Picture yourself in Virginia Beach during the holidays. Sure, it might be a tad too cold to go swimming in the ocean, and many summer-focused businesses may be closed along our boardwalk during the holiday season, but there’s so much to do, see and enjoy in Virginia Beach in December, that we hope you’ll come here to celebrate this most joyous of seasons with your loved ones.

The ocean is a beautiful sight any time of the year. Perhaps even more so during the winter months. Why? Fewer people and a soft, diffused light twinkling on the waves. Bundle up even more so than you might if you were just walking around town (the sea breeze can make if feel all the colder) and enjoy the utter beauty of the sea and sand in December.

Many of us want to understandably get the absolutely perfect gift for the people we love. Not the cookie-cutter sweaters at the mall for us! Instead, we look for gifts that are as unique as our friends and family members. That’s why the Christmas Market is such a great place to shop each year.

The market features more than 250 fine artisans and skilled craftspeople from more than 20 states. Held indoors at the Virginia Beach Convention Center (all the better to keep the cold weather outside….outside!), the Market has been voted as one of the best arts and crafts shows in the country since 1996 by the readers of Sunshine Artist Magazine. Crafts and fine art available for purchase include jewelry, paintings, pottery, wood toys, photography, fiber arts, stained glass, and thousands upon thousands of unique and delightful Christmas collectibles.

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without lights. If you love holiday lights as much as we do, then you’ll delight in viewing the annual 100 Miles of Lights event in Virginia Beach and other Virginia cities from the capital (Richmond) to the sea. (Participating cities also include Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.) You’ll be able to walk or drive-through holiday light displays that feature a total of more than two million colorful lights. The lights provide a lovely backdrop to a variety of events in the participating cities, including lighted boat parades, the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg, parades, living history re-enactments, city festivals, and more.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach is not to be missed at any time of the year. The festivities really kick up a notch during the holidays. Bring your children for Sailing with Santa (a 45-minute cruise on Owl Creek, complete with refreshments and the chance to meet with the Jolly Old Elf himself), watching Santa swim with the fishes (in the Aquarium), and a family-friendly countdown to New Year’s Day. You’ll need to eat while you enjoy all that Virginia Beach offers during the holidays.

No matter what you’re looking for, Virginia Beach delivers. Our world-class restaurants aoffer you and your loved ones the chance to eat food from all over the world, as well as seafood, vegetarian delights, good old American hamburgers and even fare from Colonial times.

Book your holiday vacation in Virginia Beach today!