How to Enjoy the Festival of Lights in the Hampton Roads Area

Like any metropolitan area, Hampton Roads, Virginia, goes all out in celebrating Christmas. From lighted displays on the beach to a romantic trip through Newport News Park, Hampton Roads has a lot to offer when the holidays roll around. Here are the best light festivals you should consider attending when visiting the Hampton Roads area during the holiday season.

Instructions

1. Discover the city of Norfolk's ties with the Jewish community. Each year, during Hanukkah, the home of the first Jewish residents is opened to welcome people of all faiths. The importance of Jewish heritage is explored and guests enjoy traditional Jewish foods. Activities are available for all age groups and everyone can light a menorah candle. Call [phone] for details such as dates and cost .

2. Take an evening stroll on Virginia Beach and enjoy McDonald's Holiday Lights at the Beach. The impressive light display spans much of the beach area. It is one of most highly recommended displays of its kind. Proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House. Call (757) 491-SUNN for information or check out the website (see Resources below).

3. Drive through the Newport News City Park's Festival of Lights. The lights are lit on Thanksgiving Day and continue to shine through New Years Day. Donations are accepted to replace displays that are damaged, to add something new to next year's celebration and to support a local charity. Contact the park offices for more information at [phone] or visit the city website.

4. See how Christmas was lit during colonial times. The King's Arms Tavern sponsors a Thomas Jefferson Wine Dinner. Enjoy the former president's favorite foods and wines from Virginia and around the world. The party is in mid-December. Contact the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for ticket information, dates and times at the website.

5. Tour Portsmouth's Winter Wonderland at Courthouse Galleries, which includes decorated trees, thousands of lights and magic moving figures. The celebration begins after Thanksgiving and continues through Christmas Eve. Call [phone] or contact the website for more information (see Resources below).

6. Have breakfast with Santa at Hampton's Air and Space Museum. Enjoy the indoor festival of lights. Take part in the various festivities. Make reindeer food, take a ride on the Glacier Run, create paper angels, build a snowman and much more. The breakfast takes place in mid December. The cost is $18. A photo with Santa can be taken for an additional $5. For more information, contact [phone] or check out the website provided below.

7. Take a bus tour of city lights in any or all of the Hampton Roads area, which encompasses Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Yorktown.

8. Take a boat cruise the Chesapeake Bay to view light festivals up and down the shores. Contact the city offices of Norfolk (at Norfolk.com) and Hampton (at 757-727-8311) to see what is available during the holiday season since events vary from year to year.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact each city's individual Chamber of Commerce or the regional offices of the Greater Hampton Roads Area and the Virginia Peninsula. They can provide information on new displays and events, costs and more.

• Come prepared for the elements. Virginia can be semi-cool to freezing during the month of December.

Resources

• Hampton Roads celebrations
• The Festival of Lights on Virginia Beach
• Newport News
• Christmas festivities of Williamsburg
• Hampton Road's Christmas festivities