The CarMax Tacky Light Run starts at Mid-Lothian Mines Park at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Santa visits Stonebridge Dec. 11 and Magnolia Grange Dec. 5.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Details come from Sports Backers, Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, the Chesterfield County Public Library and Kehillah RVA, linked below. Tree lightings are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Midlothian’s biggest holiday night is Saturday, Dec. 12, when thousands of runners and walkers in ugly sweaters set off from Mid-Lothian Mines Park for the CarMax Tacky Light Run through the lights of Walton Park. Before that, Santa comes to Magnolia Grange on Dec. 5 and to the county’s free Stonebridge Winter Wonderland on Dec. 11.

Plan ahead

Holiday dates at a glance

Date Event Where Cost
Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 to 4 p.m. Magnolia Grange Christmas Open House Magnolia Grange, Chesterfield Courthouse See county listing
Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Stonebridge Winter Wonderland Stonebridge Recreation Center Free
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Through the Centuries Castlewood, Chesterfield See county listing
Saturday, Dec. 12, 3:45 p.m. Twilight 1-Mile Kids Run Mid-Lothian Mines Park $20 to $25
Saturday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. CarMax Tacky Light Run Mid-Lothian Mines Park and Walton Park $45 to $55 adult
Monday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. Santa Story Time Ettrick-Matoaca Library Free

The CarMax Tacky Light Run

Sports Backers turns Richmond’s tacky light tradition into a 6K run or walk through Walton Park, where, the organizer says, dozens of homes go all out with tacky holiday lights. The start is at Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road. Every entrant gets admission to “the North Pole,” a choice of knit beanie or event shirt, an ornament finisher medal, a bib and candy canes.

  • 3:45 p.m.: Twilight 1-Mile Kids Run, ages 4 to 12, through a North Pole forest and the run’s light tunnel, with medals and Santa at the finish
  • 6 p.m.: CarMax Tacky Light Run begins
  • Prices on Oct. 19: $45 adult and $35 youth through Nov. 22; $50 and $40 from Nov. 23; $55 and $45 from Dec. 7. The kids run is $20, then $25 from Nov. 23.
  • Limit: the first 5,000 registrants; income-based rates and a virtual option are offered

Experience Chesterfield, the county’s tourism office, also promotes Walton Park’s lights as a drive-by and lists private light tours on its Glow Big or Glow Home page. Walton Park is a neighborhood: drive slowly, do not block driveways and leave the lights to the homeowners.

Santa visits

  • Stonebridge Winter Wonderland, Friday, Dec. 11: free family evening with food from Chick-fil-A Stratford Hills, a cocoa bar, “snowball” fights and pictures with Santa. A parent or guardian must stay.
  • Magnolia Grange Christmas Open House, Saturday, Dec. 5: the county’s historic house at Chesterfield Courthouse decorates for “a Victorian Child’s Christmas,” with live music, crafts, refreshments, Victorian toys and games and a visit from Santa.
  • Christmas Through the Centuries, Saturday, Dec. 12, at Castlewood: Christmas customs from the 15th to the 20th century, ending with a greeting from Father Christmas. Reenactors portraying the Chesterfield Militia of 1775 will read news of the Battle of Great Bridge and fire musket volleys.
  • Santa Story Time at the Ettrick-Matoaca Library, Monday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.; bring a camera for a photo with Santa.
  • Breakfast with Santa at Ettrick Recreation Center on Dec. 5 was full when we checked.

The Miracle of Christmas at the zoo

The Metro Richmond Zoo, 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Moseley, stages a free live nativity pageant each December with camels, goats, sheep and a donkey from the zoo. In 2025, its 23rd year, it ran Dec. 20, 21 and 22, with 20-minute shows at 7, 7:45 and 8:30 p.m., gates opening at 6:15 p.m., and free admission and parking. The 2026 dates were not posted when we checked.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. Kehillah RVA, an independent Jewish community, has held an annual Hanukkah party in Midlothian. The 2025 party was 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Lane, with a bring-your-own menorah lighting at 6 p.m., free jelly donuts, a children’s craft and music. It sold out, with a text waiting list. The 2026 date was not posted when we checked.

Holiday closings

County offices close Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, according to the county holiday schedule. Chesterfield County Public Schools’ winter break runs Monday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Jan. 1, on the division calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Tacky Light Run in Midlothian?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026. The Twilight 1-Mile Kids Run is at 3:45 p.m. and the 6K CarMax Tacky Light Run begins at 6 p.m. at Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road.

Where are the tacky Christmas lights in Midlothian?

In the Walton Park neighborhood, where Sports Backers says dozens of homes go all out with tacky lights. The Tacky Light Run’s 6K course goes through it.

Where can kids see Santa in Midlothian?

Chesterfield County’s free Stonebridge Winter Wonderland, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, has pictures with Santa. Magnolia Grange’s Christmas Open House on Dec. 5 also has a visit from Santa.

Is there a Hanukkah menorah lighting in Midlothian?

Kehillah RVA held its Midlothian Hanukkah party, with a bring-your-own menorah lighting, at the Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Lane, on Dec. 20, 2025. Its 2026 date was not posted on Oct. 19.

How much is the Tacky Light Run?

On Oct. 19 an adult entry was $45 and youth $35 through Nov. 22, rising to $50 and $40 from Nov. 23 and $55 and $45 from Dec. 7. The kids run was $20, then $25. Entry is capped at 5,000.