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Illuminating Shockoe

There are a handful of very Richmond holiday traditions. Legendary Santa is one, as is our city's very unique and diverse Tacky Light Tour .

But every year the start of the Richmond Christmas season is officially marked with one big, bad flip of a switch. I'm speaking, of course, of the James Center Grand Illumination.

This year's theme is "A Soulful Christmas" represented by performances from Bak N Da Day and NYCE . Of course, Santa Claus and the Snow Queen will be there, as well as The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet and the VMI Marching Band who will be performing holiday favorites.

The James Center Grand Illumination will take place on Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. (illumination begins at 6:25 p.m.) at the James Center, located at 901 E. Cary St. Admission is free. For more information, call the James Center at (804) 344-3232.

But the Grand Illumination isn't the only thing going on in the Shockoes on Friday night.

17th Street Farmers Market will host a special holiday market from 5 to 9 p.m.; free horse and carriage rides will be available at the 13th and East Cary Street fountain; Main Street Station will have a Holiday Open House ; giant holiday cards will be on display in the James Center; and for just $2 visitors can take a canal boat ride down at the Turning Basin.

Happy Holidays indeed.