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The yuletide season is upon us, and it’s a wonderful thing.
We’re all in need of a little extra magic these days. A drive through just about any neighborhood is proof of that these days.
All around, people have hauled their colorful lights out of storage and hung fresh wreaths on their doors, making their homes merry and bright for the holidays just a little bit earlier than usual.
It’ll be a holiday season like no other, sure. Lots of staple events just won’t happen this year, and for those that return, it’s likely they’ll come back with some additional safety guidelines.
There are still plenty of soul-nourishing opportunities to find some cheer, whether it’s from the comfort of home or by venturing out safely. Here’s a list of some of the things that just might save you from becoming the Grinch.
In-person Events
York County Tree Lighting. Dec. 3.
For the 76th annual tree lighting, reservations are required and social distancing is a must. Register for a spot at yorkcounty.gov.
Santa Bike Ride hosted by Freshtopia. Dec. 5.
Fresh Radio and 103 Jamz’s DJ Bee leads neighborhood bike rides all the time, but this one’s for Santa. Come dressed up in your best Santa threads and join the fun at 7:30 p.m. outside of Freshtopia, at 532 W. 35th Street in Norfolk.
Norfolk Council Holiday Train Display. Through Dec. 20.
The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers Tidewater Division will bring model trains to Norfolk inside the Selden Market, at 208 E. Main Street. Get more info at downtownnorfolk.org.
Snow Globe Spectacular. Through Dec. 31.
Virginia Beach’s Town Center is turning into a snow globe-filled winter wonderland. Visit Santa every weekend in a COVID-friendly setting. Live events occur hourly from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday through Sunday while the attraction is open.
Ornament Spectacular at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. Select days through Jan. 3.
Create your own glass-blown holiday ornament with the help of experts. Book your date and time online at Chrysler.org.
MacArthur on Ice. Through Jan. 18.
The skating rink has returned this year, but tickets are being sold in limited amounts by half-hour blocks. Tickets should be bought ahead of time at shopmacarthur.com.
Holiday Lights
Deck the Hall. Dec. 5 – 20.
A free drive-thru experience at Chesapeake’s City Hall. Runs nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. Get more info at cityofchesapeake.net/PRTevents.
Hampton Holiday Wonder Walk. Dec. 12 - 20.
A walk-through light experience begins at Hampton Coliseum, spans around the lake and winds through the woods to Freeman Drive’s Waterwalk Trail. It’s free and open nightly from 5-9 p.m. More info coming soon at hampton.gov/waterwalk.
The Lights of Christmas Virginia Beach. Through Dec. 31.
A drive-thru light and music experience at the KOA Camp Ground. Get more info at koa.com/campgrounds/virginia-beach.
WinterFest on the Wisconsin. Through Dec. 31.
For the first time ever, the USS Wisconsin is all decked out in lights. To get tickets to the social-distanced walk-thru event, go to nauticus.org/winterfest.
Newport News Celebration in Lights. Through Jan. 1.
Drive through 350 display pieces, more than 50 arches, 3D trees and three miles of rope lights. Get more info at nnva.gov.
NlightN: Gifts of the Season. Through Jan. 1.
A walk-thru light experience at City Center in Newport News. More info available at nnva.gov.
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Through Jan. 2.
Every year, garden staff spend weeks stringing a million bulbs along a mile-long pathway, all for your viewing pleasure. This year, you must buy tickets in advance, and they are sold by time slot. Get tickets at norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.
Virginia Living Museum’s Nature Nights Holiday Lights. Thursday – Sunday through Jan. 2.
The museum will extend its operating hours on select nights for guests to walk through a brightly-lit outdoor trail. Get more information about timed-tickets at thevlm.org.
BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach. Through Jan. 3.
It’s the time of year you get to drive on the boardwalk. Ticketing is different this year, though. Tickets to check out all the lights and 40-foot Christmas tree will be sold only online. For more info and tickets, go to liveonatlantic.com.
Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration. Through Jan. 3.
A limited-capacity event, you must make reservations and buy tickets ahead of time by visiting buschgardens.com.
Streaming Events
Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree Lighting. Dec. 2
You don’t have to be in the Big Apple to watch along. Why wouldn’t you want to watch a 75-foot-tall tree covered in 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star lit up to bring joy to the world? Stream it online at 8 p.m. by watching NBC.
The Great Christmas Carol Escape. Dec. 9 – 22.
Put on by the Virginia Stage Company, this live-streamed and interactive event takes virtual audiences on a journey with Jacob Marley as he tries to save Scrooge from certain doom. Get tickets at vastage.com.
“Nutcracker” from the Richmond Ballet. Dec. 11 – 26.
History has it that early performances of the ballet weren’t a hit. Now, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without sugar plum fairies and an all-out battle between a giant nutcracker and the dastardly mouse king. Watch it from home by snagging tickets at richmondballet.com.
Dave Koz and Friends: The Greatest Hits of Christmas. Dec. 12.
Tune in to listen to Dave Koz, joined by Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Richard Elliott, Peter White, David Benoit and Rebecca Jade perform all your favorites. Tickets are available at fergusoncenter.org.
“A Christmas Carol,” from Virginia Stage Company. Christmas week.
The holiday staple story returns this year, for free. Get information about streaming options online at vastage.org/acc20.
Holidays at the Z. Dec. 18 through Jan. 5.
A three-show streaming event that includes “Holidivas,” an in-home concert from Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Ambrosia Quartet and a performance from Ballet Virginia. Buy virtual passes online at thez.org.
Great Russian Nutcracker: Christmas Stream. Dec. 19
Moscow Ballet will stream their beloved show for one night only. Get tickets for the show at nutcracker.com.
Virtual Visits with Santa. Through Christmas.
This year, Santa’s on speed, errr, Zoom dial. Book your own window of time with the big guy for a visit or a bit of storytime at www.jinglering.com.
Canceled Events
Here are some of the annual delights that have been grinched this year.
· Annual Ghent Tree Lighting Ceremony
· Christian Broadcast Network’s Christmas Village
· Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade
· Grand Illumination Parade in downtown Norfolk
· Hampton University’s Christmas tree lighting
Weekend Scoop
· Hampton Holly Days Parade
· Lighted Boat Parade in Hampton
· Ocean View community tree lighting
· Olde Towne Illuminated Parade and tree lighting
· Peninsula Town Center tree lighting
· Virginia Beach’s Holiday Parade at the Beach
Amy Poulter, 757-446-2705, amy.poulter@pilotonline.com