Labor Day weekend in the Historic Triangle: Live music, history talks and a book sale

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer, but there will be plenty of free, fun events happening across the Historic Triangle. 

The live music lineup includes concerts by Clay Street Unit at Merchants Square, Flo Rida at Busch Gardens and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Riverwalk Landing.

Several special history talks are planned, including Genealogy in Early America at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Revolutionary Stories of York County at York Hall.

Additional highlights include Bruton Parish Church’s Labor Day Weekend Book Sale and the debut of Disney’s “Freaky Friday” at the Williamsburg Players theatre. 

Below is our curated guide to events happening in and around the Historic Triangle, Sept. 3 – 7.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4

Old and Remarkable Trees Tour | Christiana Campbell’s Tavern | On this one-hour walking tour, guests will discover some of Colonial Williamsburg’s oldest and most impressive trees while strolling through the gardens along Bassett Hall and Waller Street. Weather permitting. Included with CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 10 – 11 am.

Creek Canoe | York River State Park | Explore the wetlands of York River State Park on this ranger-guided canoe tour. Tickets are $9 per person or $6 per person for families of 4 or more. Children must be 6 and over to participate. 10 am – 12 pm.

Clay Street Unit | Merchants Square | The Merchants Square Concert Series continues with Denver-based Clay Street Unit. The band’s recordings capture their Colorado-bred sound, rooted in tradition, while embracing extended jams and modern influences. Free. 6 – 8 pm.

First Friday: Twilight Twirl | Muscarelle Museum | Experience the Muscarelle after hours. The Williamsburg Contra Dance Community will provide music and dance instruction. All are invited. Free. 5 – 8 pm. 

First Fridays Moon Markets | Historic Hilton Village | Listen to live music under the moonlight while shopping from small businesses. Local food trucks will be on site. Free admission. 6 – 9 pm. 

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

Williamsburg Farmers Market | Downtown Williamsburg | Shop from over 40 vendors offering produce, prepared foods and baked goods, flowers, artisan chocolate, local honey, handmade soaps and more. Live music is performed weekly. Free admission. 8 am – noon

Yorktown Market Days | Riverwalk Landing | Discover freshly-picked produce, warm baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, hand-poured candles and local art that’ll brighten your home. This week, Audio Portrait performs at the Riverwalk Landing stage. Free & open to the public. 9 am – noon.

Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Find fresh produce, baked goods, artisan-crafted products and more at Toano’s outdoor farmers market. Free admission. 9 am – noon.

Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village’s weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am – noon.

Fossil Frenzy | York River State Park | Discover relics of ancient marine creatures, such as whales, porpoises and sharks, while hiking to a fossil beach. Included with park admission. 10 am – noon. 

Smart Moves Storytime | James City County Library | Designed for kids ages 4 – 8, this movement-powered program turns educational concepts into fun, active video lessons for learners of all abilities. Free. 11 – 11:45 am. 

Genealogy in Early America with Karin Wulf | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Historian and author Karin Wulf, Ph.D, will present on genealogy in early America and discuss how every Founding Father was a genealogist. Included with museum admission. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg receive free admission with proof of residency. 2 pm. 

Take Your Kid Fishing | Chickahominy Riverfront Park | Children will learn the fundamentals of fishing while enjoying the great outdoors. For kids ages 5 – 12. Free. 4:30 – 6:30 pm. 

Virginia Symphony Concert | Riverwalk Landing | Yorktown | Discover the vast range of the orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Adam Turner, in a program that unites timeless composers and favorite hit scores. This concert is presented by the Celebrate Yorktown Committee of the Yorktown Foundation with generous support from York County, York County Arts Commission and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, as well as community contributors from organizations, businesses and individuals. Free. 6 – 9 pm. 

Live Music in the Vineyard: Sam Riddle | Williamsburg Winery | Enjoy an evening of live music, great food and curated cocktails at Williamsburg Winery every Saturday. This week’s performance features Sam Riddle. 4 – 7 pm.

Flo Rida | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | The Busch Gardens Concert Series concludes for the season with Grammy-nominated rapper Flo Rida. Included with park admission. 7 pm.

Organ & Harpsichord Recital: Rebecca Davy | Attend a candlelight concert featuring organ and harpsichord music performed by Rebecca Davy, music director and organist at Bruton Parish. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Revolutionary Stories of York County | York Hall | Historian Eric Johnson will share local glimpses into York County’s past made possible through preserved narratives, petitions, maps, newspapers and other documents. Free and open to the public. 2 – 3 pm.

MONDAY, SEPT. 7

Arboretum Central Historic Area | Compton Oak | Learn how to identify several of Colonial Williamsburg’s most renowned trees and discover how the Historic Area’s forest is maintained today as a certified Arboretum. Weather permitting. Space is limited. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 10 – 11 am.

River Seineing | York River State Park | Visit the Seining Beach to discover the unique variety of fish and shellfish in the York River. Rangers will use a 2-man seine and other nets to discover what is in the water. Included with park admission. 10 am – noon.

Secrets of the Chocolate Maker | Cook Building | Colonial Williamsburg | Discover how chocolate was used in 18th-century recipes and learn about the work involved in making it, including roasting, shelling, crushing and flavoring the cocoa beans. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 10 am – 2 pm.

1776: The Trial for Independence | In front of Charlton’s Courthouse | Watch as Independence itself is placed on trial and Virginia decides the fate of the country. Free & open the public. 3:30 – 3:50 pm.

Films from the Archives: 100 Years of CW | Hennage Auditorium | This curated series showcases archival films from Colonial Williamsburg’s first century. The Sept. 7 film is “Gunsmith of Williamsburg.” Free & open to the public. 4 – 5 pm.

MULTI-DAY

Bruton Parish Labor Day Weekend Book Sale | 331 Duke of Gloucester Street | Sept. 3 from 5 – 7:30 pm, Sept. 4 from 10 am – 5 pm, Sept. 5 from 8:30 – 4:30 pm and Sept. 6 from 10:30 – 2:30 pm | Don’t miss one of Williamsburg’s biggest annual book sales. Stop by the Parish House at 331 Duke of Gloucester Street to find great deals on thousands of books, DVDs, puzzles and CDs, with books of all genres priced between $1 and $3. Admission to the early bird sale on Thursday is $5; admission is free on all other days.

Freaky Friday | 200 Hubbard Lane | Select dates, Sept. 4 – 20 | Williamsburg Players returns to the theatre with Disney’s “Freaky Friday.” Buy tickets online or call the box office at (757) 229-0431.

Homeschool Program Days | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Sept. 5 – 13 | Homeschool families can access unlimited admission to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum with a special ticket during Homeschool Program Days. Education stations on select dates will allow families to interact with educators and discover a variety of historical topics.

Fall Homeschool Days | Colonial Williamsburg | Sept. 5 – 20 | Homeschoolers and their families are invited to discover history brought to life at a special discounted rate.

Centennial! | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Daily through Sept. 30 | Participate in a guided tour of the art museums to commemorate 100 years of Colonial Williamsburg. Free & open to the public. 10 – 10:40 am.

A Display of Hand-Crafted Knit and Crochet | Williamsburg Library | Sept. 2 – 19 | View a wide variety of beautiful handmade creations made by members of the Williamsburg Knitting Guild. This exhibit is open during normal library hours. Free.

Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | July 1 – Jan. 31, 2027 | This exhibition highlights Virginia’s leading role in the American Revolution and invites visitors to uncover the stories and accomplishments of Virginia’s founders. Included with general admission. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg receive free admission with proof of residency.

The Great American Birthday Quilt Exhibition | Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center | Daily, 9:30 am – 5 pm | The Great American Birthday Quilt, created by Visit Williamsburg in collaboration with the Muscarelle Museum of Art, will be displayed throughout 2026. The meaningful piece brings together squares from people across the country to contribute to a powerful, shared story on America’s 250th birthday. Free & open to the public.