Museum Events

October 16 | Dino on the Loose

Join our walking T. rex for a 15 minute dinosaur parade, photo ops and a roaring good time on the Dinosaur Discovery Trail! Guests will be asked to line the trail and watch as Dino On the Loose walks by. Feel free to take photos and enjoy watching our walking, roaring T. rex.

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October 17-23 | Wolf Awareness Week

Special Keeper Talk/Wolf Enrichment daily 10am

Come howl with the Virginia Living Museum’s red wolves during National Wolf Awareness Week. The week is designed to dispel misconceptions about wolves and to teach about the important role these predators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Watch the VLM’s wolves receive special enrichment activities at 10am. In order to enhance the well-being and care of wolves, we offer a variety of enrichment that provides mental stimulation and encourages positive activity.

Get set for a big announcement and discover the VLM’s commitment to the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Cost: Included in museum admission.

Location: Red Wolf Habitat

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October 22, 23, 29 and 30 – Night of the Living Museum

Choose from 4 nights of Halloween Fun!

Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

A “wild” night of Halloween fun for the whole family. Enjoy a not-too-spooky Halloween event for families with kids ages 12 and under.

For more information on this event, click here:

More Info

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October 28 | Museum Mixer – Boos & Brews

Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

Location: Entire museum

Ages: Adults 21+

Ticket Cost: $12 per person, $15 day of event

Halloween Costume Party for 21+! Enjoy an evening of drinks, food, music and more at the Boos & Brews Museum Mixer. There will be food from Boyd’s Tasty Dogs & Flame and Pie food trucks. There will also be games, wine tasting, and extra animal encounters. Costumes for guests encouraged!

Purchase Boos & Brews Tickets

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November 7 | VLM Birthday Community Celebration

Time: 9am-5pm

Celebrate the VLM’s 55th Birthday with a special admission price of $5.50 a person! It is our gift to the community to celebrate our years of connecting people to nature! Timed tickets will be sold and planetarium shows will be shown throughout the day for $4 (non-members).

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Oyster Roast 2021

Date: Saturday, November 13, 2021

Time: 3-6 pm (Museum closing at 2pm)

Ages: Adults 21+

Location: Museum Conservation Garden

Come out of your shell to support conservation education!

The award-winning 2021 “Green Event of the Year” is THE event for oyster and seafood lovers on the Peninsula.

New this year an exclusive “pod” option! Purchase a pod for your group of 6 or 8, and enjoy the festivities in your uniquely reserved space. Purchase your individual or pod ticket today as quantities are limited this year.

The Oyster Roast Festivities include:

All you can eat fresh Virginia oysters, fried seafood, chowder, a decadent assortment of desserts, craft beers, wine, and bar, a 2021 commemorative pint glass, two complimentary beverage tickets, and 1 VLM admission ticket for future use ($20 value; no expiration date).
2021 VLM Oyster Stout exclusively made by St. George Brewing Company in honor of the Annual Oyster Roast.
Live Music by Phil Poteat and Colonial DJs
Live appearances from Museum Animal Ambassadors!
Food provided by Phillips Energy and Sam Rust Seafood. Desserts are provided by Culinary Institute of Virginia students led by Chef Charles Delargy. No guest will leave hungry!
Distance naturally in the spacious outdoor Conservation Garden and grounds.

Ticket Prices

Individual Tickets: $65 (price increases to $75 on Monday, November 8, 2021)

Pod Tickets SOLD OUT!: A pod of 6 is $600 and a pod of 8 is $800. Price includes a uniquely reserved space/table seating. Pod quantities are limited. Pod tickets include admission to the event, additional drink tickets, and the Museum admission passes.

Ages: 21 + only

Purchase Tickets Here!

*Tickets are non-refundable

NOTE: The event is held rain or shine. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Tickets are limited this year to ensure the safety of our guests and to make the experience enjoyable

All proceeds benefit the Museum’s Conservation, education, and animal welfare programs.

Sponsors:

Presented by

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November 13 | James River Striped Bass Tournament

Time: Registration is now open for our 21st Annual Striped Bass Tournament November 12-13! Registration is now online: Register Here

Description: The James River Striped Bass Tournament is an annual benefit tournament on the James River that benefits The Virginia Living Museum. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s Conservation, education, and animal welfare programs.

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November 20 | Dino on the Loose

Time: 11am and 1pm (for approximately 15 minutes)

Location: Dinosaur Discovery Trail

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November 24 | Turkey Pardoning

Time: 11am – 1pm

Annual Turkey Pardoning ceremony by Newport News Mayor’s Office and celebration of Thanks and Giving in the community. Meet “Hokie” the male tom turkey on Thanksgiving Eve!

More info to come.

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November 26 – December 30 | Nature Nights Holiday Lights

(nights vary | Thurs-Sun – 11/26, 11/27, 11/28, 2/2, 12/3, 12/4, 12/5, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30)

Time: 5:30-8:30pm (timed tickets)

Description: An evening Nature Night Walk through the museum’s outdoor trail decorated with lights and holiday decor. Enjoy a treat of hot cocoa and cookies and get your Christmas Shopping done at the Wild Things Museum Store. Happy Holidays… naturally! (there could even be Santa Sightings!) Enjoy the planetarium show Star of Wonder at 6pm and Holiday Magic Laser Show at 7pm each night for an additional fee.

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December 3-4 | Wild at Art Show

Time: 9am-5pm

Location: Changing Exhibit Gallery

Description: Virginia sculptor, David Turner and painter, Jim Wilson, are passionate advocates for Virginia wildlife and friends of the VLM. For two-days the artists will host an art show and sale. Jim and David will be present during the show to discuss their art and share their techniques with visitors. This show features artworks to enrich and inspire appreciation of man’s relationship with nature. A portion of the sales will benefit the Museum’s Conservation, education, and animal welfare programs.

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December 11 | Owl be Home for the Holidays

Welcome the holidays with the Virginia Living Museum. Join us as we celebrate the season with hands-on craft projects, treats and activities. Enjoy a holiday story and much more with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Ticket information and time coming soon!

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December 18 | Dino on the Loose

Time: 11am and 1pm (for approximately 15 minutes)

Location: Dinosaur Discovery Trail

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December 27-29 | SCIENCE SHOWS: The Magic of Science and Forces and Motion

The Magic of Science allows everyone, both in the audience and on stage, to become a magician! Everything done in this 45-minute science show looks and acts like a real magic trick. The only real trick is that everything done is science at work.

In Forces and Motion, an exciting, interactive science show, the audience enters the world of physics and learns how it affects our everyday lives! Thrilling demonstrations will amaze and inspire you about the often intimidating field of physics.

Show Times: 11am and 1pm

Cost: Science shows are included in Museum Admission.

Sponsored by the Newport News Arts Commission

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December 31 | Noon Year’s Eve Celebration

Ring in the Noon Year 2022 at the Virginia Living Museum as we count down to 12 noon! Enjoy activities, crafts and fun surrounded by your favorite animal ambassadors.

Ticket information coming soon!

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January 21-22, February 11-12, March 11-12 | Cub Scout Overnight Camp-in

6:30pm-9pm

Do you have what it takes to be a team player? Find out at our camp-in filled with STEM-based team challenges.

More Details and Registration

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January 28-29, February 25-26, March 25-26 | Girl Scout Overnight Camp-in

6:30pm-9pm

Look at bugs, plants, and animals in a whole new way! Using our observation skills and a little math, we’ll discover all the shapes, patterns, and symmetry nature has to offer.

More Details and Registration