Things to do around the Historic Triangle this weekend: Holiday strolls, a Christmas Carol and more events

Holiday celebrations will continue throughout the Historic Triangle on this last weekend before Christmas.

Colonial Williamsburg will host its final Grand Illumination of the season on Saturday evening. The event, which features holiday entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display, is free and open to the public.

There are numerous holiday-themed strolls and walking tours happening in the area this week. 

Colonial Williamsburg’s ongoing Christmas Decorations Walking Tours and Talk of the Town Christmastide continue throughout the week.

Winter Nature Nights returns to the Virginia Living Museum Dec. 19 – 22. The annual Holiday Wonder Walk – which is free and open to the public – kicks off at Hampton Coliseum on Friday, Dec. 20 and runs through Christmas Day.

Additionally, several festive concerts will be held in the Historic Triangle, including three candlelight Christmas concerts at Bruton Parish Church, A Crooner’s Christmas featuring Good Shot Judy at the Kimball Theatre, a Big Band Christmas at the Kimball Theatre and A Very Virginia Christmas at the Hennage Auditorium.

The 5th Annual Williamsburg Christmas Market also wraps up for the season this Sunday, Dec. 22.Below is a list of holiday events happening in the Historic Triangle Dec. 20 – 22.

Friday, Dec. 20

Holiday

• Free Gift Wrapping | Tabb Library | Need help with your holiday gift wrapping? Bring up to six small to medium gifts for library staff to wrap for you! Free. 11 am – 1 pm. 
• A Charles Dickens Christmas | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | This holiday show features readings from various Charles Dickens writings paired with Christmas carols of the Victorian era. Featuring Gabe Stone, Mark Nixon and David Gardner. Requires Art Museum or a Good Neighbor Pass plus a program ticket ($10 for adults and children 6 and up, $5 for children 5 and under). 4 – 5 pm.
• A Candlelit Christmas | Lee Hall Mansion | Attend a guided tour featuring 19th-century Christmas decorations and a discussion of holiday traditions. After the tour, enjoy a sweet treat and spiced apple cider. Tours depart every 20 minutes, and group size is limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15. 6 – 8:50 pm. 
• A Celebration of the Yule Log | Magazine Yard | Colonial Williamsburg | The Yule log will be hauled by a wagon from Capitol Circle to Market Square where it will be added to a bonfire accompanied by holiday music, festivities, and the lighting of the cressets. This event will be held on Dec. 13 and 20. Free. 6 – 7:30 p.m. 
• Christmastide at the Courthouse | Historic Site: Courthouse | Colonial Williamsburg | Enjoy the best songs and dance tunes of Christmastide during this event featuring musicians Brian Forsman and Bill Weldon. Guests are invited to sing along to the carols that celebrated the season of our ancestors in holidays past. Tickets are $19 for adults, $12 for youth and children. 9 – 10 pm. 

Live Music

• Felicia Hoyos | The Brass Tap | Enjoy a live concert at The Brass Tap featuring local musician Felicia Hoyos. 7 – 10 pm. 
• Handel’s Messiah | First Baptist Church | Newport News | Enjoy a performance of the Hallelujah chorus featuring Anthony Parnther, a nationally-renowned film conductor and the music director of California’s San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $25. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, Dec. 21

Holiday

• Dressing the Holiday Bride | Historic Trade: Milliner & Mantua-Maker | Colonial Williamsburg | Discover 18th-century bridal wear as Colonial Williamsburg’s mantua-makers and milliners create a gown. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 9 am – 5 pm. 
• Ho Ho Ho at the Depot | Lee Hall Depot | Enjoy an afternoon of Christmas railroading. Kids and kids at heart are invited to visit St. Nick in the Chessie Caboose decorated as a winter wonderland. Visitors will also be able to help operate a large-scale model train layout. There will be crafts, seasonal refreshments, giveaways and holiday decor throughout the station. Activities are included with regular museum admission; Santa visits are an additional $5/person. 1 – 4 pm.
• Christmastide with Governor’s Musick | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | Members of the Governor’s Musick will take guests on a musical journey through the Christmastide season. Requires Art Museum admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 1:30 – 2:15 pm.
• Free Gift Wrapping | Yorktown Library | Need help with your holiday gift wrapping? Bring up to six small to medium gifts for library staff to wrap for you! Free. 2 – 4 pm.
• A Holiday Medley | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | This program features story, song and dance to tell the tale of winter in Williamsburg over its 250-year history. Requires Art Museum admission or a Good Neighbor Pass and a program ticket ($10 for adults and children 6 and up, $5 for children 5 and under). 4 – 5 pm.  
• Grand Illumination | Colonial Williamsburg | Grand Illumination will return for a final time this season on Dec. 21. The evening will include seasonal music, the lighting of the cressets and a procession led by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. The event culminates in firework demonstrations over the Governor’s Palace and the Capitol, sponsored by the City of Williamsburg. Free. 5 – 7:30 pm.

Kids & Families

• WRL Bookmobile FunFest: Snow Ball | Abram Frink Jr. Community Center | Attend a winter-themed day of dancing, crafting, sparkly crafts, snowy day stories, STEM projects and an epic snowball fight. Attendees are encouraged to wear their funniest winter hat. Free. 10 am – 1 pm.
• WRL Bookmobile FunFest: Snow Ball | Abram Frink Jr. Community Center | Attend a winter-themed day of dancing, crafting, sparkly crafts, snowy day stories, STEM projects and an epic snowball fight. Attendees are encouraged to wear their funniest winter hat. Free. 10 am – 1 pm.

Tweens & Teens

• Mario Kart Tournament | Williamsburg Library | Tweens and teens are invited to race to victory in a Mario Kart tournament. 1st place wins a prize. For ages 9-18. No registration required. Free. 1 – 4 pm.

Markets

• Williamsburg Farmers Market | Duke of Gloucester and P4 Parking Lot | Williamsburg | Shop from over 40 local vendors selling fresh seasonal produce, meats, baked goods, honey, cheese, cut flowers, handmade soaps and more. 8 am – 12 pm.
• Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop for local products, seasonal items and artisan goods from a wide variety of vendors. 9 am – 12 pm. 
• Hilton Village Farmers Market | Historic Hilton Village | Newport News | Local farmers, bakers, artisans and other vendors share their goods every Saturday at the year-round market in Historic Hilton Village.  9 am – 12 pm. 

Nature

• Waterfowl Walk & Watch | York River State Park | Williamsburg | Attend a winter birding adventure where you’ll discover duck species and habitats. Bald eagles are also often found in the area. Included with park admission. 10 am – 12 pm. 

Live Music

• 2024 Jon Smith Christmas Concert + Winter Coat Drive | Virginia Beer Company | Mark your calendar for the annual Christmas Concert with VBC’s Jon Smith. Smith will perform holiday classics and fan favorites. Please consider bringing a new or gently worn winter coat or clothing to donate to FISH, Inc. Those who donate will be entered into a raffle for a $50 VBC gift card. Dominion Dogs will be on-site for this event. 6 – 9 pm. 
• The Unifics & Friends Holiday Concert | Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center | Newport News | Enjoy a holiday concert by this show-stopping soul group. Tickets are $20-$25 and are available here. 7 pm. 
• Holiday Concert: Tabernacle Baptist Church | Bruton Parish | Enjoy a holiday concert by the Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir from Richmond, Virginia, directed by Judy Fiske. Free. Freewill offerings appreciated. 8 – 9 pm. 

Sunday, Dec. 22

Holiday

• A Soldier’s Christmas | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | Colonel James Innes returns victorious to Williamsburg for Christmas, but his mind is filled with the voices of his fallen comrades. If he cannot recover from the war, will he be able to help build America’s future? Requires Art Museum admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 11 – 11:45 am. 
• Traditions Taste of the Holidays Sunday Brunch | Traditions at Williamsburg Lodge | Celebrate the holidays with the tastes of the season featuring culinary delights from the chefs of Traditions at the Williamsburg Lodge. See the website for reservation details. 11 am – 2 pm. 
• A Very Virginia Christmas | Hennage Auditorium | Enjoy a concert of songs through the centuries interwoven with stories about Virginia from Wilford Kale’s book A Very Virginia Christmas. Requires Art Museum admission or a Good Neighbor Pass and a program ticket ($10 for adults and children 6 – 12, $5 for children 5 and under). 1:30 – 2:30 pm. 

Kids

• Paws to Read with K-9 Connection | James City County Library | Kids are invited to drop in and read a story to trained therapy dogs. No registration required. Free. 2:30 pm. 

Game Day

• Board Game Meetup | Tabb Library | Yorktown | Drop in to enjoy some board games and tabletop gaming at Tabb Library. For ages 18+ of all levels of gaming experience. Teens are also welcome with an accompanying adult. Free. 1:30 – 4:30 pm. 

Multi-Day

Holiday

• A Big Band Christmas | Kimball Theatre | Enjoy an evening of yuletide favorites performed in the big band style by the Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra. There will be classics from the 1940s and the sounds of today’s most famous swing bands. Tickets are $22 for General Admission; $20 for students or seniors. Dec. 16 – 17, 7:30 – 9:30 pm. 
• A Crooner’s Christmas | Kimball Theatre | Local swing band Good Shot Judy will pay tribute to classic Christmas crooner hits from artists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald alongside an expanded 20-piece orchestra. The band will present seven shows between Dec. 18 – 22 at the Kimball Theatre. Tickets start at $42.
• Winter Nature Nights | Virginia Living Museum | Newport News | Celebrate the magic of winter with a stroll along an illuminated outdoor boardwalk. Enjoy hot cocoa, decorated museum exhibits, an interactive dinosaur storybook experience, cheerful holiday music and cookie decorating. Tickets are $14 and can be reserved online. Dec. 19 – 22, 5:30 – 8:15 pm. 
• “A Christmas Carol” | 200 Hubbard Lane | Williamsburg | The Williamsburg Players will delight audiences with Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol in a series of performances running on select dates between Dec. 12 to Dec. 22. Brink Miller stars as Ebenezer Scrooge after having portrayed the character in Atlanta for more than 20 seasons. Tickets are $22 for adults, $12 for military members or veterans, students and children. 
• Holiday Wonder Walk | Hampton Coliseum | Hampton’s Water Walk Trail will be illuminated for the holidays with a variety of walk-through, family-friendly holiday features with animated displays; large-scale, scenic props; video enhancements; lighted bridges and paths; kid’s activities; food; strolling entertainment; and other surprises along the way. Free. Dec 20 – 25, 5 – 8 pm. 
• Christmastide in Virginia | Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Experience Virginia colonial holiday traditions with a variety of interpretive programs, cooking demonstrations and musical entertainment. Included with museum admission. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg receive free admission with proof of residency. See the website for a full event schedule. Dec. 20 – 31.
• Grand Holiday Bazaar | Hampton Roads Convention Center | Attend the biggest holiday market in Hampton Roads. Find unique gifts while supporting local businesses. Gift wrapping will be available on site. Photos with Santa will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The event runs Dec. 20 (3 – 8 pm), Dec. 21 (noon – 8 pm) and Dec. 22 (10 am – 5 pm). General admission is $5 per day. Tickets are available here.
• The Art-full Tree | Art Museums | Colonial Williamsburg | Discover the Folk Art Christmas Tree while exploring the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Then, create an ornament to take home in the Good Education Studio. Requires Art Museum admission. Dec. 18, 20 & 21, 2 – 4 pm.
• Christmas Decorations Walking Tour | James Geddy House | Attend a guided tour focused on the beautifully decorated building exteriors and streets of Colonial Williamsburg. The tour guide will discuss the materials and construction techniques of these decorations. Tickets are $15 each. Daily, 10:30 – 11:30 am. 
• Talk of the Town Christmastide | Lumber House Ticket Office | Stroll through historic Williamsburg and experience the Christmastide season through the eyes of an 18th-century resident. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass and a $15 program ticket. Monday, Dec. 16 – Friday, Dec. 20 & Sunday, Dec. 22 from 10:30 – 11:15 am. 
• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas | Stryker Center | Celebrate one of the most famous pieces of Christmas literature with this special exhibit, presented by William & Mary in partnership with the WRL Gallery at the Stryker Center. Runs Nov. 25 – Jan. 3, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. (Closed December 24-25 and January 1.) Free.
• 5th Annual Williamsburg Christmas Market | 320 W Court Street | The 5th Annual Williamsburg Christmas Market returns Dec. 19 – 22. Hours are Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm; Friday, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm. There will be 40 vendor chalets, train rides, live entertainment, gluhwein (warm spiced wine), craft beers, Christmas music, photo ops with Santa, a petting zoo, fire pits and delicious market food. This year, visitors attending the market Fridays – Sundays must purchase a one-time admission pass, which costs $5 per person and is valid for the whole market season.
• NlightN Lights at the Fountain | City Center at Oyster Point | Newport News | Experience a strolling, state-of-the-art holiday light show featuring Timber the Talking Tree and falling snow. The animated show plays every half hour and incorporates a 50′ animated holiday tree and holiday soundtrack. Free. Dec. 8 – Jan. 1, 5:00 – 9:00 pm. 
• Side Car Santa | Merchants Square | Colonial Williamsburg | Side Car Santa will arrive in the Merchants Square area every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, until Christmas (weather permitting). He’ll arrive between 10:00 – 11:00 am and stay until 1:00 or 2:00 pm or until he runs out of toys. Bring a camera to snap a photo with Santa. Free.
• Of Christmas Past | Governor’s Palace | After arriving in the colony, a British servant reflects on his life and the holiday traditions he left behind in his mother country. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass and a $5 program ticket. Dec. 19 – 22. 10:00 – 10:45 am & 11:30 – 12:15 pm. 
• Ice Skating at Colonial Williamsburg | Liberty Ice Pavilion | Colonial Williamsburg’s Liberty Ice Pavilion will continue to operate through Feb. 31. Refreshments including hot cider and coffee will be available for purchase steps from the ice. Season passes and single-day tickets are available.
• Busch Gardens Christmas Town | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Busch Gardens Christmas Town runs on select dates through Jan. 5, 2025. See the website for additional information or to purchase tickets. 
• Williamsburg Inn Holiday Tea | Williamsburg Inn | Kick off your holiday season with Williamsburg Inn’s Holiday Tea, featuring the beautiful patterns of Churchill Tea China. Sip holiday-inspired tea and enjoy pastries, scones, sandwiches and more. French champagne and sparkling cider will also be available. See the website for reservation details. Dec. 18 – 21, 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

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Future Events to Note

• Taste Studio Annual Pie Sale | Taste Studio | Colonial Williamsburg | Colonial Williamsburg’s annual Christmas bake sale returns with a variety of seasonal pies that are perfect for sharing and gift-giving, including the popular Rum Cream Pie. Dec. 23 & 24, 11 am – 4 pm (or until sold out).
• Firing of the Christmas Guns | Magazine Yard | Colonial Williamsburg | In the 18th century, guns were often fired to salute the Christmas season as an expression of joy and celebration. Attend a recreation of this event on Duke of Gloucester Street. Free. 5 – 5:30 pm. 
• Bobby BlackHat Blues Spectacular | Kimball Theatre | Williamsburg | Bring in the New Year with a fun-filled Blues Spectacular featuring three of Virginia’s top bands: Bobby BlackHat Band, On The Verge and Fade to Blue. General Admission is $30; VIP tickets are also available. Dec. 31, 6:30 – 10 pm.