"Shipyard Success, Music Legend Honored, Schools Soar: Newport News Update! 🚢🎶📚"

Trivia Question❓

Newport News was named after Captain Christopher Newport. What famous settlement did he help establish?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

This Week's Sponsor

Uncharted Adaptive Fitness

💪Personalized fitness for people with medical or neurological conditions, focused on getting stronger, moving better, and staying active in a safe, supportive space. Options include 1:1 and small-group training to build strength, confidence, and real-world movement at your pace.

📍 12680 McManus Blvd

📞 Sarah Tucker: 757-504-0474

⚓Newport News Shipbuilding Sees Momentum

The next Ford-class carrier, USS John F. Kennedy, is expected to start sea trials early next year, showing job security and stability at Newport News Shipbuilding.

🎶 Big festival coming to Downtown

City Council approved about $3 million to launch a major music festival over Memorial Day weekend 2026 downtown, with big names, art, tech experiences, youth activities and more. It’s a boost for local culture and downtown energy.

📚 Schools on the rise

Recent state data shows Newport News Public Schools are fully accredited and graduation rates are climbing above 97%, with several schools earning top performance ratings.

🎸 Newport News honors a local music legend

Blues musician Bobby “BlackHat” Walters was officially named Newport News’ Blues Ambassador, recognizing decades of keeping the blues alive right here at home. It’s a well-earned nod to a hometown artist who’s put Newport News on the map through music, mentorship, and pure love for the craft.

Your Newport News Forecast

⛅Thursday 60° 53° Cloudy

☔Friday 61° 31° AM Rain/Wind

☀️Saturday 49° 38° Sunny

☀️Sunday 61° 28° Mostly Sunny

📅 This Weekend in Newport News

🎉 Friday, Dec 19

🎶 Soulful Celebration
📅 Fri, Dec 19 | 7 PM
A soulful holiday concert at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.

🎅 Dinner with Santa
📅 Fri, Dec 19 | 6–8 PM
Free Serving Heroes community meal, crafts for kids, and Santa at the Fort Eustis Community Rec Center.

🎄The 1700 Command Christmas Party
📅 Fri, Dec 19 | 5–10 PM
Ugly sweaters, brews, and a white elephant swap at 1700 Brewing.

🎉 5th Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
📅 Fri, Dec 19 | 8 PM
Live music, prizes, and peak ugly sweater energy.

🎡 Saturday, Dec 20

🚂 Ho Ho Ho at the Depot!
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 10 AM–4 PM
Santa, model trains, and holiday fun at Lee Hall Depot.

🎼 Handel’s Messiah with Eric Jacobsen
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 2:30 PM
A classic holiday performance at the Ferguson Center.

🐐 Live Animal Nativity
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 4–6 PM
Walk-through nativity with live animals at Warwick Memorial UMC.

🎶 Umi’s 3rd Annual Caroling on Chestnut
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 6 PM
Community caroling with warm drinks and holiday cheer.

🕎 JKids Hanukkah Shell Decorating & Latke Bar
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 7–9 PM
Hanukkah crafts and a latke bar for kids (K–8). $10 per child.

🎭 Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
📅 Sat, Dec 20 | 7 PM
A darker Dickens twist at Peninsula Community Theatre.

🩰 Virginia Regional Ballet: The Nutcracker
📅 Fri–Sun, Dec 19–21
Classic holiday ballet at the Ferguson Center’s Diamonstein Concert Hall.

✨ Ongoing Holiday Lights

🎆 NlightN – Lights at the Fountain
📅 Now–Jan 1 | 5–9 PM
Nightly animated light show at City Center.

🚗✨ Celebration in Lights
📅 Now–Jan 1 | 5:30–10 PM
A glowing, drive-through holiday tradition.

🎄 Artech Lights: Animated Holiday Tree Show
📅 Dec 6–Jan 1 | 5–9 PM
A 30-ft animated tree synced to holiday music.

🌟 Winter Nature Nights
📅 Select nights through Dec 23 | 5:30–8:15 PM
Twinkling lights and glowing trails at the Virginia Living Museum.

Local Hero Spotlight

Matt Brown

Meet Matt Brown, the manager at the Burger King on Warwick Blvd near Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. Some of his coworkers jokingly call him “Dudley Do-Right” because he’s always ready to help and keeps things running smoothly.

Matt has managed the store for two years and is known for remembering his regulars and greeting everyone like a neighbor. If something’s not right with an order, he fixes it fast and with a smile. Just a solid local guy making everyday stops feel a little better.

📍14375 Warwick Boulevard near Yorktown Naval Weapons Station

🍽️Dressed Duck

Rich, cozy, and made for slow holiday meals, Dressed Duck is a classic that feels special without the fuss. Perfect when you want something different on the Christmas table.

Get the Full Recipe for Dressed Duck

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Jamestown

😊Thanks!

Thanks for reading Newport Newser today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who owns a small business in Newport News.

The Newport Newser Quick Links

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here…

Want to be featured in The Newport Newser? Share your Info here...