Virginia Living Museum November & December Calendar
Nov. 1–23 Late 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. Dive with the pioneers of deep-sea research on their journeys of discovery, on the most famous submersibles in history, in “Into the Deep,” showing Wednesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies,” showing weekends at 2:30 p.m. The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission.
Nov. 1-30 Beyond the Edge of the Sea
Explore the diversity of life deep in the ocean’s wilderness in “Beyond the Edge of the Sea” at the Virginia Living Museum. The exhibit highlights work by scientific illustrator Karen Jacobsen, who accompanied Dr. Cindy Lee Van Dover on many expeditions to deep-sea locations across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Dr. Van Dover, a deep-sea explorer and U.S. Navy-qualified pilot of the deep-diving submersible Alvin, curated the exhibition for the College of William and Mary’s Muscarelle Museum of Art. During 20 years working in the deep sea, Dr. Van Dover has made many discoveries of species and adaptations to life in extreme environments. The exhibit contains more than 70 works selected from Jacobsen’s sketchbooks and five specially commissioned pieces. The exhibit is sponsored by the Newport News Arts Commission.
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.
Dec 20th - Story Time
The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear a nature-related story told by professional storyteller Jim Mercer. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission.
Nov. 26 Turkey Pardoning/Food Drive
For the fifth year, the Virginia Living Museum will celebrate the long and healthy life of its wild turkeys during the annual Turkey Pardoning, Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. A city official 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. Also, Nov. 1-26 the museum is collecting non-perishable food items for the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula. The event is included in regular admission.
Nov. 26 - 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. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25.
Nov. 26 - 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. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25.
Nov. 29 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 5:30 p.m. and “Laser Holidays” at 6:30 p.m. Shows $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members.
Dec. 9 Homeschool Afternoon
The Virginia Living Museum offers homeschool students ages K through grade 12 an afternoon of fun and engaging programs that highlight important natural and space science concepts. Four natural and space science programs are available for grades K-6. An environmental science lab, Exploring with the Microscope, is available for grades 5-12. 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. Classroom programs are $9.75 per child, the lab is $11.75 per child. Adults are $12. Parents may accompany children into the programs at no additional charge. A self-guided visit with no programs is $7 for non-member children (ages 3-12), $12 for adults. Register Nov. 3 through Dec. 5 at 757-595-9135 or thevlm.org. Time: 2-5 p.m.
Dec. 13 Star Party/Laser Light Shows
Free observing begins at sunset at the Virginia Living Museum. Enjoy “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star” at 6:30 p.m. and 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. “Laser Holidays” at 8:30 p.m. pairs music of the season with dazzling laser effects. Metal meets lasers and it’s intense in “Laser Metallica” at 10 p.m. “The Vision Bell” combines new and old Pink Floyd at 11:30 p.m. Shows $6 each. The Wild Side Café is open.
Dec. 20 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. 31 High Noon Year’s Eve
The whole family can enjoy this daytime western-themed New Year’s celebration at the Virginia Living Museum. 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. Count down to the New Year at noon. $10 in advance, $12 at the door for all special activities. Non-members also pay museum admission.
The Virginia Living Museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris, Blvd. in 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.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
