Norfolk's Grand Illumination Norfolk, Virginia is decorated for the holidays this season! Festivities begin with the Grand Illumination of the Downtown Norfolk skyline, where over a thousand voices line along the parade route. Holiday Events you don't want to miss! WINTERFEST ABOARD Norfolk Botanical MAcarthur THE BATTLESHIP Garden - Garden of Lights on ice WISCONSIN Day 1 Norfolk’s historic houses are decorated for the holidays. The Hunter House Victorian Museum, rich in architectural detail displays the Hunter family’s collection of furnishings and decorative pieces decorated up for a Victorian Christmas. The Moses Myers House, an elegant federal period home dating back to 1792, was built by one of Norfolk’s first Jewish residents and is decorated for Hanukkah. Savor dinner at the historic Omar’s Carriage House, whose original patrons were horses! Converted to a restaurant in the1940s by Virginia Bruce Roper, Omar’s is sure to please. End the day with Winterfest on the Wisconsin is a dazzling light trail with over 250,000 lights. Interior "Winterfest" tour, Santa sightings, and a lighted sailboat parade. Or enjoy a holiday performance at the Wells Theatre presented by the Virginia Stage Company. Located in downtown Norfolk the Wells Theatre was built by Jake Wells in 1901. Day 2 Stroll through 5,000 years of art history at the Chrysler Museum of Art, home to Walter Chrysler Jr.’s world-class collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art. The museum features a world-renowned Tiffany- glass collection, Art Nouveau furniture, and works of art from African, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, Islamic and Asian cultures. Customize a guided tour to fit your group’s theme. Experience the art of glass with a glass blowing demonstration in their new Perry Glass Studio! Holiday shopping and lunch are a must at Selden Market, inspired shops from Norfolk's emerging small businesses. Discover one-of-a-kind retail, food, and more in the historic Selden Arcade. After lunch, celebrate the holidays by participating in MacArthur Center’s outdoor winter carnival complete with MacArthur on Ice, an ice skating rink right in the middle of downtown. Or discover over 20 local artists and their studios with a guided tour of d’ART Center in Norfolk’s NEON Arts District. The d’ART Center is an environment where working artists engages the public through the experience of art and the creative process. End the afternoon by exploring The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, an early 20th-century residence surrounded by twelve acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands. Guided tours of the museum are conducted daily and last approximately 45 minutes. Enjoy your evening aboard the Spirit of Norfolk for their Grand Illumination Early Dinner Cruise from 3:30 PM to 6 PM. Start off your festivities with great food, a great view from the water, and great entertainment. End your evening with Norfolk’s Grand Illumination Parade that kicks off at 7pm. Enjoy front-row seats in “Street Seats” and watch floats, bands, balloons, and dance teams light up the Norfolk skyline. Or experience “Garden of Lights” at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, by foot through the magic of the gardens 2.5 miles of the twinkling light display. Day 3 Enjoy your day the mermaid way! Spend the afternoon strolling through Historic Ghent to find that perfect gift in an antique market and specialty shops. Stop for lunch on Colley Avenue or 21st Street and experience local cuisine. Do not forget to take home some Virginia wine for a gift or holiday party at the Mermaid Winery. The wine-making process can be viewed from the tasting bar where you can enjoy their creations. Have you admired the mermaid statues around Norfolk? Mermaid Factory offers handmade miniature Norfolk mermaid statues, painted or ones you can paint-on-your-own. The perfect souvenir or holiday gift to take home from your visit to the Mermaid City! Holiday shopping is not complete yet! Start saving at the Norfolk Premium Outlets. Stores including brands like Michael Kors, Under Armour, A X Armani Exchange, offering savings of 25% to 65% every day. Mel Hopper Associate Director of Tour & Travel Phone: 1.800.368.3097 - Email: [email protected] visitnorfolk.com.