 29 Stafford Ave., Stafford. Ages 3-5 will learn how to make gifts, cards and wrapping paper for the holiday season. Includes stories, games and free time. Runs today and tomorrow; 9 a.m.-noon; $21/Stafford residents, $26/non-residents; $5 material fee; registration required. 540/658-511.
One Day Clay Camp, Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio, 11 Smokehouse Drive, No. 111, Spotsylvania. Ages 7 and up can try the pottery wheel and build whatever they imagine. Paint it and get it glazed. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., $45, also runs Dec. 23, 29 and 30. 540/370-4114, kidsnclay.com/stafford
Home School Mondays: Wright Brothers, Virginia Aviation Museum, 5701 Huntsman Road, Richmond International Airport. A program designed specifically for home schools. 9:30-
TUESDAY
Sew What!, Rowser Building, 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford. Ages 10-18, from beginner to advanced, can join the Stafford County 4-H sewing club. Free, but access to sewing machine preferred. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays each month. Information: 540/658-8000, ext. 1055.
UPCOMING
Fused Glass Class, Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio, 11 Smokehouse Drive, No. 111, Spotsylvania. Ages 7 and up can learn the basics of fused glass by cutting and layering pieces of glass. Saturday, Dec. 27, 1-3 p.m., cost varies. 540/370-4114, kidsnclay.com/stafford.
Holiday Basketball Camp, James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg. Ages 8-15 can learn detailed skills. Monday, Dec. 29-Wednesday, Dec. 31; $25/city, $40/non-city residents; registration required; birth certificate required at registration. 540/372-1086, ext. 207; fredericksburgva.gov.
ONGOINGPreschool Gymnastics. Stafford Gymnastics Center, 500 Nelms Circle. For boys and girls ages 16 months to 5 years. Information on times and costs: 540/658-5115, staffordparks.com.
Craft Classes, The Creative Side, Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Includes 2- and 3-D projects, seasonal crafts, printmaking, weaving, collage, texture and drawing concepts. $12/class. 540/846-8920, dmunroscreativeside.com.
Dynamic All-Stars, Stafford Gymnastics & Recreation Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth. Learn baton twirling, marching and basic majorette skills, and participate in parades and shows. Tiny Tot, 6-6:45 p.m.; Juvenile, 6:45-7:45 p.m.; Seniors, 7:45-9 p.m.; fee is $25/month. Stop by Monday evenings before class and talk to instructor for information and level inquiry; registration is ongoing. 540/658-5115, staffordparks.com.
"Itty Bitty Belmont," 224 Washington St., Falmouth. This new scavenger hunt is fun for children and parents. Free on the grounds. Sheets available at the Museum Shop. 540/654-1015, garimelchers.org.
Storytime, Borders, Central Park, Fredericksburg. Stories and crafts for a variety of ages. Saturdays, 10 a.m. 540/785-6171.
December Storytelling, Mount Vernon. Ages 3-8 can hear stories about "Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon" by costumed interpreters. Hear about Aesop's fables and George Washington's life. Parental supervision required. Saturdays and Sundays through December at 2 p.m. Included in regular admission. Adults/$13, ages 6-11/$6, under 5/free. 703/780-2000, mountvernon.org.
Earn Your Badge! The American Civil War Center, 500 Tredegar St., Richmond. Program designed for Boy and Girl Scouts of America and their affiliates. Earn a patch by completing a scavenger-hunt booklet that encompasses the entire 8.3-acre campus. Workbooks designed for grades K-5 and 5-12. Cost: $5, includes workbook, patch and admission. Other merit badges available. Open Monday-
Email: hturner@tredegar.org.
Backyard Play Area Children's Museum of Richmond, 2626 W. Broad St. This 6,000-square-foot backyard allows children to engage in various activities. Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission $7. 804/474-7000.
--Compiled by Carol Lee
