Experience a magical holiday season in Virginia Beach, VA, where a variety of festive events await you. From the mesmerizing Holiday Lights at the Beach, where the boardwalk transforms into a glowing winter wonderland, to the charming Virginia Beach Christmas Market brimming with unique coastal gifts, there's something for everyone.
Visitors can also revel in the rich traditions at the Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace, with its cozy bonfire and artisanal stalls. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Virginia Beach offers a delightful array of holiday activities to make the season bright.
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Virginia Beach Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Virginia Beach
- Holiday Lights at the Beach
- Virginia Beach Christmas Market
- Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace
- Light Up the Town
Virginia Beach Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights at the Beach
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display on the beach
Description:
Virginia Beach's shoreline transforms into a glowing spectacle during the Holiday Lights at the Beach. This unique drive-through experience allows visitors to cruise along the boardwalk, surrounded by twinkling nautical-themed displays. As you roll down your windows, the salty ocean breeze mingles with the colorful lights. The event pays homage to the area's maritime heritage, featuring illuminated fish, mermaids, and sailing ships. You can tune your car radio to a special station for synchronized holiday music as you journey through this coastal winter attraction.
Website:
Light Up the Town
What to Expect:
Community-wide holiday light competition
Description:
Light Up the Town transforms Virginia Beach into a friendly competition of holiday cheer. This community-wide event encourages residents and businesses to create elaborate light displays, turning the entire town into a twinkling spectacle. Visitors can embark on self-guided tours to view the dazzling creations, each one a unique expression of holiday spirit. The event fosters community engagement and creativity, with many displays featuring themes that celebrate local culture and history. You might spot anything from illuminated surfboards to glowing sea creatures as you explore the decorated neighborhoods. Light Up the Town offers a grassroots approach to holiday lighting, showcasing the creativity of Virginia Beach residents.
Website:
Virginia Beach Holiday Markets and Shopping
Virginia Beach Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Beachside holiday market with local artisans
Description:
The Virginia Beach Christmas Market brings a coastal twist to holiday shopping. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, this open-air market showcases the work of local artisans and craftspeople. Visitors can browse through stalls offering handmade jewelry, beach-inspired ornaments, and locally produced gourmet treats. The market highlights the region's rich artistic community, with many items reflecting Virginia Beach's coastal heritage. As you peruse the unique offerings, the scent of freshly roasted chestnuts wafts through the air. This seaside market offers a refreshing alternative to traditional mall shopping.
Website:
Virginia Beach Christmas Market
Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace
What to Expect:
Traditional Yule log ceremony combined with holiday market
Description:
The Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace in Virginia Beach revives ancient winter solstice traditions. The event centers around the lighting of a massive Yule log, a custom dating back to medieval times. Visitors can participate in the ceremony, adding a branch to the fire to burn away the old year's troubles. Surrounding the bonfire, a lively marketplace offers locally crafted gifts and seasonal treats. The crackling flames create a cozy atmosphere as you browse the stalls. This unique event blends historical customs with modern holiday celebrations, offering a glimpse into winter rituals of the past.
Website:
Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas Marketplace
Nearby Events
Hollydazzle (Newport News)
What to Expect:
Synchronized fireworks and fountain show
Description:
Hollydazzle ignites the night sky over Newport News with a dazzling fusion of fireworks, fountains, and music. This one-of-a-kind spectacle centers around the illumination of a 45-foot tree, followed by a choreographed display that transforms the City Center at Oyster Point into a symphony of light and sound. Visitors can explore the Winter Wonderland of Lights, a trail of animated displays. The event celebrates the city's shipbuilding legacy with nautical-themed elements throughout. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa as you stroll through this vibrant holiday celebration.
Website:
Grand Illumination Parade (Norfolk)
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and marching bands
Description:
Norfolk's streets come alive with the Grand Illumination Parade, a beloved tradition that kicks off the holiday season. Towering illuminated floats, each a work of art, glide through downtown, accompanied by the lively rhythms of marching bands. The parade route winds past historic buildings, offering a unique blend of modern spectacle and colonial charm. Spectators can marvel at the intricate designs of the floats, many of which pay tribute to Norfolk's naval history. Bundle up and find a spot along the route to witness this radiant procession that has been delighting crowds for over three decades.
Website:
WinterFest on the Wisconsin (Norfolk)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration aboard a historic battleship
Description:
The Battleship Wisconsin, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, becomes an unlikely winter wonderland during WinterFest. This distinctive celebration brings holiday cheer to the decks of this mighty warship. Visitors can explore the ship's nooks and crannies, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The event offers a rare glimpse into how sailors celebrated the holidays at sea. You might catch the sound of carols echoing through the steel corridors as you navigate this floating festival. WinterFest seamlessly blends maritime history with holiday traditions for a truly unique experience.
Website:
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens (Williamsburg)
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed amusement park experience
Description:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg undergoes a dramatic transformation to become Christmas Town, an immersive holiday experience. The park's European-themed villages are adorned with millions of lights, creating distinct winter landscapes. Thrill-seekers can enjoy exhilarating roller coaster rides with a festive twist, while gentler attractions offer holiday-themed fun for all ages. The event showcases international holiday traditions, reflecting the park's multicultural themes. Visitors can warm up with a mug of Busch Gardens' signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate as they explore this winter wonderland. Christmas Town seamlessly blends holiday cheer with amusement park excitement.
Website:
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Norfolk)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into illuminated wonderland
Description:
The Norfolk Botanical Garden blooms with light during the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights. This annual event transforms the garden's 175 acres into a luminous landscape, with over a million twinkling bulbs outlining trees, flowers, and pathways. Visitors can embark on a walking tour or hop aboard the Garden Railway for a unique perspective of the displays. The event pays homage to the garden's history, incorporating themes from its 1938 founding. As you stroll through the glowing gardens, you might spot illuminated recreations of native Virginian flora. This radiant display offers a fresh perspective on the botanical world.
Website:
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights
Williamsburg Christmas Parade (Williamsburg)
What to Expect:
Colonial-themed Christmas parade
Description:
The Williamsburg Christmas Parade marches through the heart of this historic city, blending colonial charm with holiday spirit. Floats and performers don period costumes, offering a glimpse into Christmas celebrations of the 18th century. The parade route winds past iconic colonial buildings, creating a picturesque backdrop for the festivities. Visitors can watch as fife and drum corps perform traditional tunes, adding an authentic touch to the proceedings. This event celebrates Williamsburg's role in early American history, bringing the past to life with a holiday twist. The parade offers a unique opportunity to experience Christmas as it might have been in colonial times.
Website:
Dickens' Christmas Towne (Norfolk)
What to Expect:
Victorian London-inspired Christmas village
Description:
Dickens Christmas Towne transports visitors to the streets of Victorian London, inspired by the works of Charles Dickens. This immersive experience recreates the atmosphere of 19th-century England, complete with cobblestone streets and gas lamps. Visitors can interact with costumed characters from Dickens' novels, bringing literary classics to life. The event features live performances of traditional Victorian music, filling the air with the sounds of a bygone era. You can try your hand at traditional crafts or sample authentic British treats. Dickens Christmas Towne offers a unique journey through time, celebrating the literary and cultural legacy of the Victorian age.
Website:
Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Events (Williamsburg)
What to Expect:
Authentic 18th-century holiday celebrations
Description:
Colonial Williamsburg's Holiday Events offer an immersive journey into Christmas past. The historic area comes alive with authentic 18th-century celebrations, from candlelit concerts to traditional feasts. Visitors can witness the Grand Illumination, a recreation of the colonial custom of illuminating public buildings and homes to mark special occasions. The events showcase holiday traditions of various social classes in colonial America, providing a comprehensive look at early American yuletide customs. You might catch the scent of freshly baked gingerbread as you explore the decorated historic homes. These events offer a unique opportunity to experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the early days of the nation.
Website:
Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Events
Yorktown Christmas Market on Main (Yorktown)
What to Expect:
Revolutionary War-era themed Christmas market
Description:
The Yorktown Christmas Market on Main Street brings colonial flair to holiday shopping. Set against the backdrop of historic Yorktown, this market features vendors in period attire selling handcrafted goods reminiscent of the Revolutionary War era. Visitors can browse stalls offering everything from hand-dipped candles to colonial-inspired ornaments. The market pays homage to Yorktown's pivotal role in American history, with many items reflecting themes from the Revolutionary period. You might hear the clang of a blacksmith's hammer as artisans demonstrate traditional crafts. This unique market offers a shopping experience steeped in history, allowing visitors to take home a piece of America's past.
Website:
Yorktown Christmas Market on Main