The holidays have arrived, East Hampton! Dive into our guide for all the top festive events. For those who call East Hampton home and those who wish they did, our guide is your holiday lifeline.
Popular this season is Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights and seasonal entertainment. Featuring a blend of delightful displays and festive activities, Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination offers a historical celebration with fireworks and caroling. And the Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing enchanting light displays among the garden's beautiful landscapes. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around East Hampton
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town (Williamsburg)
- Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination (Williamsburg)
- Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Norfolk)
- Richmond Christmas Parade (Richmond)
- Virginia Beach Christmas Parade (Virginia Beach)
- Williamsburg Christmas Parade (Williamsburg)
- Richmond Tacky Light Tour (Richmond)
- Jamestown Settlement's A Colonial Christmas (Williamsburg)
- Christmas in the Country (Williamsburg)
- Historic Jamestowne's Christmas at Jamestown Fort (Williamsburg)
See these and even more events listed below!
East Hampton Holiday Light Displays
Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Over 1.5 million twinkling lights in a one-mile walking route.
Description:
Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights features over 1.5 million twinkling lights, creating a spectacular holiday display that immerses visitors in a dazzling array of lights and festive atmosphere.
Where: Norfolk | More Info: Norfolk Botanical Garden's Dominion Energy Garden of Lights
Portsmouth Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting ceremony with live music and parade.
Description:
The Portsmouth Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting is a festive event featuring a decorated tree lighting ceremony, music by the Portsmouth Holiday Ensemble, and a parade through Market Square.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Portsmouth Holiday Parade
Richmond Tacky Light Tour
What to Expect:
Customizable holiday light tour with various vehicle options.
Description:
Richmond Tacky Light Tour offers a guided tour of the city's most decorated homes, featuring thousands of twinkling lights and holiday displays. The tour includes a variety of vehicle options, from SUVs to stretch limousines, and can be customized to include time for dinner and drinks. Guests are treated to holiday music and can bring their own beverages.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Richmond Tacky Light Tour
Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town
What to Expect:
Immersive winter light display with new light experiences and classic holiday attractions.
Description:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town transforms the park into a dazzling display of over ten million twinkling lights, featuring two all-new light experiences and heart-warming shows like the all-new Wisemen and returning favorites like 'Twas that Night. Enjoy classic experiences like Santa’s Workshop and the Christmas Town Express, paired with thrilling rides and coasters, including the all-new DarKoaster.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town
East Hampton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Yorktown Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday market with diverse vendors and live entertainment.
Description:
The Yorktown Christmas Market on Main features over 100 vendors selling local art, handmade soaps, and Christmas wreaths. Enjoy live music, antique car displays, blacksmith demonstrations, and colonial ornament crafts. Visit Santa and explore the festive atmosphere with food trucks and holiday activities.
Where: Yorktown | More Info: Yorktown Christmas Market
East Hampton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas in the Country
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed performances and dining in an 18th-century setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a variety of festive events, including concerts, plays, and traditional holiday fare, all set in the historic and charming atmosphere of Colonial Williamsburg.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Christmas in the Country
Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination
What to Expect:
18th-century-style fireworks and musical performances.
Description:
Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination features 18th-century-style fireworks, musical performances, and unique decorations throughout the Historic Area, culminating in simultaneous fireworks displays at the Capitol and Governor's Palace.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination
Suffolk Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community celebration with festive floats and equestrian units.
Description:
The Suffolk Holiday Parade is a vibrant community event featuring festive floats, equestrian units, and holiday cheer. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the parade as it winds through Downtown Suffolk.
Where: Suffolk | More Info: Suffolk Holiday Parade
Smithfield Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with festive entries marching down historic streets.
Description:
The Smithfield Christmas Parade is an annual event where participants line Market Street to see festive entries, featuring floats, dancers, and marching bands. The parade is emceed by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, announcing entries as they pass.
Where: Smithfield | More Info: Smithfield Christmas Parade
Glen Allen Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Intergenerational art-making program for people with dementia.
Description:
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen offers a variety of events and activities, including exhibit grand openings, live music, and art classes for all ages. The center also features art-making programs for people with dementia and their caregivers, as well as a gift shop filled with unique art and accessories.
Where: Glen Allen | More Info: Glen Allen Christmas Tree Lighting
Richmond Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Colorful floats and giant helium balloons.
Description:
The 41st annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade features colorful floats, giant helium balloons, high school and college marching bands, princesses, superheroes, and Legendary Santa. The parade begins at the Science Museum of Virginia and travels eastbound on Broad Street to conclude near the Richmond Coliseum.
Where: Richmond | More Info: Richmond Christmas Parade
Virginia Living Museum's Wild Lights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly laser concert with diverse musical tracks and immersive visual effects.
Description:
The Virginia Living Museum's Wild Lights features a spectacular display of laser shows and music, including tracks by Joan Jett, B-52s, and Pink Floyd, set against stunning laser images.
Where: Newport News | More Info: Virginia Living Museum's Wild Lights
East Hampton Other Holiday Activities
Williamsburg Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community celebration with illuminated floats and live performances.
Description:
The Williamsburg Christmas Parade, sponsored by Dominion Energy, is a cherished tradition since 1965, featuring illuminated floats, live performances, and a visit from Santa. The event encourages participants to reflect on what they believe, with over 21,000 spectators attending last year.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Williamsburg Christmas Parade
Holiday Lights at the Virginia Zoo
What to Expect:
Spooktacular family fun with animal encounters and pumpkin enrichment.
Description:
The Virginia Zoo's Holiday Lights event features a variety of festive activities, including animal encounters, pumpkin enrichment, and trick-or-treating stations, creating a fun and interactive experience for families.
Where: Norfolk | More Info: Holiday Lights at the Virginia Zoo
Virginia Beach Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Dazzling parade with diverse units and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Virginia Beach Christmas Parade is a vibrant holiday event featuring over 100 parade units, including giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, and performing dance groups. Santa Claus will make a grand appearance to greet all his loyal fans. This festive celebration is open to the public and promises an entertaining night for all ages.
Where: Virginia Beach | More Info: Virginia Beach Christmas Parade
Hampton Bay Days Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse participants.
Description:
The Hampton Bay Days Christmas Parade features a festive procession through the city, showcasing local businesses, community groups, and holiday spirit.
Where: Hampton | More Info: Hampton Bay Days Christmas Parade
Jamestown Settlement's A Colonial Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive historical holiday celebrations with re-created settings.
Description:
Explore 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Witness festive interpretive programs, fancy cooking, caroling, and musical entertainment. Visit immersive exhibition galleries and re-created outdoor settings reminiscent of early Virginia.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Jamestown Settlement's A Colonial Christmas
Chesapeake Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with a "Magic Christmas" theme.
Description:
The Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade is a 41-year tradition featuring floats, equestrians, and community groups, with a theme of "Magic Christmas." The parade begins at Mount Pleasant Road and Battlefield Boulevard, ending in front of City Hall on Cedar Road. It includes food vendors and portable bathrooms, with general parking available at the Municipal Complex.
Where: Chesapeake | More Info: Chesapeake Holiday Parade
Historic Jamestowne's Christmas at Jamestown Fort
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments of 17th-century Christmas traditions.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Jamestown Fort with historical reenactments, caroling, and traditional activities like wassailing and country dancing.
Where: Williamsburg | More Info: Historic Jamestowne's Christmas at Jamestown Fort
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hampton (1 miles)
- Newport News (7 miles)
- Norfolk (13 miles)
- Portsmouth (14 miles)
- Portsmouth Heights (15 miles)
- Chesapeake (15 miles)
- Virginia Beach (23 miles)
- Suffolk (26 miles)
- South Suffolk (26 miles)