Returning to the Peter G. Decker Jr. Half Moone Center for its fourth consecutive year is the festive family attraction Dickens’ Christmas Towne. This seasonal pop-up transforms Norfolk’s premier waterfront venue into a cheerful, 15,000-square-foot Victorian London streetscape complete with snowfall, carolers and more.
Dickens’ Christmas Towne runs the gamut of holiday activities, offering festive fun for families of all abilities. Theatrical performances like Magic with EC, Jon the Juggling Ginger and A Christmas Carol puppet show unfold on the main stage while two giant train displays toot their horns as they traverse their snowy landscapes.
New this year is The Art of Christmas illustrator exhibit, which showcases the work of P.J. Lynch, award-winning Irish illustrator and illustrator of A Christmas Carol. Children can also try a hand at their own illustrations and creations at Christmas Towne’s craft station.
Other holiday happenings include the 120-foot-long London Docks maze, fairy-themed activities, a puppet story hour and musical presentations by strolling carolers, Old Dominion University’s Brass Choir and Coastal Virginia’s celebrated quartet, The Doorway Singers.
This year’s Dickens’ Christmas Towne also introduces themed tea parties on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Father Christmas and Geoffrey the Talking Christmas Tree will also be in attendance.
As children enjoy the merriment of Christmas Towne, parents can imbibe local craft beer at Wren’s Pub or shop for holiday goods in the town’s array of emporiums. The makeshift London pub will also serve traditional English fare to be enjoyed by the whole family.
As the holiday season gets closer, Dickens’ Christmas Towne will release a calendar of special programs taking place between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Dickens’ Christmas Town is open through Dec. 31. Admission is $5 for guests ages 3 or older. Guests ages 4–12 will also receive complimentary editions of A Christmas Carol. To learn more visit DickensChristmasTowne.com.
Peter G. Decker Jr. Half Moone Center is located at 1 Waterside Dr., Norfolk. Hourly garage parking is available at several nearby City of Norfolk garages including Plume Street, Main Street and Waterside.
Grace Silipigni
Grace Silipigni is an elementary school Spanish immersion teacher based in Virginia Beach and a regular contributor to Coastal Virginia Magazine, covering a wide range of topics such as health and wellness, education and learning, food and drink, happenings and events, travel and getaways and more.
