Nov. 1 – 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.
Nov. 27 - 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. $4 in addition to museum admission. Detailed schedule at thevlm.org
Nov. 27 - Dec. 31 Laser Holidays
Get into the holiday spirit with the music of the season and dazzling laser effects! Featuring classic holiday favorites like Burl Ives’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” modern hits like Randy Travis’ “Jingle Bell Rock,” and unique reimaginings of timeless songs like Enya’s beautiful “Oiche Chiun (Silent Night),” this delightful program is fun for the whole family. It’s an animated Christmas light display like no other you’ve ever seen! Recommended for ages 6 and above. Days and times vary. $4 in addition to museum admission. Detailed schedule at thevlm.org
Dec. 14 Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum and the Salvation Army Brass Band will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. Enjoy “Laser Holidays” at 5:30 p.m., “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star” at 6:30 p.m. and “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. “Laser Mania” (family) at 8:30 p.m., and a Pink Floyd double feature “The Wall” at 10 p.m. and “Dark Side of the Moon” at 11:30 p.m. Shows $6 each. The Wild Side Café is open.
Dec. 21 Story Time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen and see a live great horned owl. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Dec. 21 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 the music of the season and dazzling laser effects in “Laser Holidays! Featuring classic holiday favorites like Burl Ives’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” modern hits like Randy Travis’ “Jingle Bell Rock,” and unique reimaginings of timeless songs like Enya’s beautiful “Oiche Chiun (Silent Night),” this delightful program is fun for the whole family. It’s an animated Christmas light display like no other you’ve ever seen! See “Star of Wonder” at 6:30 p.m. and “Laser Holidays” at 7:30 p.m. Shows $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members.
Dec. 24, 25 Museum closed
Dec. 31 High Noon Year’s Eve
The whole family can enjoy this daytime western-themed New Year’s celebration at the Virginia Living Museum celebrating the Year of the Horse. Come dressed as a cowpoke. Meet Bubbles the Clown and special animal friends from the Teeny Tiny Farm. Make crafts, play games, enjoy fun activities. $10 in advance, $12 at the door for all special activities. Non-members also pay museum admission.
Jan. 1 Museum closed
Jan. 2 – March 14 Winter Planetarium Shows
Choose among three shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Introduce your little astronomer to the wonders of the sky with “Friendly Stars.” A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies.” “Dark” is a full dome movie that explores the nature of dark matter, the missing 80% of the mass of the universe. The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets $4 in addition to museum admission.
Jan. 7 Deep Sea: The Last Great Unknown
The oceans continue to surprise us as we uncover their secrets. Learn about the challenges of studying these great unknown parts of our planet. Discover some of the very strange adaptations of the creatures that live in the deep and observe rare, preserved deep sea specimens up close. 6-7:30 p.m. $7. Register at 757-595-9135 or thevlm.org.
Jan. 8 Young Professions – Wild Rumpus
Kick off the New Year by experiencing the Young Professionals @thevlm (ages 21-45). Enjoy wine, beer, snacks, music, icebreaker and a photo scavenger hunt through the Virginia Living Museum that may lead you face-to-face with some furry, feathered and fanged friends! YPVLM members free, non-members $10. 6 p.m.
Jan. 11 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., followed by three laser shows: Laser Pop (family) at 8:30 p.m., Laser Doors (hard rock) at 10 p.m. and “Dark Side of the Moon,” at 11:30 p.m. All shows $6. The Wild Side Café is open 6 to 9 p.m.
Jan. 17-18 Family Astro Camp-in
Families can camp out overnight at the museum to learn about all things astronomy. Visit the Abbitt Observatory for some live stargazing (weather permitting), check out a great planetarium show, make some cool crafts and more. Plus you get to sleep in the museum’s exhibits. What could be more fun? Scout troops also welcome. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 to 9 a.m. Jan. 18. Children (ages 4-17) $35, adults $25. Register in advance at 757-595-9135 or thevlm.org.
Jan. 18 Story time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear “Opossum at Sycamore Road” by Sally M. Walker and see a live opossum. 10 a.m. Recommended for ages 2 and above. Included in museum admission.
Jan. 29 Homeschool Day
The Virginia Living Museum offers homeschool students ages pre-K through grade 12 a selection of fun and engaging classroom programs that highlight important natural science and earth science concepts. Natural science programs are available for elementary age students and environmental science labs are available for grades 5-12. Space science programs in the planetarium are available for all ages. The museum’s science education programs have been endorsed by the Virginia Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation. The museum offers homeschool families extra deep discounted rates for this one-day-only program. Parents may accompany children into the programs at no additional charge. Register in advance at 757-595-9135.
Virginia Living Museum,
524 J. Clyde Morris, Blvd.
Newport News (I-64 Exit 258-A)
757-595-1900
www.thevlm.org
Museum admission: $17 adults, $13 children (3-12), ages 2 and under free. Planetarium programs $4 in addition to museum admission.
Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.
Open: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
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