Virginia Living Museum November December calendar
Through Nov. 22 Fall Planetarium Shows
Choose among three shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Two fish must touch the moon to save their home in “Kaluoka’hina,” showing Wednesday through Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Explore the mysterious world of the former smallest planet in “The Pluto Show” at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies,” showing Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.
Thru Dec. 23 Wild Gifts for the Holidays
The Virginia Living Museum’s Wild Things Museum Store introduces “Wild Gifts for the Holidays,” a collection of unusual and affordable nature-related items for all ages, including eco-friendly clothing, plush toys, and stationery. Favorites include easy reader books, learning games, socks and hoodies, cuddly stuffed animals, home decor and hand-made jewelry - all themed to reflect Virginia’s native wildlife. Many items are unique, being created especially for the museum. All proceeds benefit the Virginia Living Museum.
Dec 12 Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Take a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the planetarium dome. Laseropolis (family) at 8:30 p.m. is a mind-blowing mix of music and equally dazzling laser effects The sixties are back, and they are as psychedelic as ever in Laser Doors (hard rock) at 10 p.m. Pink Floyd’s The Wall is at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6.
Nov. 21 & Every 3rd Saturday Story Time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear a nature-related story. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Nov. 25 Turkey Pardoning
For the sixth year, the Virginia Living Museum will celebrate the long and healthy life of its wild turkeys during the annual Turkey Pardoning, Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. Newport News Mayor McKinley Price will pardon the turkeys during a brief ceremony on the outdoor trail beside the Turkey/Deer Habitat. There will be turkey-related crafts and objects on display. Activities 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is included in regular admission. The turkey exhibit is sponsored by the Colonial Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Nov. 25-29 50 cent Star of Wonder
In celebration of the Virginia Living Museum’s 50th anniversary, tickets for “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star” have been reduced to 50 cents (plus museum admission) for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The planetarium opened for the holiday season in 1965, becoming the first part of the Peninsula Junior Nature Museum and Planetarium.. Retrace the steps of the Magi in this holiday classic. Shows at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 and 27-29. Seats are limited.
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31 Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star
Experience the journey of the Magi around you in the Virginia Living Museum’s state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater! Since 1965, the museum has journeyed in the footsteps of the Magi. Over the years, the scientific thinking has changed, archeology has revealed new clues, and our understanding of who the magi might actually have been has grown. The show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the Magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. Days and times vary. Nov. 25-29, 50 cents plus museum admission, Nov. 30-Dec. 31 $4 in addition to museum admission. Detailed schedule at thevlm.org. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25.
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31 Holiday Magic
Kick off your holiday season at the Virginia Living Museum with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers including Bing Crosby’s’ “White Christmas,” The Russian Dance from the “Nutcracker,” and “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above. Days and times vary. $4 in addition to museum admission. Detailed schedule at thevlm.org. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25.
Nov. 28 Holiday Evening in the Planetarium
Experience the journey of the Magi around you in the Virginia Living Museum’s “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star.” Presented since 1965, the show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.! Get into the holiday spirit with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above. See “Star of Wonder” at 6:30 p.m. and “Holiday Magic” at 7:30 p.m. Shows $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members.
Dec. 3 Homeschool Morning
The Virginia Living Museum offers homeschool students ages K through grade 12 a morning of fun and engaging programs that highlight important natural and space science concepts. Four programs are available for grades K-6. An environmental science lab, amphibians and reptiles, is available for grades 6-12. All programs are curriculum and grade-level targeted and taught by the museum’s professional educators. All programs include a self-guided visit of museum exhibits and are offered at a discount to homeschool families. Admission is $12 for adults accompanying homeschool students. For homeschool students taking the self-guided visit with no programs, admission is $7; classroom programs are $9.75 per child, the lab is $11.75 per child. Parents may accompany children into the programs at no additional charge. Register by Dec. 1 at 757-595-9135 or thevlm.org. Time: 9 a.m.-noon, the museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 19 Holiday Evening in the Planetarium
Experience the journey of the Magi around you in the Virginia Living Museum’s “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star.” Presented since 1965, the show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.! Get into the holiday spirit with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above. See “Star of Wonder” at 6:30 p.m. and “Holiday Magic” at 7:30 p.m. Shows $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members.
Dec. 27-30 Rainbow Puppets
The popular Rainbow Puppets returns to the Virginia Living Museum with two shows sponsored by the Newport News Arts Commission. Shows are included in museum admission.
“Winter Wildlife” at noon and 2 p.m. is a musical revue that highlights creatures found in our area and around the world… especially during the winter months. Meet a Barred Owl, Blue Heron, Great White Egret, River Otters and Wolves in original songs and stories. A highlight is a musical re-telling of “Little Red Riding Hood.” This time, Little Red is planning to share some holiday cheer with her Grandmother when she is confronted by an evil wolf.
“Take a Giant Leap” at 1 and 3 p.m. uses original songs, dance and puppets to look at animals in the sky and space exploration. Imagined creatures in the sky come to life… singing original songs and encouraging the audience to join along in dance. The show progresses from looking into the sky to actually flying in the sky, first in airplanes and then in rocket ships that take us into space. The highlight is a five foot tall astronaut landing on the moon and then encouraging us to take a giant leap… perhaps one day to Mars.
Dec. 31 Noon Year’s Eve
The whole family can enjoy this sixth-annual daytime New Year’s celebration at the Virginia Living Museum. This year's event is space-themed as the museum turns back the clock to the 1960s Race for Space to launch a year-long 50th anniversary celebration. Dress as an astronaut or your favorite space alien. Enjoy NASA space exhibits and meet members of area Science Fiction groups. Meet Bubbles the Clown and special animal friends from the Teeny Tiny Farm. Make crafts, play games, enjoy fun activities. Count down to the New Year at noon and help us bury a time capsule at 1 p.m. Included in museum admission. Special activities 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
