December Events

1

Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Collection

- December 31 | Visit with some of your favorite animated figures from Coleman’s celebrated Winter Wonderland Collection, Courthouse Galleries, High & Court streets. 757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

• Wednesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Friday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sunday, Noon - 8 p.m.
• Christmas Eve - New Year's Eve, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Closed Monday, Tuesday and Christmas Day

Admission: $2 for adults; $1 for children 2-17; 2 and under free
For Group Reservations please call 757-393-8983

See the Coleman Nursery Nativity Scene

On display at the Monumental United Mthodist Church located at 450 Dinwiddie Street. Viewing hours:
• Friday - 5 - 8 p.m.
• Saturday - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Sunday, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Purchase your 2008 Limited Edition Ornament Today!

The $20.00 limited edition porcelain snowflake ornament will hang on the “Wonderland Tree” in the lobby of the 1846 Courthouse during the 2008 holiday season. These personalized ornaments will honor or memorialize individuals or celebrate a special occasion and may be picked up from the Portsmouth Museums Foundation office to add to your personal collection after the holidays. The proceeds from the ornaments fund the refurbishment of Winter Wonderland: Coleman Collection.
Please call 393-8983 (ext 13) for purchase.

4

Willett Hall Presents Mooseltoe: A New Moosical

Mooseltoe, the moose with a dream, and his friends come to life in this colorful, magical and whimsical musical tale. Follow our hero as he pursues his seemingly impossible dream while learning many valuable lessons along the way - lessons important to us all.
     • 10 a.m. - School Groups (Classroom Teachers Free) / General Public
     • 7 p.m. - General Public
Tickets: General Public: Adult $13.00 Childern Age 1-12 years $11.00
School Groups: Student/Chaperone $8.00 ea. Classroom Teachers Free. Children under 12 months admitted free on lap. School groups contact Willett Hall box office for discounted purchase. Everyone must have a ticket to enter.
Willett Hall Box Office at 393-5144 or online at www.TicketMaster.com

5

First Friday | 5 - 9 p.m.

A stage for local galleries, shops and museums in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne and one of the city’s most popular evening escapes. Free admission. Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173

6

Have your picture taken with Andalo and friends during
Mascot Day at the Children's Museum of Virginia

Andalo, the Children's Museum of Virginia mascot, and guest characters will be on both floors of the museum from 12:30 - 2 p.m. for children to meet and have their pictures taken standing with them. Guest characters include:
   • Captain Chris from Christopher Newport University
   • The Hampton University mascot
   • McGruff from the Portsmouth Police
   • Rip Tide from the Norfolk Tides
   • Towney Bear from Towne Bank
   • Sandy the Sea Turtle from the Virginia Aquarium
   • Rigby the Rhino from the Virginia Zoo

And as an additional treat the Spectrum Puppets will perform in the N2D Gallery, first floor, at 2:00 with their very children friendly production.

But wait, there's more! "Dr. Corey," from the museum staff will present his extremely entertaining and educational health program, "The Awful Icky Yuckies." This program is just the "cure" for what ails you. Come to his office in the N2D Gallery at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for your appointment. And, be sure to take in the seasonal planetarium show, "'tis the Season" which is a very enlightening look at the heavens during this holiday season.

There is no extra charge to meet the mascots and your normal admission price of $6.00, members free, is all you need. The museum is open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presented by the Children's Museum of Virginia, 420 High St. 757-393-5258. www.childrensmuseumva.com

6

Lunch and a Story with Santa

Activities begin at Noon. Package includes Kid Friendly catered luncheon, entertainment and Story reading by “Singing Santa Claus” and puppet show by Spectrum Puppets. Additional activities planned for the day include Teddy Bear Express Train, Merry-Go-Round, Clowns, Face Painting, and make-and-take holiday crafts.
Admission: Adults: $15 | Children $12 Price includes admission to Children’s Museum of Virginia and Courthouse Galleries
Reservations Required. Please Call 393-5258 EXT 10 by December 1

6

Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Always Free Admission & Free Parking! Call 757-405-3500 for additional information.

12 13

Annual Olde Towne Candlelight Home Tour

All locations are beautifully decorated for the holiday season using candlelight, native plants, fruits and flowers. Music and carolers will be featured in many of the homes and along the tour. Rain or shine.
Tickets ($20) will be on sale at Starboards Kiosk, Vincent Hester Gallery, and Way Back Yonder on High Street and the Visitors Center at the North Street Landing
Olde Towne Civic League

13

Annual Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival

A musical tribute to the spirit of the holiday season, enlivening the first seven blocks of High Street with performances, children's activities, reenactors in period attire, carolers, and strolling characters. The festival also includes a Children’s Parade complete with Santa Claus who arrives by Fire Boat at High Street Landing around 5:30 p.m. Santa will then join the parade in a horse-and-buggy from High Street Landing to the Courthouse Galleries Museum. The festival will conclude with a sing-a-long with the “Singing Santa”.

• Download the Official Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival Event Schedule (PDF)

Proud to be named a Top 100 Event of 2008 by the American Bus Association. The Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival is also one of three anchor events for "Holidays in the City," a six-week holiday celebration. Concerts, which range from barbershop harmony and jazz to steel drums and brass ensembles, are staged in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations and in several historic Olde Towne churches.

Other attractions: Olde Towne Candlelight Home Tour, Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection, Holidays Around the World, and Historic Holiday Trolley Tours

> back to top

31

11th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk

Event is free to the public. Walk begins at 3:30 PM at the corner of Queen and Washington Streets. After the tuning of the pipes (about 4 PM) walk continues through Olde Towne to the foot of High Street. Flag raising ceremony Honoring George Washington's raising of the first flag "the Grand Union" on New Year's Day. Singing of Auld Lang Syne to thank the merchants for their work in the holiday season and to wish the community GOOD LUCK in the coming year. Crowd proceeds to the local pubs and restaurants where musicians donate their talents for the venders and customers.
Contact Susan Cocke for more information.

> back to top