Piñata PartyExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 295 / PIÑATA PARTY
This week brings a reopened public perch at City Hall, a new way to shop from a longtime favorite, and a piñata party. These three tips offer just a handful of ways to shift perspective as you explore and celebrate this place we all love to call home.
Piñata Party
1708 Gallery, a nonprofit contemporary art space downtown, is hosting a piñata party tied to its program ALL WEYS ARE CREATED EQUAL tonight from 7–10 p.m. The free, public event will feature music, snacks, and of course piñatas. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bags and their “best swinging arm” for collecting treats. The gathering also offers a chance to meet the current artists-in-residence, Bryan Ortiz and Luis Vasquez La Roche.
Vitals:
1708 Gallery / January 8, 7–10 p.m. / 319 W Broad St.
The People's House
Yesterday, Mayor Danny Avula announced that the City Hall Observation Deck has reopened to the general public. Located on the 18th floor, the overlook has been closed since 2020, when it shut down during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For decades, the City Hall Observation Deck has been one of Richmond’s gems,” says Mayor Avula. “It’s a place where you can step back, see our city from a new perspective, and appreciate how all our neighborhoods connect in ways that aren’t always visible from the ground.”
Reopening the Observation Deck has been a major goal during Mayor Avula’s first year in office. Updates to security measures, elevator logistics, and visitor flow made the reopening possible. Swing by, say hello at the new concierge on the first floor, take the dedicated elevator, and enjoy your city from a different perspective.
Vitals:
Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday / Visit City Hall / 900 E Broad St.
Mama J's Market
Mama J’s, a beloved Richmond restaurant in the heart of Jackson Ward, has opened the doors to Mama J’s Market. The new community-focused retail space features grab-and-go items from the restaurant’s kitchen, pantry staples, snacks, and a growing selection of prepared foods and grocery items.
Velma and Lester Johnson, the mother-son duo who own and operate Mama J’s, are currently welcoming Richmonders inside as part of a soft opening and inviting feedback as they dial in the space. Mama J’s is also sharing first-time visitor reactions on its Instagram page. The momentum is building toward a grand opening on February 1 — but why wait? Go now.
Vitals:
Mama J's / Soft opening phase, daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Grand Opening, 2 p.m. on February 1 / 101 E. Clay St.
Together at the Valentine.
As the Valentine team and the Richmond community continue to mourn the loss of Bill Martin, January will be a quieter month for public programming, with one important exception. The Life, Liberty & Happiness lecture will take place as planned on Religious Freedom Day, January 16, at the Library of Virginia. This lecture series was a particular favorite of Bill’s, and the Valentine hopes the community will join them in continuing that tradition. There will also be an open house at the Valentine in Bill’s honor on Saturday, February 7. The gathering is intended as an opportunity for the community to come together, share memories, and reflect on Bill’s life and work. For those wishing to honor Bill in another way, memorial gifts may be made to the Valentine in support of the redesign of the Valentine Garden, a project that deeply mattered to him.
vol. 292 / Tinsel UntangledExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 292 / TINSEL UNTANGLED
With the holiday season in full swing, we’re here to help keep your tinsel from getting in a tangle. Richmond knows how to do this time of year right — bright lights, big hearts, and plenty of hometown magic. Ahead, we’ve gathered festive ways to savor the season: a husky-powered hotline to Santa, a river parade worth bundling up for, mobile sauna sessions, and local gifts you’ll actually feel good giving. Take a breather, grab something warm, and let’s make this week merry and meltdown-free.
Saber the Elf Husky
In Richmond, Santa always writes back, thanks to a holiday helper with paws. Tucked into the magical Woodland Heights neighborhood, Saber the Elf Husky stands guard beside a bright red mailbox with a direct line to the jolly old elf himself. Kids and anyone with holiday spirit are invited to stop by, jot down their wishes, and share the kindnesses they've spread this year. Each letter heads straight to the North Pole, and Santa is known for replying quickly, often within a day or two, sometimes with a small treat from his workshop. Saber’s mission is simple: celebrate the kindness you have given all year long and share your hopes for the season ahead.
Look for the Saber husky statue and the mailbox on 29th Street, where creator Emily McMillen, who is also the powerhouse behind the Tiny Porch Concert series, keeps the festive stationery stocked and the communication line with Santa running strong.
Vitals:
Look for Saber’s post on 29th St. in Woodland Heights / Follow Saber here / Bring your best elf energy
Boat Parade of Lights
In the River City, the best kind of parades are the ones found on the water. This weekend, skip the tacky lights tour on land and head straight to the James to cheer on a lineup of lighted boats as they jingle their way down the river. A Richmond tradition, this annual parade sees boaters compete for the most festive vessel as they cruise from Rocketts Landing at sunset and make their way to The Lilly Pad.
You can catch the parade from several viewing spots, but one of our favorite ways to enjoy the show is with a hot cocoa or cocktail in hand at The Lilly Pad. There is a $10 admission fee during the parade and kids under 10 get in free. Private waterfront viewing upgrades are available too. Or, if you prefer to take it all in for free, Osborne Boat Landing offers great views from the shoreline.
After the snowy week we have all enjoyed, it is time to get toasty. Richmonders Josh Crowley and Liz Bowden have launched Sauna Plunge RVA, a team passionate about bringing relaxation and rejuvenation wherever you are. Their mobile experience comes complete with a wood-fired sauna and cold plunges.
Whether it is a family celebration, a corporate team-building event, or any gathering looking to create lasting memories, they will deliver a unique mobile spa experience that elevates any occasion. You can choose a simple drop-off and pickup, or they can stay on-site to handle everything from setup to cleanup. A Party Leader can also guide guests through the contrast therapy circuit for those who want coaching through their first plunge.
You will also spot Sauna Plunge RVA partnering with local yoga studios, gyms, and community businesses to give Richmonders a chance to enjoy the sauna around town on a regular basis. They provide the ice for the plunges and the wood for the sauna. Sauna Plunge RVA offers one or two 8-person wood-fired saunas and two or four cold plunges. Each sauna fits up to six people comfortably at a time. All you need is a sidewalk, driveway, or backyard entrance that can accommodate the sauna setup.
Support local makers this holiday season and score some of the most unique gifts of the year, like this Francine action figure, at the Winter Market by Studio Two Three. Open daily from 11 am to 5 pm through Tuesday, December 23. The market, filled with handmade treasures from 200 local artists, is located in two spots this year, so be sure to visit both: Studio Two Three at 109 W 15th Street and Shop Two Three at 1437 Hull Street.
For this week’s issue of Here, we’re bringing you a special Snow Day Edition — because the first Richmond snowfall is kind of magic. It’s the city we love, suddenly hushed and sparkling, and we think it deserves its own moment in the spotlight.
Whether you’re making the first footprints on your block while playing hooky from work, challenging a neighbor to a snowball duel, or leaning into a little daytime tippling, we’ve got a few ideas to help you soak in the wonder.
Bundle up, take it slow, and get out there to explore and celebrate this place we all love to call home — rain, snow, or shine.
Snow Day
Art Crawl
Sankofa Community Orchard is a thriving green space in Richmond’s Southside, grounded in food justice and climate resiliency. In recent years, it has grown into a powerful symbol of community strength and neighborhood beautification. Across the orchard you will find more than a dozen murals created by local Black artists that honor innovators, community builders, and freedom fighters. While the orchard is worth a visit and your support any time of year, the first snowfall brings a whole new kind of experience. A quiet layer of snow turns each mural into a calm moment for reflection. It encourages us to slow down, notice the change in texture and brightness, and appreciate how the environment shapes art and community. Even under snow, Sankofa continues to grow what matters most.
There's always a surprise waiting when Forest Hill Park fills with fresh snow and neighbors gather to play. Last year, Richmond firefighters from Fire Station 20 stopped by after a training session with their paddle raft in tow. The enthusiastic crew invited kids on the hill to hop in, giving bobsled-like rides down this classic Richmond spot know for snow day escapades. Moments like this are what make Forest Hill a beloved snow day destination.
As evening falls, you might even spot someone launching a canoe or two for a moonlight glide down the hill to keep the fun going. While sledding is the main attraction, the real treasure lies deeper in the park. Forest Hill’s granite walkways and old stone walls feel even more inviting under snow, and those who know the park well head straight to the section of Reedy Creek above the lake. The rocky creek bed here hides a picturesque waterfall right in the middle of the city. When heavy rains replace snowfall, the very same spot becomes a favorite challenge for thrill seekers as the creek swells into a rare chance to paddleboard or kayak through the woods.
No matter the time of year, a visit to Forest Hill Park is never complete without stopping by nearby Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream. Choose a toasty drink or a local craft beer to celebrate a snow day well spent.
Give some love to the James River Park System, shout out the people who care for it, or leave a few hopeful words for your neighbors inside Richmond Grid’s Dear Richmond community journal. The journal is tucked inside a hidden green mailbox along a quiet side trail near the park headquarters. At first glance it blends into the landscape, but inside is something very Richmond: handwritten reflections from people who took a moment to pause, breathe, and connect.
Created in collaboration with the James River Park System, this special Richmond Grid project has captured thousands of entries since the early days of the pandemic. It has grown into a beloved ritual for park-goers, where strangers offer encouragement, share stories, sketch the scenery, or reflect on the beauty around them.
The journal has weathered storms and changed locations, yet it continues to fill with voices from across the city. Every entry is a reminder that even when we walk different paths, we share a common home and a deep love for the James. If you have not discovered the mailbox yet, consider making it part of your snow day adventure. Find it, read a few pages, leave your own mark, and become part of this living love letter to Richmond.
A snowy day in Richmond is a great time to spread a little warmth. Consider stopping by one of the many RVA Community Fridges around town. This neighborhood-driven initiative is all about neighbors helping neighbors. It's a simple way to share what we can and ensure that everyone has what they need. You can support RVA Community Fridges by dropping off food, volunteering, spreading the word, giving financially, or partnering as a business.
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