Things to do this weekend: Sister Cities French Market, Bikes Out of Hibernation and more events

Yorktown’s annual Sister Cities French Market returns to Riverwalk Landing on Saturday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m

The event celebrates Port-Vendres, a historic coastal village in France that has been Yorktown’s sister city since 1990.

Visitors attending the market will be able to enjoy French music; shop for produce, baked goods and artwork; and dine on a variety of French foods, such as crepes, macarons, chocolates and fresh-baked breads and pastries. French wine will also be available to sample or purchase in the Wine Garden.

A silent auction will be held, and guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of fine items. The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra will perform on Historic Main Street at 1 p.m. Admission to the event is free.

Some other highlights this weekend include Bikes Out of Hibernation – a free annual event that features bicycle safety inspections and adjustments – at Jamestown Settlement, the Outdoor Enthusiast Event at Newport News Park, a Rain Barrel Workshop hosted by James City County, Lighting of the Cressets at Colonial Williamsburg, the weekend-long Brill Music & BBQ Fest at Jamestown Beach Event Park, a free Movie in the Park at New Quarter Park and a free concert featuring acclaimed organist Aaron David Miller at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. 

-Christin

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Events This Weekend

Below is a list of local happenings taking place April 19-21. Click on the bolded, hyperlinked event title for additional details.

Friday, April 19

Blood Drive

• Midtown Row Blood Drive – Current Midtown Clubhouse (Williamsburg). Help save lives by donating blood. All donors will receive a $10 e-gift card to the merchant of their choice and will be entered for a chance to win a $7,000 gift card. See the website to sign up. 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

Kids & Families

• Forest Explorers Friday: Build a Bluebird House – Freedom Park (Williamsburg). Guests will create a hand-built bluebird house for their yard to create a habitat for a spring brood of baby Eastern Bluebirds. Supplies are available for 15 families; first come, first served. Free. 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

History

• In Defense of Our Liberty – Magazine Yard (Colonial Williamsburg). See what it was like to be a soldier in the 18th century. You’ll learn how Revolutionary-era soldiers lived, fought and ultimately became free and independent. This program is open to the public but requires an event ticket ($16). 7:00 – 8:00 pm. 

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Saturday, April 20

Special Events

• Yorktown Market Days: Sister Cities French Market – Riverwalk Landing (Yorktown). Find traditional French fare at the annual Sister Cities French Market. Local vendors will sell macarons, crepes, baguettes, chocolates, and more in celebration of Port-Vendres, Yorktown’s sister city since 1990. There will also be French music and a performance by The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra, a French wine garden and a silent auction. 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. 
• Bikes Out of Hibernation – Jamestown Settlement Parking Lot (Williamsburg). Gear up for cycling season with Bikes out of Hibernation. Representatives from local bike shops, the Williamsburg Area Bicyclists and BikeWalk Williamsburg will offer safety inspections, adjustments, tire pumping, free helmets and helmet fittings. Afterward, attendees are invited to cycle the adjacent Virginia Capital Trail or the Jamestown Island loop. No registration is required. Free. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. 
• National Parks Free Entrance Day – Colonial National Historical Park (Williamsburg). Colonial National Historical Park (CNHP) and other national parks throughout the nation will offer a free entrance day on April 20 in celebration of National Park Week. Admission fees to the park will be waived all day. (Note: Preservation Virginia will continue to charge a fee for entrance to their portion of Jamestown, which includes the James Fort Site, Archaearium, Memorial Church, and Dale House Cafe). 
• VPCC Open House – Hampton Campus/Peninsula Workforce Development Center (Hampton). Discover what VPCC has to offer, such as in-demand college transfer programs, career programs, athletics, affordable tuition, flexible class schedules and dedicated faculty. This event features tours and demonstrations, FAFSA/Financial Aid Assistance, Military and Veterans Services, help with admissions and registration and more. Register here. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• Outdoor Enthusiast Event – Newport News Park (Newport News). Celebrate the Great Outdoors in beautiful Newport News Park. This event will feature a wide variety of activities, including ax throwing, boat rentals, equipment vendors, zipline rides, interactive fitness classes, a lumberjack showcase, a live gator show and more. Free admission; parking is $10 (cash only). 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Dye Day at the Weaver – Historic Trade: Weaver (Colonial Williamsburg). During this special event, interpreters will recreate natural dyes and dye recipes from the 18th century to create a spectrum of colors to use on fabrics, yarns and fibers. Weather permitting. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. 
• Rain Barrel Workshop – James City County Library (Williamsburg). James City County is hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop on Saturday, April 20. Participants will discover the many benefits of rain barrels and learn to make their own at home. The workshop includes the barrel and hardware for the rain barrel assembly and costs $25. One registration per household. Sign up here. 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
• Cook’s Burger Bar Grand Opening – 1246 Richmond Rd. (Williamsburg). Attend the grand opening of Cook’s Burger Bar. The restaurant, which is taking over the former Matchstick BBQ Co. space, features a nostalgic 1950s design. Menu options include burgers and fries, mid-century snacks and small plates and classic dishes like “Grandma Style Meatloaf.” The first 1,000 customers will receive 99 cent Cook’s Classics. 11:00 am – 11:00 pm.
• Made Spring Clothing Swap – Midtown Row (Williamsburg). Attend the 5th Annual Fashion Revolution Week Clothes Swap on the sidewalk in front of Made in Midtown Row. Tickets are $10 if purchased before the day of the event of $15 at the door. See the website for more details or to purchase tickets. 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 
• Earth Day Bash ’24 – Crim Dell Meadows (William & Mary). Attend an Earth Day celebration featuring live music, free food and a variety of activities. There will be trivia, a pop-up thrift shop and art projects. This family-friendly event is open to the public. 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. 
• Movies in the Park: Mavka: The Forest Song – New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). Enjoy a family-friendly movie at New Quarter Park (1000 Lakeshead Drive, Williamsburg). Pelican Snowballs will be on site with snoballs to purchase. This month’s theme is Earth Day, and the featured film is Mavka: The Forest Song (2023, PG). 1hr 39m. Bring chairs or a blanket for seating. Popcorn provided. See the website for weather-related update info. Arrive up to an hour early for fun, games and activities provided by Parks & Recreation. Free. Begins at sunset.
• Lighting of the Cressets – Duke of Gloucester Street (Colonial Williamsburg). Colonial Williamsburg’s 18th-century streets will come to life with strolling musicians during this special Lighting of the Cressets event. 8:00 – 10:00 pm. 

Markets

• Williamsburg Farmers Market – Duke of Gloucester and P4 Parking Lot (Williamsburg). The Williamsburg Farmers Market has returned for the 2024 season. Shop from local vendors selling fresh seasonal produce, meats, baked goods, honey, cheese, cut flowers, handmade soaps and more. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• Toano Open Air Market – 7891 Richmond Road (Toano). The Toano Open Air Market has returned for the 2024 season. Shop for local produce, plants, meats, bakery treats and much more. There will also be live music and food vendors. 9 am – 1 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. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. 

Craft

• Painting Mini Masterpieces – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Create small canvas paintings during this program. Basic materials are provided and people of all skills are invited. See the website to sign up. 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Nature

• Roaming Ranger – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Meet with an on-the-go naturalist/ranger and discover the aquatic, insect, mammal and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Included with park admission. 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. 

Health & Wellness

Better Living: Health and Nutrition Education – Abram Frink Jr. Community Center (Williamsburg). This class features an introduction to kitchen tools and equipment and will include cooking demonstrations by retired Chef Linwood Blizzard. No registration required. 11:00 am. 

Kids

• Kids Movie Night – Heritage Humane Society (Williamsburg). HHS will host a Kids Movie Night featuring a movie, popcorn, pizza, an educational activity and visits from adoptable pets. For ages 6-12. $20/child. All proceeds benefit the homeless pets at HHS. See the website to sign up. 5:30 – 9:00 pm.

Music

• Erika Henningsen with WSO: One Night Only – Ferguson Center for the Arts (Newport News). Attend a night of classic and not-so-class musical gems with Broadway’s Erika Henningsen and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. All seats are $20 in recognition of the Ferguson Center’s 20th anniversary. 8:00 pm. 
• Youth Harp Recital: Williamsburg Harp Society – Bruton Parish Church (Williamsburg). Attend a candlelight harp recital at the 300-year-old Bruton Parish Church. Presented by Williamsburg Harp Society with Cynthia Campbell, Director. 8:00 – 9:00 pm. 

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Sunday, April 21

Writing

Writers’ Club: Q&A with NY Times Bestselling Author, Deanna Raybourn – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). This supportive writer’s group features informative talks on a variety of writing-related topics and allows writers to meet with each other. This week’s session features a Q&A with NY Times Bestselling author, Deanna Raybourn. 2:00 pm.

Tweens & Teens

• Tween Craft Lounge – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Tweens ages 9-12 are invited to drop in for this monthly program featuring a snack, a craft and time to hang out with friends. 2:00 – 4:00 pm. 
• Teen Arts and Crafts: Corrugated Creations – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). Teens are invited to attend this Corrugated Creations workshop, where they’ll re-purpose cardboard to create something fun and unique. 2:00 – 3:00 pm. 

Presentation

• An English Medieval Cathedral – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Jan Smith of the Ann Wager DAR Chapter will present on the fundamentals of cathedral buildings and how those elements are important to the beloved novel, The Pillars of the Earth. 2:00 pm. 

Kids

• Paws to Read with K-9 Connection – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Kids are invited to drop in and read a story to trained therapy dogs. No registration required. 2:30 pm.

Music

• Open Doors Concert Series: Aaron David Miller with Pipedreams Live – Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy a concert featuring organist Aaron David Miller, prize-winner of several prestigious compositions. Dr. Miller will be joined by Michael Barone, host of public radio’s Pipedreams, for a recording of Pipedreams Live. Free. 4:00 pm.

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Multi-Day

Special Events

• Brill Music & BBQ Fest – Jamestown Beach Event Park (Williamsburg). April 19-21. Don’t miss the 2024 Brill Music & BBQ Fest. The festival features a weekend of events under a huge tent at Jamestown Beach Event Park. There will be live music throughout the weekend, a KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition, food trucks and more. Click here for more details or to purchase tickets.
• Spring Sidewalk Sale – Merchants Square (Williamsburg). Friday April 19 – Sunday, April 21, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Several popular Merchants Square retailers will be offering discounts on select items during the Spring Sidewalk Sale. Purchases support the preservation, research and educational programs of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 
• Spring Native Plant Sale – Virginia Living Museum (Newport News). April 20-21, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Virginia Living Museum’s Native Plant Sale features an array of native trees, shrubs and perennials. This year, there will also be a range of indoor plants, herbs, vegetables and special hot peppers. 
• Monster Jam 2024 – Hampton Coliseum (Hampton). April 19 – 21. Attend the family-friendly Monster Jam, where the world’s best drivers and their 12,000-pound monster trucks participate in intense competitions of speed and skill. Tickets start at $15. See the website for more details or to purchase tickets. 
• Terrace Room Spring Tea – Williamsburg Inn (Williamsburg). April 15-16. Enjoy fine Afternoon Tea featuring a Spring-inspired menu. There will be handmade scones, tea sandwiches, pastries and signature tea. Prepaid reservations are required; see the website for more details. 

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Future Events to Note

• Pirates Invade Yorktown – Riverwalk Landing (Yorktown). Get ready for a weekend-long invasion of the Yorktown waterfront. Visitors will enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, explore a pirate encampment, sing along to sea shanties, take part in a town-wide treasure hunt and witness cannon demonstrations. Free. April 27-28, 10 am – 4 pm. 

• Historic Garden Week Tours – Multiple Locations (Williamsburg). The Williamsburg Garden Club will kick off its signature event, Historic Garden Week, featuring tours of two homes in 18th-century Colonial Williamsburg and a guided walking tour of four Colonial Revival Gardens en route to points of historic interest. Visitors will enjoy time at Colonial Williamsburg before or after the Walnut Hill tour. Tickets are $40/person in advance of $50/person day-of. Tuesday, April 23, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

• VNPS Annual Native Plant Sale – 401 North Boundary Street (Williamsburg). If you’re planning to grow Virginia native plants in your garden this year, mark your calendars for the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society’s Annual Plant Sale. Attendees will be able to learn about plants native to our area and talk to gardening experts. Saturday, May 4, 9:30 am – 2 pm.

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