Westchester Commons lights its tree at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and the Midlothian District lighting is Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Mid-Lothian Mines Park. Both are free.

Midlothian has two free tree lightings on the calendar this year. The first is at Westchester Commons at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The second is the Midlothian District lighting at Mid-Lothian Mines Park on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation set the Dec. 1 date in its list of 2026 holiday tree lightings. Last year’s Midlothian lighting was postponed twice and finally held Dec. 14, after snow.

Westchester Commons, Friday, Nov. 20

The shopping center’s annual lighting is on its Main Street, 15786 WC Main St. The show starts at 6 p.m. in front of the tree. That is earlier than in past years, the center said on its event page.

The center listed:

  • a Latino farmers market on Main Street from 3 p.m.
  • a hot chocolate bar and s’mores on fire pits from about 5:30 p.m.
  • giveaways for children 12 and under, including jingle bells and Rudolph books
  • carolers and a magic show
  • Santa’s first visit of the season, when he lights the tree

There is also a pet food drive. Bring any kind of pet food for Richmond Animal League and Hanover Community Cats. The event is free. The events team is at 804-379-9292.

Mid-Lothian Mines Park, Tuesday, Dec. 1

The Midlothian District lighting runs 6 to 7 p.m. at Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road. Every county lighting has free hot cocoa and cookies, the county said.

Bring unopened, nonperishable food if you can. Each county lighting collects donations for the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center.

The other Chesterfield lightings

The county runs one in each magisterial district. All four run 6 to 7 p.m.

Date District Place
Monday, Nov. 23 Clover Hill The Park at River City Sportsplex, 13030 Genito Road
Tuesday, Dec. 1 Midlothian Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Matoaca Ettrick Park, 20621 Woodpecker Road
Thursday, Dec. 3 Dale Beulah Recreation Center, 6901 Hopkins Road

Parks and Recreation is also supporting two lightings run by community groups. The Chester Tree Lighting is 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Chester Odd Fellows Lodge No. 281, 12140 Harrowgate Road, in Chester, about 15 miles southeast. The Matoaca Women’s Group lighting is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Old Matoaca Elementary School, 6627 River Road, in Matoaca, about 20 miles south.

What it means for you

  • The county’s first lighting is Clover Hill’s. It is Monday, Nov. 23, on Genito Road, three days after Westchester Commons.
  • Bring a donation. Nonperishable food at the county lightings, pet food at Westchester Commons.
  • Check before you go. Weather moved last year’s Midlothian lighting twice. The county posts changes on its calendar.