Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

This is a fun place to visit, especially around the Christmas season.I must say I hardly ever step foot in here unless an event is taking place. As a result, my recent visit here was during the Christmas holiday season 2016.During this time, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the center offers several fun filled activities for the children - well for the whole family. So bring the newborns to great grandmas for a day or two of fun and lasting memories. Events as such: pictures with Santa, arts & crafts, cookie decorating, face painting and ornament making just to name a few are offered in December. And far as I can remember these sort of events have been in existence since the center opened some time ago.You can usually find out about these events online through PortsVaEvents or just by being in the Old Towne area of the city. Circulars and fliers are posted.Again, I haven't shopped nor have I browsed in the center, but from just passing I have noticed different crystals and novelty items are sold here. it's a small house turned into a small shop, very cute.It's also decorated on the inside and outside with Christmas holiday decor. If you choose to not partake in any of the activities, the scenery outside makes for a great background during Christmas time.I'd like to think this place is worth a visit, especially if you are in the area. Oh did I mention...these activities during the days mentioned above in December are FREE!!!! My type of fun!!Parking is available on the street, but if you're one of the unlucky ones, parking garages are within walking distances. And the garages are FREE of charge.The Old Towne area of the city offers several: shops, restaurants and much more. Everything is within walking distance.It's definitely a family oriented town especially during the holiday season.It's a great day to have a great day!!

Not super impressed - not going to lie. At Christmas, when we visited, there is an event inside this center which, from the website, seems like it's a Christmas Market or winter wonderland experience. So my friends visiting from out of town and I drove from ALL the way in Pungo to this - only to find that it's $3 entry per person (no biggie) but is mostly for children, there were no vendors selling anything anywhere, very little food or drink, and the displays are more like the dated animatronic Christmas teddy bears from malls of years past. Maybe ok for small small children, but not something for adults by any means, and not paid entry. Major disappointment. I'm glad this is here for locals and I'm sure it has it's time and place. But the description on the website was completely misleading. We looked around the gift shop and roamed the town before heading to downtown Norfolk for more adult friendly Christmas things to do.

This building houses the museum gift shop and holds art classes in the back. The stuff they sell is from local artists usually and can be pricey. Check out the sales table in the back! They have moved things around in the last year and now the art classes are completely in the back with more space. The classes they offer are reasonably priced and my kids enjoy them. The teachers have changed every season but all have been excellent. We also did some summer camps here with great success. It's worth stopping by for shopping...great gifts in here. The outdoor art rotates and it's nice to check out on a warm day.

Visited today for the Winter Wonderland exhibit and had a good time. They have lots of events for the Christmas season.