Merry Christmas, Colonial Williamsburg!
Historic Holidays.
Wood smoke rises on street corners as fires blaze in cressets—an early form of street lighting and reminiscent of super-sized torches. A heavenly cinnamon-apple scent wafts by—it’s hot cider and just what you need to warm your bones on a cold December night. Soon the Fife and Drum Corps march into view, drummers keeping a steady rat-a-tat as staccato bursts of fifing—like excited birdsong—add joy. A group of carolers in period clothing sing “Silent Night.” Fireworks explode in the night sky. It feels like you’re in a movie.
But you’re not. You’re in Colonial Williamsburg (CW) during the Grand Illumination, a popular holiday event held the first three Sundays in December. It’s just one of many ways to celebrate the festive season in Virginia’s original capital city, as Williamsburg’s sleigh ride of holiday activities and events glide all the way to New Year’s.
They take Christmas seriously in the Historic Area. Under the guidance of CW’s Landscape Director Joanne Chapman, scores of holiday elves install nearly 100 Christmas trees and create decorations from 11,400 feet of pine bough roping, 85 cases of fresh fruit, 600 bunches of dried flowers, and 375 bows. Almost 1,000 candles shine every night in the windows of Historic Area buildings. The atmosphere is pure magic.
There’s something for everyone on the calendar. Little ones will love the gaily decorated trees, street theater performances, and celebrations of the Yule Log. Then there are wreath-making classes, folk art ornament workshops, docent talks, and concerts—even haunted tours. During the holiday season, dining options include elegant feasts, champagne-spiked brunches, wine dinners, food trucks, and more. CW Holiday Planner 2024: 888-293-1776 or History.org.
More to explore…
Gloucester
Usher in the holidays in this charming Tidewater town, Dec. 7, with an annual Christmas & Holiday Parade that includes floats down Main Street, Christmas tunes, and lots of holiday cheer. GloucesterVa.gov
Cape Charles
Watch classic Christmas movies, meet Santa, and hop a carriage ride during Winter Wonderland in Cape Charles, each Friday starting after Thanksgiving. CapeCharlesVirginiasCape.com
Suffolk
Equestrian units, marching bands, and festive vehicles star in Suffolk’s annual Holiday Parade, Dec. 14. The city’s Festival of Lights, a drive-thru light show in Sleepy Hole Park, Dec. 3, 7–25, 28–31, is sure to brighten holiday spirits. VisitSuffolkVa.com
Merry Christmas, Virginia!
Christmas in Virginia wasn’t always celebrated with the pomp and circumstance it is today. Early colonists attended church, likely followed by a special meal. The big excitement was firing guns on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Photos with Santa, cut-your-own trees, jingle bells, and presents? These were not Christmas hallmarks or staples back in the day.
Today, it’s hard to imagine the holiday season in Virginia without decorating homes, making Christmas cookies, singing carols, and unwrapping presents around the tree on Christmas morning. Yuletide festivities seem to put everyone in a good mood—except maybe Ebenezer Scrooge, and eventually even he sees the light!
It’s a time of year when we open our doors to strangers and friends alike, and our traditions add to the cheeriness and warmth. My mother always made her Scottish grandmother’s shortbread. As kids, we helped “spank the dough” when Mom got tired of kneading. It’s a time for joyful experiences, whether cutting your own tree or attending a tree lighting in a festive town square.
If you’re ready to adopt new holiday traditions, Virginia is brimming with inventive ways and ideal places to celebrate. Need inspiration? Virginia Living breaks the state into five distinct regions. Here’s how a handful of Virginia’s small cities and towns across the regions celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
- Christmas in Northern Virginia
- Christmas in the Shenandoah Valley
- Christmas in Central Virginia
- Christmas in Southwest Virginia
This article originally appeared in our December 2024 issue.
