Olde Towne Holiday Lights 2024 – Let the Season Begin
November 15, 2024
Olde Towne Holiday Lights
Schedule of Events
The fun begins at the Middle Street Mall, adjacent to the Children’s Museum of Virginia. Unlike years past when the event was called the Olde Towne Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Marketplace, this year’s event begins at the Mall and ends with Santa arriving at High and Green St aboard a brightly lit Portsmouth Fire Truck. Bagpipers and elves guide you and your family from the Mall to the lighting of the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center and more entertainment, then on to High and Green St to herald Santa’s arrival with music, fountains of light, photos with Santa, and marshmallow roasting. The shops are open late, there’s free hot chocolate and cider, live music, and so much more. Fun for the whole family.
High Street Corridor 5 – 9 pm
Olde Towne Merchants’ Holiday Open House
until 8 PM (or so)– shops open late
Bloom at Night until 8 PM Bloom Market features Portsmouth artists and crafters.
Monumental United Methodist Church 5 – 7:30 pm Coleman Collection Nativity Scene and hot apple cider
Live Music by Don Comer 6:30 – 8 PM Anderson-Wright Rooms and Gardens in the Garden House. Sweets and Cider provided.
Mobile Photo Lab Mobile Photo Lab and the Portsmouth Farmer’s Market are sponsoring up to 100 free, printed family photographs. Up to 50 visitors may choose to get a holiday photo in front of the tree or with the costumed characters (we’re saving the other 50 for photos with Santa) or you can wait and get a photo with Santa later in the evening. Digital photos can be emailed as well. Look for the Photo elf and sign up for your free family photo. (one photo per family)
Holiday Tree Lighting Program 6:00 – 6:30 Enjoy Father Christmas and the Carolers of Christmas Past, and watch the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy light the tree. Don’t be surprised if you even see a little snow!
At 6:45, follow the Portsmouth Pipes, the Gingerbread Man, and Santa’s elves to the next stop
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Lighting 7 – 7:15 pm
Olde Towne Arts and Music Children’s Chorus
Upon arrival, the Children’s sing an original song called “Light Up Olde Towne,” written just for this event. When the song is over, the historic courtyard of the 1846 Courthouse illuminates. It will stay lit every night in anticipation of Winter Wonderland, the Coleman Collection of holiday characters, which opens on November 30.
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch
Under the direction of Olde Towne Arts and Music owner Chris Cushna, the Children’s Chorus and Chris perform the famous song from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Look for the Grinch, Cindy Lou Hoo, and maybe a few others from Hoovile to join in.
The 12 Days of Christmas
The Children’s Chorus closes out the show by asking the audience to join in for a rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas.
Finally, follow the Portsmouth Pipes, the Gingerbread Man, and Santa’s elves to High & Green Street where Santa Lights the Night at 7:30 pm!
High and Green Street for Santa’s Arrival 7:30 – 9 PM
Mobile Photo Lab Mobile Photo Lab and the Portsmouth Farmer’s Market are sponsoring up to 100 free, printed family photographs. Step into Santa’s special tent for a one-on-one with the jolly old elf and have your photo made. At least 50, if not more, printed photos will be taken for free. Digital photos can be emailed as well. Look for the Photo elf and sign up for your free photo with Santa. (one photo per family)
Santa’s Arrival
Santa arrives by fire truck with lights flashing and horns blaring. He steps off the truck greets the crowd and sets off a Fountains of Lights for all to enjoy. He then moves into his special tent where kids of all ages are welcome to have their photo made.
Sparky’s Siren Station Video Gaming Fire Truck It’s a mobile gaming station with a twist. Stop by and play some video games on a real Firetruck!
Roasting Marshmallows with the Gingerbread Man and Santa’s Elves
The Portsmouth Fire Department is on-hand to keep everyone safe. Join Santa’s helpers and roast a marshmallow or two over an open fire.
Hot Chocolate and Hot Cider
Cure Coffeehouse Olde Towne sponsors free hot chocolate and hot apple cider – goes great with roasted marshmallows.
Knockout Food Truck If you’re hungry for more food, just a half block up High Street at Post Secondary Brewing, you’ll find the Knockout Food Truck. The truck is there from 6 -9 PM. Grab a bite and bring it back or take it into the family friendly Post Secondary Brewing and have a moment of adult time while the kids play some games.
Other Activities
Don’t forget to stop by Anderson-Wright Rooms and Gardens to hear Don Comer and his jazz guitar or check out the local shops that stayed open late just for you. Bloom After Dark is happening too!
Make your way back down High Street (towards your car) to one of the restaurants for food and live music. You’ll find live music at Baron’s Pub and Roger Browns.
Olde Towne Holiday Lights 2024 – Let the Season Begin
November 15, 2024
Olde Towne Holiday Lights
Schedule of Events
The fun begins at the Middle Street Mall, adjacent to the Children’s Museum of Virginia. Unlike years past when the event was called the Olde Towne Portsmouth Tree Lighting and Marketplace, this year’s event begins at the Mall and ends with Santa arriving at High and Green St aboard a brightly lit Portsmouth Fire Truck. Bagpipers and elves guide you and your family from the Mall to the lighting of the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center and more entertainment, then on to High and Green St to herald Santa’s arrival with music, fountains of light, photos with Santa, and marshmallow roasting. The shops are open late, there’s free hot chocolate and cider, live music, and so much more. Fun for the whole family.
High Street Corridor 5 – 9 pm
Olde Towne Merchants’ Holiday Open House
until 8 PM (or so)– shops open late
Bloom at Night until 8 PM
Bloom Market features Portsmouth artists and crafters.
Monumental United Methodist Church 5 – 7:30 pm
Coleman Collection Nativity Scene and hot apple cider
Live Music by Don Comer 6:30 – 8 PM
Anderson-Wright Rooms and Gardens in the Garden House. Sweets and Cider provided.
Middle Street Mall 5 – 7 pm
Toys for Tots
Please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots if you’d like to support this charity.
Mobile Photo Lab
Mobile Photo Lab and the Portsmouth Farmer’s Market are sponsoring up to 100 free, printed family photographs. Up to 50 visitors may choose to get a holiday photo in front of the tree or with the costumed characters (we’re saving the other 50 for photos with Santa) or you can wait and get a photo with Santa later in the evening. Digital photos can be emailed as well. Look for the Photo elf and sign up for your free family photo. (one photo per family)
Ongoing Activities
Face painting, fairy hair, kids crafts from That Art Store, enjoy tasty treats from Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes, and The Coffee Shoppe.
Olde Towne Arts & Music Children’s Chorus 5:30 pm
Holiday Tree Lighting Program 6:00 – 6:30
Enjoy Father Christmas and the Carolers of Christmas Past, and watch the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy light the tree. Don’t be surprised if you even see a little snow!
At 6:45, follow the Portsmouth Pipes, the Gingerbread Man, and Santa’s elves to the next stop
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Lighting 7 – 7:15 pm
Olde Towne Arts and Music Children’s Chorus
Upon arrival, the Children’s sing an original song called “Light Up Olde Towne,” written just for this event. When the song is over, the historic courtyard of the 1846 Courthouse illuminates. It will stay lit every night in anticipation of Winter Wonderland, the Coleman Collection of holiday characters, which opens on November 30.
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch
Under the direction of Olde Towne Arts and Music owner Chris Cushna, the Children’s Chorus and Chris perform the famous song from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Look for the Grinch, Cindy Lou Hoo, and maybe a few others from Hoovile to join in.
The 12 Days of Christmas
The Children’s Chorus closes out the show by asking the audience to join in for a rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas.
Finally, follow the Portsmouth Pipes, the Gingerbread Man, and Santa’s elves to High & Green Street where Santa Lights the Night at 7:30 pm!
High and Green Street for Santa’s Arrival 7:30 – 9 PM
Mobile Photo Lab
Mobile Photo Lab and the Portsmouth Farmer’s Market are sponsoring up to 100 free, printed family photographs. Step into Santa’s special tent for a one-on-one with the jolly old elf and have your photo made. At least 50, if not more, printed photos will be taken for free. Digital photos can be emailed as well. Look for the Photo elf and sign up for your free photo with Santa. (one photo per family)
Santa’s Arrival
Santa arrives by fire truck with lights flashing and horns blaring. He steps off the truck greets the crowd and sets off a Fountains of Lights for all to enjoy. He then moves into his special tent where kids of all ages are welcome to have their photo made.
Sparky’s Siren Station Video Gaming Fire Truck
It’s a mobile gaming station with a twist. Stop by and play some video games on a real Firetruck!
Roasting Marshmallows with the Gingerbread Man and Santa’s Elves
The Portsmouth Fire Department is on-hand to keep everyone safe. Join Santa’s helpers and roast a marshmallow or two over an open fire.
Hot Chocolate and Hot Cider
Cure Coffeehouse Olde Towne sponsors free hot chocolate and hot apple cider – goes great with roasted marshmallows.
Knockout Food Truck
If you’re hungry for more food, just a half block up High Street at Post Secondary Brewing, you’ll find the Knockout Food Truck. The truck is there from 6 -9 PM. Grab a bite and bring it back or take it into the family friendly Post Secondary Brewing and have a moment of adult time while the kids play some games.
Other Activities
Don’t forget to stop by Anderson-Wright Rooms and Gardens to hear Don Comer and his jazz guitar or check out the local shops that stayed open late just for you. Bloom After Dark is happening too!
Make your way back down High Street (towards your car) to one of the restaurants for food and live music. You’ll find live music at Baron’s Pub and Roger Browns.