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Things to do in December 3-9, 2020

December 4th

 

Virtual Civil War Lecture: Commerce Raider CSS Nashville

The Mariners’ Museum and Park - December 4; 12 p.m.
Join us on Friday, December 4 at 12 p.m. for a virtual lecture with author and historian John V. Quarstein! Quarstein will give a presentation live from his home in Hampton, Virginia, about a Confederate commerce raider that entered service as a United States Mail Service ship. Viewers are welcome to send Quarstein any comments or questions during the presentation, and he will answer following his talk. One of the first Confederate commerce raiders, Nashville, entered service in 1853 as a United States Mail Service ship. The USMS Nashville steamed into Charleston harbor during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The ship was taken by the Confederates and commissioned as the side-wheeler CSS Nashville and placed under the command of Lieutenant Robert Pegram. This commerce raider made its first capture, Harvey Birch, just before the steamer made it to Southampton, Great Britain. This made Nashville the first warship to fly the Confederate flag in Britain. After several escapes from Southampton, Beaufort, North Carolina, and Georgetown, South Carolina, Nashville made it to Savannah, Georgia, where the side-wheeler would eventually be destroyed. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222. Click here for more information.

December 5th

Natural Wreath Making Workshop

Endview Plantation - December 5; 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Adorn a grapevine wreath with period embellishments at this popular workshop. The $15.00 fee includes the wreath and all materials plus a guided holiday-themed tour of Endview. The event is co-sponsored by the Peninsula Master Naturalists. Masks are required for all participants and social distancing measures will be in place. 362 Yorktown Road, 757-887-1862. Click here for more information.

 

December 6th

Bird Walk

Newport News Park - December 6; 7 a.m.

Join other bird enthusiasts and enjoy viewing birds in their natural habitat. No experience necessary! The group meets in Picnic Area 1, behind the ranger station at Newport News Park, but may drive to other areas of the park during the program. Dress for the weather, bring water and hand sanitizer, and don't forget your binoculars! When you get home, share your best photos with us on Instagram. Use #nnvirtualbirdwalk and #nnparks for possible feature! You can also post them here in this event. Co-hosted by the Hampton Roads Bird Club. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333. Click here for more information.

December 7th

Virtual Maritime Mondays

The Mariners’ Museum and Park - December 7; 1 p.m.
Fun for both children and caregivers, enjoy an interactive book reading with Lauren Furey, manager of visitor engagement. Designed for children from 18 months to 8 years, Lauren takes you and your little champions on a journey to show how we are all connected to the world’s waters. Be sure to register in advance, and join us for a new book every week! 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222. Click here for more information

December 8th

 

The Gift of Giving

Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center - December 8; 10 a.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with a free small gift from your friends at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. RSVP is required! Happy Holidays from DGCAC! Although this has been a tough year, it's never too late to spread holiday cheer. Join us for The Gift of Giving, our holiday giveaway. Starting Tuesday, December 8th, we will be giving out treats and make-and-take crafts to provide kids with their first gift of the holiday season. There will also be a photo-op for families to make a memory. This is our small way of wishing you all a happy holiday. 2410 Wickham Avenue, 757-247-8950, Click here for more information.

Natural Wreath Making Workshop

Endview Plantation - December 8; 10 a.m.

Adorn a grapevine wreath with period embellishments at this popular workshop. The $15.00 fee includes the wreath and all materials plus a guided holiday-themed tour of Endview. The event is co-sponsored by the Peninsula Master Naturalists. Masks are required for all participants and social distancing measures will be in place. 362 Yorktown Road, 757-887-1862. Click here for more information.

 

 

25 Mics Online- Monthly Free Open Mic

Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center - December 8; 7 p.m.

Join us in this positive space to let your creativity shine! Hosted by the incredible Nina Brewton, 25 Mics is a warm and welcoming experience for everyone! RSVP is appreciated but not required. 2410 Wickham Avenue, 757-247-8950, Click here for more information.

December 9th

The Gift of Giving

Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center - December 9; 10 a.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with a free small gift from your friends at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. RSVP is required! Happy Holidays from DGCAC! Although this has been a tough year, it's never too late to spread holiday cheer. Join us for The Gift of Giving, our holiday giveaway. Starting Tuesday, December 8th, we will be giving out treats and make-and-take crafts to provide kids with their first gift of the holiday season. There will also be a photo-op for families to make a memory. This is our small way of wishing you all a happy holiday. 2410 Wickham Avenue, 757-247-8950, Click here for more information.

Speakers’ Bureau: The Hundred Year Race (Virtual)

The Mariners’ Museum and Park - December 9; 1 p.m.
Join us online with Dan Wood, a docent at The Mariners’ Museum and Park, when he presents on the origins of USS United States which was built in 1950–51 in Newport News and considered a technological marvel of its day. Viewers are welcome to send Dan comments or questions, which he will answer following the lecture. For over a century, steamship companies from Europe and North America competed for a much-coveted prize that never officially existed – the “Blue Riband.” It was an accolade for the fastest sea journey between two places for a passenger liner between New York and Southampton, specifically the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean. The list of title-holders is dominated by European ships, many of them truly legendary, but in the end the record remains with SS United States. Built in Newport News, this sprinting giant set a record that has not been beaten by another transatlantic passenger ship since its maiden voyage in 1952. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222. Click here for more information.

Continuing Events

 

Holidays at Endview

Endview Plantatio - Continuing through December 31

Learn about historical holiday customs on a guided tour of the house. Greenery and period decorations add a festive seasonal touch to the historic home’s interior. The holiday tour is included with regular admission. 362 Yorktown Road, 757-887-1862. Click here for more information.

 

Lee Hall Mansion’s Christmas Through the Ages

Lee Hall Mansion - Continuing through December 31

Learn about the origins of holiday traditions while exploring nineteenth and twentieth century period decorated rooms set amidst the splendor of the Victorian Era. The holiday tour is included with regular admission. 163 Yorktown Road, 757-888-3371. Click here for more information.

 

Lights at the Fountain

City Center at Oyster Point - Continuing through January 1

Step into a winter wonderland at City Center Fountain Plaza with festive decorations and dazzling lights. Every half hour (from 5 to 9 p.m.), enjoy a show with lights and falling “snow,” set to holiday music. Be sure to take photos at the “Instagram-able Moments” sites around the fountain. 701 Town Center Drive, 757-873-2020. Click here for more information.

 

Celebration in Lights

Newport News Park - Continuing through January 1

Celebration in Lights, Virginia’s first drive-through holiday light event, opens for its 28th season on Thanksgiving night (November 26, 2020). Newport News Park will be transformed by over a million individual lights, creating animated holiday and fanciful scenes. For its 28th year, the event will add new magical trees and upgrade the entrance arch in the Santa’s Enchanted Kingdom area, add candy theme display pieces and upgrade the brightness of the bulbs in the Candyland area, add additional deer display pieces and 3D trees to the deer arch area, and upgrade the rope lighting at the event entrance. The event will be open each evening, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m., through January 1, 2021. This year, admission on weeknights (Monday – Thursday) will be $12.00 per car, a savings of $3.00 off the weekend night (Friday – Sunday) rate of $15.00 per car. Additionally, advance purchase tickets (good any night) can be purchased for $10.00 at the Newport News Visitor Center at Newport News Park. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333. Click here for more information.

 

Nature Nights Holiday Lights

Virginia Living Museum - Continuing through January 2; weekend days

Enter an outdoor trail glittering with lights and holiday spirit. Take a nature walk on the outdoor trail and through the Dinosaur Discovery Trail village!  This new experience is right in time for the holidays and is sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit. Receive a candy cane treat, cookies and cocoa. Cost: VLM Members $9/ Non-Members $12 – ages 2 and under are free. ADD your own Glow! Light up toys and wearables available for purchase. Credit card only. NOTE: all COVID-19 CDC recommendations will be enforced – social distancing observed on trail. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900. Click here for more information.