Events

The Hampton Roads Bird Club has monitored the bird population of Newport News Park since 1965. Join club volunteers in the Picnic Area I parking lot every first and third Sunday of the month for some early morning birding. Be prepared to car pool to several areas in the park. Beginners are welcome. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. Free. First and third Sunday each month.

 Kids can come and enjoy painting in our Hands On For Kids Gallery and enjoy different activities every Tuesday and Friday each week. Designed for children of all ages, accompanied by an adult, the Gallery is open daily for self-directed activities. Call for activity schedule, program hours and registration information. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6.00; children (6-12), $4.00. 

The second Wednesday of every month, we’ll share a story at the Discovery Center then take a short walk to look for things we just read about. Dress for the weather. For pre-school children and their caregivers. Free.

The third Saturday of the month is always “story time” at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear an animal-related story and see a live animal presentation. Recommended for ages 2 and up. Included in regular admission. Adults, $17; children (3-12), $13.

Enjoy a changing array of live music and activities. Light hors d’oeuvres. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Third Thursday each month.

Each Wednesday, enjoy the freshest local seasonal produce, a variety of pasture-raised and grass-fed meats, poultry and seafood, plus flowers, herbs, baked goods, sauces, salsas and hand-made soaps and lotions. Hand-crafted items, including candles, candles, pottery, handbags, art and accessories are also for sale. Free; items for sale. No market October 6.

Kids, come see what the park naturalists have going on at the Discovery Center. Activities may include crafts, games or nature walk for the whole family. Free.

Each Saturday, enjoy park interpretation and discussion on a 40-minute ride (8 pm, 9 pm or 10 pm) through the campground and bikeway. Complimentary tickets are available at the Campsite Office 30 minutes prior to each ride. Space is limited. All participants must be present to receive a ticket. Free, with ticket.

It’s a dinosaur summer in Newport News! Stomping, roaring, robotic dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals come alive with Dinosaurs & More! an all-new exciting exhibit from Kokoro, the inventor of robotic dinosaurs. See your favorite dinosaurs: the mighty T-Rex and the gentle Apatosaurus mother and baby. Watch a Maiasaura mother tend her nest filled with hatching eggs. See the bird-like Pteranodon soar above and watch a head-butting Pachycephalosaur. Then enter the Ice Age and meet the mighty mammals that succeeded the dinosaurs as the dominant species on Earth: the Saber-tooth Cat, Baluchitherium and Woolly Mammoth. The Virginia Living Museum is will have extended Sunday hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 20 to August 8.

We’ve thrown open the vaults and are bringing out an alphabetical assortment of rarities, oddities and masterpieces, including some never-before-seen artifacts from our 76 years of collecting. Museum hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

It’s a dinosaur summer in Newport News! Stomping, roaring, robotic dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals come alive with Dinosaurs & More! an all-new exciting exhibit from Kokoro, the inventor of robotic dinosaurs. See your favorite dinosaurs: the mighty T-Rex and the gentle Apatosaurus mother and baby. Watch a Maiasaura mother tend her nest filled with hatching eggs. See the bird-like Pteranodon soar above and watch a head-butting Pachycephalosaur. Enter the Ice Age and meet the mighty mammals that succeeded the dinosaurs as the dominant species on Earth: the Saber-tooth Cat, Baluchitherium and Woolly Mammoth.Included in regular admission. Adults, $17; children (3-12), $13. May 29 – September 6; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended Sunday hours (June 20-August 8) hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What was the world like before, during, and after the dinosaurs ruled the earth?  Explore the ancient world filled with amazing creatures while you discover more about dinosaurs and their neighbors. Included in regular admission. Adults, $17; children (3-12), $13. Times vary; call for specific days and times.

Grab a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, a chair or a blanket and come out for a great night of music and entertainment with some of today’s top local and regional bands in a family-friendly atmosphere. Scheduled bands include: Rhythm Kings (June 2); Josh Walker Quartet (June 9); Winds of Grass (June 16); Neversink (June 23); USAF Blue Aces (June 30); Mercy Creek (July 7); Soul Army (July 14); Adrian Duke (July 21); Retros (July 28); Planet Full of Blues (August 4); Sonya Lorelle (August 11); Pete Frostic JamGrass (August 18); Muckrakes (August 25); USAF Satellite (September 1); William Walter & Tucker Rogers (September 8); Quatro Na Bossa (September 15) and Slapwater (September 22). Free.

The first Saturday of each month, extra fun is in store for children when they create their own clever crafts in the galleries of The Mariners' Museum. Included in regular admission. Adults, $12; AAA members, military, students, $11; seniors, $10; children (6-12), $7.

This new exhibit will focus on “outsider” art. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Featuring research by University of South Carolina Professor Craig Kridel from his recent “Black High School Study,” the exhibit includes personal memorabilia from members of the Huntington High School Alumni Association. Free admission to opening reception (Saturday, July 31, noon to 2 p.m.). Adults, $2 suggested donation.

This art exhibit features new work and some old favorites by the Newport News native and Huntington High School alumnae. Free admission to opening reception (Saturday, July 31, noon to 2 p.m.). Adults, $2 suggested donation.

Enjoy four different shows! Virginia Skies, an interactive program with a staff astronomer taking you on a tour of the current skies; The Zula Patrol, explores weather on the planets, Dinosaur Prophecy explores the life and death of the dinosaurs and Laser Pop has pop music from every era.  $4 plus museum admission; adults, $17; children (3-12), $13. (Daily); Call for show information.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the library’s treasures. This month’s “discovery” is Find Art, presented by Tom Moore. Free.

Enjoy this family-friendly night of free music outdoors with the orchestra. Bring your family and your friends; bring your picnic baskets, beach chairs and blankets. Be prepared for a few surprises. There is John Williams’ Star Wars Suite; Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee; Broadway highlights from Evita and Gypsy and Tchaikovsky’s stirring 1812 Overture. Free; food and beverages for sale.

Explore the evening woods with a park ranger. Meet at the Campsite Office. Free.

Author James Craig discusses his biography, Frank Vining Smith, Rediscovered Master Painter of the New England Shore. Included in regular admission. Adults, $12; AAA members, military, students, $11; seniors, $10; children (6-12), $7.

In February 2009, VLM Educator Judy Molnar traveled to two monarch butterfly overwintering sites in Michoacán, Mexico. One highlight of this week-long journey was the wonder and awe of being surrounded by literally millions of butterflies. Share Judy’s experience, learn about some of the complex land management issues in the Monarch Bioreserves and find out what you can do to help conserve this butterfly’s unique migration lifestyle. Members, $5, non-members, $7. Advance registration required.

After a long, hot summer, it’s finally time to welcome back JoAnn Falletta as she celebrates her 20th season with the Virginia Symphony. This opening weekend will keep you on the edge of your seat. Not only will you be carried away with Tchaikovsky’s passionate and colorful Fifth Symphony, but you’ll also be captivated by our guest violinist Chee Yun’s performance of Glazunov’s Violin Concerto. It will be an opening weekend that will surely keep you asking for more! $20 to $65.

Explore the wonders of Lake Maury with two new kayak adventures: Family Morning Kayak on Lake Maury (August 14) and Bird-Watchers Kayak Program (September 11). Members, $30; non-members, $40. Limited to 16 participants. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Times vary, call for details.