The holidays are getting a little merrier at Maymont! As Maymont celebrates 100 years of welcoming the community, the 100-acre estate invites Richmonders to experience Merrimont, a celebration of holiday traditions, festive experiences and meaningful ways to make memories.
Bringing together seasonal favorites and exciting new experiences under one festive umbrella, Merrimont offers a whole season of reasons to celebrate, from shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts at Merry Market to exploring the historic Maymont Mansion decorated for the holidays for the first time in three years.
“Maymont has always been a place where the community comes together to make memories, and the holidays are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that connection,” said Kathy Garrett-Cox, Maymont’s Chief Curator and Director of Historic Resources and Engagement. “With Merrimont, we’re bringing together so many of the experiences that make this season special, giving families and friends even more reasons to make Maymont part of their holiday traditions.”
Explore the Merrimont
For the first time in three years, holiday decorations will return to the historic Maymont Mansion, offering guests a festive glimpse into the elegance and traditions of the Gilded Age.
Visitors can experience the Mansion adorned for the season through guided tours, discovering the history of the Dooley family and the extraordinary estate they called home.
Capture the Merrimont
Make this year’s holiday memories picture-perfect with professional holiday photo sessions at the historic Maymont Mansion. Guests can book a special holiday portrait session directly through Maymont, featuring photography by Maymont’s professional photographer against the backdrop of the mansion’s festive seasonal decorations.
Whether gathering the family for a holiday portrait, celebrating with a loved one or capturing a special moment, these sessions offer a unique opportunity to create lasting memories in one of Richmond’s most beautiful historic settings.
Shop the Merrimont
Merry Market returns December 5–6, bringing more than 75 local artisans and vendors to Maymont for a festive weekend of holiday shopping.
Guests can browse handmade goods, unique gifts, seasonal treats and more while supporting local businesses and makers. The popular annual market offers a welcoming way to shop small and celebrate the season with friends and family.
Create the Merrimont
Guests can get into the holiday spirit with hands-on seasonal workshops designed to inspire creativity and connection.
From festive wreath-making to gingerbread house decorating, Maymont’s holiday workshops invite participants to slow down, try something new and create something special to take home.
The holiday workshop lineup includes several wreath-making workshops from December 1-5, along with gingerbread house decorating experiences for families and special adults-only evenings for guests 21 and older, offering festive fun for all ages and occasions.
Give the Merrimont
This holiday season, give more than a gift. Give experiences, discovery, and memories that last long after the decorations come down.
- Unwrap a Year of Wonder. A Maymont gift membership offers a full year of opportunities to explore nature, wildlife and history, along with exclusive member benefits and discounts.
- Give a Gift with a Wild Side. Symbolically adopt one of Maymont’s animals and support the care of its wildlife. Adoption packages include special keepsakes, with a $100 option featuring a voucher for a cuddly plush version of the adopted animal.
- Give the Gift of Adventure. Maymont’s Out-of-School Day Camps turn school holidays into exciting opportunities for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade to explore nature, meet animals and learn through hands-on activities.
- And the Adventures Doesn’t Stop when Summer Arrives! Maymont’s popular Summer Camps return for children from preschool through eighth grade, with registration opening in January. Family-level members and above receive early registration access and 15% off.
- Give More Than a Gift. A charitable donation to the Maymont Foundation helps preserve the gardens, care for rescued wildlife and protect the historic treasures that make Maymont special.
From meaningful gifts to unforgettable experiences, there are plenty of ways to share the Merrimont this holiday season.
Make Maymont Part of Your Holiday Traditions
Whether searching for the perfect gift, exploring a historic holiday setting, creating something by hand or spending time with loved ones, Merrimont offers a season full of opportunities to celebrate.
Additional information, event details, registration and tickets will be available at Maymont.org.
About Maymont
Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is a well-preserved 100 acres where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautifully landscaped gardens, a petting farm and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus the immersive “Run of the River” experience highlighting the remarkable ecology of the James River in The Robins Nature Center.
Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire all who visit. Maymont annually welcomes over 1 million guests and is consistently ranked among the region’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike.
