Short Pump Town Center's Grand Illumination with Santa is 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13; Henrico's Holiday Express brings Santa through Short Pump Dec. 8.

Last checked Nov. 10, 2026. This page is updated each year; the same address carries the next year’s details. Sources: the Henrico County events calendar, Short Pump Town Center’s Grand Illumination announcement, West Broad Village and the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.

Updated Nov. 10: Short Pump Town Center set its 12th annual Grand Illumination for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13; Henrico’s Santa’s Photo Stop at Deep Run Recreation Center on Dec. 4 and Richmond’s Christmas parade on Dec. 5 added.

Short Pump has no town Christmas parade of its own. Its holiday parade is Henrico County’s Holiday Express, a convoy of lit-up county vehicles bringing Santa Claus through neighborhoods. The Three Chopt and Tuckahoe tour, which covers Short Pump, is Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. Questions go to Henrico Recreation and Parks at 804-501-7275 or Rec-EventsTeam@henrico.gov.

Holiday dates

  • Short Pump Town Center Grand Illumination: Friday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m., Main Plaza, free
  • Henrico Holiday Express, Three Chopt and Tuckahoe: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5 to 8 p.m., ending at Deep Run Recreation Center
  • Santa’s Photo Stop: Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Deep Run Recreation Center
  • Santa Paws, photos with Santa for dogs: Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Short Pump Park
  • West Broad Village Holiday Tree Lighting, with Santa: Saturday, Nov. 28, 4 to 8 p.m., free
  • Dominion Energy Christmas Parade, downtown Richmond: Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:15 a.m.
  • Glen Allen tree lighting, with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 5, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Cultural Arts Center, free

Henrico Holiday Express

From the county’s event listing: a parade of “merry and bright” vehicles from Recreation and Parks, Police, Fire, Public Utilities and the libraries brings Santa down “Santa Claus Lane,” and families can meet him at each night’s ending point. For Short Pump, that is the Deep Run Recreation Center, 9910 Ridgefield Parkway, on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The other tours are Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the Varina District, ending at Dorey Recreation Center, and Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Brookland and Fairfield districts, ending at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, all 5 to 8 p.m.

The county has not posted the street-by-street route on its listing; email Rec-EventsTeam@henrico.gov to ask, and watch the county’s social media in early December.

Richmond’s Christmas parade

The nearest big Christmas parade is the 43rd annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade, at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, on Broad Street in downtown Richmond, about 12 miles southeast. The organizer, Richmond Parade Inc., lists floats, giant helium balloons, high school and college marching bands and “Legendary Santa” on its website. From the parade’s FAQ:

  • It goes on rain or shine.
  • Everyone is invited, the organizer says, and anywhere along Broad Street is a good place to watch.
  • It airs live on WTVR CBS 6, streams on the station’s website and is rebroadcast on Christmas Day.
  • Accessible parking is available by calling the parade office at 804-293-0258.

The route is new this year. The parade announced in July that it will step off at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, at 10th and Marshall streets, and head west on Broad Street to Allen Avenue, WTVR reported. The organizer’s own route map and viewing information pages said “coming soon” as of Nov. 10, with viewing details and the grand marshal promised for mid-November. We will add the street closures and parking when the parade or the city of Richmond posts them.

Santa Paws at Short Pump Park

Santa Paws returns to Short Pump Park, 3329 Pump Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Bring your dog for a free photo with Santa; county elves take the picture on your own phone or camera. Vendors and concessions for sale round it out. Keep dogs leashed; the park’s dog park has its own rules, listed in our parks guide.

Grand Illumination at Short Pump Town Center

Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W. Broad St., holds its 12th annual Grand Illumination at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the Main Plaza, according to the center’s announcement, published Oct. 30 on behalf of the center’s owner, Brookfield Properties. It is free and open to everyone.

The center lists:

  • Performances by violinist Stephanie Strings, The Sugarplums and a live ballet act
  • A visit from Santa
  • A holiday light show
  • Sweet treats, light bites and hot cocoa while supplies last
  • The Henrico CASA “Home for Good: Holiday Edition” playhouse near Dick’s Sporting Goods, which you can enter to win with a donation to the nonprofit

The center’s own events page had not posted the event as of Nov. 10. Questions go to the center at 804-364-9500. Parking at the center is free; our Short Pump Town Center guide has hours and curbside pickup, and road construction and closures lists work on the roads around it.

Santa’s Photo Stop

Henrico Recreation and Parks holds a Santa’s Photo Stop at Deep Run Recreation Center, 9910 Ridgefield Parkway, on Friday, Dec. 4, in two sessions: 10 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Children can visit Santa and tell him their wishes; bring your own camera. The listing names no price. Questions go to dal019@henrico.gov.

Other tree lightings near Short Pump

  • West Broad Village Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, Saturday, Nov. 28, 4 to 8 p.m. The shopping center at 2250 Old Brick Road lists a visit from Santa, hot chocolate, live music and the lighting of its tree. It is free, and the page lists no registration.
  • 28th annual tree lighting, Saturday, Dec. 5, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Free, at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, about eight miles east. Its Festival of Trees exhibit opens from 5 to 7 p.m. the same evening. Details are on our Glen Allen tree lighting page.

Holiday closures

Henrico County offices are closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for Thanksgiving and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25, for Christmas, according to the county calendar. Trash pickup and drop-off site changes for the holidays are in our trash and recycling guide.

Related guides: things to do in Short Pump this month and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Christmas parade in Short Pump?

Henrico County’s Holiday Express, a parade of lit-up county vehicles carrying Santa Claus, tours the Three Chopt and Tuckahoe districts from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, ending at Deep Run Recreation Center.

When is the Short Pump Town Center tree lighting?

The 12th annual Grand Illumination is at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, in the Main Plaza, with live music, a ballet act, a visit from Santa and a holiday light show. It is free.

When is the Richmond Christmas parade in 2026?

The 43rd annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. on Broad Street in downtown Richmond, according to the organizer, Richmond Parade Inc. It goes on rain or shine and airs live on WTVR CBS 6.

Where can my dog get a photo with Santa near Short Pump?

At Santa Paws, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, at Short Pump Park, 3329 Pump Road. Photos with Santa are free and taken on your own device.