Are you looking for the best Christmas events in Hampton Roads? Well, you have come to the right place because here you are going to find the best parades, light shows, live musicals, and so much more. There are amazing events that take place all season long in Hampton Roads. So be sure to save this article to come back to it when you find yourself looking for festivities this year!
Here you will find all the best spots for drive-thru light shows, where to go and celebrate the season with Santa, and even what to do if you are looking for a more thrilling adventure with roller coasters! There are so many Christmas events in Hampton Roads to look forward to this holiday season.
Where to See the Best Christmas events in Hampton Roads 2022!
WinterFest on Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk
First up is the Winterfest on the Wisconsin. This is one of the most popular Hampton Roads holiday events 2022. Every year the retired battleship Wisconsin is decorated with more than 1 million sparkling lights.
They are closed Monday and Tuesday, but other than that you can check them out every day starting at 4:30. Every night of the week you can experience the Holiday Hoobie-Whatty Show, where the people of Whoville stop by and put on a play.
Wednesdays on the Wisconsin the Grinch and his cute pup Max stop by to light the big Christmas Tree on board. You do not want to miss the WinterFest on the Wisconsin it is one of the best Christmas Events in Hampton Roads.
Busch Gardens at Christmas Time – Williamsburg
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg has some of the best family activities Hampton Roads has during Christmas time. The entire park transforms into a winter wonderland with over 10 million twinkling lights scattered across the park. If you are looking for Christmas events in Hampton Roads for children then the Santas workshop is the perfect place to stop by and tell Santa your Christmas wish!
There are also festive shows and workshops put on every night. And new this year is Santa’s Fireside Feast. This is a Christmas dinner fit for the whole family! Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet while Mr. And Mrs. Clause tell wonderful Christmas stories while you eat. Be sure to make a reservation to ensure your spot at their table! And if that is not enough there are over 20 rides throughout the park to enjoy.
Busch Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Hampton Roads during Christmas time!
Million Bulb Walk 2022 in Norfolk
Botanical Gardens in Norfolk has one of the best Christmas shows in Hampton Roads! They are open from November 11 through January 1st and you have to buy your tickets in advance. This is a walking event that will take you along a mile stroll while you look at over 1 million Christmas lights!
If you or someone in your party has limited mobility you are welcome to use one of the few wheelchairs on site, or book the private shuttle that runs Monday-Thursday, be sure to call them beforehand to set it up. If you are visiting the park on Sundays, you are allowed to bring along your family’s furriest members because Sundays are for the dogs.
You do not want to miss out on this festive fun in Norfolk it is one of the best Christmas events in Hampton Roads.
Cavalier at the VB Ocean Front
If you are looking for one of the nicest and most cheerful Christmas events Hampton Roads has then you have to check out the jam-packed schedule at The famous Cavalier at the VB oceanfront. On Saturday, November 26th they kick off the season with the Grand Holiday Reveal. You will see the magic of the season come to life when Santa comes to town to light up the Hotel.
Santa also has help bringing in the season with festive carolers, and dancers from the Virginia Ballet Nutcracker. You can stay after the lighting session and enjoy drinks and photos with Santa in the beautifully decorated Raleigh Room.
If you are seeing this after the Grand Holiday Reveal you can still join in on the fun at the Cavalier. December 3rd they host a breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Clause. For Christmas eve events in Hampton roads, they host a beautiful dinner in two of their restaurants. Be sure to make a reservation now to ensure you get a table!
Deck the Hall and Fa La La Land in Chesapeake
To see Christmas lights in Chesapeake head over to City Hall! From Thanksgiving day to January 2nd Deck the Hall is available to enjoy from the comforts of your car. Plus! It is completely free. You will take a loop around City Hall and gaze around at all the beautiful lights.
The real party is Fa La La Land. This lovely event is only open December 10 and 17th and it is totally worth marking down on your Christmas calendars. Check out the outdoor wonderland where you can enjoy live caroling, face paintings for the children, food trucks with holiday items on the menu, and last year they even had the cutest little baby llamas in Christmas sweaters.
This is one of the best free Christmas events in Hampton Roads and it takes place in Chesapeake.
Holiday Wonder Walk at Waterwalk Path in Hampton
There are plenty of Christmas shows Hampton roads put on and Holiday Wonder Walk is one of the best in Hampton. This event is only open from December 19th to 25 and is right in the heart of Hampton at the Coliseum. And it is another one of the free Christmas events in Hampton roads to add to your list.
This is one of the best Christmas events in Hampton Roads and it is located along the Waterwalk Trail. You will park inside the parking lot of the Coliseum and head straight over to the front doors. On the right, you will see the many tents set up for you to shop for the perfect local presents for your loved ones.
Follow the lit path behind the Coliseum and you will find the Community Christmas Trees. These are no ordinary Christmas Trees, they are all individually decorated by Hamptons churches, clubs, schools and so much more. This is a great way to spend your nights leading up to Christmas, it should help you get in the spirit!
Nature Night Holiday Lights at Newport News
One of the best places for Christmas events in Hampton Roads is the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News. This magical event takes place from November 26 to December 30th. You can enjoy plenty of different fun-filled activities for the whole family. Start your night off with a walk along the boardwalk lite trail in the woods behind the VA Living Museum.
This trail will lead you to StoryBook Village where you can decorate cookies inside the Reindeer Cookie Workshop. Then you can enjoy either the Star of Wonder planetarium show at 6 pm or the Holiday Magic Laser Show at 7 pm. Both are magical and are only playing on certain nights. You do not want to miss out on the Nature Night Holiday Lights, it is one of the best Christmas events in Hampton Roads.
Holiday Parade and Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park in Suffolk
The Holiday Parade in Suffolk is happening this year on December 10th and it is one of the best Christmas Events in Hampton Roads! The Parade starts at 7 pm and follows along the path of West Washington Street and turns up to North Main Street and finally ends Finney Avenue. Be sure to head out early and find a spot so you can see the marching bands, horse rides, local clubs, and so much more put on an amazing show for you.
The Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park is open from November 25 to December 30th. This is the third year it has been open and they have added even more lights this year. Last year there were already five different themes set up and this year there may be even more!
Annual Christmas Parade in Poquoson
Mark your calendars for the Annual Christmas Parade in Poquoson! This year’s parade theme is the 12 days of Christmas and it takes place on December 2nd, 2022. The Grand Marshall will kick off the parade at 7 pm.
You can expect to see local marching bands doing their thing, homemade festive floats, super fun antiques, and modern cars and the big guy wearing red brings it all together at the end. The path of this parade follows down Poquoson Ave at Wythe Creek Road to Victory Blvd. Get there early to get a good seat because you do not want to miss this it is one of the best Christmas events in Hampton Roads!
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival in Portsmouth
There are plenty of Christmas events in Hampton Roads but Portsmouth has some of the best. You can start your season off with the Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival. This exciting day is going to be held on December 10th this year. You are going to want to head out to High Street where you can enjoy live music from the local Portsmouth Public Schools, the Tidewater Concert Band, and a show from the Brasswinds.
There are also marshmallow roasting areas, carolers strolling around, bounce houses for the kids, and you may even spot the Grinch and a few reindeer wandering around town. After you have taken in all the sites on High Street visit the Winter Wonderland at the Coleman Collection at the Portsmouth Art and Culture Center. There you will find local vendors selling amazing Christmas presents for all ages.
The Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia Beach Christmas Lights 2022
So if you have ever been down to the Oceanfront During Christmas time then you already know how amazing this light show is. It is known as the holiday lights at the beach 2022 and is a yearly tradition. This year 2022, it opens on November 18 and will stay open until January 1st.
If you have never been to this light show in Virginia Beach you are in for a treat, it is one of the best Christmas shows Hampton Roads. You will navigate your way down the boardwalk in your car while looking at the beautiful light displays. Before you start they will tell you what channel to tune your radio to so that the blinking lights and your music sync up perfectly.
You pay by car, so round up the whole family, grab some hot cocoa, and head down to the oceanfront for one of the best light shows in Hampton Roads!
Christmas Plays Near Me – Hampton Roads
Christmas Shows Hampton Roads :
Virginia Beach
- White Christmas at Little Theatre of VB
- Dates: November 11-13, 18-20, 25-27,
- December 2-4, 9-11, 2022. Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm. Sundays at 2:30 pm.
- Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Sandler Center
Date: Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 7 pm
Norfolk
- The Dark Before Christmas: A Jukebox Musical
Date: Friday, November 18, 2022, from 5:50-8 pm. Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 3:30-6 pm - Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 7:30 pm.
Chesapeake
- Poinsettia Tours at White’s Nursery
Date: November 19 & 20, 2022 from 11 am-3 pm - Annual Chesapeake Community Messiah Performance
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 7 pm
Newport News
- The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays at the Ferguson Center
Dates: Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 8 pm - Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents “The Polar Express
Dates: Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 3 pm
Williamsburg
- The Nutcracker Suite at Williamsburg Library Theater
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11 am and 1 pm
Smithfeild
- Sundays at Four presents Herald the Season
Dates: Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 4 pm - Mistletoe Marketplace
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 3 to 8 pm
Portsmouth
- Olde Towne Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting
Date: Friday, November 18, 2022, from 4-8 pm
Conclusion
Hopefully, you can set aside some time to enjoy a few of these Christmas events in Hampton Roads with your loved ones. That is what this magical season is all about!
