A Month-Long Celebration of Christmas at Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is known for its authenticity, educational value, and fun as a living-history museum. Open 365 days a year, the historic district brings history to life with costumed interpreters, restored and reconstructed buildings, and special events. Christmas is an extra special time at Colonial Williamsburg with holiday-themed celebrations and performances every day in December. Start your Williamsburg Christmas celebration early in the month or spend the actual holiday frolicking in history.

Check the website or the Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Planner for more information. Remember that some events do require an extra ticket.

Special Events

If one of these events strikes your fancy, be sure to plan your trip carefully since they only happen one or two days during the month.

• “A Christmas Carol” Tea on December 2 and 3 at 1:30 pm: Gerald Dickens (great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens) presents his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol while guests sip on tea on nibble on seasonal treats.
• Dinner with Dickens on December 2 and 3 at 6:00 pm: The festive three-course dinner is accompanied by a one-man performance of A Christmas Carol by Gerald Dickens (great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens).
• The Colonial Christmas Jukebox on December 2 and 23 at 4:00 pm: Hear popular tunes and carols from the past and understand their history, and learn about the why the fiddle is so important during the holidays.
• The William and Mary Accidentals on December 3 at 4:00 pm. Enjoy the sounds of an all-treble-voice a cappella group as they sing holiday standards and crowd favorites.
• The Williamsburg Symphony: Holiday Brass on December 4 at 7:00 pm: The Williamsburg Symphony’s brass quintet heralds the spirit of the season.
• Decorated Wreath Sales on December 4-7 (times vary): Wreaths designed by the people who decorate Colonial Williamsburg during the holiday season will be on sale at the Williamsburg Christmas Market.
• Community Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4 at 5:00 pm: Hear a festive reading of The Night Before Christmas. Then sing carols as the 40-foot spruce is lit with more than 7,500 twinkling lights.
• Holiday Pops with the Williamsburg Symphony on December 6 and 7 at 1:30 pm and again at 3:00 pm: This beloved tradition features the orchestra accompanied by Broadway star Tiffany Haas.
• Decorating the Private Homes on December 12 at 6:00 pm: Employees live in some of the restored private residences of Colonial Williamsburg. This is a chance to get decorating tips from them.
• Lighting of the Cressets on December 26 and 27 at 6:00 pm: Duke of Gloucester Street comes to life as combination fire and planter baskets are lit.

Daily (or almost daily) Events

Colonial Williamsburg really does celebrate the holiday season with some events happening every day from Thanksgiving until New Years.

• Wassailing in front of the Courthouse at noon from November 24 until January 3
• Christmas Decorations Walking Tour at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm from December 1 until January 1
• A Christmas Remembered at Charlton Stage at 2:30 pm from November 24 until January 3: This is a special performance by a Nation Builder as they share Christmas memories.
• Midwinter Stories at the Governor’s Palace East Advance at 1:30 pm and again at 3:00 pm every Tuesday through Saturday from December 2 until January 1: Hear stories and learn about the traditions of various Native Nations.

Events Happening Every Monday

• Christmas with the Washingtons at the Hennage Auditorium at 11:00 am from November 24 until December 29: Costumed interpreters share how George and Martha Washington celebrated their first Christmas after the war ended.
• Death Never Takes a Holiday at the Hennage Auditorium at 1:30 pm from November 24 until December 29: Dr. Kelly M. Brennan shares how death and the supernatural factored into colonial Christmastide.
• A Holiday Medley at the Hennage Auditorium every Monday and Thursday at 4:00 pm from November 24 until December 29 (no performance on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day): The tale of winters in Williamsburg is told via story, song, and dance.

Events Happening Every Tuesday

• To Decorate a Christmas Tree the Hennage Auditorium at 1:30 pm from December 2 until December 30: Learn about the history of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Christmas Tree with Christina Westenberger, co-author of The Art-Full Tree: Ornaments to Make Inspired by the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

Events Happening Every Wednesday

• Christmastide with Governor’s Musick at Hennage Auditorium at 1:30 pm from November 26 through December 31: Go on a musical journey through the season to learn how Williamsburg celebrated.

Events Happening Every Thursday

• A Holiday Medley at the Hennage Auditorium every Monday and Thursday at 4:00 pm from November 24 until December 29 (no performance on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day): The tale of winters in Williamsburg is told via story, song, and dance.
• Capitol Concert on December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00 pm: The Governor’s Musick Ensemble presents an 18^th-century Christmas music concert.
• Artful Winter Evening Concerts on December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00 pm: The holiday performances are accompanied by after-hours guided tours through the art museum galleries and an opportunity to create your own ornament.

Events Happenings Every Friday

• Williamsburg Lodge Gingerbread Holiday Dinner from November 27 through December 26.
• Christmastide at the Courthouse from November 27 through December 19 at 7:30 pm: Lift your spirits with dance tunes and songs of the season.
• A Celebration of the Yule Log from December 5 through 19 at 6:00 pm: Follow the Yule Log from Capitol Circle to Market Square and make a wish as you toss greenery into the bonfire.

Events Happening Every Saturday

• Grand Illumination from December 6 through December 20: This hallmark event features musical performances on multiple stages capped off by fireworks.
• A Charles Dickens Christmas from November 29 through December 27 at 4:00 pm: This holiday show features readings from Charles Dickens writings, Christmas carols, and 19^th-century instruments.
• Toy Making from December 6 through January 3 at 10:15 am: Make a toy inspired by the exhibits at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Book your room at A Williamsburg White House Inn and start planning your personal Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg itinerary now.  Don’t forget to check out the Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Williamsburg 2025 for more inspiration.