Winterfest on the Wisconsin opens Nov. 13 at Nauticus with all-new battleship lights and Christmas in Neverland. Ticket prices, entry times, parking, strollers.
Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Winterfest on the Wisconsin website, its Plan Your Visit page and the City of Norfolk’s Oct. 21 release. Hours change by night; check the ticket calendar before you go.
Yes, Winterfest is on this year. Nauticus’s holiday light show on and around the Battleship Wisconsin, 1 Waterside Drive, opens Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, and runs on select nights into early January, Nauticus says. The site’s pages give both Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, 2027, as the last night. Tickets are sold by date and entry time, and Nauticus says they often sell out on weekends and close to the holidays.
Who to call
- Groups and anytime tickets: groups@nauticus.org
- City services: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
- Police, not an emergency: 757-441-5610
What is new this year
Winterfest won ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in December 2025, and Nauticus says it has “completely reimagined” the show for 2026:
- an all-new light design across Nauticus and the battleship, with more than 2 million lights
- Christmas in Neverland, a new 30,000-square-foot indoor attraction included in the ticket
- live entertainment, themed performances and holiday photo spots
- local vendors selling gifts, and food and drink for sale (the menu was “coming soon” when we checked)
Dates and times
- Opening night: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
- Open nights: select nights, not every night. The ticket calendar shows which nights are open and the entry times.
- Hours vary by night, Nauticus says.
- No early entry. Arrive at your ticketed time; once inside, you can stay as long as you like.
- Military Appreciation Night is Sunday, Nov. 15. Nauticus released 500 free tickets for service members, veterans and their families; see our story on the free military tickets.
Tickets and prices
From Nauticus’s price list. Buying online in advance saves $3 a ticket.
| Ticket | Value Night | Peak Night |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 13 and older | $23 | $27 |
| Child, 3 to 12 | $21 | $23 |
| Child, 2 and under | Free | Free |
| Military adult | $21 | $25 |
| Military child | $19 | $21 |
| Member adult | $18 | $22 |
| Member child | $16 | $18 |
| Group adult, 15 or more | $20 | $24 |
| Group child, 15 or more | $18 | $20 |
- Tickets bought on the day cost $3 more, and same-day entry is not guaranteed.
- Military prices need a valid ID. Member discounts depend on the membership level.
- Anytime tickets, good for any open night and any entry time, are $35 each with a minimum of 25, requested through groups@nauticus.org at least seven days ahead.
- Group discounts and anytime tickets close at noon Friday, Dec. 18.
- Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be resold. If weather closes the show, Nauticus says it will contact ticket holders.
- Proceeds go to the Nauticus Foundation, a nonprofit.
Parking and getting there
Nauticus is on the downtown waterfront next to Town Point Park. It recommends two garages, each a short walk away:
- Town Point Garage, 110 W. Main St.
- West Plume Street Garage, 135 W. Plume St.
The first two hours in the downtown garages are free, Nauticus says. The Tide light rail and the Elizabeth River Ferry from Portsmouth also serve downtown; check Hampton Roads Transit for times. Nauticus had published no road closures for Winterfest. Downtown streets close on the evening of the Grand Illumination Parade, Saturday, Nov. 21; see our Christmas parade and tree lighting page, our road construction and closures page and our getting around guide.
Accessibility and rules
- Winterfest is wheelchair accessible, but some areas aboard the ship are reached only by ladders.
- Strollers: umbrella strollers are allowed in most areas but not aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, because of narrow passageways and steep ladders. No wagons. Stroller parking is available, and Nauticus recommends a baby carrier.
- It is an indoor and outdoor event, rain or shine; dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.
- Not allowed: outside food and drink, pets (trained service animals are welcome; emotional support animals are not), smoking and vaping.
What this means for you
- Pick a Value Night to save $4 a ticket for adults, and buy online to save $3 more.
- Leave the wagon at home and bring a carrier for small children if you want to go aboard.
- Weekends close to Christmas sell out first.
Norfolk’s other big light show is the Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden, nightly from Nov. 6. Santa visits, markets and concerts are in our holiday lights and Christmas events guide.
Frequently asked questions
When does Winterfest on the Wisconsin open in 2026?
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, Nauticus says. It runs on select nights into early January; the Winterfest site gives both Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 as the last night, so check the ticket calendar.
How much are Winterfest tickets?
Adults 13 and older pay $23 on Value Nights and $27 on peak nights, and children 3 to 12 pay $21 or $23. Children 2 and under are free. Military, members and groups of 15 or more pay less, and tickets bought on the day cost $3 more.
Where do I park for Winterfest?
Nauticus recommends the Town Point Garage, 110 W. Main St., and the West Plume Street Garage, 135 W. Plume St., both a short walk away, and says the first two hours in the downtown garages are free.
Can I bring a stroller to Winterfest?
Umbrella strollers are allowed in most areas but not aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, and wagons are not allowed at all. Nauticus recommends a baby carrier.
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