Want to get into the spirit with the family and do something around town this holiday season? Well here are some ideas and events we’ve scooped out for you and the family!

• Start your weekend off with a comforting family afternoon, at the Paint and Sip Tea Parties at the Canvas Cafe in Newport News. This event is a way to spend your Saturday relaxing, unwinding, and following some of your favorite local artists as they lead you in creating your very own masterpieces. At the Canvas Cafe, you can enjoy complimentary tea or coffee out of your free Downing-Gross mug as well as take home your masterpiece to hang on your walls or give it as a gift to someone for the Holidays! Just register for each member; this event takes place December 15th, 2:00-4:oop.m.
• Want to grab a bite? Why not have a Holly Jolly Brunch With Santa!  Visit the Holiday Inn in City Center, enjoy a delicious brunch buffet sure to suit both children and adults of the family. Brunch menu includes a variety of options ranging from Seafood and Salmon, French Toast, Omelettes, BLT Action Station, Hot Chocolate Station, and more. Not only is it just brunch but there are other activities for the children with Santa such as photos and story time as he’ll read, “T’was the Night Before Christmas”, and cookie and ornament decorating. Cost is $32.99 for adults, $16.99 for children, and children under 3 are free. This event starts on December 16 and repeats every Sunday for 2 weeks.
• The popular Hollydazzle Event at City Center has been rebranded this year.  Instead of a one-night fireworks extravaganza, 25 Nights of Lights will extend across multiple weeks with a choreographed light show at the start of every hour from 6-10.  Each weekend will present a different holiday theme.  And with that said, the upcoming weekend’s theme will be snow pets. You may bring your own four-legged family member on a leash or carrier to join the holiday fun. This event includes special activities for pets, animal organization displays, pet merchandise ventures, and pet adoptions. This fun starts at 5:00p.m.  Due to construction at the Ferguson building, there are some changes in the events layout and the green space around to allow more people to enjoy the event.
• Make your way towards the Virginia Living Museum for The Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star taking place in the planetarium. Gain insight into the mysterious star of Bethlehem.   This takes place on the 22nd of December at 6:30 p.m. On that same day you and the family may also be interested in the Holiday Magic Laser Light Show. For this showing classic holiday hits are set to laser lights in the museum’s planetarium.  Shows start at 7:30.
• Don’t forget the Celebration in Lights at Newport News Park.  This million light show is now in it’s 26th year.  Residents who donate a can of food or pet food at the gate will get $2.00 off the entrance fee.