Numerous events occur throughout Tidewater Virginia during the Christmas and winter holiday season. Celebrations include plays, musicals, parades, light shows, exhibitions, and more.
This article includes a sampling of events which will be held around Hampton Roads for the 2025 – 2026 winter season.
Hampton
Winter Whimsy at the Hampton Carousel
Hampton Carousel, 602 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA, USA
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (open at 11:00 AM)
Celebrate the season with a spin back in time!
Free Admission, Rides $1
Make new holiday memories while enjoying festively adorned horses and the historic Hampton Carousel decked out for the season, along with classic holiday tunes. Enjoy a free candy cane. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Get your carousel fix before it closes for winter!
The Hampton Carousel is located at 602 Settlers Landing Road in Downtown Hampton. There is free parking in the nearby garage. For more information call 757-727-1102.
Newport News
Newport News Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of Newport News invites residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at City Center.
This free, family-friendly celebration will feature an exciting evening of entertainment, headlined by a spectacular performance by multi-platinum artist Mario.
Guests will enjoy the return of Timber, the beloved 50-foot talking tree, along with live entertainment, Wacky Chadd, children’s crafts in the Kids Zone, carnival games, interactive art, holiday gift vendors, and much more. A variety of food truck vendors will be on-site.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m., with a full lineup of performances leading up to Mario taking the stage
Music for the Holidays at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
The Peninsula Concert Band will present a free holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News. Community members of all ages are invited to enjoy an evening of festive music performed by this long-standing regional ensemble.
Celebrating 75 years of music-making, the Peninsula Concert Band has been a staple in the Tidewater Region, bringing together volunteer musicians from a wide range of backgrounds. The group includes amateur and professional performers, teachers, students, military members, veterans, and others who share a passion for live music.
Throughout its history, the Peninsula Concert Band has upheld the spirit of America’s community band tradition, offering joyful and uplifting performances that strengthen community connections.
This season, the band is excited to bring its holiday program to the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, continuing its mission of sharing the power of music with the public.
For more information, please visit the Peninsula Concert Band website.
Handel’s Messiah – Virginia Symphony Orchestra
December 20, 2025
First Baptist Church of Newport News
12716 Warwick Blvd
Newport News, VA 23606.
On December 20, 2025, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will bring the region’s grandest performance of Handel’s Messiah to life this holiday season.
Conducted by Music Director Eric Jacobsen, this beloved tradition highlights the full Christmas section of Handel’s masterpiece, along with selections from the second and third parts, including the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus.
For more information, visit www.virginiasymphony.org.
Norfolk
Winterfest on the Wisconsin
Nauticus is preparing for its largest holiday experience ever as Winterfest on the Wisconsin returns to Hampton Roads on Friday, November 14.
The annual event is doubling in size with a 30,000-square-foot indoor journey entitled the Kingdom of the Snow Queen. This immersive adventure will transport families through a snowy landscape where they’ll encounter a talking polar bear, life-sized nutcrackers, a wise old owl, and the Snow Queen herself. This epic adventure is included with regular Winterfest admission.
Also new this season is Downtown Norfolk’s first-ever walking light trail. Extending from the Pagoda, around the battleship, and through Town Point Park, the Winterfest Riverwalk features hundreds of thousands of lights along the Elizabeth River. The half mile-long trail is free and open to the public every night throughout the holiday season.
The star of the show continues to be the Battleship Wisconsin, decorated again this season with more than 2 million dazzling holiday lights and a new below-deck experience.
Winterfest will run on select nights from November 14 through December 31. For more information, visit winterfestonthewisconsin.com.
Santa at the MacArthur Memorial
December 13th, 2025
The MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center
198 Bank Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Visit the MacArthur Memorial on Saturday, December 13th, from 10am-12pm, to visit with Santa and take photos. Afterwards, enjoy a family-friendly Brick Figure Scavenger Hunt in the museum, learn to fold your own origami paper crane ornament, make a card to be delivered to a veteran this holiday season, or participate in other fun activities brought by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Virginia Aquarium.
All activities are free. No registration is required, but early arrival is recommended. For more information, visit www.macarthurmemorial.org.
Portsmouth
The City of Portsmouth invites residents and visitors alike to celebrate the magic of the season with Holidays in the City, a month-long series of festive events and experiences that light up Virginia’s Historic Seaport. From glowing light displays and nostalgic favorites to live music, parades and shopping in charming Olde Towne, Portsmouth offers something for everyone this holiday season.
Olde Towne Holiday Lights
Friday November 21 (5–9 pm)
High Street Corridor
Olde Towne Portsmouth
Kick off of the holiday season with a progressive illumination of the city including tree lighting, live entertainment, Santa’s fire-truck arrival, crafts, face painting, family photos, hot cocoa and cider, late-night shopping, and much more! Free and open to the public. Thanks to the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market and Mobile Photo Lab, the first 100 commemorative photos are free. Limit one per family.
Holiday Nights at the Park
5–9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, November 29–December 27 (except December 26th)
Portsmouth City Park
Experience a dazzling light display, featuring a Pokey Smokey train ride through thousands of twinkling lights, festive entertainment, crafts and food truck vendors, and plenty of photo-worthy moments. Pokey Smokey rides are $2.00 per person ages 2+, all other activities are free.
Winter Wonderland
The Coleman Collection
Special Opening Weekend, November 21–November 23 then November 29–December 28
Thursdays & Sundays: 10 am–4 pm. Fridays & Saturdays: 12 pm–8 pm.
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
Step back in time at this nostalgic holiday favorite, featuring classic animated displays, glittering décor and whimsical winter scenes. A beloved local tradition for generations, Winter Wonderland captures the magic and wonder of holidays past.
Closed Thanksgiving (11/27), Black Friday (11/28), Christmas Eve (12/24), Christmas Day, (12/25), Friday 12/26, New Year’s Eve (12/31), and New Year’s Day (1/1). Admission: ~$3/person (under 2 free).
Snow Wonders at the Children’s Museum of Virginia
Saturdays, November 29–December 27 | 9 am–6 pm
Children’s Museum of Virginia
Delight in falling snow, hands-on activities, interactive exhibits and holiday cheer perfect for kids and families. Pricing available online.
Santa Claus Shuffle 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
Saturday, December 13
8 am–10:30 am
Portsmouth Pavilion
16 Crawford Circle
This fun, festive, family-friendly activity is for families and individuals of all ages. Kick off your holiday season at this event that has promoted both charity and fitness for over 30 years. 5k $45/person, 1 mile $30/person, both races $65/person.
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Saturday, December 13
11 am–3 pm (music continues until 5 pm)
High Street
Olde Towne Portsmouth
A Portsmouth tradition since 1998, this lively festival fills High Street with live performances, carolers, costumed characters and marshmallow roasting and a joyful celebration for all ages. Free and open to the public.
Olde Towne Scottish Walk
Wednesday, December 31 (4–6 pm)
Gather at Queen and Washington Streets
On New Year’s Eve, join a spirited Hogmanay-style procession of bagpipers, drummers and neighbors through Olde Towne. The walk begins at 4:30 pm and concludes at High Street Landing with a flag ceremony and the singing of Auld Lang Syne – a heartfelt salute to community, tradition and warm wishes for the year ahead. Free and open to the public.
Throughout the season, Portsmouth’s local shops, restaurants and attractions invite visitors to enjoy one-of-a-kind gifts, cozy dining and festive specials. Most events are free and open to the public, making it easy for families to celebrate together without breaking the holiday budget.
Plan your visit and discover full event schedules, maps and details at HolidaysInPortsmouth.com.
This page will be updated frequently as Christmas and the winter holiday season approaches.
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