Grand Illumination to return to Colonial Williamsburg for 3 Saturdays in December

Grand Illumination will kick off the holiday season in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area for three consecutive Saturday evenings this December as part of a lineup of holiday programming that is free and open to the public.

The beloved local tradition, which dates back to 1934, will take place on Dec. 7, 14 and 21, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. this year.

Each evening features seasonal music, the lighting of the cressets and a procession led by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. The events culminate in firework displays over the Governor’s Palace and the Capitol, sponsored by the City of Williamsburg.

Additional special programming that is free and open to the public will also be offered by Colonial Williamsburg for the 2024 holiday season, including:

• Lighting of the Cressets, Nov. 21-23, 29-30 and Dec. 27-28: Lit cressets (metal baskets of wood mounted from poles, an early form of street lighting) will illuminate historic Duke of Gloucester Street as musicians and dancers stroll the city. 6 – 9 p.m. 

• Merchants Square Tree Lighting, Nov. 30: This Small Business Saturday tradition includes musical performances and a special appearance by Father Christmas. 5 p.m.

• Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 5: Located in the heart of the Historic Area across from the Courthouse, the 40-foot community Christmas tree will be illuminated with over 7,500 lights. This annual event, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg, includes caroling, the pageantry of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas. 5 – 5:30 p.m. 

• Celebration of the Yule Log, Dec. 6, 13, 20: 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. 6 – 7:30 p.m. 

Holiday events continue daily throughout the season in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, Merchants Square and at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. 

• More information on ticketed holiday programming and dining experiences is available in the Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Planner. To purchase tickets and find up-to-date event information, visit colonialwilliamsburg.org. Follow Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.