There is plenty to keep you entertained, educated and civically engaged this week in Richmond and nearby.
Highlights include: A “Richmas” celebration, a sunset solstice bicycle ride, a community gathering that serves chicken soup with some blessings on the side and an event to remember a Richmond pedestrian who died after being hit by a car on San Pablo Avenue.
For more, see our list of ongoing things to do (many of which are free) and our holiday calendar. Also, don’t forget to add your events to our free community calendar.
- Harp concert at library will celebrate winter solstice
- Watch “White Christmas” aboard the SS Red Oak
- ‘Community Gala’ holiday celebration will rock downtown
- Winter Wonderland at Richmond church providing toys, clothing
- Foundation sponsors holiday toy giveaway for children
- Roll into winter with a noon-to-sunset solstice bicycle ride
- Death of Richmond pedestrian inspires San Pablo Avenue safety event
- Create a snow globe at a community workshop
- Day camps available for winter break the next two weeks
- Official Snow Day tentatively set for Nicholl Park
- Chicken soup and blessings at community gathering
- Christmas Eve jazz concert at Richmond church
- Related stories
Harp concert at library will celebrate winter solstice
A well-known harpist will perform at a Richmond library in celebration of the upcoming winter solstice, which takes place on Sun., Dec. 21, at 7:03 a.m., marking the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter.
The Winter Harp Concert will feature Diana Stork, who has played ethnic, classical and contemporary harp around the world for three decades.
A sing-a-long will be part of the free festivities.
Winter Harp Concert, Thur., Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Point Richmond Community Room, West Side Branch Library, 139 Washington Ave.
Watch “White Christmas” aboard the SS Red Oak
A historic ship will be the setting of a showing of a classic holiday film.
A screening of “White Christmas” will take place on the SS Red Oak Victory ship.
Admission is free, although a $10 donation for ship restoration is requested. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
The SS Red Oak is the last surviving ship of the 747 vessels that were built at the Richmond shipyards during World War II.
“White Christmas” screening, Thur., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m., SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Free. $10 donation requested.
‘Community Gala’ holiday celebration will rock downtown
CoBiz Richmond is hosting a community-oriented holiday gathering downtown.
Richmas: The Community Gala will feature music from Richmond DJs as well as youth art activities, wine tasting, food, virtual golf and a holiday bar.
Black Santa will also pay a visit and seven Richmond-based vendors will host a Blk Out Market.
“It’s a joyful, homegrown event designed to uplift the spirit of Richmond and highlight the brilliance of our local community,” organizers said in a statement.
Richmas: The Community Gala, Sat., Dec. 20, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., CoBiz Richmond, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite A. $25 for adults; youths under 18 will be admitted free.
Winter Wonderland at Richmond church providing toys, clothing
Richmond families can enjoy an early Christmas celebration at an historic church.
McGlothen Temple Church of God in Christ is hosting its annual Winter Wonderland gathering this weekend.
The church, which is celebrating its 100th year in Richmond, is inviting the community to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
The free event will provide families with clothing, toys and activities.
Winter Wonderland, Sat., Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., McGlothen Temple Church of God in Christ, 1443 Fred Jackson Way, Richmond. Free.
Foundation sponsors holiday toy giveaway for children
Children can receive a free toy along with haircuts, hot dogs and fun activities.
The seventh annual Holiday Toy Drive & Giveaway is sponsored by the Ronnie “Bubba” Robinson Scholarship Foundation, a Richmond-based nonprofit organization that educates the public about the importance of wearing seat belts.
At the free event, children ages 3 to 13 can receive a toy as well as a haircut on a first come, first served basis.
There will be children’s activities such as face painting and a jump house.
Holiday Toy Drive & Giveaway, Sat., Dec. 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Richmond Veterans Hall, 968 23rd St. Free.
Roll into winter with a noon-to-sunset solstice bicycle ride
You can welcome the winter season with an afternoon bicycle ride around Richmond on the official first day of winter.
Rich City Rides is hosting its annual Winter Night Lights Solstice Ride to celebrate the longest night of the year.
Organizers say the free bike ride is a family-friendly event with plenty of stops. Cyclists are encouraged to light up their bikes with glow lights. Free bike lights will be handed out to participants while supplies last.
Winter Night Lights Solstice Ride, Sun., Dec. 21, noon to 7 p.m., starts at Rich City Unity Bike Hub, 1605 Ohio Ave. Free
Death of Richmond pedestrian inspires San Pablo Avenue safety event
Courtesy of GoFundMe
Local residents have organized a Monday memorial that will also serve as a call for making San Pablo Avenue safer.
The El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll organization is holding a vigil for Donna Revecho at San Pablo and Waldo avenues.
The 66-year-old Richmond Annex resident was hit by a car as she was in the crosswalk at that intersection. She died three weeks later, on Dec. 4, from her injuries, an obituary said. A GoFundMe to help her family has raised more than $6,000.
Participants are asked to bring flowers and other remembrances of Revecho. They are asked to wear reflective gear and carry signs reminding motorists of the speed limit on that part of San Pablo Avenue.
Memorial and safety rally for Donna Revecho, Mon., Dec. 22, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., corner of San Pablo Avenue and Waldo Avenue, El Cerrito.
Create a snow globe at a community workshop
Adults and children will have the opportunity to craft their own snow globe at a community workshop.
The Winter Snow Globe workshop will have experts from the city’s tool library to help guide participants in their creations.
Materials will be provided at the free workshop. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
The workshop is sponsored by the governor’s California Volunteers program.
Winter Snow Globe workshop, Mon., Dec. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., location provided after registration. Free.
Day camps available for winter break the next two weeks
WCCUSD schools will be on a winter break starting Dec. 22, so the city of Richmond is stepping in to help with its annual day camps for youths.
The Winter Break Day Camp will offer creative arts, group games and fitness activities for children from kindergarten to eighth-grade grade during the holidays.
The camps are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the week of Dec. 22, with the exception of Christmas, as well as the week of Dec. 29 with the exception of New Year’s Day.
Winter Break Day Camp, $60 per week plus an additional $20 per week for before and after care hours. Registrationis required. Call 510-620-6793 for information.
Official Snow Day tentatively set for Nicholl Park
The city’s annual free Snow Day will be held on Mon., Dec. 22 or Tue., Dec. 23, at Nicholl Park. (The exact date will be based on the weather.)
The city will build snow hills for families to enjoy. Adults and children are invited to dress in appropriate cold weather attire and bring their sledding gear.
There will also be live music and food vendors on site.
Snow Day, Mon., Dec. 22, or Tue., Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave. Free.
Chicken soup and blessings at community gathering
You can be blessed and enjoy some warm soup at a community get-together.
FIERCE Advocates has organized a Christmas Eve Chicken Soup & Blessing Bag Giveaway to encourage friendship this holiday season.
Attendees will receive a bowl of chicken soup along with a bag of blessings.
Organizers describe the free event as “a heartwarming community event to share care, connection and holiday joy.”
Chicken Eve Chicken Soup & Blessing Bag Giveaway, Wed., Dec. 24, Noon to 3 p.m., FIERCE Health & Healing Center, 312 9th St., Richmond. Free.
Christmas Eve jazz concert at Richmond church
A local church will jazz up the night before Christmas.
The Richmond First United Methodist Church is hosting its annual Christmas Eve Jazz Service.
The free concert will feature the Kurt Ribak Band. The church service will also include scripture and holiday carols.
Church officials advise attendees to arrive early since the sanctuary has been known to fill up for this annual performance.
Christmas Eve Jazz Service, Wed., Dec. 24, 7 p.m., Richmond First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St. Free.
For more, see our list of ongoing things to do (many of which are free) and our holiday calendar. Also, don’t forget to add your events to our free community calendar.
