Colonial Williamsburg presents Colonial Christmas Events throughout the holiday season in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Enjoy these special events on your next Williamsburg vacation:

Christmas Decorations Walking Tour
November 28 through December 31

Take a guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg’s picturesque buildings and streets festooned with holiday decorations.  Guests of the tour will also learn about the materials, construction techniques, and holiday traditions behind traditional colonial decorations.  Tours depart at 9:15am, 11:00am, 1:30pm, and 3:15pm.  Tickets are $10 in addition to the purchase of Colonial Williamsburgtickets.

Grand Illumination
December 4, 2011

The Grand Illumination is held in the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg from 4:45pm-7:00pm. Musical performance on multiple stages and fireworks from three different locations make this event one of the most popular of the season. The musical performances will begin promptly at 4:45pm and the firework displays will take place at 6:15pm. The fireworks locations are the Palace, Magazine and Capitol.

Celebrate Christmas
December 24 through December 26

Celebrate Christmas events at Colonial Williamsburg include the Firing of the Christmas Guns, an 18th century traditions, as well as the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and the retelling of the story of Williamsburg’s first Christmas tree.   

Williamsburg VA hosts a variety of Christmas events during the holiday season.  On your next Williamsburg vacation, you can look forward to tree lightings, historic activities and holiday markets.

A Colonial Christmas

December 1 through December 31, 2011

Jamestown Settlement presents holiday traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries through special interpretive programs.  , including those that focus of the how the season may have been observed during the difficult settlement years.  You can also discover how Christmas was celebrated at the Yorktown Victory Center, where visitors can see winter in military encampments and holiday preparations on a 1780s Virginia farm.

Christmas Tree Lighting
December 2, 2011

The Yorktown Christmas Tree Lighting, a tradition that began in 1945, is highlighted by a performance at 7pm by The Fifes and Drums of York Town at the Victory Monument, festive music at Riverwalk Landing, a parade of lights through the historic village and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus

Centuries of Christmas at Berkeley Plantation
December 3, 2011 through January 1, 2012

The Berkeley Plantation comes alive during the holiday season with beautiful decorations and costumed guides that tell stories of Christmas at the Berkeley Plantation through four centuries of history.

Christmas Market on Main
December 3, 2011

From 10am-4pm, visitors can search for the perfect holiday gift at this market featuring arts, crafts, demonstrations, roasted chestnuts, hot cider, entertainment and much more.  The event is located on Historic Main Street.

Grand Illumination
December 4, 2011

The Grand Illumination is held in the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg from 4:45pm-7:00pm.  Musical performance on multiple stages and fireworks from three different locations make this event one of the most popular of the season.  The musical performances will begin promptly at 4:45pm and the firework displays will take place at 6:15pm.  The fireworks locations are the Palace, Magazine and Capitol.

Reserve your Williamsburg vacation today to enjoy the holidays in this historic haven.

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is a spectacular holiday extravaganza featuring dazzling shows, delectable food and beautiful sights, sounds and shows that create the perfect holiday atmosphere.

With the purchase of Christmas Town tickets, guests can stroll through festive European town squares that feature carolers, holiday lights, and classic Christmas decorations.  

Christmas Town Shows include O Tannenbaum, Deck The Halls, Gloria, Miracles and A Sesame Street Christmas.  O Tannenbaum is one of the most popular shows as it shines with a spectacular light show featuring a 45-foot, light animated Christmas tree that is set to a holiday music score.

Attractions at Christmas Town are a highlight as well, with exploring the Ice Palace: A Penguin Paradise attraction on the top of many guests lists.  The Ice Palace features dazzling lights, snow and an up-close encounter with live penguins.  Other attractions include the Highland Stables, Mistletoe Marketplace, Santa’s Fireside Feast, Santa’s Workshop and Polar Pathway.    Guests will want to make time to shop for stocking stuffers and one-of-a-kind gifts at Mistletoe Marketplace, reminiscent of a traditional German Christmas Market, as well as Santa’s Workshop, where you can meet St. Nick and have a memorable photo captured of their visit.  The Polar Pathway is a unique experience too, with Italy coming to life in a waterfall of light.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg, Virginia is open November 25-27 and December 2-4, 9-10, 16-24, 26-31, 2011. The park is closed on Christmas Day. Operating hours are 3pm - 10 p.m. each day, closing at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Some sections of the park will remain closed for the season, and some rides and attractions are weather dependent.

Where better to celebrate Thanksgiving than America’s Historic Triangle?  Williamsburg is home to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield and the Yorktown Victory Center, all of which celebrate America’s beautiful history.  This means celebrating Thanksgiving in Williamsburg is a special event as these colonial attractions come to life and other special events pay tribute to the original colonists.

The Virginia Thanksgiving Festival is held at the Berkeley Plantation on November 6, honoring the site of the First Official Thanksgiving in America.  The day includes history, food and fun with tours of the 1726 manor house, living history programs and autumn walks planned.

17th and 18th century Virginia is paid tribute to during Food  & Feasts of Colonial Virginia, a three day event at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center held November 24 – November 26, 2011.  Visitors can learn how food was gathered, preserved and prepared on land and at sea by Virginia’s English colonists and Powhatan Indians at Jamestown Settlement.  At Yorktown Victory Center, guests can learn about typical soldiers fare during the American Revolution as well as see how the bounty of 1780s farm comes makes its way from field to kitchen.

Bountiful feasts are held on Thanksgiving Day at Colonial Williamsburg restaurants, where guests can experience historical dining traditions.  A Thanksgiving Feast with all the trimmings is served at Williamsburg Lodge from 11am-4pm,  with an a la carte menu available from 4:30pm-9pm.  Christiana Campbell's Tavern, Shield’s Tavern, King’s Arms Tavern and Chowning’s Tavern all feature holiday dining as well, with dinner service from 11am-8pm. 

On your Williamsburg vacation, you can also get into the spirit of Christmas over the Thanksgiving holiday as Busch Gardens opens Christmas Town, the park’s spectacular holiday extravaganza, opens November 25.  Christmas Town dazzles with over 5 million twinkling lights, festive shows and unique shopping.