Here is a listing of area holiday events you can either plan on attending or work into your holiday marketing programs. Feel free to add more!
Event Name: McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach
Dates: November 18 , 2011 – January 1, 2012
Location: Virginia Beach Boardwalk between 2nd and 34th Street
Description: NEW DISPLAYS for 2011! A Winter Wonderland filled with snowglobes! Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises – all in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky, are the stars of McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, a nautical and holiday-themed light display at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! They are joined by Santa, elves, and a 40-foot tall Christmas tree erected on the beach and in the beautiful parks along the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
It’s the only time of the year that cars get to drive right on the boardwalk – for over 30 blocks! 30,000 vehicles a year make the trek through this holiday wonderland. This “Fanta-Sea” of lights is sure to dazzle and amaze holiday travelers visiting Virginia Beach. Hotels create special packages that include free tickets to the light show. New displays are added each year so it’s never the same show twice! One of the highlights is the giant “12 Days of Christmas” display, where some fixtures stand 20 and 30 feet high!
A free CD of holiday music is provided to each vehicle entering McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, making it easy to see AND hear why this event has been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 November Events” and the American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America for 2011!”
Wednesday, November 16: Walk Through the Lights to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk which provides a “home away from home” for families with critically ill children. Sign Language Interpretation provided by Mindy Brown.
Pricing: CASH ONLY at gate!
Sunday-Thursday ($10)
Friday-Saturday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day ($15)
Combo Ticket ($20) LIMITED number of tickets available!!!
Limo ($20)
Motorcoach ($45)
Mini Bus ($25)
*Motorcoaches may pay in advance through Lyndsey at the Beachevents office (757) 425-3111 All other payments to be made at the gate.
WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!! 20% off for ACTIVE military November 21 and 28. December 5 and 12.
Enjoy the Holiday Lights aboard an elegant horse-drawn carriage (Jingle-bells included!) Please call early and start a Holiday Tradition! Sea Horse Carriage Company (757) 971-6200 .
Event: Holiday Parade at the Beach
Date: December 3, 2011 (all day)
Location: On Atlantic Avenue between 15th Street and 25th Street
Description: Officially ushering in the holiday season in Virginia Beach, the Holiday Parade at the Beach affords local businesses, schools, and organizations the opportunity to support the community and celebrate the season with thousands of parade-goers.
Giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages! And best of all, Santa himself makes a grand appearance to greet all his loyal fans as the evening winds down and many families take the opportunity to also visit the amazing Holiday Lights at the Beach! The Holiday Parade at the Beach begins at 5:30pm, and travels North on Atlantic Avenue from 15th to 25th Street.
Event: Old Beach Art Market
Dates: November 19 and December 17, 2011
Location: Resort Area, Corner of 21st and Cypress Avenue
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Description: Are you an art enthusiast? Then Virginia Beach is the destination for you! The Old Beach Art Market began with the goal of promoting local artists and galleries, establishing an outdoor art market for Virginia Beach visitors and residents, and fostering art appreciation through demonstrations and programs.
Event: Old Beach Green Market
Dates: November 19 and December 17, 2011
Location: 1909 Cypress Avenue, Virginia Beach
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Description: Green yourself at the Old Beach Green Market, an outdoor market of local vendors offering eco-friendly products and information. Located between the Old Beach Farmers Market and the Old Beach Art Market on Cypress Avenue, this market offers reusable, repurposed, recycled, upcycled and responsibly made items
Event: USA Rugby Women’s National Championship
Dates: November 11 – 14, 2011
Location: 2181 Landstown Road, Virginia Beach (Beyond the Beach)
Description: Women’s Premier Division 1 and Division 2 Championships
Event: Gladys Knight
Image via Wikipedia
Date: November 11, 2011
Location: Sandler Center for the Arts, 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach
Phone: (757) 385 – 2787
Opens: 8:00 PM
Closes: 10:00 PM
Price: $50 – $97
Description: A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, Gladys Knight began her illustrious career as the lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & The Pips, with whom she recorded such hits as “Every Beat of My Heart,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me,” and the #1 smash “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Since then, she has gone on to record more than 38 albums, scoring #1 hits in pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary music. Knight has performed in front of sold-out audiences across the world, most recently ending a critically-acclaimed four-year run performing nightly at the famed Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Since ending the four year run, she began performing at the world-renowned Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas in the newly renamed Gladys Knight Theater.
Event: Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever
Date: November 11, 2011
Location: 4320 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA
Phone: (757) 683 – 5762
Opens: 4:00 PM
Closes: Close
Price: $14 – $45
Description: “Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a LIVE tour!!!” Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! Phineas, Ferb, and the whole tri-state area gang embark on a bold escape jumping out from behind your TV and onto the stage in a live action adventure – right in your hometown! And, before you can wonder, “Hey, where’s Perry?” the beloved pet platypus shifts to his secret double life as Agent P to foil another one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plans. Musical madness abounds in an escapade so awesome that even Candace can’t help but join the hilarious hijinks. It’s the ultimate end to summer vacation, so seize the day ‘cause Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all!
Event: Ricky Skaggs
Date: November 18, 2011
Location: Sandler Center for the Arts, Virginia Beach
Phone: (757) 385 – 2787
Opens: 8:00 PM
Closes: 10:00 PM
Price: $35 – $70
Description: Fourteen-time GRAMMY Award-winner Ricky Skaggs’ career is easily among the most significant in recent country music history. If Skaggs’ burgeoning trophy case full of awards wasn’t already enough evidence of that fact, consider that legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited Skaggs with “single-handedly saving country music.” 2011 marks the 52nd year since Ricky struck his first chords on a mandolin, and he continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. Clearly his passion for it puts him in the position to bring his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the ears and hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. Ricky Skaggs is always forging ahead with cross-cultural, genre-bending musical ideas and inspirations.
Event: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Dates: November 26 – December 18 (Fri, Sat, Sun); December 29 – December 31 (7 days a week)
Location: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Phone: (800) 772 – 8886 (757) 253 – 3350
Description: Enjoy attractions, shows, rides, shopping, and dining at Christmas Town, A Busch Gardens Celebration. Bring the whole family to get in the holiday spirit!
Event: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station
Date: November 26, 2011
Location: Sandler Center for the Arts
Phone: (757) 636 – 2333
Opens: 7:00 PM
Closes: 11:00 PM
Admission Fee
Event: Founders Illumination 20th Anniversary
Date: November 27, 2011
Location: Founders inn & Spa
Phone: (757) 424 – 5511
Opens: 12:00 PM
Event: Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination
Date: December 4, 2011
Location: Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
Hours: 5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Description: In the 18th century, illuminations were sometimes held to commemorate the birth of the reigning sovereign. Today we hold a Grand Illumination in the Historic Area. Musical performances from multiple stages and firework displays from three different locations within the Historic Area make this event one that is not to be missed! Start your holiday season off with a pleasant memory of a present experience in the past.
Musical performances begin at 5:15 p.m., and fireworks displays from three locations—the Palace, Magazine, and Capitol—at 7 p.m.
No ticket or reservation required.
Guests may enter and exit any time during the program
Related articles
- 2011 Celebration of Holiday Lights in Historic Gypsy Hill Park (stauntonparksandrecreation.wordpress.com)
HSMAI Virginia 
Pingback: Holiday Happenings this weekend… « Real Estate State of Mind