With so much to do in Hampton Roads right now during the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to help the week fly by. We are helping you plan with three things you can do.
On December 6, Old Dominion University is hosting a free movie night at the planetarium. The school is playing Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as a part of the library’s Naro film collection. It's a chance to take a trip through space, while being among the stars. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8 p.m.
Hampton University Museum Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace
The Hampton University Museum is hosting its annual Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace. There you can discover one-of-a-kind gifts and support the local community. It's happening Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it's free to attend.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops! Concert
This weekend, the sounds and symphony of the holiday season are playing throughout the seven cities. The Virginia Symphony’s Holiday Pops! Concert kicks off at the Ferguson Center in Newport News this Thursday. The concert will be at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk on Friday and at the Sandler Center on Sunday.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Adirondack Thunder
What better way to spend the holiday season than in an ice-cold arena? The Norfolk Admirals are back home this week to face off against the Adirondack Thunder. Games will be held at the Scope this Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday, the puck drops at 7:05 p.m. To purchase tickets ahead of time, click here.
Visit Santa Claus
Santa Claus is back in town just weeks ahead of his busiest day of the year. 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 Battleship Wisconsin! To make an appointment with the big guy ahead of time click here.
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. It’s one of the largest light displays in North America with more than 10 million lights throughout the park.
Poquoson Frosty Festival & Tree Lighting
Another tree lighting is happening in Hampton Roads! On Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., the Kiwanis Club of Poquoson is hosting its Frosty Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall. It will feature dozens of 'frosty’ snowmen decorated by the community, with plenty of holiday fun to go around.
Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection
If you're in Portsmouth looking for some holiday spirit, there’s a winter wonderland inside 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 Thursday through Sunday, up until New Year’s Eve.
Starting Friday, Dec. 9, you can step right into Santa’s Nature Reserve at the Living Museum in Newport News. On select nights leading up to Christmas, you and the family can 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. The dates for the Nature Reserve are December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23.
Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade
This Saturday, the Hampton River is coming to life! A fleet of decorated boats will parade past the downtown Hampton waterfront. Santa himself will sail in at 2 p.m., but the lighted parade begins at 6 p.m. There will also be live music, treats and activities for the kids.
This Saturday, Dec. 10, you'll get to walk around an interactive outdoor wonderland near city hall in Chesapeake. ‘Fa La La Land’ is only open for two days this season on Dec. 10 and 17. There will be carolers, face painting, food trucks and a life-size snow globe! It's completely free, and runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Another weekend in December means another city is kicking off celebrations with a holiday parade. The Suffolk Holiday Parade is happening this Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. The parade will head down W. Washington Street to N. Main Street before ending on Finney Avenue. It is free to attend.
