North Tidewater News

The Olde Towne Holiday Lights event is set to illuminate High Street on Friday, November 22, from 5 to 9 pm. This festive occasion will feature a tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa Claus arriving by fire truck.

Participants can enjoy various activities such as crafts, face painting, and fairy hair for children. The first 100 families will receive a complimentary family photo. Additionally, local shops in Olde Towne will extend their hours for the evening.

The schedule includes several attractions: the Olde Towne Merchants' Holiday Open House with raffle opportunities at Bloom Market; the Coleman Collection Nativity Scene at Monumental United Methodist Church with free hot apple cider; and "Sounds of the Season" at Anderson-Wright Rooms & Gardens featuring Don Comer on guitar.

Middle Street Mall will host holiday music and face painting along with make-and-take ornaments sponsored by That Art Store. Visitors can take photos by the holiday tree and indulge in treats from Hello Sweetie Cheesecake or warm beverages from The Coffee Shoppe.

Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. The Portsmouth Mounted Patrol will be available for photo opportunities.

At 5:30 pm, the Olde Towne Art & Music Children's Chorus is scheduled to perform. The tree lighting program from 6 to 6:20 pm features Father Christmas and Colonial Carolers alongside the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Lighting will occur between 7 and 7:15 pm with performances by characters like the Grinch and Cindy-Lou-Who. Following this, Santa's arrival by fire truck at High & Green Street promises to light up the night at 7:30 pm.

Families can capture memories with Santa through complimentary photos provided by Mobile Photo Lab™, courtesy of Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market. Sparky's Siren Station Video Gaming Fire Truck offers additional entertainment along with marshmallow roasting sessions hosted by Santa's elves.

Cure Coffeehouse sponsors free hot chocolate and apple cider while Post Secondary Brewing presents food options via Knockout Food Truck from 6 to 9 pm under Portsmouth Economic Development sponsorship.

Participating shops include Artee Fabrics & Home Bier Garden Gift Shop, Olde Towne Arts & Music Studio CK Salon, That Art Store Way Back Yonder Antiques among others like Cure Coffeehouse Anderson-Wright Rooms & Gardens Little Shoppes on High Kitchen Koop Market Street & General Store Sole Right Men's Fine Footwear Bloom Market Village Thrift of Olde Towne Post Secondary Brewing PRDCT Knockout Food Truck Hard Times Skate Shop which remain open late into this celebratory night.