With it being halfway to Christmas, let’s talk about some of our favorite things to do during the Christmas Season in the Virginia Beach area. Since we’ve been a navy family we’ve celebrated Christmas in 3 different locations.
1. San Antonio, Texas
2. San Diego, California
3. Virginia Beach, VA.
Our last two Christmases were spent in Virginia Beach and I thought it would be fun for any families potentially heading to the east coast’s biggest beach soon to know some great ways to spend your holidays here.
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
During the regular season the botanical gardens are gorgeous to look at. With amazing botany, wildlife and architecture it’s truly a feat to appreciate. It’s during the Christmas season though that it becomes even more of something to behold. Throughout the garden there is an amazing light display to walk through. Along the trail there is also fun food trucks to get snacks at on the way. We had a ton of fun watching our son be astonished by the lights.
The Nauticus
The USS Wisconsin is a former Iowa class battleship. During the regular season it’s a historic site for tourists to visit and see, but during the Christmas season, the top deck is covered with lights and the museum to go to the ship had both a talking tree our son was fond off and a train set with which trains being our son’s current obsession, he loved.
Virginia Beach Christmas Parade
Each year Virginia Beach puts on a holiday parade in the early December time, I would definitely check it out. It has all the local heroes. Karate dojo’s, boyscouts, and the boys in blue and it even ends with Santa clause like the Macy’s day parade.
Virginia Beach Lights on the Beach
During December Virginia Beach doesn’t have many people playing in the sand or ocean. To compensate Virginia Beach has a drive through light display that’s right next to the shore on the sidewalk. You’ll drive under light up sharks and go through flashing tunnels, among other things.
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA
While Busch Gardens is in Williamsburg, which is technically an hour and some change from Virginia Beach it has a great atmosphere for Christmas. Lights all around and a train ride that will take you though Christmas town. Along with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer merch and their Clydesdale horses and wolves are out to play. And I’m almost forgot their great baked goods throughout the park. It’s a super fun atmosphere during Christmas town at Busch gardens and if you can go there during your time in Virginia I’d highly recommend it.
Adventures by Begley 