HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – The 2022 holiday season has begun in Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina. If you are looking for some holiday cheer, take a look at the guide for what festive events are happening around the area.
Additional holiday events can be found at the Living Local events calendar. If you see an event we missed, email us at webdesk@wavy.com.
Chesapeake
- Deck the Hall
- Where: Chesapeake City Hall, 306 Cedar Rd
- What: A dazzling winter wonderland is coming to Chesapeake City Hall. Gather your family to experience this drive-thru light display from the comfort of your car.
- When: Friday, November 25, 2022 through Sunday, January 1, 2022; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- How much: The event is free and open to the public.
Hampton
- Holiday Wonder Walk
- Where: Hampton Coliseum parking lot, 1000 Coliseum Drive
- What: Walk along Hampton’s Waterwalk Trail as it is lit up for the holidays.
- When: December 19 – 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly
- How much: This event is free and open to the public.
Newport News
- Celebration in Lights
- Where: Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave
- What: Join Celebration in Lights for its 30th season. The park will be lit up with over a million individual lights. There will be new displays, and features.
- When: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. from November 24 through January 1, 2023
- How much: $12 per car on weeknights (Monday – Thursday), $15 per car on weekends (Friday – Sunday), $75 per bus any night. Advanced purchase tickets are available for a discounted rate.
- Lights at the Fountain
- Where: City Center at Oyster Point, 701 Town Center Drive
- What: Holiday lights show that plays every half hour during the holiday season. Begins December 3 with a holiday tree lighting.
- When: Begins December 3 and goes until January 1, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- How much: The event is free and open to the public.
- ARTech Lights
- Where: Brooks Crossing, 550 30th Street
- What: This holiday event will run all season long. The event will feature “tech-nitivities”, games, a silent disco, photo booth, a skating rink, and more.
- When: December 3 through January 1, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A special event will be held December 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- How much: The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free.
Norfolk
- WinterFest 2022 on the Wisconsin
- Where: Nauticus and The Battleship Wisconsin, One Waterside Drive
- What: The Nauticus’ WinterFest on the Wisconsin is returning this year will new features and two new nightly shows. There will be treats and gifts available, and over one million lights.
- When: Wednesday, November 9 through Sunday, January 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- How much: $16.50 for adults and $14.50 for children. Discounted prices are available for members.
- 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: Friday, November 11 through Sunday, January 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- How much: On Premium nights, $25 per adult and $15 per child; On Value Nights, $18 per adult and $12 child. Special rates for members and military. Walk-up tickets are an additional $5.
- Miracle on Waterside Drive: A Holiday Pop Up Bar
- Where: 333 Waterside Drive
- What: Seasonal pop up bar at the Waterside District. It will have holiday-inspired cocktails and festive decor.
- When: Opens Saturday, November 19 and runs until January 1, 2023. Limited reservations are available. On weekdays, it will be open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. On weekends, it will be available 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- How much: Pay per items at the bar.
- 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.
Portsmouth
- Winter Wonderland
- Where: Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, 400 High Street
- What: Visit the Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection in Portsmouth, which is back after 2 years.
- When: Starts Friday, November 25. Open Thursdays through Saturdays, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Christmas eve & New Years Eve, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- How much: $3 per person
Suffolk
- Festival of Lights
- Where: Sleepy Hole Park, 4616 Sleepy Hole Road
- What: Drive through light display with over 35,000 bulbs.
- When: November 25 to December 30, from 5:30 pm. to 9:30 p.m. It will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
- How much: Free and open to the public.
Virginia Beach
- 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: Friday, November 18 through January 1, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday – Thursday) and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
- How much: $25 for personal vehicles. Take a look online for more prices and to register.
- The Lights of Christmas
- Where: Virginia Beach KOA,1240 General Booth Boulevard
- What: Drive through Christmas light show. There is also a Christmas village with vendors and food trucks.
- When: November 25 – January 1, 2023 from 5-10 p.m. daily, and 5-11p.m. Friday and Saturday
- How much: $30 for general vehicle admission. Check online for other prices and to purchase tickets.
- Snowglobe Spectacular
- Where: Town Center
- What/When: November 25 – December 31
- Daily: Enjoy snow globes around Town Center featuring various holiday scenes. At the start of each hour between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Holiday Fountain Plaza Tree will have a festive light display for visitors to watch. Santa will also visit to take photos and hear wish lists.
- Weekends and Christmas week: December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, and 18-23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be live entertainment to enjoy at the Fountain Plaza.
- How much: Free and open to the public.
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 November 11 to January 8, 2023
- 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 December 18-31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How much: Access is included with museum admission. Tickets for Jamestown Settlement is $18 per adult and $9 per children ages 6-12, and to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, $18 per adult and $9 per children ages 6-12.