Things To Do in Hampton Roads Virginia - Christmas 2016

This post includes things to do in Hampton Roads Virginia during the Christmas and winter holiday season.

This list includes events around Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and other communities in the 757 area.


Chesapeake

Jingle Ball
Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
www.chesapeakeconference.com
December 2, 2016 (6:00 pm)

Christmas Palooza Craft Show
Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
www.chesapeakeconference.com
December 4-5, 2016

Holiday Brass Concert - Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
www.chesapeakeconference.com
December 14, 2016 (7 pm - 9 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm)


Hampton

Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace
Friday, December 2, 2016 (Friday 10 am -7 pm, Saturday 1-4 pm)
Hampton University Museum
11 Frissell Ave
Hampton, VA 23669


Norfolk

Outdoor Ice Skating
MacArthur Center Outdoor Ice Rink
Monticello Avenue and Freemason Street
Downtown Norfolk VA
November 2016 - January 16, 2017

Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Hurrah Players
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
Granby Street
Norfolk VA
December 10, 2016 (7 pm)

Dickens Christmas Towne
Norfolk VA
November - December 31, 2016

Garden of Lights
Norfolk Botanical Garden
November 24 - December 31, 2016 (5:30 pm - 10:00 pm nightly)

2016 Town Point Park Holiday Market and Holiday Yule Log Bon Fire
Town Point Park
Norfolk VA
December 3, 2016 (12:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.)

Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Wells Theatre
110 East Tazewell Street
Norfolk VA
December 7 - December 24, 2016

Virginia Symphony Orchestra - Chorus Holiday Pops
Chrysler Hall
215 Saint Pauls Boulevard
Norfolk VA
December 10, 2016 (8:00 p.m.)

ELF The Musical
Chrysler Hall
215 Saint Pauls Boulevard
Norfolk VA
December 16-18, 2016 (8:00 p.m.)

Handel's Messiah
Harrison Opera House
160 West Virginia Beach Boulevard
Norfolk VA
December 17, 2016 (8:00 p.m.)


Newport News

Newport News Celebration in Lights
Newport News Park
Ft. Eustis Blvd. and Jefferson Ave.
Newport News, VA
November 24, 2016 through January 1, 2017 (5:30 - 10:00 p.m)

Hollydazzle - 2016
City Center at Oyster Point
Newport News VA
Saturday, December 3, (4-8 pm)

Holiday Frost Celebration
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
2410 Wickham Ave
Friday, December 9, 2016 (4-7 pm)

Twas the Night Before Christmas - Virginia Repertory Theater
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
2410 Wickham Ave
Newport News, VA
Saturday, December 10, 2016 (1 pm)

Oh Where, Oh Where is My Christmas Tree? - K'bana Blaq and Friends
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
2410 Wickham Ave
Newport News, VA
Saturday, December 17, 2016 (7 pm)


Portsmouth

Portsmouth Winter Wonderland
Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center
Portsmouth VA
December 2016


Suffolk

5th Annual Artisan Gift Fair at the Pavilion
Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion
524 North Main Street
December 3, 2016 (10 am-5 pm)

Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society Candlelight Tour
Sights and Sounds of Christmas
757.539.2781
www.SuffolkHistory.org
December 3-4, 2016 (3 pm-7 pm)

Suffolk Holiday Parade
Downtown Suffolk
757.514.7267
www.suffolkva.us/parks
December 10, 2016 (7 pm)


Virginia Beach

A Christmas Carol - ​Virginia Musical Theatre
​Sandler Center
201 Market St.
Virginia Beach, VA
December 2-4, 2016

Virginia Beach Holiday Parade
Atlantic Avenue between 15th and 25th streets
Virginia Beach, VA
Dec. 3, 2016 (5:30 pm)

Sleigh Bells Ring Out - The Mavericks
​Sandler Center
201 Market St.
Virginia Beach, VA
December 7, 2016

Virginia Beach Farmers Market Craft Show
and Breakfast with Santa
Virginia Beach Farmers Market
3640 Dam Neck Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA
December 7, 2016 (10 am – 4 pm)
 
Holidays around the World
Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
December 10, 2016 (11 am – 3 pm)
 
The Nutcracker - Ballet Virginia International
​Sandler Center
201 Market St.
Virginia Beach, VA
December 16-18, 2016

34th Annual Messiah Sing Along​
Sandler Center
201 Market St.
December 23, 2016

2016 Chelsea West Fest - Norfok VA

The Fourth Annual Chelsea West Fest will be held on October 1st, 2016 from noon to 6 p.m.

The festival in the Chelsea Business District, at the intersection of Orapax Street and Boissevain Avenue in West Ghent, Norfolk.

Organized by Hope House Foundation, the free festival celebrates the energy of local offerings with a wide variety of hand-made items from local crafters, talented local musicians, local beers, local food vendors, and local products.

The entertainment schedule offers a little something for everyone including some of the region's most popular performers.

Noon - 12:30 PM: Dan Pelligrino
12:30 - 1:00 PM: The Drendas
1:30 - 2:30 PM: 3 Legged Back Porch Collective
3:00 - 4:00 PM: 11 Ton
4:30 - 6:00 PM: Anthony Rosano and The Conqueroos

Proceeds from Chelsea West Fest support the programs of Hope House Foundation. Since 1964, Hope House Foundation has worked on the frontlines of the battle for independence, community inclusion and true citizenship for people with developmental disabilities.

For more information, visit www.hope-house.org.

Harvest Faire 2016 - Newport News VA

Now in its 22nd season, Harvest Faire, will be held in Newport News October 7-9, 2016.

Harvest Faire is held at Endview Plantation, 362 Yorktown Rd. Times are Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 9am-9pm, and Sunday 9am-3pm.

Harvest Faire is the Virginia Peninsula’s oldest Renaissance Festival. The event features medieval combat and encampments, knights on horseback, live music and dance, merchants, food, period games, and other activities.

Tickets are $20 for an adult weekend pass, $5 Friday, $15 Saturday and $10 Sunday; $10 for a youth (ages 6-12) weekend pass or $5 daily for youth.  Children 5 and under attend for free.  Discount advance weekend tickets are available at harvestfaire.org.

Harvest Faire is a non-profit 501c3 charity that raises funds for other local charities.

For more information, visit www.harvestfaire.org.

Things To Do in Virginia - October 2015

October is one of the best times to enjoy festivals, shows, and other activities in Virginia. The following list includes events that are scheduled for October 2015.

Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife

The 42nd Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife will be held on Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4, 2015 each day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Newport News Park in Newport News, Virginia.

The 2015 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife will feature over 200 exhibitors showcasing traditional crafts, heritage trade demonstrations, entertainment, children’s activities, and food. The Fall Festival of Folklife attracts 70,000 visitors each year to Newport News Virginia.

Harvest Faire at Endview Plantation

Harvest Faire, the Peninsula’s Renaissance Festival will be held October 9 -11, 2015. The event includes demonstrations of period life, combat, and horsemanship as well as music, dance, merchants, and games.

Hours are Friday 5pm - 9 pm, Saturday 9am - 9pm, and Sunday 9am - 3pm. For more information visit www.harvestfaire.org.


Suffolk Peanut Fest

The 38th anniversary Suffolk Peanut Fest will be held October 8-11, 2015.  This family-friendly event honors the city’s agriculture heritage and devotion to peanuts. The Suffolk Peanut Fest has been featured in numerous magazines, including Southern Living, The Southern Farmers Almanac, Best Festivals - Mid Atlantic, Sauveurs, and Virginia Business.

Suffolk Peanut Fest includes concerts, amusement rides, contests and competitions, demolition derby, truck and tractor pull, motorcycle rally, fireworks, and more.

For more information, visit: http://www.suffolkpeanutfest.com/


Friday Night Frights

Hermitage Outdoor Film Series gets a terrifying new twist in October with the airing of five popular horror flicks. This year's lineup includes: A Nightmare on Elm Street (Oct. 16), Night of the Living Dead (Oct. 23), Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (Oct. 29), and two PG film nights: Frankeenweenie (Oct. 9) and The Goonies (Oct. 30).

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. each evening and the film will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free for members, $7 for non-members, and includes entrance to the museum's fall exhibit and a raffle ticket for a prize drawing from 96x.
Location:
Hermitage Museum & Gardens
7637 North Shore Rd,
Norfolk, VA 23505


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Fee Free Weekend

Entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is free on October 10-11, 2015 in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest.


Visual Arts Week in Norfolk (October 10-18, 2015)

The 2nd annual Visual Arts Week in Norfolk will be held October 10-18, 2015. Visual Arts Week begins with the Chesapeake Bay Art Association’s 53nd Annual Ocean View Art Show, October 10 and 11. This popular show is open 10am-5pm both days at Ocean View Beach Park, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

The Norfolk Arts District along Granby Street will host the NEON Festival, a celebration of energy, art and light October 15, 5-10pm and October 16, 3-10pm. Long time cultural institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House anchor the District while new art venues like Glass Wheel Studio and Work|Release provide artists a place to make, create and show.

Local and national artists, performers and musicians will showcase their talents at pop-up venues, the Plot and at various anchors of the NEON District. On display will be tiny art, large gateway murals, and neon light throughout the festival.

Many events are free and open to the public, including CRAFTED: Indie Arts and Craft Market at O’Connor Brewing Co. (October 10), the Colonial Place & Riverview annual Front Porch Art Walk (October 12). The public can also take a public art walking tour. Participants will meet at MetalMatisse at MacArthur Square and take a tour of Public Art in Downtown, Norfolk. (October 14 at 6pm).

Exhibitions will be held at the Offsite Gallery, Transit Gallery, Neil Britton Gallery, OKAY Spark Gallery, Kellam Galleries, Corner Gallery, Paul Street Gallery, Art Works Gallery and Frame Shop, Granby Street Gallery, James Wise Gallery, Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery, and other locations.

Visual Arts Week concludes with the 2015 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival, October 17, 10am-5pm, and October 18, 12pm-5pm. More than 25,000 people come to see and buy fine art and enjoy live entertainment and kids’ activities throughout the festival.


Town Point Virginia Wine Festival

The 28th Annual Town Point Virginia Wine Festival will be held October 17 & 18, 2015, from 11am - 6pm at Town Point Park on Norfolk's Downtown Waterfront.

Town Point Virginia Wine Festival will feature a wide selection of Virginia wines, live musical performances, gourmet foods, and specialty wares.

Newport News Oyster Roast

The Newport News Oyster Roast will be held at the City Center on October 23, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  The event will feature music by Ammons’ All Stars and The Tiki Bar Band, local seafood, a variety of beverages, games, give-a-ways, and free children’s activities.

FilFest 2015

FilFest, a two-day celebration of Filipino arts and culture, will be held at Virginia Beach Town Center on Friday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 10 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature traditional cuisine, cultural performances, dance and music with guest appearances by comedian Rex Navarrete; singer and actress Stephanie Reese; singer, songwriter and actor Martin Nievera, and retired NBA player Raymond Townsend.

For additional information, visit Beachstreet USA​.

Attucks Jazz Series: Katie Thiroux

Jazz Bassist Katie Thiroux will perform on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Attucks Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia.

For more information, visit:

http://vafest.org/2015/2015-performances/attucks-jazz-series?camefrom=EMCL_725185_30893679.



NOTE:

Readers are encouraged to check back periodically as new events will be added to this post when available.
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Riptides Square Dance Club Open House Dance in Virginia Beach

Are you looking for something fun to do?

The Riptides Square Dance Club will be hosting an Open House Dance on February 4, 2011, at Bayside Presbyterian Church, in Virginia Beach. No Square Dancing experience is necessary and there is no charge for this event.

Crown Record recording artist and Square Dance Caller, Matt Worley, will instruct the new dancers on the steps and experienced dancers will be on hand to help guide the way.  The evening will also feature demos of regular club level square dancing by the more experienced dancers.  Dancing is open to everyone from 10 to 100, and the fun starts at 7:30PM.  Need a partner?  Single dancers are also welcome.

Bayside Presbyterian Church is located at 1400 Ewell Rd., Virginia Beach, VA.  (at the corner of Ewell Rd. and Independence Blvd.)  The Riptides Square and Round Dance Club is a non-profit club that was formed in Virginia Beach in 1963.  2011 will be the club's 48th year of hosting dances in Virginia Beach.

For more information on the Open House, or the Riptides, contact Dave Hinde at 757 461-7222, visit http://fun.greatdances.net, or visit Facebook (search for Open House, or search for Riptides).