Last Word Comedy Festival to host 200 performers this year

WILLIAMSBURG – An estimated 200 hundred performers from across the nation will converge in Williamsburg for the Last Word Comedy Festival, Jan. 30 through Feb. 2. 

Now in its second year, the event will showcase 70 acts, including headliners from Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City. 

Among the headlining performances are Baby Wants Candy, one of the most critically acclaimed comedy ensembles in the world. The group has performed more than 3,000 completely improvised musicals complete with choreographer dance numbers, rhyming verses and witty comedy.

Other headliners include 3Peat, a nationally renowned group of artists who have been featured on TV programs like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; Weird Tuxedo, comprised of long-running improv duos; Trike, hailed as “one of the best improv performances” by The New York Times; and Charm Scene, a Chicago-based group that creates brand new musicals on the fly.

Several Williamsburg-based performers will also participate, including I.T. Improvisational Theatre and comedians Jace Laska and Randall Davis.

Most of the event’s performances will be held at the William & Mary Arts Quarter, with theaters located in PBK Hall, the Music Arts Center and the Muscarelle Museum of Art.

Six free stand-up comedy showcases and a clean comedy brunch event will be held at Precarious Beer Project. The festival’s Thursday night program offers free showcases from local and visiting college performers.

The event is sponsored by the City of Williamsburg and produced by AVAdventure Productions, a Williamsburg production company.

“After an incredible first festival in 2024, the growing interest in this event has been extremely exciting,” said event producer Adam Stackhouse. “We’re proud to bring some of the best comedy in the country to Williamsburg and are thrilled this festival has already become an annual destination event for so many talented performers. It’s going to be a pretty funny weekend.”

Festival passes can be purchased for $45 online prior to the event and include admission to all festival performances. Additional information, tickets and a full schedule of events are available at lastwordfestival.com.

Additional event highlights this week include a free Winter Carnival in Newport News, the opening reception for the Black Artist Showcase at Jamestown Settlement, Stargazing at York River State Park and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra’s Cabaret & Cocktails: Broadway Rocks at the Williamsburg Lodge.

See below for our guide to events happening in and around the Historic Triangle this weekend, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2.

Friday, Jan. 31

Special Event

• Magic ala Carte: The Magic Dinner Show in Williamsburg | Center Street Grill | Williamsburg | Enjoy a delicious dinner and an all-new magic floor show featuring magicians from the Peninsula. Great for date nights. Family friendly. Tickets are $36 for children, $64 for adults. Click here to see the menu or to purchase tickets. 6 – 9 pm. 

Nature

• 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 ecosystems. Included with standard park admission. 11 am – 12 pm. 

Teens

• Teens Night Out | James City County Library | Teens are invited to celebrate the end of the month with games, snacks, music and more. For ages 13-18. No registration required. Free. 6-8 pm. 

History

• Good Stories about Great Stuff | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Explore the galleries at the Art Museums with a guided tour led by a curator, conservator, educator, archaeologist or historian. Free and open to the public. 2 – 2:30 pm.

Kids

• Bounce to the Beat: A Family Fitness Adventure! | James City County Recreation Center | Attend a family fitness series featuring a mini trampoline class. Kids and adults will have the opportunity to burn energy and have a blast together. $3. See the website to register. For ages 5 and up. 6 – 6:45 pm.

Live Music

• Benjamin Verdery & the Ulysses String Quartet | William & Mary Music Arts Center | Enjoy the rich music of American composers in this program by the Ulysses Quartet. This program celebrates the diversity of styles and voices that make up our musical heritage. Tickets are $35 for regular admission, $25 for seniors (60+), military members or veterans and $15 for students and children. 7:30 pm. 

Saturday, Feb. 1

Special Events

• 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 fresh, locally-grown produce, handmade soaps, baked goods, and seasonal goods. Free admission.
• Winter Carnival | 401 Oriana Rd. | Newport News | The City of Newport News will host its annual Winter Carnival on Feb. 1 at 401 Oriana Rd. (the old Kmart site). This festive event features a winter wonderland of carnival-themed activities for all ages, including snowflake-inspired face painting, a puppet show, mechanical carnival rides, a DJ and food trucks. Dough Haus and Ben and Jerry’s will provide free hot donuts and hot chocolate while supplies last. Free admission, free on-site parking. 12 – 5 pm. 
• Youth Historic Triangle Showcase | Williamsburg Library | Attend an afternoon of storytelling and performances from some of the best youth poets in the region. This event is hosted by poetry nonprofit Slam Connection and is designed for teens and adults. Free. 2 – 4 pm. 
• Black Artist Showcase | Jamestown Settlement | The Black Artist Showcase will be on exhibit at Jamestown Settlement from Feb. 1 to March 2 in honor of Black History Month. An opening reception will be held on the evening of Feb. 1. Reception attendees will meet some of the artists featured in the showcase, view more than 30 works of art and enjoy live music by the Hampton University Faculty Jazz Trio. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets to the reception are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. The showcase is included with museum admission. 6 – 8 pm. 

Nature

• Waterfowl Walk & Watch | York River State Park | Enjoy a winter birding adventure where you’ll discover duck species and habitats. Bald eagles are also frequently seen in the area. Included with standard park admission. 10 am – 12 pm. 
• Dabble in Discovery | York River State Park | Discover the wide variety of life in the park’s wetlands and woods during this ranger-guided program. Included with standard park admission. 1 – 3 pm. 
• Stargazing | York River State Park | Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers in viewing the different items of our solar system in the night sky. Equipment provided. This program is weather-dependent; cancellations will be posted under weather alerts by 2 pm on the day of the event. Included with park admission. 5:30 – 8 p.m. 

Kids

• Collaborative Art Project | Tabb Library | Stop by to add your own artistic flare to a colorful art creation. Free. 10 am – 3 pm. 
• Take Your Child to the Library Day | Williamsburg Library | Discover everything the library has to offer children and families. Kids will be able to tour the library, make a bookmark and sign up to be a Junior Librarian. Free. 1 – 3 pm. 
• Take Your Child to the Library Day Family Story Time | Tabb Library & Yorktown Library | Connect to the community and take a break from the busyness of life. This event, featuring stories and songs, is designed for children and accompanying adults. It will be held at both Tabb Library and Yorktown Library. All ages. Free. 10:30 – 11 am. 
• Scavenger Hunt | Tabb Library & Yorktown Library | Explore the library during this special scavenger hunt. Prizes will be given out. This event will be held at Tabb Library and Yorktown Library. No registration is required. Free. 10 am – 3 pm. 

Teens

• Teen Spice Kits | Tabb Library & Yorktown Library | Teens are invited to stop by either Tabb or Yorktown Library on Feb. 1 to pick up a complimentary spice kit. Free. 10 am – 5 pm. 

Craft

• Sewing Saturday | Abram Frink Jr. Community Center | Transform a men’s button-down dress shirt into a dress for a little girl. Participants must provide the shirt and coordinating thread. Space is limited and registration is required. Call (757) 741-3324 to sign up. Free. 9:30 am – 12 pm. 

Live Music

• Dancing in the Street: “The Music of Motown” | Ferguson Center for the Arts | Experience the magic of Motown during this performance featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $25 (students and children are $15). 7:30 pm. 
• Organ Recital: Dr. JanEl Will | Bruton Parish Church | Enjoy a recital of sacred 18th-century music by candlelight, presented by Bruton Parish Church organist Dr. JanEl Will. Free and open to the public; freewill donations gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm. 

Sunday, Feb. 2

Black History Month

• Cultural Heritage Series: “Life in the Reservation Community” | Williamsburg Library | View the short film, Life in the Reservation Community, which focuses on the displacement of African American families in the area now known as the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. There will be dancing, oratorical performances and an audience Q&A. Free. 3 pm. 

Informational

• Backyard Chicken Keeping | Tabb Library | Carol Bartram of Peninsula Chicken Keepers (PeCK) will discuss the basics of keeping a small flock of pet chickens in your backyard. No registration is required. Free. 1:30 – 3 pm. 

Kids

• Sensory Playdate | James City County Library | This program is designed for children of all ages with special needs. It offers an hour of sensory bin play, a simple craft and coloring. It is held before the library’s regular open hours. Free. 12 – 1 pm. 

• Storytime with the Arts | James City County Library | Children will enjoy a story and craft presented by dancers of the Institute of Dance. This month, they’ll celebrate the season by reading Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman. For ages 3-7. Free. 2 pm. 

Theatre & Live Music

• The Cher Show | Ferguson Center for the Arts | Enjoy a Tony Award-winning musical that tells the story of the life of Cher and her six-decade career. Tickets start at $65. 7 pm. 

• Cabaret & Cocktails: Broadway Rocks! | Williamsburg Lodge | Don’t miss an electrifying night with the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra as three renowned Broadway vocalists take the stage. This show features iconic selections from smash-hit musicals Mamma Mia, The Wiz, Rock of Ages, Wicked, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Tommy, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and more. Tickets start at $70. See the website for additional details. 8 pm. 

Multi-Day

• 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. 
• 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. 

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. Tax-Aide is sponsored by the AARP Foundation and is the largest free, volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program in the U.S.  
  This program is again operating out of both the downtown Scotland St library location and the County library on Croaker Road. Service begins Feb. 1 and continues through April 15. 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. 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.