December Foodie Activities

Even as the temperatures are dropping, Virginia is fired up with seasonal, foodie spirit. From holiday cookie classes to winter dinner pairings, there’s an event for every foodie to get in on the fun this month.

• Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Holiday Marketplace – December 1 (Norfolk)
  This Holiday Market on the Downtown Waterfront will be a festive outdoor wonderland featuring local crafters, a massive Yule Log bonfire, and holiday treats.

• Oysters & Oldies – December 1 (Heathsville)
  All you can eat local oysters, Virginia craft beers, and more are in store at this winter party.

• Club Cider Tasting – December 1 (Stafford)
  As a special treat Potomac Point Winery will have Castle Hill Cidery in-house conducting tastings of their delectable ciders.

• The Best Shrimp & Grits Competition – December 2 (Norfolk)
  Chef Beatrice and Chef Tasha Roberts will host their first Chef Competition, featuring 3 local chefs as they Battle it out for title of “The Best Shrimp & Grits” in Hampton Roads. 

• National Cookie Day – December 4

• Shriner’s Seafood Festival – December 5 (South Hill)
  The 36th Annual Seafood Festival will feature fried and steamed shrimp, fried fish, oyster barbecue, and more.

• 5th Annual Holiday Beer Tasting Event – December 5 (Falls Church)
  Join Mad Fox Brewing Co. for a festive holiday sit-down beer tasting where you can meet the brewers and brewpub owners from across the region and taste their winter selections.

• National Comfort Food Day – December 5

• Crozet Winter Brews Festival – December 8 (Crozet)
  This winter fest is a celebration of dark beers from Virginia breweries.

• Wild & Weird Beer Festival – December 8 (Powhatan)
  Visit Fine Creek Brewing for a sour, funky, and wild beer festival featuring some of Virginia’s premier breweries and cideries.

• Holiday Cookie Decorating & Skating Class – December 8 (DC)
  This is a sweet kid-friendly holiday activity at The Watergate Hotel. Take kids to decorate cookies and then learn how to skate.

• Holiday Craft Market & Ugly Sweater Party – December 8 (Ashburn)
  You’re invited to drink, eat, and shop at the Lost Rhino Brewing Company Holiday Craft Market. Buy from local artists and craftsmen while sipping on local brews.

• National Pastry Day – December 9

• Gingerbread House Decorating and Mulled Wine Tasting – December 9 (Chesapeake)
  Decorate your own gingerbread house and sip on mulled wine, what better way to celebrate the holidays?

• 7th Annual Holiday Extravaganza – December 9 (DC)
  3 Stars Brewing is throwing their annual holiday extravaganza with rare and limited releases on draft, specialty can offerings, guest taps, and a few surprises.

• National Lager Day – December 10

• Harry’s Holiday Beer Dinner – December 11 (Fredericksburg)
  This holiday beer dinner will be offering four gourmet courses each paired with special craft beers.

• Bourbon Dinner – December 11 (Virginia Beach)
  Visit Repeal Bourbon & Burgers for a four course meal paired with hand-crafted cocktails built with this months featured fine spirit collection. 

• Blanchard’s Coffee Brew Class: Holiday Showcase – December 12 (Richmond)
  Blanchard’s is digging deep into brewing 2018’s Holiday Blend with a number of favorite brew methods. Bring your friends, share some coffee, and good cheer.

• Winter Libations Workshop – December 14 (Richmond)
  Join Rachel Sargeant, Head Bar Manager at Quirk & Mixologist Extraordinaire, for a fun, private workshop focusing on holiday libations.

• Chelsea Neighborhood Jingle & Mingle – December 14 (Norfolk)
  Come be with friends and family in the Chelsea Neighborhood for festive holiday fun. All the businesses will be offering something fun for the night.

• Drink the District: Wine Winter Edition – December 14-15 (DC)
  The winter edition of the Drink the District Wine Festival is “Holiday Themed”, with a wide variety of wines to choose from and sip. 

• Sip, Bake, & Slay – December 15 (Newport News)
  This event is highlighting local bakers in the 757. It’s about cupcake fashion, great food, fellowship and fun.

• Chili Cookoff with San
  ta – December 15 (Portsmouth)
  Break out grandma’s recipe, make some killer chili and win prizes at this chili cook off. Sample and try different chilis and get a picture with Santa while you’re there.

• Krampusnacht – December 15 (Norfolk)
  Join Smartmouth Brewing for this one night only event with live music, blacksmith workshops, and a rare and limited release of their 2017 Rubidus Nox.

• BRABO Brasserie Winter Cocktail Class – December 19 (Alexandria)
  Learn how to craft BRABO Brasserie’s signature eggnog, a spiced hot chocolate, and a winter citrus shrub.

• National Sangria Day – December 20

• Christmas Eve Cocktail Making & Food Pairing – December 24 (DC)
  On Christmas Eve Commissary will have a special holiday cocktail class & food pairing including 3 cocktails and 3 food pairings.

• Blackwall Hitch Devil’s Backbone Beer Dinner – December 27 (Alexandria)
  Spend the night dining on a 4 course chef inspired dinner paired with Devil’s Backbone signature craft brews.

• Holiday Cheese Fun: Eat Cheese, Make Cheese, Sip Wine – December 29 (Staunton)
  The holidays have never been cheesier. Make this holiday season extra rich by treating yourself to a cheesemaking class and wine & cheese tasting at JMD Garden Center. 

• New Year’s Eve Dinner in the Field – December 31 (Midlothian)
  Ring in the New Year with a 5 course Italian dinner with wine pairing, family recipes, and Prosecco to toast and celebrate the New Year. 

• New Year’s Eve Oyster Roast – December 31 (Afton)
  Blue Mountain Brewery is celebrating the new year in a new way with their first ever Oyster Roast. Enjoy raw, grilled or fried oysters with some local live music & brews.