27 things to do this week

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.

Here are some events for you this week. I’ve also included several additional events coming up later this month in the “Future Events to Note” section.

-Christin

🗓️ Multi-Day

Special Events

• Christmas Town – Busch Gardens (Williamsburg). Christmas Town continues at Busch Gardens on select dates through Jan. 8, 2022. Enjoy one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America – featuring over 10 million lights – along with holiday shows, festive food and drinks, unique holiday shopping and more. See the website for additional details.
• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Exhibit 2022 – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). William & Mary Libraries, in collaboration with the WRL Gallery at Stryker Center, presents this annual exhibit of the Nancy H. Marshall “A Visit from St. Nicholas” Collection. This year’s exhibition features colorful illustrations and activities of magical wintry nights through the celebration of Christmas Eve. This exhibit is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, Nov. 21 – Jan. 5.
• Hampton Roads Home Show – Hampton Roads Convention Center (Hampton). Attend the largest home show on the Peninsula. This show features landscaping companies, interior decorators, remodeling contractors and more. Admission is $6 if purchased online in advance, $8 at the gate. Discounts are available for seniors and military. Saturday, January 7 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) and Sunday, January 8 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm).

Outdoor

• Liberty Ice Pavilion – Colonial Williamsburg. The Liberty Ice Pavilion is open for the season and runs daily through February 26. See a full schedule of the ice rink’s operating hours here. For information about one-day skating tickets, click here. Season passes are also available.

Art

• Oil Painting – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). Join other local painters in exploring oil painting techniques. Attendees should have some experience painting in oils. Students provide their own supplies. For ages 16 through adult. Two sessions are available: Tuesdays, Jan. 3 – March 21, 1:00 – 3:00 pm or Wednesdays, Jan. 4-March 22, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. $125/session.
• Pastels – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). Learn to use this versatile medium to create portraits and landscapes. Students provide their own supplies. $125. Wednesdays, Jan. 4 – March 22, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

🗓️ Tuesday, January 3

Films

• Art House Café Film Series: “The Last Vermeer” – Williamsburg Library Theatre (Williamsburg). This series features films with an art house flavor. You’ll also hear from special guests who are film experts, enjoy light refreshments and engage in a discussion after the film. This week’s feature is The Last Vermeer (R; 2019). 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Kids & Families

• Elementary Creation Station Session 1: Dinosaurs – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Each month, Tabb Library offers two creative craft hour sessions for all kids in grades K-5. Both sessions have the same crafts; please only register for one. This month’s theme is dinosaurs. 4:30 pm.

🗓️ Wednesday, Jan. 4

Photography

• Williamsburg Photography Meetup – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). This group draws members from greater Williamsburg and the surrounding areas. The purpose is to develop members’ knowledge and skills in digital photography in a friendly community. The group offers regular monthly meetings, photowalks, ongoing communication and collaborations. For photographers of all ages, skill levels and experience. Free. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Recreation

• Yoga for Arthritis & Joint Health – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg).. This program is designed to enhance joint mobility and reduce pain and stiffness. You’ll work all the major joints gently and systematically during this 1.5 hour workshop. For ages 14 through adult. $8. 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Kids & Families

• Homeschool Enrichment: Tales Across the Atlantic – James City County Library (Williamsburg). Experts from the Mariners’ Museum will tell stories from African, European and Native American cultures. 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

🗓️ Thursday, Jan. 5

Films

• Throwback Thursday Film Series: “Quiz Show” – Williamsburg Library Theatre (Williamsburg). This film series features a variety of contemporary and classic movies for an adult audience. This week’s featured film is Quiz Show (PG-13; 1994).

Art

• Make Your Own Dry Erase Calendar – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Kick off the new year by creating a dry erase calendar to stay on track. All are materials provided. Registration is required. For ages 13 through adult. 6:00 pm.

Wellness

• Evening Yoga – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Attend this evening of yoga and breathing exercises, led by a certified yoga instructor. Classes are held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. For ages 18+ and all skill levels. 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

Practical

• Getting MoneyFit: Budget like a Boss – Main Street Library (Newport News). Work on improving your finances for the new year. Main Street Library will offer a series of finance workshops on Thursdays in January. Workshops can be attended in-person and on Zoom. Registration is required. 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

🗓️ Friday, Jan. 6

History

• The Curious Case of USS Idaho – The Mariners’ Museum and Park (Newport News). Learn about the USS Idaho, which was developed to chase down Confederate commerce raiders. This lecture will be presented by John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center. Advanced registration is required for both in-person attendance ($1) and virtual attendance (free). 12:00 – 1:00 pm.

Outdoor

• Waterfowl Watch – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Discover the ducks that inhabit the area through early spring and view an outdoor display of decoys and images. Binoculars are recommended. 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Tweens & Teens

• Teen After Hours: Middle School – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Middle schoolers are invited to attend this Spy Boot Camp to kick off the new year! Register online. Participants must have a permission slip on file. 5:30 – 6:30 pm.
• Teen After Hours: High School – Tabb Library (Yorktown). This Spy Boot Camp is for high schoolers only! Register online. Participants must have a permission slip on file. 7:00 – 8:00 pm.

🗓️ Saturday, Jan. 7

Live Music

• Historic Organ Recital: Rebecca Davy – Wren Chapel (Colonial Williamsburg). Hear and see the Historic English Chamber Organ during this recital by Rebecca Davy, Music Director at Bruton Parish Church. 10:00 am – 10:30 am.

Outdoor Recreation

• Operation Oyster Reef – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Learn what makes the oyster reef one of the most dynamic ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay and see how the park is contributing to the creation of that habitat. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• Roaming Ranger – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Meet with a naturalist/ranger and discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystem. 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Crafts

• Sewing Class: English Paper Piecing – Abram Frink Jr. Community Center (Williamsburg). Learn English Paper Piecing (EPP), a quilt-making technique, and make a “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” quilt block to be used as a coaster, potholder or in a new quilt. This is a hand sewing technique; no prior sewing experience is needed. For teens through adult. Registration is required; supplies are provided. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• “Snow” Drop-in and Make-n-Take – Abram Frink Jr. Community Center (Williamsburg). Attend this drop-in, Make-n-Take program and make your own snowperson or jumbo snowflake. All supplies are provided; no registration is required. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Practical

• Blood Drive – Virginia Living Museum (Newport News). The Virginia Living Museum is hosting a blood drive at the Changing Exhibit Gallery, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.

🗓️ Sunday, Jan. 8

Outdoor Recreation

• Snowy Owl 10 Mile – York River State Park (Williamsburg). This trail race will be held on a combination of trails throughout York River State Park. This race benefits AWARE (Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators), and individuals from AWARE will be onsite with owls and educational information. See the website for pricing details and additional information. 9:00 am.

Kids

• Beanbag Book Club – James City County Library (Williamsburg). Beginning readers ages 5-8 are invited to this program to read, play games and participate in fun activities. Attendees will get a copy of the month’s book to keep. Choose one of two sessions to register for: 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm.

🗒️ Future Events to Note

• Winter Blues Jazz Fest – The William & Mary Alumni House (Williamsburg). This four-day jazz festival returns for its 9th year, January 12-16, 2023. The event aims to provide an enriching and entertaining weekend filled with music and educational programs, with options for all tastes and budgets. Tickets are available here.
• NASA Skywatchers – New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). View planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky alongside the NASA Skywatcher’s Club on Saturday, January 14. Telescopes will be set up for viewing and club members will be available to educate and answer questions. Register by January 12. Free. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Ferguson Center for the Arts (Newport News). New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band is celebrating more than 40 years since their founding in 1977. Enjoy a concert by this world-famous band, with a featured opening act by the 7 Cities Brass Band (TRADOC Band). All tickets are $20. Saturday, January 14. 8:00 pm.
• Fitness Open House – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). Meet instructors, reserve a spot for demo classes and receive information on everything James City County Health & Wellness has to offer. Free. Saturday, January 14. 9:00 am – 11:00 am.
• Owl Prowl– New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). Look for the owls living in New Quarter Park at this fun event. Free; registration is required. For ages 10 and up. Saturday, January 21. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
• WSO’s Cabaret & Cocktails – Williamsburg Lodge Ballroom (Williamsburg). Enjoy this special concert featuring Carmen Bradford, one of jazz music’s most diverse and exciting vocalists. This program will feature hits like Love Is Here to Stay, Fascinating Rhythm, I Won’t Dance, Love Me or Leave Me and many more. Tickets are $60+. Sunday, January 22. 8:00 pm.
• Open Door Series: Alcee Chriss – Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy a free concert featuring Alcee Chriss III, an organist and keyboardist who is featured in the PBS documentary, Pipe Dreams (2019). Sunday, January 29. 4:00 pm.