# Christmas lights in Virginia Beach–Norfolk for little kids, 2026

> Five Christmas light displays in and around Virginia Beach–Norfolk have 2026 dates: 1 drive-thru and 4 walk-throughs. Two are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 6 p.m. at Town Center Grand Illumination. They’re spread over three areas, with the most in Norfolk.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 5 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
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## Drive-thru Christmas lights

- **Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall** at Chesapeake City Hall, 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. When: Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: 5–9pm nightly. Price: No price listed on the city’s page. A drive-through light display of holiday scenes, seen from your car. Official page: https://cityofchesapeake.net/809/Deck-the-Hall-Fa-La-La-Land

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **Dominion Energy Garden of Lights** at 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. 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: https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/dominion-energy-garden-lights/
- **Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium** at 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. 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: https://beacheventsvb.com/event/holiday-trail-of-lights/
- **Grand Illumination Parade** at Downtown Norfolk, Downtown Norfolk, Norfolk, VA 23510. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Time: 7pm. Price: Free. The 40th parade, themed Ruby Radiance, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Official page: https://www.downtownnorfolk.org/event/the-40th-annual-grand-illumination-parade
- **Town Center Grand Illumination** at Town Center Fountain Plaza, Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5–6pm. Price: Free. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive for the tree lighting, and elves hand out free hot chocolate while it lasts. From 6pm and through December, families can visit Santa in a life-size snow globe. Parking in Town Center is always free. Official page: https://www.cbda.net/events/town-center-grand-illumination-2026/

## Light displays that come back every year

- [Dominion Energy Garden of Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/events/dominion-energy-garden-of-lights-norfolk-botanical/): next dates Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- [Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/events/holiday-trail-of-lights-at-the-virginia-aquarium-marine-science-center/): next dates Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- [Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/events/deck-the-hall-at-chesapeake-city-hall/): next dates Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
- [Town Center Grand Illumination](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/events/town-center-grand-illumination-fountain-plaza/): next dates Nov 28, 2026

## More holiday outings in Virginia Beach–Norfolk

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/nutcracker/index.md): 4 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Virginia Beach–Norfolk](https://littlesweekly.com/virginia-beach-norfolk/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Virginia Beach–Norfolk?
Yes. Grand Illumination Parade and Town Center Grand Illumination are free in 2026.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Virginia Beach–Norfolk?
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium (Adults $19–$22, kids 3–12 $12–$15, plus fees; Twilight Hour costs more; walk-ups add $10); Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (Value nights: adults $24, kids 3–12 $15; popular nights: adults $30, kids $18; under 3 free; $5 more at the gate). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. One of the 5 displays can be driven: Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall. Walk-throughs (four here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Virginia Beach–Norfolk? We have an early bedtime.
The earliest evening starts: Town Center Grand Illumination at 6 p.m., Grand Illumination Parade at 7 p.m. and Holiday Trail of Lights at the Virginia Aquarium at 7:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
Little ones get in free at Dominion Energy Garden of Lights (under 3 free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).