Right Around the River Blog

Celebrate the Holidays at Rocketts Landing This Weekend

Post Date: 12-11-2013
We’re just a few weeks away from Christmas, and RVA holiday celebrations abound. This Saturday, you can enjoy two different events at Rocketts Landing. From an art party at Rocketts Art Studios (RAS) to a stellar boat parade down the James River, seasonal fun is right around the bend at Rocketts Landing.



Rocketts Art Studios Holiday Open House & Grand Opening

Rocketts Art Studios is the newest addition to our riverfront community. And to help you celebrate the season, they’re opening their doors for a Holiday Open House featuring the works of abstract painter Diane Clement and textile artist and jeweler Robin Grabinska. Their grand opening invites you to peruse one-of-a-kind collections while enjoying food catered by The Local Agrarian.


(Rocketts Art Studios artists from left, Robin Grabinska and Diane Clement, and RAS founder and art collector Tom Yeaman) 

You can also take part in an art raffle for Clement’s abstract painting, “Crows on a Wire.” Raffle tickets cost $20 each or three for $50, and gives you a shot at winning the painting valued at $700. All raffle proceeds benefit local nonprofit Love, Care and Joy Foundation, whose mission is led by nine-year-old Aiden Thompson with the goal to “restore smiles and support the wellbeing of sick children.”

(Painting by Diane Clement for the RAS holiday raffle fundraiser for Love, Care and Joy Foundation)

RAS is also collecting new, unwrapped toys for donating to the Foundation. Aiden will deliver the collected toys when he visits children at St. Mary’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital on Dec. 25.

  • Where: Rocketts Art Studios, 4401 East Main Street, Richmond, VA
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 14th, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • RSVP: Free and open to the public. You can contact RAS at 804.222.2033 or online at the Rocketts Art Studios Facebook page

21st Annual James River Parade of Lights

After you’ve stopped by RAS for their holiday party, you can complete the day by sauntering down to the riverfront and watching the 21st Annual James River Parade of Lights. Hosted by the James River Advisory Council, this annual parade showcases amazingly decorated boats donning lights and holiday inflatables and decorations — plus music to boot.

There’s no other holiday parade in RVA like this one!

(Festive boats launch near the Rocketts Landing marina for the annual Parade of Lights)

Boaters come from all around the region, and though not officially at Rocketts Landing, we do offer great views as the boats launch from the Intermediate Terminal Dock, right upriver from our marina. The parade then travels down the James River and lands near Henricus Historical Park.

 You can take in a view along the riverbanks at Rocketts Landing — or better yet, why not enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking the James River from one of our riverfront restaurants The Boathouse or Conch Republic? Or, swing by M Bistro & Wine Bar before or after the parade and treat family and friends to their French-inspired southern cuisine.

  • When: Saturday, December 14
  • Where: Rocketts Landing riverfront, near the marina
  • Time: Parade viewing from Rocketts Landing starts at 6:00 p.m. To learn more about the event or find other viewing locations, check out the Parade of Lights event flyer

We look forward to a great weekend ahead and hope you’ll join us down at the Rocketts Landing riverfront!