Calendar

Stargazing December 2022

Laser Nights

Looking for some Saturday night fun? Start with a planetarium program. Then experience a sensory extravaganza as laser shows provide music to both the eyes and ears every second Saturday of the month. The museum has an incredible laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the dome. It’s the most amazing light show you’ve ever seen! Plus, there’s music to suit every taste. Different bands are featured every month.

Cost: Members $5, non-members $8 per show.

December 10: Stargazing Night

Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star

Time: 6pm

Experience the journey of the Magi around you. Since 1965, the museum has journeyed in the footsteps of the Magi. Over the years, the scientific thinking has changed, archaeology 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.

Star of Wonder tickets

Laser Holidays

Time: 7pm

A mix of classic and modern holiday hits! PLEASE NOTE: This list represents all possible song choices. Your laserist will choose which songs you’ll experience in your actual program.

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Tchaikovsky
Up on the Housetop by The Jackson 5
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives
Winter Wonderland by The Eurythmics
Deck the Halls by The Philharmonic Orchestra
Jingle Bell Rock by Randy Travis
White Christmas by Bing Crosby
Christmastime by The Smashing Pumpkins

Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) by Enya
The Chipmunk Song by Alvin and the The Chipmunks
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth by Spike Jones and His City Slickers
Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love
Frosty the Snowman by the Cocteau Twins
Carol of the Bells by David Foster
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
We Wish You a Merry Christmas by James Galway

Laser Holidays tickets

Laser Rock

Time: 8:30pm

A mix of legendary giants of Rock and Roll!

Show Playlist

Crazy Train by Ozzsy Osbourne
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Suffragette City by David Bowie
Long Distance Runaround by Yes

La Grange by ZZTop
From the Beginning by Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by Genesis
YYZ by Rush
Ace of Spades by Motorhead

Laser Rock tickets

Dark Side of the Moon

Time: 10pm

Recommended: ages 15 and above

From the very beginning of lasers, this album has represented the ultimate in laser show experiences. And it’s still true today. Join us for the seminal laser show experience with one of the most incredible albums of all time. Considered by many critics to be the album that brought the commercial breakthrough to Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.

Some of these songs contain lyrics some parents may find objectionable. Please be aware that volume levels during our Pink Floyd program will be high and the imagery can be intense.

Show Playlist

Speak to Me
Breathe
On the Run
Time
The Great Gig in the Sky

Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Dark Side of the Moon tickets

Santa's Nature Reserve 2022

(Formerly Nature Nights Holiday Lights)

Select December nights | December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23

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

Description: Step into Santa’s Nature Reserve in Newport News! Follow Santa’s boardwalk trail into the woods amongst the beauty and wonder of sparkling nature. Soft lights along the wooded trail lead you to StoryBook Village and a family Dinosaur Tale. Sip hot chocolate and munch a festive cookie you decorated yourself in the Reindeer Cookie Workshop. Take a family picture and share your holiday thoughts with Santa in the Goodson Living Green House. Celestial programs in the Abbitt Planetarium and shopping at the Wild Things Museum Store are additional opportunities. Start the season with a healthy dose of cheer in a beautiful natural setting that’s perfect for the whole family!

	Event Tickets Click below to purchase
12/9	12/10	12/11
12/16	12/17	12/18
12/22	12/23

Each evening you can also purchase tickets for our holiday shows Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star and Laser Holidays. Attendance to these shows are an add-on to Santa’s Nature Reserve, and tickets to the main event are required to view these shows. Click the link below for more information about each show and the ticket purchase links.

Click here for show info and tickets

Click here for a map of the Santa's Nature Reserve Stations