HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — This holiday season is here and Hampton Roads is definitely celebrating! Here are some events in the area. You can also check out our Living Local Events Calendar for even more ideas.
Chesapeake
- Deck the Hall
- Where: Chesapeake City Hall
- What: Walk around this interactive outdoor wonderland while enjoying baby goats in holiday sweaters, carolers, face painting, holiday-themed food trucks, and more!
- When: Nov. 28, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025. 6-9 p.m.
- How much: Free and open to the public
- Winter Wonderland Forest
- Where: Chesapeake Conference Center
- What: A showcase of holiday trees displayed at the Chesapeake Conference Center decorated by students from Chesapeake public schools to mirror different literature.
- When: Nov. 22 – Dec. 13, 2024
- How much: Free
Hampton
- Holiday Wonder Walk
- Where: Hampton Coliseum
- What: Walk along Hampton’s Water Walk Trail as it is lit up for the holidays.
- When: Dec. 20-25, 5-8 p.m.
- How much: Free
- Whimsical Winter Wonderland
- Where: Hampton Coliseum
- What: Holiday-themed decorations. Stage shows by aerialists, jugglers and illusionists in addition to roaming entertainers and stilt walkers.
- When: Nov. 23, 12-5 p.m.
- How much: Free
Newport News
- Celebration in Lights
- Where: Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave
- What: The park will be lit up with over a million individual lights. There will be new displays, and features.
- When: 5:30-10 p.m. from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9, 2024
- How much: $15 per car on weeknights (Monday – Thursday), $20 per car on weekends (Friday – Sunday), $85 per bus any night. Advanced purchase tickets are available for a discounted rate.
- Lights at the Fountain
- Where: City Center at Oyster Point
- What: Lights at the Fountain sets the scene for the perfect holiday stroll around City Center’s five-acre fountain plaza.
- When: Nightly Light Show: Dec. 8 – Jan. 1, 2025, 5-9 p.m.
- How much: Free admission, free parking
- ARTech Lights
- Where: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
- What: The city’s popular light show in the Southeast Community has a new home at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. ARTech Lights includes seasonal décor and an animated light and sound show that plays every half hour on the holiday tree.
- When: Dec. 7 – Jan. 1, 2025 from 5-9 p.m.
- How much: Free admission, free parking
- Other special holiday events in Newport News:
- Nov. 30, 5-8 p.m.: 2024 Port Warwick Holiday Tree Lighting. Free and open to the public, bring the whole family, no reservations required!
- Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.: Holiday Frost at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center; combines the magic of the Holidays with the excitement of anime. Free admission.
- Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m.: Hilton Village Gingerbread Celebration & Holiday Parade at Hilton Village (Warwick Boulevard and Main Street historic area).
Norfolk
- The Norfolk Botanical Gardens Annual Garden of Lights
- Where: Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd
- What: This walking event takes you through an immersive experience through the garden, with over a million twinkling lights.
- When: Nov. 8 through Jan. 5 from 5-9 p.m.
- How much: On Premium nights, $25 per adult and $15 per child; On Value Nights, $15 per adult and $10 child. Special rates for members and military. Walk-up tickets are an additional $5.
- Elf Door Discovery
- Where: Downtown Norfolk
- What: One hundred elf doors have appeared in downtown! Enjoy the elf door scavenger hunt around the area. Find the festive colorful doors near restaurants, parks, and more. These doors are even at WinterFest on the Wisconsin. Recommended as a day time activity as the doors are not lit up.
- When: Through the holiday season.
- How much: Free and open to the public.
- Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Market
- Where: Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
- What: Welcome the holiday season with a visit from Santa while you shop from local artisans and cozy up to the Yule Log Bonfire with a seasonal cocktail or warm beverage. Enjoy a live ice carving demonstration from Chisel & Shaker, hot chocolate & whiskey tastings, and family friendly entertainment in a beautiful, snowy winter wonderland.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from noon until 8 p.m.
- How much: Free. For more information or to make an online donation, click here.
Portsmouth
Click here for full details on “Holidays in Portsmouth” happenings
- Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection
- Where: Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, 400 High Street
- What: Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection offers a nostalgic, holiday-themed visual treat for young and old alike. Come visit the animated scenes of Christmas trees and lights, ice skaters, children sledding, little people, children from around the world, a Victorian chalet, caroling villagers and more.
- When: Nov. 30 through Dec. 29, 2024
- How much: $3 admission
- Snow Wonders
- Where: Children’s Museum of Virginia, 221 High Street
- What: Snow will fall from the sky, music will fill the air, and we hope that it brings nostalgic memories of the past. Enjoy this magical holiday experience! Join us on the Middle Street Mall outside the Children’s Museum of Virginia for this fantastic holiday event.
- When: Every Saturday at 6 p.m. from Nov. 30 until Dec. 30, 2024.
- How much: Free
- Holiday Nights at City Park
- Where: Portsmouth City Park, Cpl J M Williams Ave.
- What: Take a train ride aboard the Pokey Smokey to see the holiday lights! Food vendors, an illuminated playground, and holiday activities are also available. Check out some of the Coleman Collection pieces not displayed at the Winter Wonderland exhibit.
- When: Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 30 through Dec. 28 from 5-9 p.m.
- How much: $2 train ride for anyone 3 and older.
Suffolk
- Festival of Lights
- Where: Sleepy Hole Park. 4616 Sleepy Hole Rd.
- What: Each night the lights will burn brightly beginning at 5 p.m. and will glow until 9 p.m.
- When: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8, Dec. 12-23, Dec. 26-30
- How much: Free and open to the public
Virginia Beach
- Snow Globe Spectacular
- Where: Town Center
- What: Be mesmerized by one of a kind amazing snow globes filled with artistic, unique, creative and theatrical Christmas Scenes. See live music and more.
- When: Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Event goes from 5-9 p.m.
- How much: Free
- Holiday Lights at the Beach
- Where: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, starts at 21st street
- What: Car only lighted, festive display on the boardwalk to celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy holiday music and light displays.
- When: Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, from 5:30-11 p.m. (Friday – Tuesday)
- How much: $25 for personal vehicles. Take a look online for more prices and to register.
- Holiday Parade at the Beach
- Where: Atlantic Avenue between 15th-25th Street at The Oceanfront.
- What: Holiday parade with over 100 units including giant balloons, marching bands, dance groups and more.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- How much: Free and open to the public.
- Live Ice-Sculpting Show
- Where: 24th Street Park
- What: Live ice-sculpting show featuring music, lights, lasers and fire effects.
- When: Nov. 23 beginning at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- How much: Free
Williamsburg
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
- Where: Busch Gardens, located at 1 Busch Gardens Blvd
- What: Busch Gardens will transform into a Christmas Town with over ten million lights, holiday performances and skating shows, and more. Guests can participate in a holiday scavenger hunt, meals with Santa, holiday shopping, and other festive treats.
- When: Select days from Nov. 15 to Jan. 5
- How much: Take a look at Busch Gardens for ticket information.
- Christmastide in Virginia at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Where: Jamestown Settlement, 2110 Jamestown Rd; American Revolution Museum, 200 Water St, Yorktown
- What: Take a look at 17th and 18th century Christmas traditions at the Jamestown settlement and American Revolution Museum.
- When: Open Dec. 20-31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How much: Access is included with museum admission. Combined ticket for both museums is $34 for adults and $17 for 6-12. Tickets for Jamestown Settlement is $20 per adult and $10 per children ages 6-12, and to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, $20 per adult and $10 per children ages 6-12.
- Grand Illumination
- Where: The Governor’s Palace and the capitol in Williamsburg
- What: Each evening includes seasonal music, the lighting of the cressets, and a procession led by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. Each Grand Illumination event culminates in firework demonstrations over the Governor’s Palace and the Capitol sponsored by the City of Williamsburg.
- When: Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 5-7:30 p.m.
- How much: Online discounted single-day tickets $37.49 for adults and $21.74 for youth.
Elizabeth City, NC
- Dances Bay Christmas Light Show
- Where: 112 Dances Bay Road, Elizabeth City, NC
- When: Nov. 28 from 5-10 p.m.
- What: It is a drive-through based light show featuring over 30 neighboring residences that decorate.
- How much: Free and open to the public
- SantaCon
- Where: Downtown Elizabeth City, 112 N Water St.
- What: SantaCon Elizabeth City is an extraordinary family-friendly holiday celebration that brings together Santa enthusiasts, elves, reindeer, and all lovers of Christmas in one joyous gathering. The event, known for its iconic red and white attire, offers participants a unique opportunity to spread holiday joy while enjoying a host of activities.
- When: Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Elizabeth City’s holiday parade begins at 5:30 p.m.
- How much: Free for those 21+