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For the Christmas season Portsmouth will offer a reversal of roles for children and adults.
The Children’s Museum of Virginia at 221 High St., normally a wonderland for youngsters, will become a fun holiday fair for big people when it presents its Adults Night Out from 6 until 8 p.m. Dec. 12.
The coolest place for children in Hampton Roads, will be chill for adults who can have fun with Sock Skating from 6 to 8 p.m., watch the planetarium shows at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. and awe at the Snow Wonders light, music and snow show at 7:45 p.m.
And while savoring drinks and light refreshments, ages 18 and older will be able to become children again by walking through the museum’s special Winter Wonderland, the holiday exhibit that presents a reimagined, refurbished and re-envisioned version of the iconic Coleman’s Nursery’s Winter Wonderland, a former longtime Portsmouth Christmas and winter holidays tradition.
Get your early bird ticket by 5 p.m. Dec. 9 for $10, saving $5. After that tickets are $15 per adult, or is that big kid? Get them online at cutt.ly/QeSnzK4 or at the museum box office. Call 393-5258 for more information.
And for the other holiday reversal, how about letting your child do his or her own holiday shopping, without mom and dad?
It will happen at the 25th annual Children’s Christmas Shoppe at Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court St.
Portsmouth’s historic church will have ages 3-12 — and no parents allowed — shop for Christmas presents for family and friends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 and from noon until 3 p.m Dec. 15. The moppet shoppers will be assisted by the church’s “elves.” All gifts will sell for $3 and will come already gift wrapped.
And while the kiddies shop, mom and dad can browse and shop for themselves at the church’s Parents’ Shoppe.
For more details, call 393-0431 or visit trinityportsmouth.org.
BRASSED OFF, SINGING, DANCING AT THE CENTER
For the Christmas and winter holidays the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts at 110 W. Finney Ave. will offer three festive programs to get everyone in the seasonal mood.
To start things off on Dec. 17, the Suffolk Center Children’s Choir will sing the original seasonal program “Snowed Inn” at 7 p.m.
Written and directed by Gavin Harper, the center’s education manager, the original musical production will showcase what happens when a group of guests at a holiday party are snowed in. Why, they sing, laugh, celebrate and make lasting friends and memories.
The performance is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Next up will be the thrilling and joyous sound of brass and percussion heralding the Yuletide season when the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Brass performs a new-for-this-season concert of traditional and pop holiday music at 7 p.m. Dec. 20.
Horns, trumpets, trombones, a bass trombone, tuba and percussion will blast us into a joyous mood. Tickets are $32 to $37. Visit virginiasymphony.org/holidaybrass-2 for more information.
And, finally, at 5 p.m. Dec. 21, the Allonge’ Dance Academy, a faith-based dance studio at 152 S. Main St. in Suffolk, will trip the light fantastic into everyone’s heart with the inspirational production “The Least of These,” based on Leo Tolstoy’s “Papa Panov.”
The performance will feature local youngsters and adults as they tell the story of how Papa, who expects an uneventful Christmas, experiences something wonderful and different.
Tickets are $11 and $15. Call 738-5833 for more Allonge’ details. For more information about any of the three events, call 923-0003 or visit suffolkcenter.org.
SWING OR RIDE AT THE CHILDREN’S
Have yourself a jazzy little Christmas at the Children’s Museum of Virginia when the Swing Time Jazz Trio performs from noon until 2 p.m. Dec. 21.
Led by saxophonist Larry Weintraub, the threesome will swing its way through a selection of holiday favorites.
Weintraub certainly has the chops to put the groove in Christmas. He’s cut his musical teeth with Army and Navy bands, has earned a Master in Music Education at Old Dominion University, and has played with such musical heavyweights as Al Martino, The Four Tops, Chuck Mangione and Lee Greenwood.
On the same day at the Middle Street Mall by the museum, children will be able to have fun with pony rides from 1 until 4 p.m.
For more details about either event, call 393-5258 or visit childrensmuseumvirginia.com.
OLD TOYS NEW FUN
What did children play with before fancy electronic games, toy robots, kiddie drones or tyke computers? Find out and step back into Christmas of a bygone era at the Hill House Museum, 211 North St., Portsmouth.
This historic, restored 19th century Portsmouth house will present an Antique Toy Exhibit through Dec. 21 featuring toy trains, dollhouses and other playthings from days passed.
“The exhibit will provide an opportunity to share with the public local privately-owned toy collections,” the museum’s press release stated. “The exhibit explores how children re-create the adult world from their own perspective through play and toys.”
In addition, the museum will be decorated with several festive trees evoking holidays spanning the 19th century through the 1990s.
Admission is $5 per person. Call 393-0241 or 714-3226 for more information.
HE’S EVERYWHERE! HE’S EVERYWHERE!
They seek him here, they seek him there. In Suffolk, Santa’s everywhere.
Santa Claus will certainly be ubiquitous in Suffolk, appearing at a train museum, holiday parade, at breakfast and dinner, a visitor center and with the family pets. When will he have time to deliver toys?
Children of all ages can “Meet Santa at the Train Station" from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum at 326 N. Main St. Among the cool model train setups and dioramas in this historic station, Santa will be available for a meet and greet and photos with the children.
Call 514-4135 or visit suffolktrainstation.com.
Why not break fast with St. Nick at the Beech Grove United Methodist Church’s Breakfast with Santa from 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 at 4251 Drive Lane. The free event will include breakfast, games and visits and photos with the jolly ol’ elf. Call 538-8353 and watch your manners, kids.
If not breakfast, break bread with Santa at a historic luxury mansion during the Dinner With Santa at The Obici House at 4700 Sleepy Hole Road from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 14.
Weekend Scoop
The dinner, featuring a family friendly buffet, will have two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. A professional photographer will be available to snap photos of your child supping with Santa.
Tickets are $20. Call 617-1299.
Won’t breakfast or dine with the Claus? Then check him out at the Suffolk Holiday Parade from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14. The free festive procession will proceed through downtown Suffolk and will include marching bands, parade units, floats, various antique and custom vehicles and, of course, the North Pole’s most famous resident. Call 414-7267.
Have your children meet Santa at the Suffolk Visitor Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at 524 N. Main St. Children can offer him their gift wishes and have their photos taken with him amidst the center’s festive decorations. Parents: Bring your iPhones, cameras or camcorders. The visit is free.
The next day, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. have St. Nick sit with Fluffy the cat or Fido during the “Bring Your Pet to Meet Santa” session at the Suffolk Visitor Center. Bring your well-behaved cat, dog (make sure he or she has a leash) or other family critter for snaps with the big guy. It’s free but be sure to bring a donation to benefit the Suffolk Animal Shelter. Donation items can include kitty litter, dog/cat/kitten/puppy food, toys, carriers, treats, leashes, collars, grooming supplies and cleaning products. And don’t forget the catnip.
Call 514-4130 for more details.
Eric W. Feber, ewjfeber@gmail.com