Coleman Collection: Portsmouth Cultural Museum

#ad Nostalgia hits hard this time of year, and no place makes me think of being a kid in Hampton Roads like thinking of the Winter Wonderland Coleman Collection at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center. As a kid, I remember both my grandparents taking me on several field trips across the tunnel to see the collection. The display began in 1965 after the owners, Junie and Millie Lancaster, were inspired by the animatronics in Disney's Small World at the New York World's State Fair. It started as a way to bring people into the Coleman Nursery during the winter months. In the 1980s the nursery suffered a horrible fire damaging parts of the collection, but the community rallied and raised donations of money and decorations to help bring it back. It ultimately closed in 2003 and the collection was bought by the City of Portsmouth Museums, where it has been on display every winter at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center since 2004. 

The display takes about six weeks to set up, featuring some of the original animatronics, Christmas decorations, beautifully adorned trees, sparkling lights, enchanting winter scenes, holiday music, and more. Keep an eye out for modern-day surprises hidden throughout (think Minions, How to Train Your Dragon, and other fun touches)! Each year brings new holiday scenes, and the staff creates a special scavenger hunt, which is always our favorite part.

One thing I love about Olde Towne Portsmouth is how easy it is to get there and to find ample free parking. The Winter Wonderland collection is on display now until December 28th, Thursdays 10-4, Fridays 12-8, Saturdays 12-8, and Sundays 10-4. Admission is $3.00 per person, children under 2 are free. Santa is on site Fridays from 5-8, Saturdays 3-8, Sundays 12-4 through December 21st. There are special programs every weekend including face painting, musical performances, art activities, and much more. The Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center is located at 400 High Street.

WinterFest 2026

WinterFest is back and bigger than ever this year! New this year is Kingdom of the Snow Queen, an immersive magical trail through the indoor museum  that we loved so much we walked through it twice. 

We almost made this mistake of missing the Snow Queen's Royal Circus, a 35 minute show with jugglers, magicians, and an aerialist. Shows are at 6:00 and 7:30, plus 9:00 on weekends. You'll also want to say hello the talking Christmas tree and talking polar bear. 

Then, you'll head outside where you'll see over two million lights. People have told me before that they didn't realize you could go down inside the battleship, so make sure you don't miss it! We loved the snowball mayhem section which was outside on the porch of Nauticus, too! 

Along the riverwalk you'll want to see the trees in Town Point Park and the beautiful Pagoda. You can also purchase a combo ticket for a 30 minute ride around the harbor on the Victory Rover. It will allow you to have a great view from the water. 

You'll want to purchase your tickets online to save $3.00. Adults are $22.00, children are $18.00, two and under are free. There is a military discount. You'll select your entrance time within a one hour window. We spent about 3 hours total inside of the museum and the ship itself, plus more time to do the Riverwalk. You don't want to miss this season! 

Night of the Living Museum

We attended Night of the Living Museum for the first time this year an my kids can't wait to go back. Every October, for one weekend only the Living Museum opens from 5:30-8:30 for not-so-creepy crawlies, candy and game stations, themed music and activities, the regular museum exhibits, and a science show. 

Upon entering, you'll see the special Halloween exhibit in the changing exhibit room, full of animals that are sometimes considered "creepy." Think of tarantulas, snakes, lizards, and frogs. From there you'll want to walk around the museum to all of the candy stations and have your passport stamped. Once you fill this out- trade it in for a king size candy bar before you leave the museum. Outside you'll see the walking pathways all lit up and some special Halloween decor by the dinosaurs. You'll want to play the outdoor games and activities on the way to the planetarium or head inside to catch a science show. If you missed this event, but are looking for something similar, be sure to check out

December 19-23rd at the museum 

The Fun Box

 Take this post, and shift it, because The Fun Box is officially BACK in Virginia Beach. With over 25,000 square feet to bounce, this was one of our favorite places we went this year. I love that adults can jump, too, or sit while kids play. The area is fenced in with only one way in and out. Plus, there are timed slots with limited tickets sold. The real selling point for me though is that they have so much staff inside the jumping area itself, making sure that no one gets hurt and cleaning. Check out their introductory $18 tickets before they're gone! 

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Owl Creek Landing

New attraction alert! Tucked right behind the Virginia Aquarium, near the Oceanfront, Own Creek Landing has bragging rights to the longest steel slide in America. To get there, you'll head to the parking lot in the South Building of the Aquarium. (The smaller building) In the parking lot you'll see the signs to follow. Use the bathroom before you head back, as there are none in the park. You'll want to wear close toed shoes. You can bring coolers, but there are limited chairs and picnic tables. You'll also want to bring bug spray. 

The slide is only for ages 7 and up. You'll sit on a mat to ride down after climbing up the first spiral tower in America. Once you've mastered the slide, come back up to head across the 1/3 mile tree walk. You'll walk across hanging bridges throughout the park. We ended our time at the children's play area, which has two swings and a small zipline. 

The park is open Sunday-Thursday from 10-4 and Friday and Saturday from 10-6. Adults 14 and up are $28, youth ages 10-13 are $18, and youth 3-9 are $13. Children 2 and under are free. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.