Holidays 2023
When it’s time to celebrate the holidays, Town Center of Virginia Beach comes alive with the spirit of the season. Immerse yourself in the joy of the holidays and enjoy everything from festive snow globe displays to classic holiday performances. Also this season, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Zeiders American Dream Theateroffer an impressive event lineup of musical performances that are sure to keep you in the holiday spirit all season long.
Town Center Grand Illumination
Join us at Town Center to kick off the holiday season with the Town Center Grand Illumination. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, a bowl of clam chowder, and enjoy the evening as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive and illuminate 40 trees with over 5,000 lights. Free hot chocolate by The Royal Chocolate and free clam chowder from Legal Seafood. Join us as Mayor Bobby Dyer and Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond join Santa to lead the countdown to light up the tree.
Also join in for the fun and live music to follow!
Snow Globe Spectacular
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Take part in this favorite Virginia Beach tradition as the sights, sounds and tastes of the season come alive through Snow Globe Spectacular Holidays at Town Center, a family-friendly holiday event complete with snow globe displays, festive musical performances and Santa sightings.
Stroll Town Center and view more than a dozen imaginative snow globes showcasing artistic, unique and creative holiday scenes by Studio Cultivate; enjoy live performances inside life-sized snow globes featuring violinists, drummer boys and dancing elves in the Fountain Plaza every weekend evening in December; and take selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their very own North Pole Snow Globe.
Save the date! On December 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., enjoy free hot chocolate from The Royal Chocolate as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in their holiday sleigh for the first-ever grand illumination of the Town Center Christmas tree.
Snow globes are on display from November 24-December 31. This event is free and open to the public, including free parking.
Last Night on the Town
Popular alternative-reggae band The Movement, with special guests The Collection and The Ries Brothers, will headline the 2023 Last Night on the Town, Virginia Beach’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration that expects to attract up to 8,000 revelers to ring in the new year. Created by the Central Business District Association, Last Night on the Town is now in its 10th year at Town Center and it is a free celebration for the entire family. On December 31, the fun begins at 6 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m. See details and ticket information.
Attend a Holiday Performance
Make plans to see one or more of these special holiday shows at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Zeidlers American Dream Theater, both at Town Center of Virginia Beach.
A Drag Queen Christmas
Sandler Center
November 24
Get ready to be entertained this season as Murray & Peter present the 9th annual “A Drag Queen Christmas.” Hosted by Miz Cracker, the show will include stage performances by a lineup of favorite drag queens along with special guest Todrick Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets from $37.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Sandler Center
November 26
For a favorite holiday tradition, take in the NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet and experience larger-than-life puppets, handmade sets and costumes, and an international cast and Ukrainian principal artists. Tickets from $32.
A Motown Christmas
Zeiders American Dream Theater
November 30 - December 9
This high-energy musical cabaret is a program of holiday classics mixed with the sounds of Motown’s well-known style. Come along on a Motown Christmas journey through the ages that explores the iconic musical contributions of Motown, including chart-topping songs from icons such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5 and others. Tickets from $13.
Tidewater Winds Annual Holiday Concert, Winter Winds
Sandler Center
December 4
Get into the holiday spirit at the 2023 Tidewater Winds Annual Holiday Concert, “Winter Winds,”
a festive celebration at 7:30 p.m. Broadway vocalist Amanda Batcher will perform holiday favorites along with newly commissioned selections, joined by the children's chorus from Old Donation School in Virginia Beach. Tickets are $25.
Christmas at the Sandler Center
Sandler Center
December 8
Local choir Virginia Voices International offers a festive holiday performance featuring the Bella Dancers at 7 p.m. Tickets from $10.
A Classical Christmas
Sandler Center
December 9
This season, enjoy the Virginia Beach Chorale: A Classical Christmas, a lineup of timeless holiday favorites and Christmas carols that promises to spread holiday cheer. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets from $34.
Jingle Bell Jam!
Sandler Center
December 10
Keep an eye out for Santa Claus, who will be a part of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s popular Jingle Bell Jam! Celebrate the season with a performance that showcases the music of the holidays by some of the best talent in the Hampton Roads area. Note that this performance is designed to be welcoming to those with autism spectrum disorders, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities. The fun starts at 3 p.m. Tickets from $12.
Holiday POPS!
Sandler Center
December 10
A favorite tradition of the season is Holiday POPS!, featuring seasonal songs and traditional carols performed by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra along with special guests. Get ready for high energy, familiar carols and even a surprise or two, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets from $10.
Holidivas, A Holiday Cabaret
Zeiders American Dream Theater
December 14 - 16
One of The Z’s most popular cabarets, the extraordinary Holidivas, will entertain with holiday favorites plus new originals. Don’t miss this unique holiday experience that is both joyous and comedic. This year, the performance will also feature a community choir performing alongside the divas. Tickets from $12.
Ballet Virginia’s The Nutcracker
Sandler Center
December 15 - 17
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this traditional holiday production of Ballet Virginia's The Nutcracker. Complete with a cast of more than 100 dancers, Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking score will be performed by Symphonicity, the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach. Tickets from $25.
Vienna Boys Choir - Christmas in Vienna
Sandler Center
December 19
Look forward to the Vienna Boys Choir - Christmas in Vienna, which showcases a stellar group of young musicians who perform an unforgettable program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular tunes and holiday favorites beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets from $37.
The Gatlin Brothers: Country & Christmas
Sandler Center
December 20
Country music fans should mark their calendars for The Gatlin Brothers: Country & Christmas. The 7:30 p.m. performance by Grammy award-winning brothers Larry, Steve and Rudy will include a lineup of favorite holiday songs that have entertained audiences for nearly 70 years. Tickets from $34.
Uncle Wiggily’s Christmas Carol
Zeiders American Dream Theater
December 22 - 23
Audiences of all ages will enjoy this charming spin on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, as you’re invited to the woods for a holiday tea at Uncle Wiggily’s house in this heart-warming holiday play. Tickets from $9.
Messiah Sing-Along
Sandler Center
December 23
Symphonicity’s 41st Annual Messiah Sing-Along is a free public concert where the audience performs the choral sections of the Christmas portion of Messiah by Handel, while four professional soloists sing the solo arias and recitatives. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
