Last updated: November 11, 2024
Looking forward to holiday cheer in Hampton? Our guide has everything you need to know! From Hampton regulars to holiday explorers, this guide highlights the season's best events and activities.
Popular events abound during this festive season, including Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, where visitors can enjoy stunning light displays and seasonal entertainment. Additionally, the Hampton Holly Days includes a lively parade, market, and a downtown block “Lighting” Party that sets a cheerful atmosphere. And the Grand Illumination is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it fills the streets with enchanting sights and sounds. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Hampton Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Wonder Walk
- What to Expect
- Dazzling holiday lights and themed props along a scenic water trail.
- Description
- The Holiday Wonder Walk at Coliseum Central features a one-mile illuminated path along Hampton's Water Walk Trail, showcasing lighted displays, themed props, and seasonal decorations. Each night includes food and drink vendors, holiday crafters, and special surprises.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Holiday Wonder Walk
Deck the Hall
- What to Expect
- Interactive drive-through light display with holiday themes.
- Description
- Drive through a spectacular holiday light display featuring over 50,000 lights at Chesapeake City Hall, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for the season.
- Where
- Chesapeake | More Info : Deck the Hall
Holiday Lights at the Beach
- What to Expect
- Largest and longest curved LED Light Tunnel in the U.S.
- Description
- Drive through a spectacular light display 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. Families can enjoy this festive display while combining it with visits to Virginia Beach's excellent restaurants and attractions.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Holiday Lights at the Beach
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday celebration with over 10 million lights and new light experiences.
- Description
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg transforms into a spectacular holiday destination with over 10 million twinkling lights, two new light experiences, and heart-warming shows like the all-new Wisemen. Enjoy classic attractions like Santa’s Workshop and the Christmas Town Express, paired with thrilling rides and festive dining.
- Where
- Williamsburg | More Info : Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection
- What to Expect
- Animated holiday scenes with over 100,000 lights and various interactive elements.
- Description
- Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection offers a nostalgic holiday-themed visual treat featuring animated scenes of Christmas trees, lights, ice skaters, children sledding, and more. The display includes a Victorian chalet and caroling villagers, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.
- Where
- Portsmouth | More Info : Winter Wonderland – The Coleman Nursery Collection
Hampton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hampton Holly Days: Parade, Market, & Downtown Block “Lighting” Party
- What to Expect
- Illuminated floats and local community participation.
- Description
- The Hampton Holly Days Parade, Market, and Downtown Block “Lighting” Party feature illuminated floats, marching bands, and local community groups. The event includes a market with local artisans and a tree lighting ceremony, culminating in a festive parade through downtown Hampton.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Hampton Holly Days: Parade, Market, & Downtown Block “Lighting” Party
Phoebus Holiday Illumination & Craft Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional tree lighting and local artisanal goods.
- Description
- Beautiful historic Phoebus transforms into a holiday destination with local food vendors, handmade works by 50 artisans, live DJ, kids activities, Santa, and traditional tree lighting.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Phoebus Holiday Illumination & Craft Market
Hampton Holiday Fine Arts Bazaar
- What to Expect
- Showcase of original, handmade works by local artists.
- Description
- The Hampton Holiday Fine Arts Bazaar is a two-day event featuring original, handmade works from artists around the region. Attendees can meet the artists and shop for unique holiday gifts.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Hampton Holiday Fine Arts Bazaar
Hampton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Whimsical Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with diverse indoor and outdoor activities.
- Description
- The Coliseum Central Whimsical Winter Wonderland is a free event featuring indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family. It includes stage shows by aerialists, jugglers, and illusionists, roaming characters, photo booths, face painting, balloon and glitter tattoo artists, carnival-style games, snow flurries, a petting zoo, a life-size "Love" sign, and large-scale inflatables.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Whimsical Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland Holiday Celebration
- What to Expect
- Interactive entertainment with aerial performances and inflatables.
- Description
- The Coliseum Central Whimsical Winter Wonderland is a free celebration featuring indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family. It includes stage shows by aerialists, jugglers, and illusionists, roaming characters, photo booths, face painting, balloon and glitter tattoo artists, carnival-style games, snow flurries, a petting zoo, a life-size "Love" sign, and large-scale inflatables.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Winter Wonderland Holiday Celebration
Snowglobe Spectacular
- What to Expect
- Live performances inside life-sized snow globes.
- Description
- Snowglobe Spectacular at Town Center in Virginia Beach features life-sized snow globes with artistic, unique, and whimsical Christmas scenes. Live performances by ballerinas, elves, violinists, and royal musicians take place each weekend in December. Santa appears in his own Covid-safe snow globe for visits and selfies. The event also includes a Holiday Fountain Plaza Tree with a mesmerizing dancing light display and giant sparkling holiday ornaments.
- Where
- Virginia Beach | More Info : Snowglobe Spectacular
Grand Illumination
- What to Expect
- Historic fireworks displays synchronized with 18th-century music and gun firings.
- Description
- Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg features 18th-century illuminations, including gun firings and fireworks, to celebrate major events like birthdays and military victories. Enjoy unique decorations, musical performances on multiple stages, and fireworks displays at the Capitol and Palace.
- Where
- Williamsburg | More Info : Grand Illumination
Hampton Other Holiday Activities
Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade
- What to Expect
- Decorated boats illuminated along the Hampton River.
- Description
- The annual Lighted Boat Parade in Downtown Hampton features a fleet of decorated boats illuminated and sailing along the Hampton River, creating a spectacular display visible from anywhere along the waterfront.
- Where
- Hampton | More Info : Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade
Holiday Ornaments & Gift Tags Workshop
- Hands-on crafting with alcohol ink for unique holiday ornaments and gift tags.
- Participants learn to craft beautiful, personalized holiday decorations using alcohol ink, creating vibrant and fluid designs suitable for all skill levels.
- Hampton | More Info : Holiday Ornaments & Gift Tags Workshop
Christmastide in Virginia
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday celebrations with historical reenactments and traditional activities.
- Description
- Explore 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions through festive interpretive programs, fancy cooking, and musical entertainment at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
- Where
- Yorktown | More Info : Christmastide in Virginia
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. It brings nostalgic memories of the past and offers a delightful holiday experience.
- Where
- Portsmouth | More Info : Snow Wonders