'Tis the season for holiday parades, Christmas lights and winter fun. Throughout Coastal Virginia, experience an abundance of festive family celebrations including a colonial-era Christmas, firework shows, nighttime ice skating and more.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Nov. 30–Dec. 1: Rudolph, Santa Claus, the Abominable Snow Monster and more of your favorite holiday characters will be on stage at Chrysler Hall for a weekend performance of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. BroadwayNorfolk.com
Courtesy of Virginia Stage Company
A Christmas Carol
Nov. 30–Dec. 23: Watch as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future manifest on The Wells Theatre stage for a magical performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge will also be in attendance. Showtimes vary. $50–$79. VaStage.org
35th Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade
Dec. 1: The 35th Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade returns with bigger and brighter floats, festive dancers and spectacular musical performances. This year’s theme celebrates Christmas in the City and can be enjoyed by spectators of all ages. Free. 6 p.m. Mt. Pleasant Road and Battlefield Boulevard, Chesapeake. ChesapeakeRotary.org
Hollydazzle
Dec. 1: For the first time in Hollydazzle history, the annual celebration will replace its fireworks display with a marvelously choreographed light show. Enjoy the show and other holiday festivities at Newport News City Center at Oyster Point. NNVa.gov
Annual Candle Lighting at City Center
Dec. 2: Join the United Jewish Community and its Virginia Peninsula chapter for Newport News’ Annual Candle Lighting at City Center. The lighting marks the eve of the first day of Hanukkah. 6–7 p.m. UJCVP.org/Calendar
Grand Illumination
Dec. 2: Create a new family tradition at Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination. Stand by with a cup of freshly made hot chocolate and watch as Williamsburg’s historic area glows beneath seasonal fireworks. ColonialWilliamsburg.com
7th Annual Phoebus Holiday Illumination
Dec. 7: Let the Christmas festivities begin at Phoebus’ 7th Annual Phoebus Holiday Illumination. Witness a special holiday tree lighting, visit with Santa and enjoy all of the holiday-themed crafts, food and carols along Mellen Street. Free. 5–9 p.m. PhoebusVaEvents.com
Holiday Movie & Crafts
Dec. 8: Enjoy an afternoon of craft making and special viewing of the hit holiday film The Santa Claus at the Willow Oaks Branch Library in Hampton. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Hampton.gov
Holly Days
Dec. 8: The Peninsula’s largest illuminated parade boasts holiday-themed floats, festive marching bands, dance groups, military members, car clubs and more in Downtown Hampton. Free. 7–9 p.m. Hampton.gov
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Dec. 8: An Old Towne Portsmouth tradition, the historic drives of Washington and Water Streets host strolling carolers, featured performers and firepits for marshmallow roasting. The Children’s Christmas Parade will be held in conjunction with the festival from 10–11 a.m. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. PortsVaEvents.com
Million Bulb Walk
Through Dec. 15: Norfolk Botanical Garden invites you and your family to embark on an illuminated 2-mile journey through the gardens’ holiday light spectacular. The path is decorated with animated light displays and twinkling archways. $10–$17. 4–9 p.m. NorfolkBotanicalGarden.org
Christmastide in Virginia
Dec. 20–31: Experience colonial holiday traditions at both the Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum in Yorktown. Enjoy everything from 18th century winter activities and camp stories to a tour through a recreated Powhatan Indian village. $7.50–$25.50. HistoryIsFun.org
Dickens' Christmas Towne
Through Dec. 31: Dickens' Christmas Towne transforms Nauticus' Half Moone Center into a cheerful Victorian London streetscape with snowfall, carolers, theatrical performances and more fun festivities for the entire family. $5 for guests ages 3 and older. DickensChristmasTowne.com
Read more about Dickens' Christmas Towne here.
26th Annual Celebration in Lights
Through Jan 1: More than a million Christmas lights illuminate the grounds of Newport News Park in fanciful holiday scenes. Drive beneath 43 dazzling arches and admire the 300-plus decorations on display. $12 for cars, $60 for bus. 5:30–10 p.m. NNVa.gov
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Through Jan. 5: Busch Gardens Williamsburg is home to one of the largest holiday displays in North America. At Christmas Town, families can take pictures with Santa, meet Rudolph, attend holiday performances and ride on some of the theme park’s most celebrated coasters and attractions. BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg
MacArthur on Ice
Through Jan. 14: Grab a pair of skates and hit the ice at MacArthur Center’s outdoor ice-skating rink. Enjoy ice hockey clinics, figure skating shows, private lessons and more. Experience nightly magical snowfalls too. $7–$14. VisitNorfolk.com
Coastal Virginia Magazine
Offering up stellar editorial and photography on a range of feature topics from personal and business profiles to the region's cuisine and style scene, Coastal Virginia Magazine provides an in-depth glimpse into what's happening in the region. Each issue offers up something new, from the annual Top Docs feature to Best Of CoVa Readers' Choice Awards, while still always providing insight from the regular columnists and news on the latest local events in the Datebook section.
