There is something very special about the holidays in Historic Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. As Kevin Ritchie, event planner at York County Parks, Recreation and Tourism puts it, “Yorktown has a small town, down home feel to it, so it’s a great place to hold events, and we love putting them on. With the York River as a backdrop, it’s a unique and gorgeous place to come and enjoy some of the really unique events we put on each year, such as the Lighted Boat Parade and the Toyland Parade. We have a lot going on, and the weather is still great, so we’re really looking forward to everything that’s coming up.”
Ongoing Events
Busch Gardens® Christmas Town™
Select dates, Nov. 24 through Jan. 1, 2018, 2–10 p.m.
Christmas shines brightest at Busch Gardens® Christmas Town™. The world’s most beautiful theme park is aglow with 8 million lights—one of the largest displays in North America. Festive food and drink, holiday shopping and heart-warming shows make the season come alive. Visit the big man in red at his North Pole workshop and capture an unforgettable memory. Keep warm with a mug of the park’s signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season. Unwrap the gift of Christmas Town™ this winter. Joining Christmas Town™ for the second year is the loveable Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Guests can relive the classic television special through a series of photo opportunities while waiting to have their picture taken with iconic reindeer and friends Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Bumble.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
For additional information or to order tickets online, visit SeaWorldParks.com/en/BuschGardens-Williamsburg/ChristmasTown.
Christmas in Yorktown Exhibit
November through December, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m–4 p.m. and Sunday, 1–4 p.m.
The Gallery at York Hall
For additional information, call 757-890-4490 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Special Events
Yorktown Holiday Open House Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Enjoy musical entertainment, shop market days vendors and artists, enter to win door prizes, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.
Historic Main Street, Yorktown
For additional information, call 757-890-3500 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
The Fifes & Drums of York Town and Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
A tradition that began in 1945 continues this year. Join in at Victory Monument in Historic Yorktown to kick off the season with music. At 7:30 the process of lights will walk from Victory Monument to Riverwalk Landing for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. Both events are free and open to the public.
Victory Monument and Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown
For additional information, call 757-890-3500 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
58th Annual Christmas Homes Tour by The Green Spring Garden Club, Inc.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
This year’s home tours will feature six homes, which will be beautifully decorated with seasonal floral arrangements. Three homes will be located in the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Historic area: The Nelson-Galt House, Edinburgh Castle Tavern and Benjamin Waller House. Three additional homes are located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. Tickets are available only through Green Spring Garden Club.
Williamsburg
For additional information or to order tickets online, visit GreenSpringGardenClub.org/Christmas-Homes-Tour.
Christmas Market on Main
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Whether you are searching for holiday gifts for family, friends or as a treat to yourself, you’re sure to find it at the Christmas Market on Main. The market features arts and crafts vendors, strolling entertainment and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Historic Main Street, Yorktown
For additional information, call 757-856-2287 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 2, 6–8 p.m.
Festively decorated sail and power boats compete for “Best in Show.” The Yorktown waterfront is bedazzled with holiday sights and sounds, including a spectacular floating parade of lights, caroling around a roaring beach bonfire, musical performances and complimentary hot cider.
Yorktown Waterfront. Free and open to the public.
For additional information, call 757-877-2933 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Christmas Town™ Dash 8K and Fun Run
Sunday, Dec. 3, 7:30–10:30 a.m.
Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas as you wind your way through the world’s most beautiful theme park. 8K registration includes long sleeve shirt, finisher medal that doubles as a Christmas ornament, Chick-fil-A coupon, 50 percent off ticket for Christmas Town™, Day Pass for 2018 Summer Season, post-race food and hot chocolate.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
For additional information, visit ChristmasTownDash.com.
Cookies with Santa
Sunday, Dec.3, 1–4 p.m.
York Hall, Yorktown. Free and open to the public.
For additional information, call 757-890-4490 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination
Sunday, Dec. 3, 5–7:30 p.m.
Join Colonial Williamsburg for this special day by strolling the Revolutionary City and viewing all the unique decorations. Enjoy musical performances from multiple stages, and delight in fireworks from the Capitol, Magazine and the Governor’s Palace.
Colonial Williamsburg
For additional information, visit ColonialWilliamsburg.com/Plan/Calendar/Grand-Illumination.
Uncorked & Unplugged: Holiday Edition
Friday, Dec. 8
For additional information, call 757-229-0999.
Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m.
Riverwalk Restaurant, Yorktown. Ticket Required.
For additional information, call 757-875-1522 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Yorktown Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m–3 p.m.
Historic Main Street, Yorktown
For additional information, call 757-890-3500 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Toyland Parade
Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown
For additional information, call 757-890-3500 or visit VisitYorktown.org.
Vienna Boys Choir
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
For additional information or to order tickets online, visit VAFest.org.
Shopping Destinations
Ready to get your wish lists fulfilled? You’ll find plenty of exciting and wonderful gift ideas at the following places:
New Town
Located at 4801 Courthouse St. in Williamsburg (off Monticello Avenue), New Town is a vibrant, 365-acre community that features 170 shops and restaurants to choose from. If you need a break from shopping, there’s also a 12-screen movie theater, parks and walking trails.
Williamsburg Premium Outlets®
Located at 5715 Richmond Rd., you’ll find something for everyone and extraordinary savings with more than 135 stores to choose from.
PremiumOutlets.com/Outlet/Williamsburg
Williamsburg Pottery
Just down the street at 6692 Richmond Rd., you’ll find the magic of the pottery. Hunt for bargains at the Outdoor Living Marketplace, Au Bon Pain Café Bakery, Gourmet Kitchen Marketplace and Home Essentials Marketplace.
Riverwalk Landing
Dine and shop along the York River in Historic Yorktown where you’ll find unique gifts and plenty of fun and exciting events.
Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square
Located just across from Colonial Williamsburg, Merchants Square offers shopping and dining venues for every taste imaginable. One exquisite shop in particular is The Precious Gem. “The Precious Gem in Merchants Square can help you fulfill your holiday wish list,” says Lisa Akdogan, co-owner of The Precious Gem. “For over 36 years, my husband, owner/designer Reggie Akdogan, has been creating handcrafted fine jewelry in his Williamsburg studio. Colored gemstones are his passion, and he and I travel the world to find the best. If you have a design idea in mind, make an appointment for a complimentary design consultation with Reggie, or just stop by to choose from the amazing pieces in the shop. As Reggie says, ‘At The Precious Gem we are in the dream business. We can help you find or create a truly extraordinary gift of fine jewelry for that special someone in your life.’”
Coastal Virginia Magazine
Offering up stellar editorial and photography on a range of feature topics from personal and business profiles to the region's cuisine and style scene, Coastal Virginia Magazine provides an in-depth glimpse into what's happening in the region. Each issue offers up something new, from the annual Top Docs feature to Best Of CoVa Readers' Choice Awards, while still always providing insight from the regular columnists and news on the latest local events in the Datebook section.
