Holiday celebrations are not to be missed in Virginia Beach! Experience the Oceanfront come to life with an impressive display of holiday lights or pick out your very own Christmas tree at the Shack on 8th and sip a cup of hot cocoa as you peruse its holiday market. Whatever your style, this list of holiday events in Virginia Beach will keep you and your family feeling the magic all season long.
4th Annual Festival of Trees
November 17, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay
Support Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay Foundation with a magical night of silent auctions and a brilliant display of Christmas trees at the 4th Annual Festival of Trees.
Mind, Body, & Spirit Fair and Holiday Gift Bazaar
November 18, Edgar Cayce's Association for Research & Enlightenment
Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping at the Mind, Body & Spirit Fair and Holiday Gift Bazaar, where you can pick up handmade jewelry, crystals and other special gifts and trinkets. There will also be psychic readings and free lectures and workshops throughout the day.
2023 BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach
November 17- December 31, Atlantic Avenue
Cruise down Oceanfront and be enchanted by dancing elves, a surfing Santa and sea creatures in an LED tunnel of lights at the 2023 BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach.
Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot 10K & Mile
Thanksgiving Day, November 23, starts at Mount Trashmore
Get a running start into Thanksgiving at the Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot 10K & Mile. This family-friendly race consists of 10k and one-mile-long courses; winners will receive medals for their efforts.
Murray & Peter Present: A Drag Queen Christmas
November 24, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
The longest-running drag tour in the country, Murray & Peter Present: A Drag Queen Christmas at the Sandler Center will put you in a festive mood with an incredible holiday drag performance and a special guest appearance by Todrick Hall. VIP meet and greet tickets are also available.
42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market
November 24-26, Virginia Beach Convention Center
Art lovers will want to head to the Virginia Beach Convention Center and check out the 42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market, which features 175 artisanal vendors from all over the country offering unique handmade holiday gifts including pottery, jewelry, paintings, toys and unique Christmas collectibles.
Snowglobe Spectacular
November 24 through December 26, Town Center
Step into a Christmas wonderland at Snowglobe Spectacular – a dazzling display of life-sized snow globes. The event will also feature live music, holiday characters and a special North Pole snow globe where little ones can meet Santa himself!
Christmas Escape Room: The Basement of Misfit Toys
November 24 through January 31, Black Cat Escape Room
Jumpin’ Jingle Bells! Christmas is on the verge of being CANCELLED!
You are the Elite Emergency Logistics Force (aka E.E.L.F.) and it is your mission to save Christmas! You must enter Mrs. Claus’ workshop transforming lost and forgotten toys into new treasures and navigate through her elves' shenanigans. Find Santa’s Navigation Map and send it back to North Pole Headquarters before midnight on Christmas Eve or Santa won’t be able to take flight and Christmas will be ruined!
Come get a big helping of holiday cheer in this family-friendly, temporary seasonal Christmas escape room now through the New Year! Start a new tradition, and make some holiday memories now. Great for both experienced and new escape room adventurers!
The ViBe District Small Business Saturday
November 25th, 10 am to 4 pm, ViBe Creative District
November 25th is Small Business Saturday — a national moment to promote shopping at small, local businesses for the holidays. The ViBe Creative District is made up (almost exclusively) of small, locally-owned-and-operated businesses. Come support your neighbors and friends! This is the 8th Annual Small Business Saturday celebration in the District and it is the largest local celebration of participating small businesses in Hampton Roads with approximately 75 businesses located within 1.5 miles here in the district. The event will also include LIVE music by Big Juicy Entertainment honoring small local musicians as small businesses!
Winter Wonderland at The Shack on 8th
November 25 through December 31, The Shack on 8th
The Shack on 8th invites you to step into a magical Winter Wonderland full of fun Christmas decor and music, hot drinks, a holiday vendor market and Christmas trees (on a first-come-first-served basis.) The vendor markets are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. until December 17.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
November 26, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Be amazed with acrobats, detailed costumes, lavish set design and an impressive international cast in NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet – a sparkling rendition of the beloved Christmas story.
Holiday Boat Parade
December 2, Lesner Inn
Who says Christmas can’t be coastal? At Holiday Boat Parade, that’s precisely what you’ll get. Watch as a parade of boats decked out in a dazzling display of sparkling Christmas lights and décor pass by on the intersection of the Chesapeake Bay and Lynnhaven River. Watch from a dock and enjoy an open bar, appetizers and vodka tastings. Proceeds from the event benefit the VB Rescue Squad Foundation which supports their local volunteer EMS rescue squads.
Holiday POPS!
December 10, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Delight in a classic holiday experience of traditional carols and holiday musical favorites with Holiday POPS!, featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and special guests.
Holidivas
December 14-16, Zeiders American Dream Theater
One of Zeider’s most popular cabaret shows, Holidivas delivers a unique and rambunctious holiday performance. Featuring classic holiday music favorites, detailed costumes, plenty of laughs and a special performance by a local choir, this holiday-themed drag extravaganza is one you’ll want to experience for yourself.
Holi-Rays
December 15 & 16, Virginia Aquarium
Oh, fish-mas tree! The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is decking the halls and transforming into a winter wonderland. Come dressed in your holiday best or festive pajamas for an evening of family fun. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in the workshop preparing presents with the elves or wave hello as jolly ol’ Saint Nick scuba dives under the sea. Help the grouchy Grump find his holiday spirit through the power of recycling. Decorate an ornament using recycled material, in keeping with the Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation. Candy canes galore, there will be much for all to explore!
Bayport Credit Union Surf - N - Santa 5 Miler presented by Bon Secours
December 15 & 16, Virginia Beach Boardwalk
The 2023 BayPort Credit Union Surf N Santa 5 Miler presented by Bon Secours is back with a brand new theme plus the same favorite traditions. This evening run allows you to experience the magic of the Holidays. Run through the holiday lights on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk before you celebrate your run at our post-race party.
The Gatlin Brothers: Country & Christmas
December 20, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Christmas takes on a Southern twist with The Gatlin Brothers: Country & Christmas. Enjoy a night with the Grammy-winning trio as they celebrate 60 years of entertainment with a spectacular performance of their biggest hits and holiday favorites.
New Year’s Eve Gala and Brunch
Gala: December 31, 2023, 8 p.m. – January 1,2024, 12 a.m.
Brunch: January 1, 2024, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Founders Inn and Spa
Stay at The Founder’s Inn and experience New Year's Eve on a whole new level with a James Bond-themed party, midnight Champagne toast and brunch the following day. The two-day New Year’s Eve Gala and Brunchpackage includes a dinner buffet, drink tickets and a live musical performance by Astro Entertainment. The next morning, christen the first day of the year by indulging in a delicious brunch and flowing Champagne. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 757-366-5723.
