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The holidays march on, though the world is barely cooperating. Many family gatherings have been canceled, and so have a lot of the holiday markets with local vendors and treats, where shoppers can pick up one-of-a-kind goods for the family.
The annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market at the Convention Center has gone away, a victim of capacity and COVID concerns. So has the Port Warwick holiday lighting event and marketplace in Newport News.
But year-round farmer’s markets continue unabated, of course. And many more special holiday food events and markets are still planned for the season this year — whether outdoors in the chill, or with reserved time slots to keep everything copacetic. Heck, there’s even a triple whammy of downtown Norfolk holiday events all on the same day.
Here’s a rundown.
Ongoing or repeating
Winter Wonderland at the Shack
The Shack at the Oceanfront has been nothing if not flexible during the pandemic, with a market providing much-needed essentials during the lowest months of the crisis in Hampton Roads, when many grocery shelves were empty. Now, their market is a bit more festive, with fresh seafood, produce and grab-and-go meals, and handmade art and crafts. The vendor village is already in place, and the market will offer rockfish chowder and sweet potato biscuits with pimento cheese, among other seasonal options. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; Vendor Village 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sundays, plus Black Friday. Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands arrive after Thanksgiving. The Shack, 712 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, theshackvb.com/winterwonderland
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Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration
Does Christmas for you mean strapping yourself in for brief moments of free falling terror? Busch Gardens has your back, with roller coasters, a Christmas treat trail, Santa photo ops and a gingerbread character village for the tots. Capacity will be limited during these strange times, so reservations in advance are a must. Check in at buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/christmas-celebration even if you’ve got a membership or military pass. Tickets $39.99 for non-passholders. Sessions at 10:00 a.m. too 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3. 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg.
Farmhouse Brewing Market
Along with a produce market from heir house farmer, Farmer John, the vast lawn of Farmhouse Brewing will play host to a whole bunch of local craft vendors, not to mention a whole bunch of beer. Vendors change from week to week, but expect pickles, pastries, gluten-free this and that, juice, cakes, jewelry and all sorts of gifts. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 20, Farmhouse Brewing Co., 1805 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach.
Holiday Movie Food and Drink Week
OK, this isn’t a market. But it takes place while a lot of markets are happening nearby (see below). So while you’re out shopping in downtown Norfolk from Dec. 4 to 11, or just following the locals’ lead and blasting scooters down Granby Street, the whole street worth of restaurants will be serving food and drink specials themed for holiday movies. That might be a “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” oyster shooter at Grace O’Malley’s, a “Christmas Carol” style plum pudding and wassail punch at the Big Easy, or an entire holiday-movie-inspired menu at Cafe Milo that includes a deflated turkey sandwich (“Lampoon’s”) and Peking Duck (“Christmas Story”.) Dec. 4 to Dec. 11 in downtown Norfolk. Participating restaurants and menu items at downtownnorfolk.org.
Williamsburg Christmas Market
Downtown Williamsburg is where Christmas starts early, and never ends. The Christmas Market will be out in force three days a week, the first three weekends of December. Expect a fresh crop of vendors each weekend, mulled wine, craft beer, live music, and a wee Euro-village dispensing olde tyme charms. 2 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 4 to 6, Dec. 11 to 13, and Dec. 18 to 20. from Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 20. Parking lot at the corner of South Boundary and Francis streets, across the street from Berrets Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill. See culture-fix.org for details.
One-timers
Nov. 28: Oozlefinch Small Business Saturday Shoptacular
So many nouns! But also, so many local craft vendors. Alongside a bunch of beer, Oozlefinch will be hosting their fourth annual ode to the local, the handcrafted and the eco-friendly. More than a dozen local artisans will show up to Fort Monroe to sell their local hot sauce, kettle corn, leather goods or natural skincare products. Proceeds from raffles throughout the day go to the food bank. Noon to 4 p.m. at Oozlefinch Beers and Blending, 81 Patch Rd., Hampton.
Dec. 5: Suffolk Holiday Gift Market
The Suffolk farmer’s market will indeed be holding their annual holiday market: This means food, holiday goodies and gift vendors, and some live Christmas caroling from some real live people. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street, Suffolk.
Dec. 5: Town Point Holiday Marketplace and Movie Night
Alongside a local Santa, a holiday marketplace, a grip of food trucks and drink specials, Town Point Park will be home to a free 6 p.m. screening of the only Christmas movie that truly matters: “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell as a grown man who likes maple syrup on his spaghetti, and James Caan as James Caan. Already confirmed at the market? Smithfield’s Blue Sky Distillery. Drink and be merry. But wear your masks, y’all. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Point Park in Downtown Norfolk. Details at festevents.org.
Dec. 5: NEON Holiday Market
Same day as the Town Point movie night, but a brisk 10-minute walk away, the nearby NEON District will also host a market, with 30 different vendors offering homemade goods, plus live music and food trucks. Also, singing Santas? They promise singing Santas. Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at 776 Granby St.
Dec. 5 and 6: Fair Trade Festival
Oh wait, there are still more Norfolk holiday markets on Dec. 5. O’Connor Brewing’s Fair Trade Fest is not explicitly a holiday market, but it fits the bill if you’re buying for someone who hates feeling guilty all the time. The Fair Trade Fest is devoted to food, coffee, chocolate, and all sorts of crafts made without exploiting the workers who produced it. Also there’s beer, because it’s at a beer place. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. O’Connor Brewing. 211 W. 24th St., Norfolk.
Dec. 5 and 6: Santa’s Elves Extravaganza
At Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, this annual craft fair will play host to goods made by local artisans from all over. Need food? There’s also some pretty good poke in the mall. Open during mall hours. 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach (at Pembroke Mall.)
Let's Eat
Dec. 6: Pinner House Holiday Market
Coffee, crepes, and Brunswick stew — plus a whole mess of local craft vendors, from leatherworkers to candlemakers — will be on hand at the Pinner House in Suffolk. The event is free, but to limit the number of people on hand at any one time, RSVP for a time slot at bit.ly/PHmarket. 11 a.m. to 4 pm. at The Pinner House, 231 Pinner St., Suffolk
Dec. 12: Mistletoe Market in Yorktown
Yorktown Market Days will return with their annual Mistletoe Market, featuring plenty of potential gifts from local artisans, and a whole bunch of food, with past events including desserts from Momma Holland’s Morsels, breakfast tacos from food truck Coastal Thirst, and so… much… pie. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing, 425 Market St. Visit https://www.facebook.com/yorktownmarketdays/ for up-to-date information.
Dec. 13: Vintage Sunday Holiday Market
Buy something old, drink something new. Selden Market will host a market with booze, brunch from SlideThru #FAM or The Stockpot, and lots and lots of vintage vendors all over the region with clothing and jewelry. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Selden Market, 208 E Main St, Norfolk.
Matthew Korfhage, 757-446-2318, matthew.korfhage@pilotonline.com