Olde Towne Holiday Lights
November 22 @ 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
From a snowy tree lighting to the arrival of Santa Claus, join us for a progressive lighting of the city.
Festivities begin at 5 PM on the Middle Street Mall (outside the Children’s Museum of Virginai). Christmas music begins at 5. There’s face painting for the kids and lot’s of holiday themed characters walking around to keep you entertained. that Art Store will have make and take activites for the kids too. At 5:30, the Children’s Chorus performs a rendition of Light Up Olde Towne. The official kickoff begins at 6, with a Welcome from the Mayor followed by greetings from Father Christmas and a performance by the Carolers of Christmas Past. Immediatly following, the snow begins to fall and the stage is filled by the Snow Queen and her Sugar Plum Fairies as they light the city’s Official Holiday Tree.
Stick around and take family pictures in front of the tree or with any of the holiday characters, but be ready to follow the bagpipers to the next stop, the Portsmouth Arts & Cultural Center. Here, you’ll meet the Grinch and Little Cindy Lou Hoo. The Children’s Chorus performs again and the magical courtyard of the 1846 Courthouse will be lit in holiday glory.
But wait, the show’s not over yet. Follow the bagpipes up to Green Street where you’ll be treated to a pyrotechnic display and Santa’s arrival on a real Portsmouth Fire Truck, flashing lights, horns, and all! While you’re here, roast some s’mores on an open fire, watch clips from your favorite holiday movies, and most importantly, have your picure made with Santa.
Thanks to the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market, the first 100 commemorative photos are free. Limit one per family. This includes photos at the tree and with any of our holiday characters.
This event is brought to you by the Olde Towne Business Association so many of the shops along the way will be open for you to enjoy. You may even find music and light refreshments in some of them.
The famous Nativity Scene from the Coleman Collection is free and open from 5 – 8 at Monumental Methodist Church on Dinwiddie St if you’d like to take a look.
So bring the family and help us Light up the City!