December 2005 Events in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Festivals, parades, exhibitions, sports and more in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg and the rest of Hampton Roads. Come out and play!

December 1 - 30
Holiday Season at Colonial Williamsburg
Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of special holiday programs at Colonial Williamsburg that continue through New Year's Day. Highlights include Grand Illumination, community Christmas tree lighting, and holiday music concerts.

December 1 - 31
Antebellum Holidays
Visit Lee Hall decorated for the holiday mid-19th century-style. Greenery and period decorations will brighten this historical house. Guided tours throughout the month incorporate holiday customs that were nurtured during the 1800s. Newport News.

December 1 - 31
Newport News Celebration in Lights
Light up your holidays with a two-mile drive-through of spectacular animated scenes set in Newport News Park. View whimsical toys, elegant swans, leaping reindeer, multi-colored snowflakes and scenes from Virginia's past portrayed in a kaleidoscope of dazzling color. Over 200 displays, including 70 animated displays.

December 1 - 31
Holiday Lights at the Beach
Over 450,000 lights will adorn the Virginia Beach oceanfront and will feature nautical and holiday displays that you can actually drive through. Jumping dolphins and other animated nautical and holiday displays will shine for over two miles. At the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

December 1 - 31
Christmas at Endview
Experience a period Virginia Christmas at Endview Plantation. Greenery and period decorations brighten the house for the 1861 holidays. Newport News.

December 1 - 31
Coleman's Nativity Scene
Monumental United Methodist Church purchased the life-sized Nativity scene displayed for many years in the garden of Coleman Nursery during the holiday season. Visitors may view the Nativity scene in Monumental's chapel. Church members will provide commentary. Portsmouth.

December 1 - 31
Garden of Lights
The Norfolk Botanical Garden illuminates a world of wonders with close to a million twinkling lights during Garden of Lights, now in its 11th season! See the four seasons come alive! Drive along a 2.5 mile route through the Garden, and enjoy a winter wonderland.

December 1 - 31
Coleman's Winter Wonderland in Olde Towne Portsmouth
The Courthouse Galleries museum will continue the popular holiday tradition started by Coleman Nursery by exhibiting its Winter Wonderland collection, which began in 1966 with a sleeping, snoring Santa and grew to hundreds of animated figures over the years. The animated figures will be on display in the museum entrance and main galleries at High and Court streets. Portsmouth.

December 2 - 4
Virginia Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
The magic returns as the Virginia Ballet Theatre takes you on a journey with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince through a battle with the Rat King and a visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy, a dreamy snowstorm to Tchaikovsky's memorable music and a magical journey through a land of sweets in this holiday tradition. Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Newport News.

December 2 - 4
Yorktown Celebrates Christmas
The holiday season begins in Yorktown with a Procession in Lights led by the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown from the Victory Monument down historic Yorktown's Main Street to York Hall, where a visit from Santa highlights the official tree lighting. A lighted boat parade follows with hot cider and a beach bonfire. Saturday, privately owned and historic homes throughout Yorktown are decorated and open for visitors.

December 3
Norfolk Holiday Bizarre
Come see 75 area Artists exhibit their hand-crafted fine arts and crafts in the Selden Arcade. A must for holiday shopping. Food and Entertainment will be on hand. D'Art Center, Norfolk.

December 3
Williamsburg Christmas Homes Tour
Tour private residences in or near the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area that are not usually open to the public. Each location will be decorated with holiday floral arrangements. Tickets will be available the day before the tour and the day of the tour at the Visitor Center and the Williamsburg Lodge. To order advance tickets (before November 10) or for information, call (757) 565-7844.

December 3
Williamsburg Christmas Parade
Merchants Square Annual community Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Starts at Merchants Square.

December 3
Virginia Beach Farmers Market Holiday Open House
Explore unique and cozy shops filled with holiday gifts and cheer. Take in the scent of fresh evergreen as you stroll the walkway. Find the perfect tree and wreath for you holiday decorating. Sing with carolers as they perform songs of the season. Children can visit Santa in his Country Cottage and make an ornament to take home. Noon to 4:00 p.m. Free. Virginia Beach Farmers Market.

December 3
Virginia Beach Christmas Parade - "Hometown Holiday Parade"
Bands, floats, Santa, etc. 5:30 pm on Atlantic Avenue, between 15th and 25th Streets. Virginia Beach oceanfront.

December 4
Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg welcomes the holiday season with candles, fireworks and music.

December 7 - 23
A Christmas Carol
Dickens' classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future, teaching us the true meaning of the holiday season. Virginia Stage Company, Wells Theater, Norfolk.

December 9 - 10
Olde Towne Candlelight Home Tour
The warmth and charm of Olde Towne will kindle your holiday spirit. The Olde Towne Civic League's Candlelight Home Tour guides visitors through five historic homes, built from 1790 to 1890. Live carolers and musicians throughout the homes and along the walk.

December 10
Hampton Holly Days Parade
The peninsula's largest illuminated parade of bands, brightly decorated floats, precision drill teams and a variety of vehicles from antique cars to fire trucks, and Santa Claus. Hampton.

December 10
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Portsmouth celebrates Holidays in the City with the best local and regional music groups, choirs and musicians featured in venues along High Street. This musical tribute to the spirit of the holiday season is always well attended by families from all over Hampton Roads. Enjoy bonfires, street entertainers, children's activities and a variety of musical performances. Includes musical performances ranging from barbershop harmony and jazz to steel drums and brass ensemble tunes. Concerts are held in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, such as historic Olde Towne churches and museums.

December 17 - 31
A Colonial Christmas
Experience 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions. At Jamestown Settlement, an audio-visual program and guided tours compare and contrast English Christmas with the early years of Jamestown. At Yorktown Victory Center, hear accounts of Christmas and winter in military encampments, and glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780s Virginia farm. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

December 31
Portsmouth Olde Towne Scottish Walk
Modeled after Scotland's Hogmanay Festival, a day when townspeople honor their community and merchants, offering blessings for prosperity in the coming year. The Olde Towne Scottish Walk is a procession led by pipe-and-drum bands. Enjoy walking, pipe music, caroling and mini-concerts at Olde Towne restaurants and pubs.

December 31
Williamsburg's First Night Celebration
Alcohol-free event featuring fun for all ages in Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary campus. Enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout the evening concluding with a grand finale fireworks display at midnight.