Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month honors and celebrates the contributions of all women on culture, history, and society.

History

Women’s History Month (womenshistorymonth.gov)

Women’s History – Henrico County, Virginia

Virginia Women in History Digital Trails

Celebrate/Participate

Women’s History Month: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Game Changers

25 Best Women’s History Month Facts — Facts About Women’s History (womansday.com)

Women’s History Month | Virginia.gov

Explore/Resources

HCPL Women’s History Events

Henrico Happenings – Sheriff Alisa Gregory

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Henrico County Police Officer Heidi Rojas

Women’s History Month: Latina Women in history

Multicultural Community Engagement – Henrico County, Virginia

Women’s HerStory Month | Division of Student Affairs | Virginia Commonwealth University (vcu.edu)

Presidents’ Day [CLOSED]

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on Monday, February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the meaning and history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England.

Chinese Lantern Festival (or Yuan Xiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival)

An important traditional festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), is the first significant feast after the Chinese New Year. The lantern festival marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and end of the Chinese New Year. Participants enjoy colorful lanterns illuminating the sky, traditional cuisines, and dance celebrations to commemorate this special event.

History

Chinese Lantern Festival 2023: Feb. 5, Traditions, Food, Events (chinahighlights.com)

Lantern Festival History and Traditions | China’s Yuanxiao Holiday (studycli.org)

Celebrate

Lunar New Year 2023: An illustrated guide to celebrating the Year of the Rabbit | CNN Travel

Chinese Lantern Festival 2023: Traditional Celebrations, Food, Yuan Xiao Jie (chinatravel.com)

How to Celebrate the Lantern Festival (2022) | Chinese American Family

Explore/Resources

Chinese American Museum in Washington, DC

DMV Winter Lantern Festival @ Lerner Town Square at Tysons II, VA — NYC & DMV Winter Lantern Festival

VA Asian Chamber of Commerce – Asian American Business Advocates (aabac.org)

Black History Month

 Black history month commemorates the rich contributions and achievements of Black Americans in the United States and across the globe.  

History 

Black History Month 2023: Facts, Origins & More | HISTORY – HISTORY

Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative

Celebrate

African American History | National Archives

This Is Why Black History Month Is Celebrated in February (yahoo.com)

Six Tips To Help Your Company Celebrate Black History Month In A Meaningful Way (forbes.com)

Explore/Resources

HCPL Black History Events

Black History Month – YouTube

African American Heritage – Telling All Americans’ Stories (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Events Archive – Black History Museum 2022

Exhibitions | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu) 

The Collection | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Christmas Day Observance [CLOSED]

Henrico County offices and courts will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Christmas Eve Observance [CLOSED]

Henrico County offices and courts will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Henrico Concert Band

Holiday Concert

Come out to Henrico Theatre and celebrate the holidays with a concert full of your favorite holiday songs performed by Henrico Concert Band under the direction of Randy Abernathy.

For more information, contact per22@henrico.us or 804-501-5859.