It’s the Holiday Season in Virginia Beach

Pictured: Scuba Santa at the Virginia Aquarium for Holi-Rays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Kick off the hap-happiest season of all with some Virginia Beach holiday traditions and programs from Virginia Beach Public Library, Parks & Recreation, Cultural Affairs, the Farmers Market, Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit and the Virginia Aquarium. 

Events

Princess Anne Holly Jolly Jamboree 
Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, 6-8:30 p.m., Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway   
FREE and open to the public with advance registration 

Kick off the season with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, as the Princess Anne Rec Center lights up with holiday displays and music. Enjoy the musical stylings of local schools and community groups, along with light refreshments and other spirited activities. 

Santa's Workshop 
Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 3640 Dam Neck Road 
FREE and open to the public 

Get ready for the holiday season at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market with over 90 artisans selling unique creations, perfect for early shopping of one-of-a-kind gifts. Enjoy music, food, children’s activities and free pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rural Heritage Center (bring your own cameras). 

Forever Young Holiday Parties 
Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seatack Recreation Center, 141 S. Birdneck Road 
FREE with advance registration (rec center membership or day pass required) 
Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kempsville Recreation Center, 800 Monmouth Lane  
Price: $12 (rec center membership or day pass required)    
Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road  
Price: $15 (rec center membership or day pass required)    

Adults ages 55 and older are invited to participate in a variety of fun activities in the spirit of the holidays, including Carnival in Winter at Seatack. Forever Young friends will be celebrating with entertainment, arts and crafts, games and lunch. Reserve your spot at Seatack, Bayside or Kempsville today.  

Candlelight Yule Tours
Dec. 12-13, 4-7 p.m., Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road 
Price: $10/adults and children 11 and older, $5/children ages 2-10, free for children younger than 2 years old  

Visit the Thoroughgood House for a half-hour tour, where costumed guides will escort you by candlelight through the historic home while sharing stories of the decorations, traditions, foods and festivities of an 18th-century Christmas. “Yule” love the live instrumental music by the Itinerant Band, and learn how members of the household would have experienced the holidays based on their roles on the property and status in the community. Before you head home, grab a hot drink while you write your wishes to burn on the Yule logs. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. 

Holi-Rays 
Dec. 12-13, 6-9 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $37.95/adults, $32.95/children ages 5-17 and seniors 70+, free for children 4 years old and younger | Members: 50% off 

The Virginia Aquarium is decking the halls and transforming into a winter wonderland of lights and holiday magic under the sea. Come dressed in your holiday best or festive pajamas for an evening of family fun with seasonal surprises and scuba Santa!  

Friends of the VBPD Mounted Patrol Craft Show 
Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., VBPD Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road 
FREE and open to the public 

A temperature drop and wet weather are predicted for Dec. 6, not good conditions for the annual Toy & Food Drive, so the outdoor event has been canceled. However, you’ll still have a chance to support local families this holiday season.

During the Friend’s of the Virginia Beach Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit Winter Craft Show, the Mounted Patrol Barn will be open and decorated for the holidays. Stop by to drop off an unwrapped toy or canned food item, say hello to the horses, visit with Santa and enjoy the cozy, festive barn. Still shopping for the holidays? The Craft Show will host an array of vendors. The Friends of the Virginia Beach Mounted Police will also be selling merchandise to raise funds for the horses.

Eat with Santa 
Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway   
Price: $12 (open to the public with advance registration) 
Dec. 13, 1-3 p.m., Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road 
Price: $10 (open to the public with advance registration) 

Join Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation and holiday fun with Pancakes with Santa at Princess Anne Rec Center or Cookies with Santa at Bayside. Enjoy a fun holiday craft, take a picture with the jolly elf himself, and food will be provided to all those in attendance. Membership not required to attend, but registration is required. 

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has additional seasonal events and activities for all ages at various recreation centers. See the complete list of events, schedule and more. 

The Virginia Beach Public Library has more than 20 holiday and winter fun programs for all ages at various library branches, from creating your own macrame wreaths and other homemade giftable items to a holiday singalong. See the complete list of events, schedule and more.  

Be sure to check out Visit Virginia Beach’s event calendar for even more holiday festivities! Please note that some events may cause temporary road closures. 

Holiday Gift Ideas 

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center 
Gift an Aquarium membership to someone on your holiday list. There are flexible membership options for families and individuals to gift a year of fun at the Aquarium. Members receive a year of endless ocean exploration and interactive fun, with special perks including exclusive events, discounts, free parking and free admission all year. 

Virginia Beach History Museums 
For the local history buffs on your gift list, visit the Francis Land House gift shop, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, for historic-home ornaments and other items. 

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation 
Give the gift of recreation with a Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation gift card. Take your wellness journey to the next level at seven cutting-edge recreational centers with access to an exciting array of programs and activities for everyone. Gift cards can be purchased online or in person at a rec center, and can be used toward rec center memberships, activities and more.   

Also, check out the holiday gift ideas section of the Bonfire Store, where proceeds go to the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation. 

Virginia Beach Farmers Market 
The vendors at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market have a wide range of goods, making it a great one-stop shop for all of your holiday gifting needs. From unique crafts and jewelry to homemade soaps and lotions, stop by and see all the Farmers Market has to offer. 

Happy holidays!