Guide: Holiday spectacles around Hampton Roads

In any season of the year, there is pop music, theater, dance, classical music and most of the other types of entertainment featured in our holiday guide.

Only in the Christmas season, however, do you find the sort of spectacles listed on this page. They are part of what makes this, as the song says, “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Norfolk and Portsmouth are celebrating the 25th anniversary of a signature holiday event, the Grand Illumination.

This year’s parade, with the theme “It’s Silver,” kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday on Waterside Drive at St. Paul’s Boulevard. It will go down Waterside Drive, turn right onto Plume Street and left onto Granby Street, progress across Brambleton Avenue, and end at the Harrison Opera House.

Of course, before that can happen, the Grand Illumination must occur: More than 12 miles of lights will come on at once to outline the downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines. This year, the illumination will include a special touch – the number 25 outlined on each side of Dominion Tower on Waterside Drive.

How do they get all those lights in all those buildings to switch on at once? No one’s telling. But they signal the marching bands, giant balloons and even Santa Claus to start marching.

Cathy Coleman, president of the Downtown Norfolk Council, said to be on the lookout for all the beautiful silver floats in this year’s parade, and she gave a shout-out to all the building managers and owners who do all the planning and hard work needed to make the illumination grand.

Here are highlights for holiday events:

• 25th annual Grand Illumination Parade, floats, marching bands, giant balloons and Ole St. Nick. Begins at St. Paul’s Boulevard and Waterside Drive in Norfolk, continues down Waterside Drive, turns right on Plume Street and left on Granby Street, and ends at the Harrison Opera House on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Signaling the start of the parade is the illumination of more than 12 miles of lights outlining the downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines. 7 p.m. Saturday. 623-1757.
• Spirit of Norfolk Grand Illumination Cruise,  9 p.m. Saturday. Otter Berth, downtown Norfolk. 625-1463.
• Coliseum Central Holiday Parade, floats, clowns, balloons, Santa. Begins at Coliseum Drive at Hampton Roads Center Parkway in Hampton, turns onto Market Place and proceeds to Kilgore Avenue, then Von Shilling Drive. 9:30 a.m. Saturday. 826-6351.
• MacArthur on Ice, outdoor ice skating rink. Open Saturday through Jan. 18. MacArthur Center, 300 Monticello Ave., Norfolk. 627-6000, www.macarthuronice.com.
• Parade Party and Fire at the Fountain, games, children’s activities, food and more. 4 p.m. Saturday. TowneBank Fountain Park, alongside Waterside Festival Marketplace, downtown Norfolk. 441-2345.
• Garden of Lights, the four seasons are featured in the glow of a million twinkling lights in this drive-through light display.
  5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 26-Jan. 3. Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk. 441-5830, www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.
• Holiday Lights at the Beach, drive-through nautical- and holiday-themed light display. 2nd to 33rd streets along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. 5:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays from Nov. 25 to Jan. 3. 491-7866.
• Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration, lights, carolers, food, shows and more. 4-9 p.m. Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-24, 26, 27 at Busch Gardens,  Williamsburg. $19.95. (800) 343-7946.
• Founders Illumination, entertainment, carriage rides and more. Noon-8 p.m. Nov. 29. Lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. The Founders Inn and Spa, 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach. 366-5700.
• Holiday Tree Lighting, caroling, food and more. 4 p.m. Dec. 5. TowneBank Fountain Park, alongside Waterside Festival Marketplace, downtown Norfolk. 441-2345.
• Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting, entertainment, arts and crafts, tree lighting (7 p.m.) and fireworks (9 p.m.). Carousel Park, downtown Hampton. 5-9 p.m. Dec. 5. 727-0900.
• Portsmouth Holiday Parade, floats, marching bands, Santa and more. Steps off on Cherokee Avenue in Portsmouth. 10 a.m. Dec. 5. 255-8723.
• An Olde Time Christmas Celebration and Open House, strolling musicians, holiday treats, dance and more. Mellen Street in Phoebus, Hampton. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 5. 570-4147.
• Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade, featuring illuminated power boats and sailboats along the downtown Hampton waterfront, 710 Settlers Landing Road. 7:15 p.m. Dec. 5. 727-1276.
• Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination, music, fireworks and candlelit buildings. Entertainment starts at 4:45 p.m. Dec. 6. on outdoor stages in the historic area. The Fifes and Drums signal the beginning of the Grand Illumination at 5:45 p.m. Candles are lit in the buildings and fireworks are launched at 6:15 p.m. (800) HISTORY.
• Downtown Hampton on Ice, skating rink. For hours, visit www.vasc.org or call 727-0900. Virginia Air & Space Center, 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton. Nov. 26-Feb. 28.
• First Light Celebration, celebrate the “Kecoughtan Christmas” with caroling, children’s activities, lecture and more. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Lane. 727-1610.
• Holiday Marketplace, purchase holiday and Kwanzaa gifts while enjoying art and music. Dec. 11. Hampton University Museum, Hampton University. 727-5508.
• Olde Towne Candlelight Home Tour, walking tour of historic Olde Towne Portsmouth including music, decorations and more. 5-9 p.m. Dec. 11, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 12. 943-8088.
• Sing-along the River, community caroling. Song books will be distributed. 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9. TowneBank Fountain Park, alongside Waterside Festival Marketplace, downtown Norfolk. Free. 441-2345.
• Olde Towne Music Festival, with performances, children’s activities, re-enactors in period attire and carolers. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 12 on High Street, in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Children’s parade includes landing by Santa Claus by Fire Boat at High Street Landing around 5:30 p.m. and a parade from High Street Landing to Courthouse Galleries. 393-8481, www.portsvaevents.com.
• All About Hanukkah, share in the holiday tradition with latkes and the dreidel game. 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library, 111 W. Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. 441-1750.
• Celebrate the Light Together, discuss winter light celebrations from various cultures, make an edible menorah, music and lighting of Hanukkah candles. 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, 607 Effingham St., Portsmouth. 391-9266.
• Downtown Smithfield Christmas Parade, 11 a.m. Dec. 12. 357-2214.
• Hampton Holly Days Parade, marching bands, floats, balloons, Santa and more. Begins at Eaton Street and Settlers Landing Road, downtown Hampton. 7 p.m. Dec. 12. 727-6784.
• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, on Market Square, Colonial Williamsburg. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24. (800) HISTORY.
• Kwanzaa Celebration, hosted by Suwabi African Ballet, with dances, mask-making crafts and more.  6 p.m. Dec. 29 . Attucks Theatre, 1010 Church St., Norfolk. 622-4763.

For more events check out our online events calendar.

 Dan Duke, (757) 446-2347,  dan.duke@pilotonline.com