Colonial Williamsburg to highlight legacies of Washington, Jefferson and Madison with Presidents’ Weekend events

WILLIAMSBURG – Colonial Williamsburg is offering several special events to commemorate Presidents’ Weekend, Feb. 15 – 17.

Guests will have the opportunity to join Virginian presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison for An Evening with the Presidents on Saturday and Sunday.

The presidents will explore how their administrations navigated party, faction and the vast differences that challenged America during their times.

The program underscores how the United States, since its infancy, has been a nation divided politically with different opinions and points of view, according to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Museum admission is not required to purchase a ticket for this event.

A celebration of the presidency will also commence with Salute to the Presidents on Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m. at Market Square North, behind the Courthouse. 

The commemoration will feature the Fifes & Drums of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia State Garrison Regiment and Nation Builders George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. 

Additionally, the Williamsburg Inn will host a Presidential Brunch on Sunday.

See this weekend’s full event guide below.

Events happening this weekend: Feb. 14 – 16

Friday, Feb. 14

VALENTINE’S DAY

• Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Winery | Williamsburg Winery | Enjoy a romantic dinner featuring a four-course meal curated by Executive Chef Riccardo Rinaldi. Reservations are available Feb. 13 – 15, 5 – 8 pm. See the website for pricing and reservation details. 
• Valentine’s Candlelight Serenade | Copper Fox Distillery | Enjoy a candlelight violin serenade paired with a whisky flight and a dessert flight. Two-person tickets are $65. See the website to reserve a time. 5 – 8:45 pm. 
• Valentine’s Day Dinner at Colonial Williamsburg | Several of the restaurants and taverns at Colonial Williamsburg are offering special menus and dining experiences for Valentine’s Day, including Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, the Rockefeller Room, the Terrace and Goodwin Rooms and Sweet Tea & Barley. 
• Anti-Valentine’s Day Party | Alewerks Brewing Co | Williamsburg | Head over to Alewerks for an Anti-Valentine’s Day Party, where you can celebrate not celebrating. There will be singing and dancing, a “dress as your ex” costume contest, and good eats and brews. 6 – 9 pm. 

NATURE 

• Roaming Ranger | York River State Park | Meet with a naturalist/ranger and discover the aquatic, mammal, plant and insect life in the ecosystems of this 2,000-acre park. Included with standard park admission. 11 am – 12 pm. 

KIDS

• Be Mine at Stuffie Story Time | Tabb Library | Children are invited to attend a Valentine’s Day-themed story time with their favorite stuffie. Free. 4 – 4:30 pm. 
• Up, Up, and Away Storytime | Williamsburg Jamestown Airport | Children are invited to attend an all-ages storytime at the Waltrip Williamsburg Executive Airport (100 Marclay Drive). Free. 10 am. 

Saturday, Feb. 15

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Presidents Heads Sculpture Viewing | 8212 Croaker Road | Experience the ruins, remnants and mementos of the iconic Presidents Park sculptures on Presidents Day Weekend. 9 am – 6 pm. 
• Historic Triangle Grand Slam | Kimball Theatre | Attend a championship-level poetry competition to see who will earn a spot on the Slam Connection national team to represent Williamsburg at the 2025 Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Knoxville. A can’t-miss event for history buffs. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. 7 – 10 pm.
• An Evening with the Presidents | Hennage Auditorium | Enjoy an evening with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as the presidents explore how their administrations navigated party, faction and the differences that challenged America during their times. Tickets are $19 each. 7 – 8:30 pm. 
• Williamsburg Farmers Market: Winter Market | 345 W Duke of Gloucester St | Williamsburg Farmers Market is launching winter markets this year. The events will be held every Saturday, Jan. 11 through Feb. 22, from 9 am to noon. Guests will discover locally-grown produce, handmade soaps, bakery items and seasonal goods. Free admission. 9 am – 12 pm.
• Rebellion & Runaway Walk | York River Park Road | Williamsburg | This guided walk focuses on how African slavery began in the Virginia Colony. Discover stories of courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to escape their oppressors. This program is included with standard park admission, but registration is required. 10 am – 12 pm. 

NATURE

• Dabble in Discovery | York River State Park | Meet with a park ranger and discover the wide variety of life in the park’s ecosystems. Included with regular park admission. 1 – 3 pm. 

KIDS

• WRL Bookmobile FunFest: Intelino the Smart Train | Abram Frink Jr. Community Center | Kids are invited to meet Intelino, a programmable robotic train that combines modern technology with traditional play. STEAM activities will be available. Free. 10 am – 1 pm. 
• Trackless Train Rides | Jamestown Beach Event Park | Kids are invited to enjoy a ride on the Kiwanis Kids Train, which features four cares – an engine, coal car and two passenger cars. All ages. Free. 11 am – 1 pm.

CYCLING

• Cap Trail 101: A Guide to the Trail | Stryker Center | This informative, 1-hour presentation will introduce the Virginia Capital Trail to those who are interested in going out on it but haven’t yet done so. Free. 10:30 am. 

CRAFT

• Introduction to Counted Cross Stitch | James City County Library | Learn to create a simple counted cross stitch project from scratch. For ages 13+. Spots are limited; call (757) 741-3300, option 2 to register. Free. 10:30 am. 

FILM

• Italian Film Festival: “The Son’s Room” | Williamsburg Library Theatre | This film festival is presented by the Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO). This week’s feature is The Son’s Room (La Stanza del Figlio). 1hr 30min. Free. 2 pm. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Rock the Red Anti-Valentine’s Day Party | Frothy Moon Brewhouse | This fun event celebrates those who are single, featuring live music by The Connection. 6 – 9 pm. 
• Identity Crisis | Revolution Golf and Grille | Enjoy live music by Identity Crisis. 7 – 10 pm. 
• Organ Recital: Grant Holcomb | Enjoy a candlelit recital by Grant Holcomb, organist from River Road Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia. Free and open to the public; freewill donations are gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm. 

Sunday, Feb. 16

PRESIDENTS’ DAY

• Presidential Brunch | Terrace & Goodwin Rooms | Enjoy a sophisticated brunch inspired by the favorite dishes of our Founding Fathers. See the website for pricing and reservation details. 11 am – 2 pm.
• Salute to the Presidents | Market Square North (behind Courthouse) | Attend a Presidents’ Day celebration featuring the Fifes & Drums of Colonial Williamsburg Virginia State Garrison Regiment, and Nation Builders George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Weather permitting. Open to the public. Free.  1 – 1:30 pm. 
• Wives of the Presidents | Williamsburg Library | The Ann Wager Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will introduce the wives of early presidents and the ways that they helped America to grow and thrive. Free. 2 pm. 
• An Evening with the Presidents | Hennage Auditorium | Enjoy an evening with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as the presidents explore how their administrations navigated party, faction and the differences that challenged America during their times. Tickets are $19 each. 7 – 8:30 pm. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

• “Ma, We Got Nuthin’ Here But Mud & Musketeers” Lecture | York Hall | Jeff Toalson, author of five Civil War books including two best-sellers, will present stories from a collection of voices who have been silent for 163 years. Guests will hear first-person histories of the Civil War on the lower Virginia Peninsula. Free and open to the public. 2 – 3:30 pm. 
• Cultural Heritage Series: Min. Angela Weddington | Williamsburg Library Theatre | Contemporary gospel recording artist Min. Angela Weddington will perform and tell stories during this special Black History Month event. Free. 3 pm. 
• Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed | Ferguson Center for the Arts | See 12 of the world’s most talented dogs in a hilarious event. The all-star lineup includes a Guinness World Record holder, “America’s Got Talent” fan favorite, plus a host of amazing rescue dogs that will dance, prance, flip and skip their way right into your heart.  Deemed “A must see” by The Washington Post. Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for children. 3 pm. 

KIDS

• Puppet Storytime | James City County Library | Children ages 3+ are invited to dance and sing with puppets and enjoy books, flannel board stories and more. Space is limited; pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk starting 30 minutes before the program to reserve a spot. Free. 2 pm. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Todd Murray | Virginia Beer Company | Williamsburg | VBC will host a series of Singer, Songwriter, Storytellers performances to showcase original music over several weeks. Hear some of the stories behind the songs. The series kicks off on Feb. 16 with Todd Murray. 3 – 6 pm.

Multi-Day

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Williamsburg Inn Valentines Tea | Terrace & Goodwin Rooms at Williamsburg Inn | Enjoy a fine Afternoon Tea with a love-filled, Valentine’s Day theme. Includes handmade scones, tea sandwiches, pastries and more, with a signature tea. $69 per adult (11 and older) and $32 per child (10 and under). See the website for reservation details. Feb. 12 – 15, 2-3 pm. 
• Terrace Room Valentine’s Day Dinner | Terrace & Goodwin Rooms at Williamsburg Inn | Enjoy a Valentine’s Day celebration featuring a seasonally-inspired, limited-time menu. See the website for pricing details or to make a reservation. Feb. 13 & 14, 5 – 9 pm. 
• Black History Month at Campbell’s Tavern | Colonial Williamsburg | Celebrate Black History Month with a thoughtfully curated dinner menu inspired by African American influences on colonial cuisine. See the website for specials or to make a reservation. Feb. 11 – 15. 
• Black History Month | Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Black History Month will be celebrated throughout February with engaging events, permanent, exhibits, interactives, rare artifacts and films at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum. Included with museum admission. Admission is free for residents of Williamsburg, James City County and York County with proof of residency. 
• Busch Gardens Mardi Gras | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Celebrate Mardi Gras with food, cocktails, live music and entertainment. Included with park admission. See the website for additional details. Fridays – Sundays, Jan. 24 – Mar. 9. 
• Armor of God: The Art of Steve Prince | Torggler Fine Arts Center | This exhibition features linoleum cuts and lithographs by master printmaker Steve Prince, who explores themes of divine protection and social justice pertaining to African American history. Prince is a resident of Williamsburg, where he serves as the Director of Engagement and Distinguished Artist in Residence at the Muscarelle Museum. Free. Daily, Jan. 18 – Feb. 23, 2025. 

THEATRE

• Williamsburg Players Present: Deathtrap | 200 Hubbard Lane | Enjoy a performance of Deathtrap, a 1978 play full of twists, turns and hilariously sudden shocks that keep the audience spellbound until the last moment. See the website for additional details or to purchase tickets. Select dates, Jan. 31 – Feb. 16. 
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | The Ella Fitzgerald Theater | Newport News | DG Main Stage presents a community production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, Feb. 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 7 pm. Tickets start at $21.25. 

TAX ASSISTANCE

• Williamsburg AARP Tax-Aide Tax Assistance | Williamsburg & James City County Libraries | Greater Williamsburg Tax-Aide provides free tax counseling, preparation and filing service to taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention to those aged 60 and older. The program is operating out of both the downtown Scotland St. library location and the County library on Croaker Road. Appointments can be made online or by phone. Walk-ins are also welcome as schedules allow. Appointments are available at Williamsburg Library (757-354-1260) Monday – Saturday and James City County Library (757-561-0545) on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, Feb. 1 – April 15. Free.

SEASONAL

• Ice Skating at Colonial Williamsburg | Liberty Ice Pavilion | Colonial Williamsburg’s Liberty Ice Pavilion will continue to operate through Feb. 28. Refreshments including hot cider and coffee will be available for purchase steps from the ice. Season passes and single-day tickets are available.