Grab the kids and head out to see the Christmas lights in Hampton Roads, filled with colors, music, and fun. But it’s not just lights you will see; Hampton, VA events include a boat parade, Hampton Wonder Walk, and a few spots to take that perfect Christmas photo.
Close to Hampton, and Norfolk, VA, you will find the towns of Chesapeake, Newport News, and Suffolk, Virginia, each with its own holiday traditions and Christmas magic. Kids will love wandering the neighborhoods, seeing houses decorated with million twinkling lights in Chesapeake, VA.
Newport News, VA events will bring out the child in the most ardent Scrooge when they step into the Virginia Living Museum to see creating animated holiday displays or enjoy a mild-weather snowfall and crafts in the city center. Suffolk, VA offers holiday light displays in Market Park that are sure to spread holiday cheer and spirit.
So, pack a bag and drive to Hampton Roads to experience all of the Christmas events, holiday light displays, botanical gardens, fanciful scenes, and the magic of Christmas town with family and friends.
Events in Hampton, VA
Hampton Holly Days Parade
- Address: Downtown Hampton, Hampton, Virginia 23669
- Date: 1st Saturday of December
- Website
Join in the fun and watch the Peninsula’s illuminated parade march on through. Have fun as local car clubs, bands, military groups, and of course, Santa Claus goes past.
Before the parade, enjoy the festive entertainment and ornament-making from 1am-4pm at the Hampton Museum. You can also join Santa for a free ride on the Hampton Carousel from 1pm-6pm.
Hampton Holiday Wonder Walk
- Address: Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
- Dates: Dec 20-25, 2024
Explore the dazzling holiday light displays at the Festival of Lights in Suffolk, featuring a spectacular two-mile drive-through trail filled with over a million lights. Wander along the glow-lit path, where animated features add extra enchantment to the holiday season. The event is free and open to the public, with entrances and parking located at the Hampton Coliseum and Air Power Park, providing the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of holiday Christmas lights.
Coliseum Central Holiday Extravaganza
- Address: Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23669
- Dates: November 23 – December 24, 2024
- Website
The Coliseum Central Holiday Extravaganza is a festive event at the Hampton Coliseum, featuring a winter wonderland with ice skating, a snow village, and holiday decorations. Visitors can meet Santa, enjoy live performances, and indulge in holiday treats from various food vendors. The event runs from November 23rd to December 24th, offering a magical holiday experience for families and friends.
Phoebus Holiday Illumination & Craft Market
- Address: 21 Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663
- Date: December 7, 10am-6pm
- Website
Enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate as you visit Santa, listen to the local carolers sing your favorite carols, and shop the boutique stores along Mellen Street. The tree lighting will be at 5:30pm.
Grab our guide to Christmas Lights in Virginia Beach, VA
Events in Chesapeake, VA
Holt Family Lights
- Address: 705 Tallahassee Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Dates: Nightly from the weekend before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, 5:30pm- 10pm
- Website
Drive by and enjoy the inflatables, music, and lights. This is in a neighborhood, so please do not disrupt the neighboring homes when you drive by the see the lights.
Piazza Family Christmas Lights
- Address: 913 Pleasant Ridge Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Dates: End of November through the first weekend of January; 5:30pm-9pm, Sunday – Thursday and 5:30pm-10pm Friday – Saturday
- Website
Sit in your car in front of the Piazza’s house as you listen to the synchronized music and watch the 20,000+ lights keep the beat.
Scroggins Family Christmas
- Address: 905 Deer Crossing, Chesapeake, VA 23323
- Dates: Check website for updates
- Website
Woodland Christmas Wonderland
- Address: 4028 Woodland Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23321
- Dates: November 28 – December 27, 2024
- Website
Free to the public, the the Williford family puts on this amazing Christmas light display that is nothing short of magical. Donations go towards the Portsmouth Humane Society, to help area animals to be safe and healthy while they look for their forever home.
Sheely Family Lights
- Address: 703 Ava Ct, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Dates: November 29, 2024
- Website
Grand Illumination at Greenbrier Farms
- Address: 225 Sign Pine Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Date: November 30, 2024
- Website
Kick off the holiday season at Greenbrier Farms’ Annual Grand Illumination on November 30th! This free, family-friendly event features festive activities throughout the day, including holiday shopping, tree sales, and free photos with Santa from 10 AM to 4 PM. The highlight of the evening is the enchanting tree lighting ceremony from 6 PM to 8 PM, set against the cozy backdrop of the farmhouse. Guests can enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa, and the joy of celebrating with loved ones. Don’t miss this cherished Chesapeake tradition!
Deck the Hall & Fa La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall
- Address: 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Dates:
- Deck the Hall: November 28, 2024 to January 2, 2025 from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly
- Fa La La Land: December 14 and 21, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Website
Celebrate the holidays in Chesapeake, VA, with Deck the Hall and Fa La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall! From November 28, 2024, to January 2, 2025, enjoy the festive drive-through light display of Deck the Hall nightly from 6 to 9 PM, perfect for soaking up the holiday cheer from the warmth of your car. On December 14 and 21, 2024, step into the magic of Fa La La Land, an interactive outdoor experience featuring baby goats in holiday sweaters, carolers, food trucks, face painting, and live performances, including ballerinas and holiday-themed stilt walkers. Don’t forget to snap pictures with Santa and other roaming holiday characters. Free parking is available around the City Hall municipal center, making this a delightful and family-friendly holiday tradition!
Grab our guide to all of the Norfolk VA events
Events in Newport News, VA
NlightN Holiday Event Series: Celebration in Lights
- Address: 13560 Jefferson Ave Newport News, VA 23603
- Dates: November 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Website
Celebrate the holidays at the NlightN Holiday Event Series: Celebration in Lights in Newport News Park! Now in its 32nd season, Virginia’s first holiday drive-through light show features two miles of dazzling displays, including a Tunnel of Lights, 3D Trees, and whimsical additions like a Candy Arch and colorful peacocks. Open nightly from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, this picturesque journey through the seasons is perfect for creating festive memories. Admission is $15 per car on weekdays, $20 on weekends, with discounted $12 tickets available in advance at the Newport News Visitor Center. Don’t miss this beloved tradition!
Port Warwick Holiday Tree Lighting and Marketplace
- Address: Port Warwick, William Styron Square, Loftis Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606
- Date: Saturday after Thanksgiving, 5pm – 8pm
- Website
Spend the afternoon at Styron Square enjoying the festive entertainment. This is your best chance to shop for those hard to buy for friends and family at the Holiday Marketplace where local vendors will be displaying their ware. Don’t forget to a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and delicious food to stay warm while you wander.
CNU’s Holiday Happening
- Address: Ferguson Center for the Arts 1 Avenue of the Arts Newport News, VA 23606
- Date: December 8, 2024, 4pm
- Website
Celebrate the season at Christopher Newport University with the Holiday Happening concert, where proceeds support music scholarships. After the performance, gather on the stunning Great Lawn at 6 PM for CNU’s annual tree lighting, a free and festive event open to the public. Don’t miss this joyous evening filled with music, holiday spirit, and community cheer!
Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
- Address: 702 Town Center Drive Newport News, VA 23602
- Date: every Sunday from December 8, 2024 – December 22, 2024
- Website
Experience the holiday magic with Newport News Tourism’s FREE Holiday Lights Trolley Tour, running Sundays on December 8, 15, and 22 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Enjoy dazzling holiday displays at spots like City Center at Oyster Point, Port Warwick, and ARTech Lights at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, all from the comfort of a cozy, heated trolley. Perfect for guests ages 5 and up, this two-hour guided tour is free, but reservations are required—secure your seat on Eventbrite for an unforgettable evening!
Winter Nature Nights
- Address: Virginia Living Museum 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd Newport News, VA 23601
- Dates: December 19-22, 2024
- Website
Celebrate the holiday season at Winter Nature Nights, a family-friendly event filled with festive charm! Stroll the illuminated boardwalk trail, explore decorated museum exhibits, and enjoy interactive fun on the Dinosaur Discovery Trail, where “How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas” comes to life. Sip hot chocolate at the cozy café, write letters to Santa, and meet him at the Goodson House while enjoying music, cookie decorating, and a magical candy cane trail.
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
- Address: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, 2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607
- Date: December
- Website
Enjoy dance performances and musical concerts throughout Christmas in Newport News, VA when you head to Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.
Stern Family Holiday Light Show
- Address: 108 Sheffield Way, Newport News, VA 23603
- Website
The synchronized light show beats to the rhythm of holiday songs throughout the night. Donations accepted for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
Events in Suffolk, VA
Suffolk Grand Illumination Ceremony
- Address: The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk
- Date: Friday before Thanksgiving, 6pm- 8pm
Join in the holiday fun at Market Park in Suffolk, VA.
Enjoy listening to local choirs sing your holiday favorites, take a free horse and carriage ride, and get a delicious treat from area vendors. Be sure to stop in and visit the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum.
Sleepy Hole Park Light Display
- Address: 4616 Sleepy Hole Rd, Suffolk, VA 23435
- Dates: weekend before Thanksgiving through December 30th, 5:30pm to 9:30pm (closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
- Website
Suffolk Parks & Recreation is excited to host the Fifth Annual Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park, a festive drive-thru light display in Suffolk. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, visitors can enjoy the sparkling lights Thursday through Sunday, with daily viewing from December 12-23. This free event runs from 5 PM to 9 PM and is open to the public, with select evenings offering opportunities for donations to support future displays. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday spirit with family and friends!
Events Coming Back Next Year
Hampton Boat Parade
- Address: Downtown Waterfront, you can see it anywhere along the Hampton River
- Website
No updates
Selfie Season at Peninsula Town Center
- Address: Peninsula Town Center, 4410 E. Claiborne Square, Hampton, VA, 23666
- Website
Christmas Palooza
- Address: Priest’s, 820 Sydenham Blvd Chesapeake, VA 23322
Winter Gingerland
- Address: Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608
- Website
Christmas Through the Ages
- Address: Lee Hall Mansion, 163 Yorktown Road, Newport News, VA 23603
- Website
Holidays at Endview
- Address: Endview Plantation, 362 Yorktown Road, Newport News, VA 23603
- Website
Outdoor Movies at Anderson’s
- Address: 11250 Jefferson Ave, Newport News. VA 23601
- Website
Pin it and Start Planning!
Looking for a Norfolk hotel? Check out a few of our favorites!
- Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN: #1 rated on TripAdvisor
- Norfolk Waterside Marriott hotel: indoor pool, great Marriott Club amenities and close to everything
- Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown: perfect for families who need a full kitchen
- The Inn at Four Eleven York: Cute B&B with free parking and Wi-Fi
- Courtyard Norfolk Downtown:Budget-friendly hotel right downtown
- Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel:outdoor pool, bike rentals and pet-friendly
Still need more options? Search for a great deal on Booking.com!
Our Favorite Airbnbs in Norfolk, VA
While you may not get the pool, these Airbnbs give you plenty of space for the whole family. You can also save money by making meals in your full kitchen at these Superhost properties.
