Glen Allen's free tree lighting, now billed as Illumination, is 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Cultural Arts Center, with Santa and Festival of Trees.

Last checked Nov. 10, 2026. Details come from the organizer, The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, and the Henrico County events calendar. This page is updated every year at the same address.

Updated Nov. 10: the center now bills the evening as “Illumination: Magical Holiday Performances and Festival of Lights,” with Blue Jay Pediatric Dentistry as a second sponsor. Date, times and free admission are unchanged.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen holds its annual tree lighting, billed this year as “Illumination: Magical Holiday Performances and Festival of Lights,” on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It is free. Santa comes to light the center’s tree at the Center Field stage, with holiday music on the program, the center says. The center is at 2880 Mountain Road in Glen Allen; questions go to 804-261-2787 (261-ARTS).

Know before you go

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen
  • Cost: free
  • Also opening: Illumination: A Festival of Trees exhibit, 5 to 7 p.m., on display through Jan. 4, 2027
  • Pets: only service animals are allowed at the center
  • Organizer: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 804-261-2787

What happens

The center calls the evening “this beloved holiday event,” held in partnership with Henrico County’s Division of Recreation and Parks and sponsored by Dominion Energy and Blue Jay Pediatric Dentistry. Its event page lists:

  • holiday music performances;
  • a visit from Santa, who lights the center’s tree at the Center Field stage;
  • the grand opening of Illumination: A Festival of Trees, an exhibit inside the center, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The center has not posted the 2026 performers yet. For the 2025 lighting, the county’s calendar listing named Chris Campbell, the Henrico Pops Chorus, the Glen Allen High School band, drum line and chorus, the Glen Allen Elementary chorus and the Midnight Ukulele Society, with hot chocolate and treats for sale, a holiday gift shop and crafts for children. We will update this page when the 2026 lineup is out.

The Festival of Trees

Illumination: A Festival of Trees opens at the tree lighting and stays on display from Dec. 5, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027. Admission to the center is free. Its regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, the center says; check before a holiday visit.

Getting there from Short Pump

The center is in northern Henrico between Staples Mill Road and Woodman Road, just south of Interstate 295. From Short Pump, the center’s directions say to take I-64 to exit 177 for I-295 toward Washington and Norfolk, then exit 45B for Woodman Road south. At the light, turn right onto Mountain Road; the center is 3/4 mile ahead on the right.

The center has not published parking or road closure details for the night. We will add them if it does; the center’s number is 804-261-2787.

Dates by year

Year Date Time
2026 (28th) Saturday, Dec. 5 4:30 to 7 p.m.
2025 (27th) Saturday, Dec. 6 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Both years the lighting fell on the first Saturday of December.

More holiday events

Short Pump’s own Santa and tree events, including Henrico’s Holiday Express and the Short Pump Town Center tree lighting, are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page. For GardenFest of Lights, the West Broad Village tree and other light displays, see holiday lights and Christmas events.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Glen Allen tree lighting in 2026?

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road. It is the center’s 28th annual tree lighting.

Is the Cultural Arts Center tree lighting free?

Yes. The center lists it as a free event for the whole family, held with Henrico County Recreation and Parks and sponsored by Dominion Energy.

Will Santa be at the Glen Allen tree lighting?

Yes. The center says Santa makes a special visit to light its tree at the Center Field stage.

How long is the Festival of Trees at the Cultural Arts Center on display?

Illumination: A Festival of Trees opens with the tree lighting, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2026, and stays on display through Jan. 4, 2027. Admission to the center is free.

When was last year’s Glen Allen tree lighting?

The 27th annual tree lighting was Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., according to the Henrico County events calendar.