Brunch, gingerbread houses and breakfast with Santa: What’s happening in Hampton Roads
Our picks for what’s happening in Hampton Roads:
Sip and shop
Shop local for holiday gifts at the Beach Vodka Vendor Fair. Items range from jewelry to décor to treats. Grab lunch from the Flavor Saver Barbecue food truck and pair it with a drink.
Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday. 1375 Oceana Blvd., Virginia Beach. Visit tinyurl.com/beachvodka.
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Gingerbread competition
Branches is hosting its annual gingerbread house contest. Entry includes materials for a tasty house. Bring anything else needed to win one of the top three prizes. A glass of eggnog or mulled wine will be provided to participants.
1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Branches Tasting Room, 2125 Starmount Parkway, Chesapeake. 757-392-3942. Tickets $25. Visit tinyurl.com/branchescontest.
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Celebrity chef pop-up
Chef J. Ponder — finalist of Food Network’s “Chopped” and two-time winner of its “Cutthroat Kitchen” — is taking over the kitchen at Prime 255 on Granby. He is cooking brunch and dinner including items such as hot honey chicken and waffles, shrimp (or fish) and grits topped with crab meat, and crawfish cream sauce or rosemary grilled lamb chops. Brunch entrees also come with a mimosa.
11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. 255 Granby St., Norfolk. 404-834-5679. Tickets start at $45. Visit tinyurl.com/chefponder.
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Gingerbread fun
Get creative at the Gingerbread Extravaganza with Baked Expectations. Tickets include a ready-made gingerbread house and gingerbread man, frosting, candy and hands-on instructions. Enjoy refreshments while decorating with the kids.
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday. The Pinner House, 231 Pinner St., Suffolk. 757-539-8969. Tickets $57. Visit tinyurl.com/pinnerhouse.
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Eat and sip
Wasserhund Brewing Company is hosting a four-course German dinner with a beer paired with each course. Enjoy spargelsuppe (white asparagus soup), boneless short rib sauerbraten and other tasty vittles.
6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Wasserhund Brewing Co., 1805 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 757-351-1326. Tickets $65. Visit tinyurl.com/wasserhunddinner.
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Dining under the stars
Plan a date night at the Dinner on the Deck. Share a charcuterie board and savory desserts with your sweetheart. Pair them with lavender lemonade or lavender hot apple cider while listening to live music. Beer and wine flights are also available.
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec 10. Under the Stars Farm, 7235 Dutton Road, Gloucester. 804-413-9131. Tickets start at $57.50. Visit tinyurl.com/dinnerdeck.
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Other events to explore:
Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 17. 400 High St., Portsmouth. 973-219-6194. Visit https://tinyurl.com/portsmouthmkt.
Breakfast with Santa: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Sage Kitchen, 11250 Jefferson Ave., Newport News. 757-599-3510. Visit tinyurl.com/sagenn; 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 and 17. 1925 Fisher Arch, Virginia Beach. 757-599-3510. Visit tinyurl.com/sagevb.
Caymus Wine Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Carrabba’s Italian Grill, all locations. Cost $75 per person. Reservations required, carrabbas.com.
Breakfast with Santa: 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10, 17 and 24. The Grey Goose, 118 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton. 757-723-7978. Tickets start at $17. Visit tinyurl.com/ggbreakfast.
Teddy Bear Tea: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11. The Founders Inn and Spa, 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach. 757-366-5777. Tickets $32. opentable.com.
Tea with the Claus: 5 p.m. Dec. 11. The English Rose Tea Room, 3101 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. 757-498-1011. Tickets $35 for adults and children 10 and older; $18 for children 10 and younger. Visit tinyurl.com/teawithclaus.
Carte Brunch’s Ugly Sweater Cooking Party: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11. My Commissary Kitchen, 3351 Chesapeake Blvd., Norfolk. 757-346-9351. Tickets start at $35. Visit tinyurl.com/uscookingparty.
Holiday Jingle Mingle: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Curtis R. Milteer Recreation Center, 132 Robertson St., Suffolk, 757-514-7100. Admission with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy for charity. Visit tinyurl.com/minglesva.
Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on Twitter @gibsonrekaya
