NORFOLK, Va. — Although temperatures are dropping day by day, and the countdown to New Year’s Eve is well underway, there is no shortage of winter holiday festivities across Hampton Roads.
From mesmerizing holiday light displays to theatrical, ensemble, or even ballet performances of timeless classics – there’s a little something for everyone, young and old.
Here's a breakdown of some holiday events coming to each of the seven cities in Hampton Roads:
Norfolk
The MacArthur Memorial in Downtown Norfolk invites the community FREE of charge on Saturday, Dec. 14 to enjoy their NEW family-friendly Brick Figure Scavenger Hunt, participate in a meet, learn to fold an origami paper crane ornament and make a card for a veteran this holiday season. From 10 a.m. to noon, you can sit and take pictures with the North Pole's jolliest resident. No registration needed.
WinterFest on the Wisconsin is back this holiday season! The enormous battleship is decorated with over one million festive lights in celebration of this year's all-new theme: "Holiday Movie." The event will run on December 13-14 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and December 15 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Nauticus.
Take a stroll through an award-winning light show in Norfolk Botanical Garden. Over 1.5 million lights will keep the Garden aglow until Jan. 5! This 30th-year celebration promises surprises, food vendors, a magical tram ride and a magical experience.
Ticket pricing depends on the day but there's a calendar on the website to assist you with your planning. And if you're a Garden member, you might be able to get a discount on your ticket.
13News Now is a proud sponsor of this event.
The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band is calling for your attention to invite you to a holiday show performed by its active-duty musicians. The Friday, Dec. 13 show will feature a variety of festive, family-friendly musical ensembles - and will have a special guest too: 13News Now Daybreak Anchor Ashley Smith!
Experience the remixed beloved story with a more modern hip-hop flair. Watch live as a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow - one of hip hop’s founding fathers - fuse with Tchaikovsky’s timeless music to create a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
The star of 'Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical' invites you to see a show all about him and the retelling of the timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall from Dec. 26 to 29, 2024.
Virginia Beach
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s annual holiday event, Holi-Rays, is back! The Aquarium will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, doorway singers, and holiday cheer! People are encouraged to join in on the festivities by dressing up in their holiday best or best festive pajamas. Meet and greet with sharks, sea turtles, harbor seals and all sleighing all the way from the North Pole - Santa and Mrs. Claus! They'll all be there on Dec. 13 and 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The 2024 Holiday Lights at the Beach is in full swing! Come see how the Virginia Beach Boardwalk transforms into the largest and longest curved LED Light Tunnel in the U.S. featuring color-changing archways jumping fish, musical crabs, lively elves and joyous penguins against the moonlit backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Tickets are available every day until Tuesday, Dec. 31. There's also a Holiday Light First Night Hike on Jan. 1 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
For lovers of Gospel, Soul and R&B, be prepared to get transported to the disco era in a 70's Holiday Musical Show! Inspired by the hit TV show “Soul Train,” A Soulful Christmas: A Groovy Musical Revue will feature talented artists from the DMV area at the Zeiders American Dream Theater. Check out this 'Groovy Wonderland' until Sunday, Dec. 2 to 15. Tickets are on sale now.
Experience Tchaikovsky’s melodic score live and in person, thanks to Ballet Virginia’s professional company and the Symphonicity Orchestra at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. This enchanting holiday tradition plans to whisk you away into “The Nutcracker” with a dreamy and entertaining production with a cast of over 100 Waltzing flowers and adorable mice, and one delightful Sugar Plum Fairy. Get your tickets to this show at the Sandler Center for Performing Arts; it runs from Dec. 20 to 22, 2024.
Portsmouth
Neighbors open their decorated homes during self-guided walking tours allowing you to step back in time and visit historic homes in Olde Towne furnished entirely with family belongings from the 19th and 20th centuries, that were collected through generations, and left in their original places. Along the way, enjoy a holiday market, live music, carolers, seasonal greenery and historical re-enactors. Experience the spirit of olde-world charm in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic district on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for both days and $15 for just Saturday.
Snow Wonders is back at , Join the Children’s Museum of Virginia as they turn Middle Street Mall into a magical wonderland of falling snow, festive music and holiday spirit! On Snow Wonders Saturdays, the museum will be filled with all kinds of holiday fun and activities your kids will love. So come play in the museum this holiday season. Then come play in the snow! Every Saturday evening until Saturday, Dec. 28 from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Ring in the holidays with a blast of bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony brass section! Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with the glorious music of the holidays – featuring the VSO brass and percussion sections in an all-new program with various musical styles. The Concert is free and open to the public on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
Spin the dreidel, light a menorah, drink hot chocolate and cider and nosh on snacks during this celebration lights and family! The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center invites everyone of all ages to their free Hanukkah Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Come celebrate and learn about Jewish history, faith, and culture.
Chesapeake
From 5 to 9 p.m. every day until Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, Chesapeake's drive-through light display will be illuminating outside city hall with holiday-themed light displays. And it can all be enjoyed from the comfort and convenience of your car.
Then on Dec. 14 and 21, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m., stroll through an interactive outdoor wonderland while baby goats in holiday sweaters frolick, carolers sing classic tunes, live ballerina perform on stage - and be sure snap a picture or two the city's roaming holiday characters, a glass man, a stilt walker, and the jolliest man of the season, Santa Claus! The event is free and you can find free parking around City Hall municipal center.
Suffolk
All December-long enjoy a one-hour skate session at Suffolk's Downtown Festival Park. Times vary depending on the day you plan to skate. Hamlets and skating aids are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sessions are $5 for ages 13 and up and free with an adult for those ages 12 and below.
Watch the floats, equestrian units, marching bands and festival vehicles in this year’s Silver and Gold Holiday Wishes-themed Holiday Parade. The parade will make its way down West Washington Street, and turn up North Main Street, with the parade route ending at Finney Avenue. Streets in the Lakeside community will host the parade line-up beginning at 4 p.m. and will be closed to through traffic. See you in Downtown Suffolk on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
The Masters of Soul presents a new show “A Motown Christmas!” The back-by-popular-demand show will feature music from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson as well as stylishly costumed and choreographed performances of both male and female groups backed by the TFC Dance band! Join them and get into the holiday spirit on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
Suffolk's Sleepy Hole Park will again be all aglow from the annual Festival of Lights. The drive-thru event that spans 1.2 miles of the park is open every evening leading up to Christmas and in the days after the holiday, just before New Year's. The free and festive event is open from 5 to 9 p.m.
Newport News
For the 32nd season, the Celebration in Lights returns for drive-through holiday fun! Drive along two miles of Newport News Park and light displays every day from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
That link also will show you a few more events in Newport News, including an ARTech Lights display beginning December 7 at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, and the Holiday Frost Con on December 13 that "combines the magic of the holidays with the excitement of anime," among others.
Run run run as fast as you can – this event features the gingerbread man! Experience the nostalgic charm of Historic Hilton Village while savoring incredible gingerbread house creations and marveling at the gingerbread costume contest, the live music, and the grand parade. The event runs on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Hampton
The Hampton History Museum will host its 7th annual 'Hampton for the Holidays' variety show on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, 7 to 9 p.m. The event features family-friendly entertainment from local creatives to usher in the holiday season! The theme for this year’s celebrations is “The Present,” to remind people of the profound gift that each moment brings.
The 30th Annual Lighted Boat Parade will illuminate the Hampton River on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 2 to 10 p.m. Watch a fleet of decorated boats sail past the Downtown Hampton waterfront. And following the parade, Saint Nick himself will join the fun dockside to provide one last chance for your family to visit with him!
Hampton City Schools invites members of the community to support their student musicians as they ring in the holiday season! The talented student music ensembles' winter concert series runs until Thursday, Dec. 19. Times vary by concert location.
Just in time for the Holidays, Hampton’s Water Walk Trail comes to life with dazzling lights and seasonal decorations. The lighted displays will feature animated, large-scale, scenic props, video enhancements, lighted bridges and paths, sure to bring out the child in everyone. Come and stroll at your leisure, from Friday, Dec. 20 to Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m.
