Facebook Instagram Youtube
Search
Classes For Ages 50+

CLASS SESSIONS

Class sessions are offered on a quarterly basis:


Summer Session: July through September

Fall Session: October through December

Winter Session: January through March

Spring Session: April through June

Registration begins approximately five weeks before classes begin.  

SIGN UP here
Newsletter

ART, Crafts & hobbies

  • Arts-n-Crafts at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, 11AM-2PM, Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. Bring your own T-Shirt to decorate or participate in other crafts. Refreshments provided.
  • Jewelry Making at Denbigh Community Center, Mondays, 10:15AM-11:15AM. $35 per one month of instruction. Make Bracelets, Earrings and Necklaces. January 12, 19 & 26 | February 2, 9, 16 & 23 | March 2, 9 & 16. To register, call (757) 812-7900.
  • Crafts-N-Things at North Newport News Community Center, 11AM-4PM, 2nd , 3rd & 4th Tuesdays. Work on old projects or learn something new!
  • Bob Ross: Landscape Oil Painting at Denbigh Community Center, 10:30AM-2:30PM, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Thursdays: January 8 & 22 | Tuesdays: January 13 & 27. $250 for 4 classes or $70 per class. Bob Ross paintbrushes are required and can be purchased on Amazon. To register, call (757) 926-1465.
  • Pottery Class at Courthouse Way Community Center, 10AM-12PM & 12PM-2PM, Wednesdays. $45 supply fee. Classes forming now. To register, call (757) 886-7929.
  • Scrapbook Picture Passion at North Newport News Community Center, 10AM-5PM, Mondays. Bring your own supplies.
  • Express Yourself in Your Art at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center and Courthouse Way Community Center | 10AM-1PM, Mondays. $40 for 6 months at 2 locations! Brittingham-Midtown Community Center: January 12-June 29 | Courthouse Way Community Center: January 14-June 24. To register, call (757) 926-1465.
  • See the Newsletter for additional Art, Crafts & Hobbies like: Sewing, Chorus, Crafty Social Club, Rubber Stamping, Watercolor, Diamond Art Social Club, and more.

Dance

  • Line Dance with Linda Coolican, 10:30A-11:30A on Wednesdays at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center. $40 for 8 one-hour sessions. All levels welcome! January 14-March 14, 2026. To register, call (757) 591-4853.
  • “Get Fit Line Dance” with Pop Spriggs, 11AM on Mondays at Denbigh Community Center. Free.
  • Happy Hearts Celebrating Black History Dance Party, 11A-2P on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Hilton Senior Center. $13 includes light refreshments. To register, call (757) 247-2451.

AARP Defensive Driving Classes

The one or two-day classes are offered throughout the year at various centers. Refresh your driving skills, lower your risk of accidents, and possibly receive a discount on your insurance. Find the nearest course listed in the Active Lifestyles Newsletter

$20 for AARP Members. $25 for Non-AARP Members. 

Brittingham-Midtown Community Center – (757) 591-4853 | 570 McLawhorne Drive, Newport News VA 23601

Time: 9AM-1PM | Tuesday & Thursday

January 13 & 15, March 17 & 19, 2026. Must attend both days.

Hilton Senior Center – (757) 247-2451 | 605 Hilton Blvd., Newport News VA 23605

Time: 8:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday (Full Day)

January 24, February 28, March 21 & April 25, 2026

Denbigh Community Center – (757) 812-7900 | 15198 Warwick Blvd., Newport News VA 23608

Time: 9AM-1PM || Tuesday & Wednesday. Call for dates.

PErsonal Well-Being

Life Shifts Support Group presented by at Denbigh Community Center from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM. January 27, February 24, March 31 & April 28, 2026. Everyone has a life shift, how we keep going is different for everyone. This group is for anyone navigating the ups and downs of life. To register, call (757) 812-7905.

Peninsula Agency on Aging Presentations at Hilton Senior Center on select Tuesdays at 11:00AM.

 – January 6 – Brain & Memory Care
– February 3 – Dental Health. Register by 1/26
– March 3 – Better Sleep. Register by 2/23
– April 7 – Blood Pressure. Register by 3/25
 

Healthy Lunches at Denbigh Community Center on select Tuesdays from 10:30 AM-11:30AM. Register 1 week prior to each event by calling (757) 812-7905.

  • January 6 – Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
  • February 3 – Easy Chili

Healthy Eating As We Age at Hilton Senior Center on select Wednesdays from 12:00PM-2:00PM. February 25, March 25 & April 22, 2026. Register 1 week prior to each event by calling (757) 247-2451.

MODELING
FASHION ELEGANTES

Walking the runway, wearing designer clothing, and celebrating the positive attitude of today’s seniors is what Fashion Elegantés is all about. Comprised of mature adults, these “elegant” men and women have been putting on fashion shows since 1991. New members are always welcome. “The Essence of Modeling” course (fee) is required and helps develop poise and confidence. Annual membership fee. Meetings are held the first Tuesday at 1:30 pm at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center.

Technology help

Technology Instruction at Denbigh Community Center. Call (757) 812-7900 to register for the following classes:

– Computer Support for Beginners – 11:45AM-12:45PM on Tuesdays : January 6, 13 & 27, 2026,  February 10 & 24, 2026 | Thursday: January 22 | Monday: February 2 

– CivicRec Plus, How-To Class  – 10:15AM-11:15AM on select Fridays: Janueay 16, February 20, March 20 & April 17, 2026

– Cell Phone Basics – 11:15AM-12:15PM on select Tuesdays: March 10, 17 & 24 and April 16 & 23, 2026.

Benefits Programs

BenefitsCheckUp https://benefitscheckup.org, developed and maintained by NCOA, is the nation’s most comprehensive web-based service used to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. It has more than 1,700 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, to include:

  • Housing & Utilities
  • Financial and Legal Assistance
  • Health Care and Housing
  • In-Home Services
  • Nutrition (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program {SNAP}
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Social Security
  • Tax Relief
  • Transportation
  • Employment – Income Assistance
  • Veteran

Active Lifestyle Office

700 Town Center Drive, Newport News, VA 23606

(757) 926-1400

activelifestyles@nnva.gov

Call the office

Payment

The Active Lifestyles Program accepts checks (with valid ID), money orders, cash, and most credit cards as payment (online registration will also accept American Express). When registering in person with a personal check, your name, current address, phone number, and identification number must be listed on the check. The check can only be accepted from the person whose name appears on the check and can only be written for the actual amount of the class fee. Make checks payable to: City of Newport News. A service fee will be assessed on all returned checks.

Class Cancellation Policy

Class Cancellation Policy All classes are subject to change if there is insufficient enrollment. Classes that have not met the minimum number of participants by the class registration deadline are automatically canceled, and refunds are issued if alternate classes are not available. Participants will be notified by phone and/or email if classes are canceled. For questions or to verify if a class is open, call 757-926-1400. If you must cancel your class registration, cancellation requests must be made in writing before the class registration deadline date in order to receive a refund.

Refunds

Refunds will only be given if a written request is submitted that states the reason for the cancellation and is received by the Active Lifestyles Program at least one week prior to the class registration deadline date. Enrollee assumes the risk of changes in personal affairs or health. Please note that no refunds are issued after class registration deadline. All refunds are processed within 30 days of receiving the cancellation letter. There will be a 10% administrative fee for refunds made by the enrollee.

Class Information

Please call 757-926-1400 or fax 757-926-1460 for class information. For telecommunication assistance, use VA Relay 711.

New classes are added periodically. For information, call 757-926-1400 or check online.

Inclement Weather Policy

All Active Lifestyles programs, classes, and senior centers will be closed when City offices are closed or delayed.  In addition, the Active Lifestyles Program will be closed when Parks, Recreation & Tourism programs/facilities are closed.  Please call 757-926-1400 or 757-926-1446 for program-specific closings and updates.

To Receive a Food Vending Package or for general information, click here.

To Receive a Food Vending Package or for general information, click here.