Happy Holidays! There are so many fun holiday activities and events for you and your family to enjoy in Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina.
Here’s a list of December fun!
HOliday events
Yorktown Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Yorktown)
Date: Friday, December 2, 2022, at 7:30 pm
Join Yorktown in lighting the 20-foot artificial commercial “Giant Everest Fir” tree placed down in Riverwalk Landing. This community tradition goes all the way back to 1945. Everyone is invited to gather at the Yorktown Victory Monument by 6:30 p.m. for live music including a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town.
Phoebus Holiday Illumination & Craft Market (Hampton)
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 10 am-6 pm.
Phoebus will turn into a holiday wonderland Saturday, December 3 starting at 10 am. This street fest will feature local food vendors, handmade works from 50+ local artisans, a raffle, DJ, kids’ activities, an ugly sweater contest, and tree lighting. Tree Illumination at 5:30 pm!
Annual Pungo Village Christmas Tree Lighting (Virginia Beach)
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 4-6 pm. Rain date: Sunday, December 4
Music, singing, hot chocolate, and goodies. Special appearance by Santa! Be sure to dress as warmly as possible and bring a blanket and chair for comfort!
Lights at the Fountain: Holiday Light Show (Newport News)
Date: December 3, 2022, from 5 pm-9 pm
Experience this strolling state-of-the-art holiday light show featuring falling snow! Delighting all ages, this animated light show plays every half hour. It incorporates a 50-inch vibrant holiday tree, 55 pixel-wrapped perimeter trees, a festive soundtrack, and holiday decor that surrounds the five-acre fountain plaza.
Military Illumination Celebration (Chesapeake)
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 5 pm-8 pm
Celebrate the start of the holidays with NSA HR – Northwest MWR Community Recreation at Mariners Recreation Center on Saturday, December 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at our Illumination Celebration. There will be tree lighting, an iceless ice-skating rink, a trackless train, and pictures with Santa.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town (Williamsburg, VA)
Date: November 11th, 2022 – Jan 8th, 2023
Enjoy heart-warming holiday shows and classics such as Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas Town Express, and ‘Twas that Night ice skating show. Over 20 rides and coasters including NEW Pantheon™, the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, pair thrilling moments with holiday cheer.
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Norfolk, VA)
Date: November 11th, 2022 – Jan 1st, 2023
Millions of lights line garden paths and a twinkle in trees under the night sky. Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is a walk-through experience designed so you and your loved ones and friends can relax, have fun and make special memories in a magical outdoor setting.
Grand Illumination (Williamsburg, VA)
Date: December 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18, 2022
Join the Colonial Williamsburg community as they celebrate the holiday season with three Grand Illumination weekends, December 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Yuletide entertainment will include favorite holiday traditions, as well as heartwarming new additions to the festivities.
Holiday Parades
Chick-Fil-A Christmas Parade at Chesapeake Square (Chesapeake)
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 8am
The parade will start in front of the former Macy’s location and continue around Ring Road, which circles the mall. Entry for all parade participants will be through the Walmart Parking lot via the entrance on Taylor Road. Judging will begin at 7:00 am. The parade will start promptly at 8:00 am.
Holiday Parade at the Beach (Virginia Beach)
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 beginning at 5:30pm
Come out for the Holiday Parade at the Beach, where almost 90 parade units make their way down Atlantic Avenue in a joyous celebration of the holiday season. Giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages!
Suffolk Holiday Parade (Suffolk)
When: Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 7pm
Join in the lights and sounds of the Suffolk Holiday Parade. The parade starts at 7:00 p.m. Find the best spot to watch the floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and festive vehicles stroll down West Washington Street and take a turn up North Main Street with the parade route ending at Finney Avenue.
Miracle on High Christmas Parade (Portsmouth)
When: Saturday, December 17, 2022. Activities begin at 6pm. Parade at 7pm
Olde Towne Portsmouth is having its first Christmas parade in years! Join the holiday spirit and show your love for this year’s Miracle on High Christmas Parade. There will be lots of fun, food, floats, activities, live music, entertainers, S’mores, and more!
Elizabeth City Christmas Parade (Elizabeth City, NC)
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 5:30pm
Christmas is a big deal for Elizabeth City residents, and the annual Christmas parade is the occasion everyone counts down to every year. There will be treats, jolly Christmas music, and Santa Claus! Enjoy the dazzling lights, or simply sit back in a blanket and enjoy all sorts of decorated cars and thematically dressed people. The parade won’t begin until 5:30 pm (when the sun goes down).