Christmas break 2026Virginia Beach–Norfolk · Hampton Roads

Christmas break with kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk, 2026.

What to do with kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: three say they’re open on Christmas Day and three on New Year’s Day. Plus three dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

The quick answersChecked
Open on Christmas Day?Virginia Aquarium, Dominion Energy Garden of Lights and 1 more.3 of 3 openAnything on Christmas Eve?Nothing posted yet.Not yetDec 26–30?Dominion Energy Garden of Lights and 2 more.3 runningNew Year’s Day?Open: Virginia Aquarium, Dominion Energy Garden of Lights.3 open

Last checked · 3 places checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1

What’s open over Christmas in Hampton Roads

Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.

PlaceDec 24Dec 25Jan 1Source
Virginia AquariumTheir page says: “Daily 9am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 25: closedNew Year’s DayOpenNot listedHours page ↗ · Oct 28
Dominion Energy Garden of LightsTheir page says: “Every evening Nov 6 – Jan 3, including holidays”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 25: openNew Year’s DayOpenOpen New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; runs through Jan 3Hours page ↗ · Oct 28
Virginia ZooTheir page says: “Daily 9:30am–4pm, last admission 3pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 24 and Dec 25: closedNew Year’s DayOpenClosed on New Year’s DayHours page ↗ · Oct 29

“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.

Day by day

The break, one day at a time

Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.

Christmas Eve

Thursday, Dec 24. Many places close early, so check each card’s times.

Nothing posted for Christmas Eve yet. Places post their plans in December, and we add them as they do.

The days in between

Saturday, Dec 26 to Wednesday, Dec 30. Light displays and holiday rinks still running.
Nov6to Jan 3

Dominion Energy Garden of Lights

Norfolk Botanical Garden · 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA 23518

When
Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Every evening, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; open until 8:15pm on value nights, 9:15pm on popular nights
Price
Value nights: adults $24, kids 3–12 $15; popular nights: adults $30, kids $18; under 3 free; $5 more at the gate

Good to know: A one-mile walking loop that works with strollers and wagons; double strollers have to fold to get through Baker Hall. The elves roam on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8, and Nov 12 is holiday-pajama night.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov20to Jan 3

Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center · 717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

When
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Timed entries at 5, 6 and 7:30pm
Price
Adults $19–$22, kids 3–12 $12–$15, plus fees; Twilight Hour costs more; walk-ups add $10

Good to know: A new walking trail of seven themed areas on the aquarium grounds, replacing the old Holiday Lights at the Beach drive. Strollers are allowed. The 5pm Twilight Hour gets early entry, lighter crowds and an ornament, and Santa photos are sold on site in Glowing Grove. Military families pay less on Monday nights.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec 31. Noon countdowns and early celebrations (the full list is on our Noon Year’s Eve page).

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan 1.
Nov6to Jan 3

Dominion Energy Garden of Lights

Norfolk Botanical Garden · 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA 23518

When
Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Every evening, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; open until 8:15pm on value nights, 9:15pm on popular nights
Price
Value nights: adults $24, kids 3–12 $15; popular nights: adults $30, kids $18; under 3 free; $5 more at the gate

Good to know: A one-mile walking loop that works with strollers and wagons; double strollers have to fold to get through Baker Hall. The elves roam on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8, and Nov 12 is holiday-pajama night.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov20to Jan 3

Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center · 717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

When
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Timed entries at 5, 6 and 7:30pm
Price
Adults $19–$22, kids 3–12 $12–$15, plus fees; Twilight Hour costs more; walk-ups add $10

Good to know: A new walking trail of seven themed areas on the aquarium grounds, replacing the old Holiday Lights at the Beach drive. Strollers are allowed. The 5pm Twilight Hour gets early entry, lighter crowds and an ornament, and Santa photos are sold on site in Glowing Grove. Military families pay less on Monday nights.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Open on New Year’s Day: Virginia Aquarium, Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, Virginia Zoo.

Rainy-day backup

Indoor places to try

These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Virginia Beach

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

My Gym Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach (Laskin Rd)

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Hampton Roads

November: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in Hampton RoadsFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in Hampton RoadsIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in Hampton RoadsBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchThanksgiving weekend in Hampton RoadsParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Hampton RoadsKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Hampton RoadsParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Hampton RoadsBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Hampton RoadsChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in Hampton RoadsDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas break in Virginia Beach–Norfolk: the FAQ

Virginia Aquarium (Dec 25: closed), Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Dec 25: open), Virginia Zoo (Dec 24 and Dec 25: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.

Virginia Aquarium (Not listed), Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; runs through Jan 3), Virginia Zoo (Closed on New Year’s Day).

On the calendar for Jan 1: Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium and Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium and Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Hampton Roads, through the holidays.

Virginia Beach–Norfolk skyline