December 2026 Events Calendar: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake & Hampton Roads

Planning ahead? This guide is updated throughout the month as new events are announced, so bookmark it and check back often for the latest additions!

For the full daily entertainment schedule, including live bands, restaurant entertainment, trivia, karaoke, happy hours and more, visit events.VBnightlife.com

Updated August 20, 2026.

Bookmark this guide and check back regularly for new events and updates.

Dominion Energy Garden of Lights
November 6–January 3 | Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk
Norfolk Botanical Garden transforms into an illuminated holiday wonderland with an evening walking experience featuring more than a million twinkling lights.

WinterFest on the Wisconsin
November–January | Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin, Norfolk
The Downtown Norfolk waterfront and Battleship Wisconsin transform for the holidays with millions of lights, immersive displays, seasonal entertainment and special experiences.

BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach
November 20–December 31 | Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Drive along the Boardwalk through illuminated holiday scenes featuring jumping fish, musical crabs, dancing elves, a giant Christmas tree and a spectacular LED light tunnel.

Deck the Hall
November 26–January 2 | Chesapeake City Hall, Chesapeake | FREE
Enjoy a nightly drive-through holiday light display around Chesapeake City Hall from the comfort of your vehicle.

Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection
November 27–January 2 | Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, Portsmouth
The beloved Coleman Nursery holiday collection returns with animated displays, elves, Victorian skaters, woodland scenes and visits with Santa.

Celebration in Lights
Throughout December | Newport News Park, Newport News
The annual drive-through holiday attraction fills Newport News Park with more than a million lights and hundreds of illuminated and animated scenes.

Norfolk Admirals Home Games
December 11, 12 & 13 | Scope Arena, Norfolk
The Norfolk Admirals host the Maine Mariners for three consecutive December home games.

December 11: vs. Maine Mariners
December 12: vs. Maine Mariners
December 13: vs. Maine Mariners

ODU Basketball Home Games
December 1, 5, 19, 22, 28 & 31 | Chartway Arena, Norfolk
Old Dominion basketball continues throughout December with men’s and women’s home games.

December 1: ODU Men vs. Drexel
December 5: ODU Men vs. Richmond
December 19: ODU Women vs. Southern Miss
December 22: ODU Men vs. The Apprentice School
December 28: ODU Men vs. Charleston Southern
December 31: ODU Men vs. ULM

A Merry Little Christmas Carol
December 2–23 | Wells Theatre, Norfolk
Virginia Stage Company brings its holiday tradition back to the historic Wells Theatre with an imaginative retelling of Dickens’ classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

CBN & Regent University Christmas Village
December 3–5 & 10–12 | CBN & Regent University Campus, Virginia Beach
The campus transforms for two holiday weekends with amusement rides, a Christmas marketplace, live Nativity, Santa’s Cottage, entertainment, lights and a 40-foot Christmas tree.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Classical Christmas — A Midwinter Musicale
7:30 PM | Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents a winter program featuring Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams and other seasonal selections.

A Sherlock Carol
December 4–27 | Wells Theatre, Norfolk
Sherlock Holmes meets the world of Charles Dickens in this clever holiday mystery as a grown-up Tiny Tim asks the famous detective to investigate the suspicious death of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Hurrah for the Holidays
December 4–6 | Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center, Virginia Beach
The Hurrah Players celebrate the season with an annual holiday revue featuring classic and contemporary Christmas music, dancing elves, a holiday kick line, Frosty, Santa and more.

Historic Downtown Phoebus Holiday Illumination & Craft Market
11 AM–5 PM | East Mellen Street, Hampton
Phoebus celebrates the holidays with local artisans, food, music, free hot chocolate, Santa and the lighting of the community Christmas tree at dusk.

United European Ballet: The Nutcracker
December 4–6 | Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
The United European Ballet Company brings the classic holiday ballet The Nutcracker to Norfolk for three performances.

Virginia Musical Theatre: Million Dollar Quartet Christmas
December 4–6 | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
Virginia Musical Theatre presents the holiday edition of Million Dollar Quartet, bringing rock ’n’ roll classics and Christmas favorites together on stage.

Mr. Dickens’ Hat
December 4–6 & 11–13 | Regent University Performing Arts Center, Virginia Beach
Regent University presents this holiday stage production across two December weekends.

Tab Benoit with Bonerama: Soul of the Swamp Tour
Elevation 27, Virginia Beach
Grammy-nominated blues guitarist Tab Benoit brings the Soul of the Swamp Tour to Elevation 27 with Bonerama.

BayPort Credit Union Holiday Parade at the Beach
5:30–7:30 PM | Atlantic Avenue, 15th–25th Streets, Virginia Beach | FREE
More than 100 parade units bring giant balloons, marching bands, illuminated floats, dancers, fire trucks and Santa to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Hampton Holly Days Parade
5–7 PM | Downtown Hampton
The Peninsula’s long-running illuminated holiday parade returns with glowing floats, marching bands and community groups filling Downtown Hampton.

43rd Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade
6–9 PM | Great Bridge, Chesapeake | FREE
The annual parade travels from Battlefield Boulevard toward Chesapeake City Hall with illuminated entries and community groups celebrating the holiday season.

Battle of Great Bridge Reenactment & Colonial Market Fair
December 5–6 | Battlefield Park South, Chesapeake | FREE
Historical reenactors recreate one of Virginia’s earliest Revolutionary War victories with military encampments, battle demonstrations, historical interpreters, artisans, children’s activities and a colonial marketplace.

Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Holiday Marketplace
Noon–8 PM | Town Point Park, Norfolk | FREE
Norfolk’s waterfront becomes a holiday marketplace featuring a towering Yule Log bonfire, local artisans, Christmas caroling, seasonal refreshments and Santa.

NlightN Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
5–8 PM | City Center at Oyster Point, Newport News
Newport News kicks off its December holiday festivities with its annual city tree-lighting celebration at City Center.

PB&J Family Series: Jingle Bell Jam
Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents a festive family concert filled with holiday music and seasonal fun.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Holiday POPS!
7:30 PM | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus celebrate the season with classic carols and contemporary holiday favorites.

Sabaton: Legends on Tour
7 PM | The Dome by Rutter Mills, Virginia Beach
Swedish metal band Sabaton brings its Legends on Tour show to The Dome at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Bumpin Uglies Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
7 PM | The NorVa, Norfolk
Bumpin Uglies celebrate the holidays at The NorVa with Passafire and Joey Harkum.

Tidewater Striders Dismal Swamp 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon & 50K Relay
Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake
Runners take on 50K, marathon, half-marathon and relay distances on the fast, flat Dismal Swamp course.

Maria Bamford
7:30 PM | Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
Comedian Maria Bamford brings her distinctive stand-up comedy to the historic Attucks Theatre.

Dave Koz Christmas Tour
7:30 PM | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz brings his annual Christmas tour to the Ferguson Center for an evening of jazz and holiday music.

Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars
December 10–13 | Hampton Coliseum, Hampton
Disney characters and stories come to life on ice during seven performances at Hampton Coliseum.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
December 10–12 | Virginia Beach, Norfolk & Newport News
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Handel’s holiday masterpiece, including the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, during three Hampton Roads performances.

BayPort Surf-N-Santa 5 Miler Weekend
December 11–12 | Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Thousands of runners celebrate the holidays at the Oceanfront during J&A Racing’s festive Surf-N-Santa weekend.

Ballet Virginia: The Nutcracker
December 11–13 | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
Ballet Virginia brings its annual production of the beloved holiday ballet to the Sandler Center.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
December 11–13 | Hugh R. Copeland Center, Norfolk
The Hurrah Players present the funny and heartwarming holiday story of the unruly Herdman children taking over the town Christmas pageant.

Holiday Frost
5–8 PM | Newport News
Newport News’ annual Holiday Frost returns for a family-friendly seasonal celebration. The city has confirmed the December 11 date and time, with the 2026 location still to be announced.

Hampton Holiday Fine Arts Bazaar
December 12–13 | Downtown Hampton Waterfront
Local artists showcase original handmade works during Hampton’s annual waterfront holiday arts market.

Fa La La Land
December 12 & 19 | 5–9 PM | Chesapeake City Hall, Chesapeake | FREE
This interactive outdoor holiday celebration features carolers, face painting, festive food trucks, ballerina performances, holiday characters, Santa and even goats in holiday sweaters.

Santa’s Seaside Cinema
December 12 & 19 | Noon–4 PM | 31st Street Park, Virginia Beach | FREE
Families can enjoy holiday movies and festive activities with Santa at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade
5–10 PM | Downtown Hampton Waterfront | FREE
Decorated powerboats and sailboats illuminate the Hampton River, followed by awards and a dockside visit from Santa.

A Jazzy Christmas Show featuring Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson & Althea Rene
8 PM | Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
Contemporary jazz favorites Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson and Althea Rene come together for a holiday concert at the Attucks Theatre.

GWAR
The NorVa, Norfolk
Hampton Roads’ own shock-rock legends GWAR return to The NorVa with Midnight, Mac Sabbath and X-Cops.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Brass
3 PM | Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
The VSO brass and percussion sections take center stage for an energetic concert of holiday favorites.

Bodysnatcher
7 PM | Elevation 27, Virginia Beach
Florida deathcore band Bodysnatcher brings its tour to Elevation 27.

Grand Kyiv Ballet: The Nutcracker — Symphony of Lights
7 PM | Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents a visually spectacular production of The Nutcracker at the Attucks Theatre.

Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration
7:30 PM | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
Pianist Jim Brickman brings his signature holiday concert to Virginia Beach with seasonal favorites and original music.

Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars
December 17–20 | Scope Arena, Norfolk
Disney On Ice moves to Norfolk for four days of performances at Scope Arena.

Daily Bread: Vanishing Point Tour
7:30 PM | The NorVa, Norfolk
Electronic artist Daily Bread brings the Vanishing Point Tour to The NorVa with Vincent Antone and rsrch chmcls.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Holiday POPS!
11 AM & 7:30 PM | Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
The VSO presents two Holiday POPS performances in Norfolk, including a morning Coffee Concert and a full evening performance.

PB&J Family Series: Jingle Bell Jam
3 PM | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
The Virginia Symphony’s family concert celebrates the season with holiday music designed for younger audiences and their families.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Holiday POPS!
7:30 PM | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus bring their popular Holiday POPS celebration to Virginia Beach.

World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker with a LIVE Orchestra
December 21–22 | Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
World Ballet Company presents its touring production of The Nutcracker accompanied by a live orchestra.

Celtic Woman: Silver Bells Christmas Tour
7:30 PM | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
Celtic Woman brings its signature blend of soaring vocals, traditional Irish music and Christmas favorites to the Ferguson Center.

Last Night on the Town
7 PM–12:30 AM | Town Center of Virginia Beach | FREE
Virginia Beach closes out 2026 with its citywide New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live entertainment and a midnight countdown at Town Center.

Dates, schedules, admission prices and event details can change. Before leaving, confirm details with the venue or organizer.

Purchase tickets only from the venue, organizer or an authorized provider.

For the full daily entertainment schedule, including live bands, restaurant entertainment, trivia, karaoke, happy hours and more, visit VBnightlife.com.

Before heading out, check VBhotdeals.com for discounts of up to 50% at local restaurants, attractions and entertainment businesses.

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