The holidays are just around the corner! With so much to do in Hampton Roads, hopefully the week will fly by. We’re giving you a head start with three things you can do.
It's your last chance to check out Williamsburg’s Christmas Market. On Monday through Wednesday, there will be more than 30 vendors out on Court Street near Bicentennial Park ready to help you get some last-minute shopping done. There will also be photo ops with Santa Claus, live entertainment, fire pits and more. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visits with Santa Claus
Santa Claus is in town ahead of his busiest day of the year, and he is ready to hear what you want for Christmas. You can find Old Saint Nick at Lynnhaven Mall every day at 11 a.m. He's also making stops at Greenbrier Mall, the MacArthur Center and on the USS Wisconsin! To make an appointment with the big guy, click here.
Dominion Energy’s ‘Garden of Lights’
If you and the family want to get in a festive mood ahead of the holidays, Dominion Energy's 'Garden of Lights is back at Norfolk's Botanical Garden. For $15 to $20 a person, you can walk through a sea of holiday lights. The lights go on every evening until New Year’s Day.
Hampton's Holiday Wonder Walk just kicked off yesterday. From now until Christmas, every night you and the family can head down Hampton’s Waterwalk Trail. The bridges and wooded path will be all lit up for the holiday. Organizers say it is completely free and you can park in the Coliseum parking lot.
A classic Hampton Roads holiday celebration is docked in the Elizabeth River. Winterfest on the Battleship Wisconsin returned this year bigger and brighter than ever before. It will be open Wednesday through Sunday until New Year’s Day. Tickets to see the lights are $18.50 a ticket, and it's $4 cheaper for kids.
If you're over in Suffolk this week or next, the city's Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park is now open. From the comfort of your car, watch 35,000 light bulbs illuminate five different holiday displays throughout the park. It is completely free and open until Dec. 30.
The Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past
If you are in a spooky mood this year, consider searching for ghosts this Christmas at the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past tour! The tour takes you through some of the spookiest locations within Colonial Williamsburg. Tickets cost $25 a person and need to be reserved ahead of time.
Santa’s Nature Preserve at the Virginia Living Museum
On Thursday and Friday, you can step right into Santa’s Nature Preserve at the Living Museum in Newport News. This is the last chance for you and the family to follow Santa’s Boardwalk Trail, sip on hot chocolate, chat with Santa Claus and more. Tickets cost $13 a person, and children under 2 get in for free.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Up on the Peninsula-- you can enjoy the holiday spirit at Christmas Town in Busch Gardens. The celebration returned to Williamsburg last month and is now open every day through January 2. It’s one of the largest light displays in North America with more than 10 million lights throughout the park.
You can bask in the holly jolly season by heading over to Chesapeake! City Hall is all lit up for the "Deck the Hall" celebration. This is a drive-thru event and will be open every day until Jan. 2. It's completely free to attend.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals
It may be so cold this weekend that spending some time in an ice rink won't be so bad! The Norfolk Admirals are taking on the Reading Royals this Friday for their last home game of 2022. The puck is set to drop at 7:05 p.m. and tickets cost just $15.
From now until New Year’s Eve, Colonial Williamsburg is traveling back in time and celebrating Christmas traditions from centuries ago. During Christmastide in Virginia, you can enjoy holiday fun while watching live entertainment, exploring the museums and more. Prices vary, but tickets for adults cost $27.50.
Portsmouth’s Winter Wonderland Display
If you're over in Portsmouth, there's a winter wonderland at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center. This display is a yearly tradition, put on by the Coleman Nursery Collection. For just $3, you can check out Santa's workshop and a snowy wonderland Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Christmas.
Bayport Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach
Over in Virginia Beach, every night, lights illuminate the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The Bayport Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach are back. The drive-thru event starts at 5:30 p.m. every day of the week until New Year's Day. Tickets vary depending on when you go, but it starts at $25 per car.
