Holiday Happenings!

Here are a few things to do this holiday season!

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: Thursday, November 24, 2022 through Sunday, January 1, 2022; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • How much: The event is free and open to the public.
• Fa La La Land
  • Where: Chesapeake City Hall, 306 Cedar Rd
  • What: Walk around this outdoor wonderland while enjoying carolers, face paintings, baby goats in holiday sweaters, live snow globe, holiday-themed food trucks, holiday movie characters, and more!
  • When: December 10 and 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • How much: The event is free and open to the public.
• Chesapeake Holiday Market Extravaganza
  • Where: Greenbrier Mall, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway South
  • What: Still need time to finish up your holiday shopping? Join local vendors at the Chesapeake Holiday Market Extravaganza to for unique crafts, giveaways, holiday music, pictures with Santa, and more.
  • When: Opens Friday, November 18. Take a look at Facebook for specific dates.
  • How much: This event is free and open to the public.
• Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade
  • Where: Starts on Mt. Pleasant Road and Battlefield Boulevard and wind its way to City Hall.
  • What: The 39th annual parade will have the them “Lights, Camera, Christmas!”. Road closures will start around 4 p.m. to about 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
  • When: December 3 at 6 p.m.
  • How much: This event is free and open to the public.
• Holiday Craft Show
  • Where: Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Drive
  • What: Visit for your Christmas shopping. Artisans will display and sell their crafts. Santa Claus will make a visit from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
  • When: Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • How much: Free event open to the public with items for purchase.

Hampton

• Whimsical Wonderland
  • Where: Hampton Coliseum
  • What: Coliseum Central is turning the Hampton Coliseum into a Whimsical Winter Wonderland.  This FREE, festive celebration will include fun for the whole family. The Sentara Main Stage will feature shows by aerialists, jugglers, and illusionists.  Four holiday-themed areas with coordinating backdrops, props and displays will provide ample opportunities for photos.  In addition, there will be roaming characters and stilt walkers, a variety of photo booths, face painting, balloon and glitter tattoo artists, and carnival-style games.
  • When: November 19 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • How much: FREE
• 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.
• Holiday Light Stroll
  • Where: Newport News City Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave
  • What: Visit the park for a one night only, charity walk, at a leisurely pace through the Celebration in Lights display. Tickets are on sale now. 100% of all proceeds benefit the Center for Child & Family Services.
  • When: Tuesday, November 22 from 5-7 p.m. and 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  • How much: $13.50 plus fees for a single admission. Children 2 and under are free. 4 Pack admission available at a discounted rate per person.
• 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.

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.
• 36th Annual Grand Illumination Parade
  • Where: Streets of downtown Norfolk
  • What: Annual parade is back with the theme “Holiday Magic”. There will be pre-parade entertainment. The parade will feature, music, bands, floats, Santa, and more.
  • When: Saturday, November 19 at 7 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public.
• 8th Annual Great Hot Cocoa War
  • Where: Downtown Norfolk
  • What: Hot Chocolate contest in downtown Norfolk. Find out who has the best hot cocoa this season. Starting on November 19 you can vote online here.
  • When: Saturday, November 19 through November 26
  • How much: $2 per 4 oz pour of hot chocolate
• 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.
• Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace
  • Where: Downtown Norfolk, Town Point Park, 113 Waterside Drive
  • What: It’s the 9th Annual Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace is back with tons of shopping options from local vendors, seasonal cocktails and beverages, and family-friendly entertainment.
  • When: Saturday, December 3 at 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • How much: The event is free and open to the public. Items available for purchase.
• Mistletoe Market
  • Where: Wells Theatre, 108 E Tazewell St
  • What: Market open during the Grand Illumination Parade. It will have local artisans for your Christmas shopping and pictures with Santa will be available.
  • When: Saturday, November 19 from 4 p.m. until the parade ends. Santa will be available until 6 p.m. before the parade starts.
  • How much: Free event with items for purchase.
• Sail Nauticus Lighted Boat Parade
  • Where: Nauticus, 1 Waterside Drive
  • What: Lighted boat parade on the Elizabeth River hosted by Sail Nauticus.
  • When: Saturday, December 3 from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public.

Portsmouth

• Olde Towne Holiday Open House & Crafters’ Market
  • Where: High Street Corridor
  • What: Start the holiday season in Portsmouth with a holiday tree lighting, Tidewater Winds Quartet Concert, carolers, and more.
  • When: Friday, November 18 from 4 – 8 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public. Items available for purchase.
• 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
• Olde Towne Music Festival
  • Where: High Street corridor
  • What: This event began in 1998 and continues in the holiday season in Portsmouth. Listen to holiday music and enjoy local shops and restaurants.
  • When: Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • How much: $3 per person

Smithfield

• Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
  • Where: Downtown Smithfield, 228 Main Street
  • What: Annual tree lighting with holiday music and baked goods.
  • When: Friday, November 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public.
• Mistletoe Marketplace
  • Where: Downtown Smithfield
  • What: Holiday event with vendors for Christmas shopping, food, music, and live performances.
  • When: Saturday, November 19 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public.

Suffolk

• Grand Illumination
  • Where: Market Park, 326 N. Main Street
  • What: The light on the 32-foot tree will turn on in this Grand Illumination Ceremony in downtown Suffolk. Santa will be there to celebrate. Enjoy music, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and family-friendly crafts and a puppet show.
  • When: Friday, November 18 at 6 p.m.
  • How much: This event is free and open to the public.
• 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.
• Suffolk Holiday Parade: “Home for The Holidays”
  • Where: Downtown Suffolk
  • What: This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Holiday”.
  • When: Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public.
• Holiday Market at Bridgeport
  • Where: The Plaza at Bridgeport, 3800 Block of Bridge Road, between the 1400 Bridgeport Way and 1500 Bridgeport Way buildings
  • What: Enjoy various holiday events including, a holiday market, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse drawn carriage rides, and holiday music.
  • When: Thursday, December 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • How much: Free and open to the public. Items and activities available for purchase.

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.
• 41st Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market
  • Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street
  • What: 175 fine artisans and crafters from more than 20 states join together for the Christmas Market.
  • When: November 25-27, on Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • How much: $8 per person; $2 for children 6-12; Free for children under 6.
• Holiday Pops!
  • Where: Sandler Center, 201 Market Street
  • What: Holiday Pops by the Virginia Symphony and special guests. there will be carols and seasonal songs.
  • When: December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
  • How much: Prices start at $25 and vary by seat.
• Candlelight Yule Tours
  • Where: Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Rd
  • What: Enjoy colonial Christmas traditions at this event. You will be led by guides in traditional costume through the festive home and learn about traditions, foods, and festivities from the 18th century. There will be singing, ornaments, hot drinks, sweets, and more.
  • When: December 1-4. Tours are every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • How much: $15 for ages over 10; $7 for children ages 2-10; free for children under 2.

Greater Williamsburg

• Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Where: Market Square, in front of the courthouse steps
  • What: An event lighting the community Christmas tree, a 40-foot spruce that has over 7,500 lights. Enjoy a reading of The Night Before Christmas, hear about the first Christmas tree in Virginia, and sing Christmas carols.
  • When: Thursday, December 1 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • How much: This event is free and open to the public.
• Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination Weekends
  • Where: Governor’s Palace, and the Capitol
  • What: Enjoy holiday traditions of Williamsburg in the illumination weekend celebrations. There will be fireworks and musical performances.
  • When: December 3, 10, and 17 from 5 p.m.– 7:00 p.m
  • How much: Free and open to the public.
• 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.