Last updated: November 11, 2024
Make the most of your holiday season in Chesapeake with our planner guide. Discover all the best events and activities. Whether Chesapeake is your home or your holiday getaway, our guide highlights the top festive events.
One festive experience to enjoy is the enchanting Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland filled with millions of lights and holiday-themed attractions. Another highlight is Deck the Hall, a delightful showcase combining beautiful decorations with live entertainment and festive cheer. And the Snowglobe Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring immersive displays that capture the season’s magic. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Chesapeake Holiday Light Displays
Deck the Hall
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light display with nightly drive-through.
- Description
- Drive through a holiday light display featuring festive themes from the comfort of your car, with nightly events from November 28, 2024, to January 2, 2025.
- Where
- Chesapeake | More Info : Deck the Hall
Holiday Wonder Walk
- What to Expect
- Illuminated walkway with animated displays and themed props.
- Description
- The Holiday Wonder Walk at Coliseum Central features dazzling lights and seasonal decorations along Hampton's Water Walk Trail. Enjoy lighted displays, themed props, and family-friendly activities like food vendors and holiday crafters.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Holiday Wonder Walk
Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection
- What to Expect
- Animated holiday scenes with over 50 years of tradition.
- Description
- Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection features animated scenes of Christmas trees, lights, ice skaters, children sledding, and more, offering a nostalgic holiday-themed visual treat for all ages.
- Where
- Portsmouth | More Info : Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection
Holiday Lights at the Beach
- What to Expect
- Largest and longest curved LED light tunnel in the U.S.
- Description
- Drive through a spectacular display of holiday lights featuring jumping fish, musical crabs, and lively elves against the moonlit Atlantic Ocean. The event includes a Surfing Santa, color-changing archways, and a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree, along with a large LED light tunnel. Families can enjoy this festive display while navigating the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Holiday Lights at the Beach
Holiday Boat Parade
- What to Expect
- Hampton Roads' largest charitable holiday lighted boat parade.
- Description
- The Virginia Beach Holiday Boat Parade is a charitable event featuring lighted boats, with a VIP viewing party at Chicks Oyster Bar, offering food, drinks, and live music.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Holiday Boat Parade
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
- What to Expect
- Immersive winter celebration with over ten million lights and new light experiences.
- Description
- Busch Gardens Christmas Town features over ten million twinkling lights, two new light experiences, and heart-warming shows like the all-new Wisemen and returning favorites like 'Twas that Night. Enjoy classic experiences like Santa’s Workshop and the Christmas Town Express, paired with thrilling rides and festive treats.
- Where
- Williamsburg | More Info : Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Chesapeake Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Craft Show
- What to Expect
- Interactive crafts and train demonstrations.
- Description
- The Holiday Craft Show in Chesapeake, VA, features over 90 talented artisans selling handmade gifts and decorations. The event includes Santa's Workshop, Kids Run Trains, and Santa Claus visits. Free parking, admission, and shopping bags are available.
- Where
- Chesapeake | More Info : Holiday Craft Show
42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique handmade gifts and collectibles from over 175 artisans.
- Description
- The Virginia Beach Christmas Market features over 175 fine artisans and crafters from more than 20 states, offering a wide range of handmade arts and crafts, including fine arts, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood, toys, photography, and thousands of Christmas collectibles.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : 42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market
Chesapeake Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Fa La La Land
- What to Expect
- Interactive outdoor celebration with live performances and roaming characters.
- Description
- Fa La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall features baby goats in holiday sweaters, carolers, face painting, holiday-themed food trucks, and live ballerina performances. Enjoy roaming holiday characters, a glass man, stilt walker, and Santa. Free parking and a family-friendly event.
- Where
- Chesapeake | More Info : Fa La La Land
Holiday Brass Concert - Virginia Symphony Orchestra
- What to Expect
- Bold brass section performance with an all-new program.
- Description
- The Virginia Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Brass Concert features a variety of musical styles, showcasing the bold sounds of the brass section in a concert filled with virtuosity and glorious music.
- Where
- Chesapeake | More Info : Holiday Brass Concert - Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Snowglobe Spectacular
- What to Expect
- Live performances inside life-size snow globes with Santa.
- Description
- Snowglobe Spectacular at Town Center features life-size snow globes with artistic scenes, live music, and holiday characters. Santa appears in his own snow globe, and children can take selfies with him. The event includes giant sparkling ornaments, a festive light display, and a visit to Saint Nick's sleigh.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Snowglobe Spectacular
NUTCRACKER Magical Christmas Ballet
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet features an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, creating memories for all ages.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : NUTCRACKER Magical Christmas Ballet
Holiday POPS
- What to Expect
- High-energy holiday concert with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
- Description
- The Holiday POPS event features the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performing seasonal songs and traditional carols in full sound and spectacle, led by conductor Robert Shoup. This must-see holiday tradition includes high energy, familiar carols, and lots of holiday warmth, with a few surprises.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Holiday POPS
Chesapeake Other Holiday Activities
Snow Wonders
- What to Expect
- Snowfall and live music in a festive setting.
- Description
- Snow Wonders is a free seasonal event featuring snowfall and live music at the Middle Street Mall outside the Children's Museum of Virginia. This event brings nostalgic memories of the past with its festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Portsmouth | More Info : Snow Wonders
Christmastide in Virginia at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- What to Expect
- Immersive historical re-creations of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions.
- Description
- Christmastide in Virginia at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offers a glimpse into 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions through festive interpretive programs, fancy cooking, and musical entertainment. Visitors can explore life during the early years of Jamestown and the Revolutionary War era, including historical re-creations of Christmas celebrations and winter activities.
- Where
- Williamsburg | More Info : Christmastide in Virginia at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown