HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — There’s something about sparkling holiday lights that fill our hearts and lift our spirits.
“One of my favorite things is probably the blue lights, love the color," said Dana Stone. "It reminds me of sapphires."
Dana and Brian Stone of Virginia Beach have been bringing their three daughters to the Norfolk Botanical Garden’s light display for 13 years.
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“Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I think it really brings us and our family together," says one of her daughters.
They used to drive through the display, but now the park lets patrons stroll through. It’s a mile long and will take you about 45 minutes.
“I love doing the walk instead of the drive. You really feel like you’re with the lights, and you can stop for hot chocolate...and cookies," said Dana and Brian Stone.
WATCH: Norfolk Botanical Garden's "Garden of Lights" returns
And if you have some folks in your holiday huddle who have trouble walking….
“We do have mobility shuttles on the value nights, so be sure to call the front desk, and we can get you all signed up, so that way if you have any
mobility issues, you can still hang out with us ride along and enjoy the lights," said Bella DePaulo at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
And if you want a little naval history sprinkled into your holiday plans, you can check out the USS Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk, all decked out
with lights.
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Or, you could load the family up in the car and cruise down to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. There’s the annual Holiday Lights on the Boardwalk: the
rare chance to drive on the boardwalk and see three miles of nautical displays.
Further up the road, near Williamsburg, you can sip hot cocoa and be dazzled by Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, where nearly 400 acres of
twinkling light displays await you as you stroll through the Old Country.
You can find amazing displays right in your own neighborhood, too!
Bob McKown has put up huge displays in his yard in the Salem area of Virginia Beach for 15 years.
“This year, we have Santa on his skis being pulled by his dolphins and we have the Rudolph dolphin in the front," said McKown.
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Half a million lights in all! And this year, the theme is just beachy.
“The idea was to make the roof look like water moving with the dolphins kind of swimming over it," said McKown.
“This is a lot of work, why do you do it?" I asked him.
"We do it for the kids," said McKown. "We have people sending us gift cards and thanking me for lighting up Salem Road.”
McKown uses equipment from his pressure washing, painting and contracting business to make an already impressive display even bigger.
WATCH: 1 million lights illuminate Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus museum for WinterFest
“We have this 40-foot-high tree with 1,700 feet of linear lights on that one tree," McKown said.
And people come from near and far to see his dazzling display.
“We have this one family that comes from Knotts Island, and they get out of their car and they walk all through the yard and have a good time and it’s like three to four generations,” McKown said.
“What does your electric bill run?" I asked him.
"Don’t worry about it!" McKown said and laughed.
He says it’s hard to put a price on making spirits high during the holidays.
“It's Christmas man, why not get excited about that?” said McKown.
WATCH: King's Dominion Winterfest is open through Dec. 31
Here's a list of some of the light displays mentioned and the cost of admission:
- Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Cost of admission is $25 for Adults and $15 for Children 12 and under. Details on value nights and military discounts are available here.
- Bayport Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Va. Beach Boardwalk. Drive into the gate down at Rudee Inlet near 1st Street. Admission is $25 for each vehicle.
- Winterfest on the Wisconsin on the USS Wisconsin at Nauticus in Norfolk. Cost of admission is $18.50 for adults and $14.50 for kids under 12.
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Admission is $64.99 for ages 3 and up.
- 43rd Street and Pacific Avenue in VA Beach (Neighborhood display)
- 2260 Salem Road in VA Beach (Neighborhood display)
