Williamsburg: Typical Events closest to Fords Colony (call before)


January
  • Programs and tours Colonial National Historical Park and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Yorktown, VA. 757- 898-2410. Admission.
  • Wildlife Arts Festival
February
  • Colonial Williamsburg Antiques Forum. Visiting experts and Colonial Williamsburg's curators present the latest research in American decorative arts. Colonial Williamsburg. 800-770-5930. Admission.
  • Seasonal Clearance! Save BIG on already reduced merchandise. The Williamsburg Outlet Mall. 757-565-3378.
  • Special Tour for African-American History Month.
  • The Music Theatre of Williamsburg. 757-564-0200 or 888-MUSIC-20. Admission.
  • Programs and tours Colonial National Historical Park and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Yorktown, VA. 757- 898-2410. Admission.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
March
  • Programs and tours Colonial National Historical Park and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Yorktown, VA. 757- 898-2410. Admission.
  • St. Patrick's Day. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Legendary Irish Street Party. Live entertainment. 11 a.m. until the wee hours. Second Street Restaurant. 757-220-2286. Admission after 6:00 p.m.
  • Civil War Encampment Weekend. Re-enactment with the 3rd battalion Army of Northern Virginia. Confederate camp, drills, uniforms and live skirmish maneuvers. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 888-466-6018 or 804-829-6018. Admission.
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
April
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • A Revolutionary War Encampment and Living History Weekend. Authentic 18th-century Revolutionary camps and re-enactments with the 2nd Virginia Regiment. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 888-466-6018 or 804-829-6018. Admission.
  • William Shakespeare's Birthday Party. Plan to be surprised! Presented by the Lord Chamberlain Society for the Virginia Shakespeare Festival.For location, time and details call 757-221-2659 or visit web site www.vsf.wm.edu. Admission.
May
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Jamestown Day anniversary of the founding of Jamestown in May 1607. Colonial National Historical Park. Jamestown, VA. 757-898-2410 or 757-229-1733. Free.
  • Jamestown Landing Day. Sailing demonstrations and interpretive activities mark the anniversary of the founding of America's first permanent English colony. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jamestown Settlement. 888-593-4682 or 757-253-4838. Admission.
  • International wine tasting at the Williamsburg Winery, Ltd. For information call 757-664-6492. Admission.
  • Confederate Attack on Fort Pocahontas at Wilson's Landing. The first successful defense of the U.S. Colored Troops took place on May 24, 1864. Sherwood Forest Plantation. Charles City, VA. 804-829-5377. Admission.
  • Memorial Day Clearance! Save BIG on already reduced merchandise. The Williamsburg Outlet Mall. 757-565-3378.
  • Civil War Weekend. Demonstrations, encampments and a Confederate field hospital interpret Yorktown's role during the Peninsula Campaign. Special ceremonies at the Yorktown National Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery. Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown, VA 757-898-2410. Admission.
June
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Annual Opera In The Vineyards. Co-sponsored by the Virginia Opera. Bring a picnic and enjoy jazz and light opera favorites. Tour the winery and sample wines at the Connoisseur Wine Tasting. 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd. For information call 757-627-9545 x 315 or 757-623-1223.
July
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg. A salute to the 13 colonies, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a garden party at the Palace, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Colonial Williamsburg. 800-HISTORY. Fireworks viewing open to the public. Garden Party requires admission.
  • Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony. Enjoy a living history program with the Daughters of the American Revolution. 11:00 a.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 888-466-6018 or 804-829-6018. Admission.
  • Independence Day Celebration. A foot race, parade, arts and crafts, musical entertainment and fireworks are highlights of Yorktown's family-oriented celebration, sponsored
  • 4 Nineteenth-Century Independence Day and Ice Cream Social. 19th-century style family games on the Sherwood Forest lawn and complimentary ice cream. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sherwood Forest Plantation. Charles City, VA. 804-829-5377. Admission.
  • Sidewalk Sale! Save BIG on already reduced merchandise. The Williamsburg Outlet Mall. 757-565-3378.
  • The Virginia Shakespeare Festival (VSF) Throughout the year, events are sponsored by The Lord Chamberlain Society in support of VSF including such special events such as our rollicking Elizabethan Feast in the fall. Phi Beta Kappa Hall at the College of William and Mary. For information call 757-221-2659 or visit our web site www.vsf.wm.edu. Admission.
  • First Assembly Weekend. Programs recount the development of Virginia government at Jamestown and the church's role in 17th-century government. Colonial National Historical Park. Co-sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Jamestown, VA. 757-898-2410 or 757-229-1733. Admission.
August
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • General McClellan's 1862 Civil War Headquarters at Harrison's Landing. Tour General George McClellan's headquarters for 140,000 union soldiers in July and August 1862 and visit the monument where General Daniel Butterfield composed "Taps." Refreshments served. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 888-466-6018 or 804-829-6018. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Yorktown Night Walk. Costumed interpreters bring to life 300 years of the history of Yorktown. Colonial National Historical Park. Yorktown, VA. 757-898-2410. Admission.
  • National Park Service Founders' Day. In commemoration of the founding of the National Park Service, citizens are invited to visit and enjoy Colonial National Historical Park. Colonial National Historical Park. Jamestown and Yorktown, VA. 757-898-2410. Free.
  • Sidewalk Sale! Save BIG on already reduced merchandise. The Williamsburg Outlet Mall. 757-565-3378.
September
  • Labour Day Sidewalk Sale! The Williamsburg Outlet Mall. 757-565-3378.
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Beethoven Festival with the Virginia Symphony. Concerts, gala dinners and international wine tasting. The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd., and other locations. For information call 757-892-6366.
  • Bacon's Rebellion Weekend. Evening walking tours relate the details of Bacon's Rebellion as they occurred at Jamestown. Colonial National Historical Park. Jamestown, VA. 757-898-2410 or 757-229-1733. Admission.
  • Williamsburg Scottish Festival. Scottish games, board competitions, re-enactors, clan memorabilia. The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd. For information call 757-229-5653.
  • Annual Civil War Re-enactment & Living History. Shirley Plantation and the 53rd Virginia Co. H, Charles City, VA. 804-829-5121. Admission.
October
  • Michelob Championship at Kingsmill-A PGA Tour Event. Popular PGA Tour professionals. Events include two Pro-Amateurs as well as four days of tournament play at the beautiful Kingmill Resort. 757-253-3985. Admission.
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Howl-O-Scream. Enjoy monstrous mayhem and madcap antics. Children enjoy daytime fun with storytelling, face painting, and costume decorating. As the sun sets, the park is transformed into a world of monsters with vampires, werewolves, and a mad scientist. Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 757-253-3350. Admission.
  • Haunted River Cruises set sail for spooky voyages through the tributaries of the James River. W The Haunted River Cruises, located at the Jamestown Yacht Basin. 757-253-1058. Admission. Reservations required.
  • An Occasion for the Arts, annual juried festival of nationally acclaimed artists, performances by jazz, classical, Dixieland, acoustic, country and rock musicians; youth art and stage; and food. 10:00 a.m. to dark. Merchants Square. 757-220-1736. Free
  • Yorktown Day. Ceremonies, a parade and tactical demonstrations commemorate the anniversary of America's climactic Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown. Colonial National Historical Park. Co-sponsored by the Yorktown Day Association. Yorktown, VA. 757-898-2410. Free.
  • Yorktown Victory Weekend. Special programs, tours and demonstrations help mark the anniversary of the American and French victory. Colonial National Historical Park. Co-sponsored by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Yorktown, VA. 757-898-2410. Admission.
  • Yorktown Victory Celebration. Revolutionary War re-enactors present tactical demonstrations to mark the 221st anniversary of America's climactic victory at Yorktown. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. Yorktown, VA. 888-593-4682 or 757-253-4838. Admission.
November
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • First Thanksgiving Festival. Celebrate the 1619 landing of the colonists and join us at the site of the first Thanksgiving in America. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 888-466-6018 or 804-829-6018. Admission.
  • Star of Wonder Planetarium Show. The Virginia Living Museum. Newport News, VA. 757-595-1900. Admission.
  • Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia. Explore the 17th- and 18th-century culinary practices of Virginia during this three-day event beginning on Thanksgiving Day. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682 or 757-253-4838. Admission.
December
  • Mystery Dinner Playhouse, located in the Ramada Inn Central. 888-471-4802. Call for schedule. Admission. Reservations required.
  • Archaeological artifacts and a small-scale re-creation of a slave quarter featured. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682. Admission.
  • Star of Wonder Planetarium Show. The Virginia Living Museum. Newport News, VA. 757-595-1900. Admission.
  • Williamsburg Winery Open House. Tour, taste and celebrate the holiday. The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd. For information call 757-229-0999.
  • Holiday Tea and Tour Learn about Christmas celebrations during the 18th century with holiday stories, decorations of fresh greenery, and a traditional English tea. Monday through Friday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Berkeley Plantation. Charles City, VA. 804-829-6018. Admission. Reservation required.
  • Annual Williamsburg Area Community Christmas Parade. Sponsored by the Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. 9:00 a.m. Starts at Merchants Square. 757-229-6511. Free.
  • Yorktown Celebrates Christmas. Friday, candlelight procession down Yorktown's Main Street to York Hall where a visit from Santa highlights the official tree lighting. A lighted boat parade follows with hot cider and a beach bonfire. Saturday, privately occupied and historic homes throughout Yorktown are decorated and opened for visitors. Sponsored by the Celebrate Yorktown Committee. Yorktown, VA. 757-898-7947. Admission.
  • The Grand Illumination. Colonial Williamsburg welcomes the Christmas holiday season with candles, fireworks and music. Colonial Williamsburg. 800-HISTORY. Admission not required.
  • A Colonial Christmas. Experience 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions. At Jamestown Settlement, an audio-visual program, and guided tours compare and contrast English Christmas with the early years of Jamestown. At Yorktown Victory Center, hear accounts of Christmas and winter in military encampments, and glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780s Virginia farm. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Christmas and News Year's Days. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. 888-593-4682 or 757-253-4838. Admission.
  • New Year's Eve Celebration. Ring in the New Year with an evening of food, fun & entertainment. This alcohol-free evening includes hors d'oeuvres, spectacular musical variety show, balloon drop & more. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., Show time 9:00 p.m. 757-564-0200 or 888-MUSIC-20. Admission.