The Holiday Trail of Lights runs Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 at the Virginia Aquarium. A free drone show lights Mount Trashmore Dec. 12; Santa visits and markets.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: Beach Events VB, the City of Virginia Beach’s 2025 holiday events roundup, Town Center of Virginia Beach, Hunt Club Farm and Chabad of Tidewater. Where a 2026 date is not out, we give last year’s and say so.

The big change this year: Virginia Beach’s holiday light show has left the Boardwalk. The new Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium runs Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. Santa sits for free at the Oceanfront on four Saturdays, Mount Trashmore gets the city’s first drone show on Dec. 12, and Hanukkah runs Dec. 4-12. The Holiday Parade at the Beach and any tree lightings are on a separate page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Who to call

  • Parks and Recreation special events: 757-385-2990
  • Virginia Aquarium: virginiaaquarium.com
  • Hunt Club Farm: 757-427-9520
  • City information: VB311, 757-385-3111

Light displays

Holiday Trail of Lights, Nov. 20 to Jan. 3. A 1.1-mile, flat walking trail through seven themed areas at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd., with timed tickets sold only online. Times, ticket prices and what is on the trail are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Snow Globe Spectacular at Town Center. In 2025, Town Center’s Fountain Plaza ran its Snow Globe Spectacular from Nov. 29 to Dec. 23: life-size snow globes with live performers inside, giant ornaments and light displays. Live entertainment ran 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the last nights before Christmas, and it was free, rain or shine, with free garage parking. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on opening night. Town Center has not posted 2026 dates yet.

Chill at the Hill, Saturday, Dec. 12. Parks and Recreation fills Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Drive, with live music from Wonderland, a public art installation, ice sculptures and lights from 3 to 8 p.m., and closes with Virginia Beach’s first drone show at 7:45 p.m., the city says. Admission and parking are free; food and drinks are sold, with alcohol in a designated area. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The Sanctuary light-and-flower art installation also stays at Mount Trashmore through Dec. 16, open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Holi-Rays at the Virginia Aquarium. In 2025 the Aquarium turned into a “winter wonderland of lights” with scuba Santa on Dec. 12-13, 6 to 9 p.m. (adults $37.95, children 5 to 17 $32.95, members half off), the city said. Watch the Aquarium’s featured events for 2026.

Santa visits

  • Santa’s Seaside Cinema, 31st Street Park at the Oceanfront, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, with a holiday movie at 1:30 p.m. Free.
  • Santa, S’mores and More at Hunt Club Farm, 2388 London Bridge Road. Every guest gets a s’mores pack and a selfie with Santa, children make a craft with the elves, and the petting farm and TreeWalk are included, the farm says. 2026 dates are “coming soon.”
  • Eat with Santa, Parks and Recreation. In 2025: Pancakes with Santa at Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway ($12), and Cookies with Santa at Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road ($10), both on Sat., Dec. 13, with registration required.
  • Santa’s Workshop at the Farmers Market, 3640 Dam Neck Road. In 2025: Sat., Dec. 6, with free pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (bring your own camera).

Holiday traditions and tours

  • Candlelight Yule Tours, Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road. Costumed guides lead half-hour candlelit tours explaining an 18th-century Christmas, with live music and wishes burned on the Yule logs. In 2025: Dec. 12-13, 4 to 7 p.m.; $10 for adults and children 11 and older, $5 for ages 2 to 10, free under 2. Tickets sell online in advance.
  • Princess Anne Holly Jolly Jamboree, Princess Anne Recreation Center. In 2025: Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, 6 to 8:30 p.m., with holiday displays and school and community groups singing. Free, with advance registration.
  • Forever Young holiday parties for adults 55 and older at Seatack, Kempsville and Bayside recreation centers each December.

Holiday markets

  • Santa’s Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar, Nov. 14-15 at Princess Anne Recreation Center and Nov. 21-22 at Kempsville Recreation Center (details on the parade and tree lighting page).
  • Friends of the VBPD Mounted Patrol Craft Show, Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road. In 2025: Sat., Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Santa, the decorated barn and a toy and canned food drive.

More on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Hanukkah and menorah lightings

Hanukkah runs Dec. 4-12, 2026. Chabad of Tidewater posts its public menorah lightings on its “light” page; the 2026 Virginia Beach locations and times were not up when we checked. We will add them here.

What this means for you

  • Book Holiday Trail of Lights tickets early; entry is timed and limited.
  • Santa’s Seaside Cinema is the free Santa option, four Saturdays at 31st Street.
  • Most recreation center Santa events need advance registration and fill up.

Then: New Year’s Eve in Virginia Beach.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Christmas lights in Virginia Beach in 2026?

The city’s light show has moved off the Boardwalk to the Holiday Trail of Lights, a 1.1-mile walk at the Virginia Aquarium, 717 General Booth Blvd., Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, 2027, with timed tickets bought online.

Where can kids see Santa in Virginia Beach?

Santa’s Seaside Cinema at 31st Street Park is free, noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. Santa is also on the Holiday Trail of Lights, and recreation centers and Hunt Club Farm hold Santa events each December.

When is Hanukkah in 2026?

Hanukkah runs Dec. 4-12, 2026, according to Chabad of Tidewater, which posts its public menorah lightings on its website.

What are the Candlelight Yule Tours?

Half-hour candlelit tours of the Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road, led by costumed guides who explain an 18th-century Christmas. In 2025 they ran Dec. 12-13, 4 to 7 p.m., with tickets bought online in advance.