The family is closing in and in between the movie watching (Star Wars, anyone?) and the wrapping, you’ll need to blow off some steam and have some fun this weekend.
Lucky for us, we live in Hampton Roads where there’s always something great to do and see.
If you want to take the kiddos to see Santa, here are all the man-in-red sightings this weekend!
All weekend
Chesapeake
Ongoing/Holt Family Lights/900 Teakwood Ct.
Enjoy this annual Christmas display at the home of Allen and Cattina Holt. Featuring new lights, new characters, new elements, and new surprises. Open rain or snow if possible.
Ongoing/Pugh Family Christmas Light Show/902 Heydon Ct.
Welcome to the home of Charlie and Bridgette Pugh. Enjoy this annual Christmas display of synchronized lights and music.
Hampton
Saturday-Sunday/Basslights, Featuring Pretty Lights and Bassnectar/Hampton Coliseum
Pretty Lights and Bassnectar return for the 4th Annual BassLights co-headlining special shows. This kaleidoscopic event will have each artist playing both nights with one headlining on Saturday and the other headlining on Sunday.
Click here for tickets and more information
Newport News
Friday-Saturday/Carriage Rides/City Center at Oyster Point
Join us for complimentary horse drawn carriage rides around the fountain at City Center on Friday and Saturday!
FREE
Saturday-Sunday/American Youth Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker/The Ferguson Center
Enjoy the splendor and beauty of Hampton Roads’ most exciting classical ballet production of the holiday season — The Nutcracker! This magical and lighthearted story of a small girl’s dream on Christmas Eve has delighted children and adults of all ages at the Ferguson Center since 2004. This production has developed a following spanning the eastern seaboard, delivering a sparkling adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffman tale based on the original Petipa version. It is coupled with Tchaikovsky’s rich, classical score. The production features awarding-winning guest artists, brilliant costumes and scenery, dazzling special effects and showcases an outstanding cast of more than 80 performers.
Click here for tickets and more information
Ongoing through Sunday/A Christmas Carol/Peninsula Community Theatre
This new, fresh and innovative adaptation is a Hampton Roads Premiere which takes us on the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation from miser into a gentle and kind man after visitations by his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Click here for tickets and more information
Ongoing/Holiday Magic/Virginia Living Museum
Kick off your holiday season at the Virginia Living Museum with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above.
Click here for ticket prices and more information
Norfolk
Wednesday-Sunday/Kinky Boots, the Musical/Chrysler Hall
KINKY BOOTS is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.
Click here for tickets and more information
Ongoing/Garden of Lights/Norfolk Botanical Garden: Ends 12/31
Drive through more than a million twinkling lights this winter. Don’t miss Virginia’s favorite holiday tradition. Bring your family and friends to our 21st annual light show extravaganza for a magical holiday experience. During this event, the Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can enjoy a 2-mile drive through a million sparkling lights bringing the four seasons to life.
$25 Per Car (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) $20 Per Car (Monday – Thursday)
Ongoing/Dickens’ Christmas Towne/Nauticus
This holiday season, journey through a magical world of Christmas characters, Victorian carolers, sweet treats, shops, games and crafts. Along the way, you can enjoy photos with Father Christmas, a London pub, outdoor train rides (Saturday and Sunday evenings), lively musical performances, an indoor Christmas train display, unique seasonal gifts, strolling carolers and Victorian street scenes.
$5 for adults, $4 for children (4-12), ages 3 and under are free
Ongoing/MacArthur on Ice and Winter Carnival/MacArthur Mall
Ice skate at the mall and enjoy Santa’s Winter Wonderland!
Regular admission is $7 for skating, $7 for skate rental
Portsmouth
Ongoing/Snow Wonders/Children’s Museum of Virginia Plaza
now will fall from the sky, music will fill the air and we hope that it brings back fond memories from other places you may have lived and enjoyed in the past. Children’s Museum of Virginia (outside in mall area).
FREE
Ongoing/Winter Wonderland/Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center
Celebrate the season with Winter Wonderland, a holiday classic for generations of Hampton Roads visitors and residents which includes scenes from the famed Coleman Collection. From Victorian scenes of animated skaters and carolers to the enchanted forest of bears, deer and Santa’s workshop, the displays are sure to delight visitors of all ages.
Admission to Winter Wonderland is $3.00/person or free for museum members.
Smithfield
Ongoing through Sunday/Junie B! First Grader!/Smithfield Little Theater
A hilarious and endearing tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. A delightful antidote to the traditional schmaltzy Christmas show. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students
Click here for tickets and more information
Virginia Beach
Thursday-Friday/Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler and Fitness Expo/Virginia Beach Convention Center
Take a break from the bustle of the holiday season and join J&A Racing for an evening of joy and wonder at the Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler presented by Bon Secours In Motion, a twilight race under the holiday lights along the beautiful Virginia Beach boardwalk. A costume contest awards great prizes for the best naughty or nice holiday costume. The 5 Miler features a flat and fast course through the twinkling holiday lights displays along the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
To register and for more information click here
Friday-Sunday/Ballet Virginia International: The Nutcracker/The Sandler Center
Join us for “The Nutcracker” and experience the beauty and athleticism of this timeless classic. Enjoy nationally recognized guest artists, our region’s finest young dancers and a cast of over 100 talented local children. Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach, will provide live orchestra accompaniment.
Click here for tickets and more information
Ongoing/Santa’s Seaside Village/Atlantic & 30th St.
A new holiday tradition is coming to Hampton Roads this winter! Santa’s Seaside Village is setting up shop at Atlantic Avenue & 30th Street to delight the young and young-at-heart with animated displays, shopping, live entertainment, and Santa Claus himself…all with a “beachy” twist! Walk through the animated displays in our giant tent. See Santa’s elves busily building, packing, and shipping toys to be delivered on Christmas Eve to boys and girls everywhere.
Ongoing/McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach/Boardwalk
Take a shining journey into nautical, holiday, and adventure lands – all along the beautiful Virginia Beach boardwalk. Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises – all in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky, are the stars of McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, presented by Liberty Tax Service.
$15 for cars, $25 for limos, $45 for motor coaches, $25 for minibuses
Williamsburg/Yorktown
Ongoing/A Colonial Christmas/Yorktown Victory Center & Jamestown Settlement
A Colonial Christmas” at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center offers a glimpse of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions with special interpretive programs, and December 26-31, musical entertainment of the period.
Click here for ticket prices and more information
Ongoing/Christmas Town/Busch Gardens
Christmas Town brings holiday traditions to life with heartwarming shows, delicious holiday dining and festive shopping opportunities. Experience Christmas traditions from around the world and keep warm with a mug of Busch Gardens’ signature hot chocolate. This year, Christmas Town is brighter than ever with more than eight million lights. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop and meet the jolly old elf-himself.
Click here for schedule and ticket information
Friday, December 18
Newport News
7 p.m./Movie: The Polar Express/Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center
Free community movie night. Come in your PJs and snuggle in for the show!
FREE
8 p.m./Handel’s Messiah/First Baptist Church
Benjamin Rous returns to conduct the Messiah of the season. Featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and vocal soloists, come experience the greatest story ever told with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Click here for tickets and more information
Norfolk
8 p.m./Holiday Brass/TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
The bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony Brass section ring in the holidays with a blast! Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with wit, virtuosity, and the glorious music of the holidays—featuring the VSO brass and percussion sections. Conducted by Dr. Paul Bhasin, Director of Wind Studies at Emory University in Atlanta and former Director of Bands at the William and Mary School of Music, returns to Hampton Roads where you’ll hear music from a variety of styles that make this concert one holiday delight you won’t want to miss!
Click here for tickets and more information
Virginia Beach
6 p.m.-8:30 p.m./Santa on the Sprayground/Williams Farm Recreation Center
Come to the 2nd annual Santa on the Sprayground to get your photos with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa on the Williams Farm Sprayground. Be sure to bring your bathing suits and hop in the pool to enjoy our featured movie in the pool, “Rudolph.” Those age 9 & under must be directly supervised by someone age 16 or older. Rec Center membership or day pass required; No additional cost.
Saturday, December 19
Hampton
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m./Brunch with Santa/Northampton Community Center
Bring your family and friends of all ages to celebrate the holiday while enjoying breakfast and entertainment with Santa. Please register by 12/06. $3 per person.
Norfolk
1 p.m./Sounds of the Saints/Chrysler Museum of Art
Come celebrate the last full month of our exhibition, Saints and Dragons with a talk and choral performance. Father George Bessinas will give a lecture leading us through the orthodox traditions involving icons. Following is a performance from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Chanters, Choir, and Youth Choir. Enjoy listening to both traditional and contemporary songs, in English and Greek!
FREE
8 p.m./Handel’s Messiah/Harrison Opera House
Benjamin Rous returns to conduct the Messiah of the season. Featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and vocal soloists, come experience the greatest story ever told with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Click here for tickets and more information
8 p.m./Virginia Stage Company Presents: A Christmas Carol/Wells Theatre
In this heartwarming tradition for the whole family, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visit Ebenezer Scrooge and remind us all of hope, redemption, and love.
Click here for tickets and more information
Suffolk
11 a.m./‘Twas the Night Before Christmas/Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts
A new Holiday play from CTHR, Sure to be loved by near and by far. So gather ’round friends to the tale that we tell, All silly, and funny, and loving as well.
Click here for tickets and more information
Virginia Beach
10 a.m.-12 p.m./Breakfast and Pictures with Santa/Williams Farm Recreation Center
Wear your holiday best and let the spirit of the season fill you as you join Santa for a continental style breakfast. Parents, be sure to bring your camera! Sign up in advance at Williams Farm Recreation Center.
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m./Breakfast with Santa-Member Exclusive/Virginia Aquarium
Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by SODEXO’s executive chef; snap a photo and visit with our very jolly special guest! Holiday craft stations and other activities will be available.
4:30 p.m./Movie: The Polar Express 3D/Virginia Aquarium
A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. 100 minutes
Click here for tickets and more information
7:50 p.m./National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation/Virginia Aquarium
The Griswold family’s plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
Williamsburg
9 a.m.-11 a.m./Breakfast with Santa & Friends/Imagination Village
Join us for breakfast, story time, games, and fun untold, before Santa and his elves head back to the North Pole.
Sunday, December 20
Newport News
2 p.m./American Youth Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker/The Ferguson Center
Enjoy the splendor and beauty of Hampton Roads’ most exciting classical ballet production of the holiday season — The Nutcracker! This magical and lighthearted story of a small girl’s dream on Christmas Eve has delighted children and adults of all ages at the Ferguson Center since 2004. This production has developed a following spanning the eastern seaboard, delivering a sparkling adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffman tale based on the original Petipa version. It is coupled with Tchaikovsky’s rich, classical score. The production features awarding-winning guest artists, brilliant costumes and scenery, dazzling special effects and showcases an outstanding cast of more than 80 performers.
Click here for tickets and more information
Norfolk
11 a.m./Proper English Tea at Dickens Christmas Towne/Nauticus
Sit down to a real British high tea at Dickens’ Christmas Towne Tea Room! Listen to lively holiday music while enjoying tea, scones, savory finger sandwiches and sweets. Gluten free options are available. Tickets are $25 per person and include admission to Dickens’ Christmas Towne.
Click here to make a reservation
2 p.m./Virginia Stage Company Presents: A Christmas Carol/Wells Theatre
In this heartwarming tradition for the whole family, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visit Ebenezer Scrooge and remind us all of hope, redemption, and love.
Click here for tickets and more information
7 p.m./Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna/Harrison Opera House
With a history six centuries in the making, the famed Vienna Boys Choir delights audiences across the globe with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and a diverse, crowd pleasing repertoire that encompasses Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, beloved pop songs, holiday favorites and medieval chant.
Click here for tickets and more information
Virginia Beach
2 p.m./Ballet Virginia International: The Nutcracker/The Sandler Center
Join us for “The Nutcracker” and experience the beauty and athleticism of this timeless classic. Enjoy nationally recognized guest artists, our region’s finest young dancers and a cast of over 100 talented local children. Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach, will provide live orchestra accompaniment.
Click here for tickets and more information
2 p.m./‘Twas the Night Before Christmas/Obendorf Central Library
A new Holiday play from CTHR, Sure to be loved by near and by far. So gather ’round friends to the tale that we tell, All silly, and funny, and loving as well.
Click here for ticket information
4 p.m./Movie in the Pool: Happy Feet 2/Great Neck Recreation Center
Enjoy a special feature while floating in the pool! Those age 9 & under must be directly supervised by someone age 16 or older.?? Recreation center membership or day pass required, but no additional cost.
4:30 p.m./Movie: The Polar Express 3D/Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach
A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Click here for tickets and more information
Williamsburg
6:30 p.m./It’s a Wonderful Life/Kimball Theater
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.
Click for ticket information
Tickets $3 per person
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