Fall is a wonderful time of year to live or visit Williamsburg, VA and its surrounding towns. There are a ton of fun activities for you and your family to do in October, the weather is nice so its enjoyable to be outside and the leaves are changing which is a beautiful experience. Don’t miss the highlighted events below!
Scarecrow Row! Make Your Own Scarecrow
Tuesday Oct. 3 but preregister by Monday, Oct 2!
Make your very own Scarecrow!! We know Harvest Festival was cancelled last weekend but James City County Parks & Recreation has still got a way for you to make your scarecrows! All supplies such as hay, clothes, paints and brushes are provided. The fee is only $20. You must register by Monday, Oct. 2. The event or pickup will be on Tuesday Oct 3 More Info
Rockefeller’s Speakeasy with Good Shot Judy
Thursday, Oct 5 at 6 pm – 9 pm on the Social Terrace
This is an event not to miss! Flappers and Dapper Dans will be sure to make it to the Social Terrace for a trip to the Roarin’ 20’s!
The evening will start with passed hors d’oeurves and mocktails through their Prohibition Reception from rom 6 pm – 6:30pm. Then at 6:30pm, they will open the reception to Rockefeller’s Speakeasy with a grazing dinner that includes a raw bar, small bites, dinner stations, and more. They encourage guests to come dressed for the occasion! Make sure to dress to the nines as as prizes will be awarded all night with a grand prize for the best dress! And to top off the night you can dance the night away with Good Shot Judy performing. Each ticket includes 2 signature cocktails. 21 and Older only. Learn more see the menu and get ticket.
Lighting of the Cressets in Colonial Williamsburg
Thursday – Saturday from Sept 28 – Oct 26, 2023 and Nov 2 – 18, 2023 – from 6 pm to 9pm – FREE and open to the public.
Head to Colonial Williamsburg at night on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street – they will be Lighting of the Cressets this fall! The 18th-century lighting brings the streets to life at night – so don’t miss the strolling musicians and make sure to take in an evening program like To Hang a Pirate, Cry Witch, Haunted Williamsburg, Capitol Concerts or Ghost Walk Jr. Enjoy the fall evenings – the cressets make the streets glow and it is a beautiful sight! Learn more here
Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series
Thursday, October 5 – County Seat Band
Thursday, October 12 – Good Shot Judy
Take in outdoor concerts on the waterfront in Yorktown at the Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series! Concerts are on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm until through October 12, 2023. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers are allowed and many Historic Yorktown restaurants will be open before and after the concert for dine-in and takeout options. Concerts are FREE. MORE
Yorktown Market Days – Two Themed Markets in October
The Yorktown Market Days has the backdrop of the beach and the picturesque York River. This farmers market also has artisan booths. It is a rain or shine market because they move it into the parking garage if the weather turns bad so you never have to worry about a little rain! They have TWO themed markets this month: Fall Festival, and Paws at the River (see below for more info)
- Yorktown Fall Festival – Oct. 14 from 9 am to 3 pm
This market will also have a petting zoo, pumpkin carving demos, caramel apples, kettle corn, seasonal pies, hay maze and Guess the Weight of the Giant Pumpkin!!! You do not want to miss this one!
- Paws at the River – Oct. 28 from 9 am to 3 pm
This awesome market has a pet parade (costumes…YES!) a spot on the waterfront where you can get your pet portrait or family picture with the pet – it is free! There is a wonderful market that day and many activities for the whole family. You don’t want to miss this themed market
Visit Williamsburg Farmers Market
Saturdays 8 am – 12 pm
The Williamsburg Farmers Market is in beautiful downtown Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area. Produce, Meat, and Baked Good vendors along with Flowers, Coffee and more. You can shop and then grab lunch at one of the many eateries in town. MORE
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream & Counts Spooktacular
Select nights through October 31
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream is a special event for the fall season. Celebrate Halloween and all things fun during the day and creepy at night. During the day kids will enjoy trick-or-treat stations, dance parties, costume parade, hay maze and more! The park features Haunted Houses, Terror-tories (sections of the park that you walk though…but beware…there are scary characters all about waiting to terrorize you) and Shows, party zones and world-class coasters at night. Parental discretion is advised after 6:00 PM, as events contain amplified scares that are not recommended for children. Need tickets? Check out our ticket discount page!
KOG’s Children’s Consignment Sale – King of Glory – Friday & Saturday, Oct 6 & 7
Sale Hours:
Consigner Presale – Friday 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Public Sale – Friday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Public Sale Saturday 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM
The King of Glory Children’s Consignment Sale features high-quality children’s clothes, toys, books, and equipment ranging from infants to juniors at a fraction of their retail costs. This is a huge sale so get ready to shop! More info
It’s a Go! Picnic on the Pier – Jamestown Settlement –
Friday, Oct 6 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Get your tickets and grab your favorite group of friends! Yes, it had to be rescheduled due to weather – and that means – you can still get tickets!!
If you haven’t done an after hours event at the Jamestown Settlement…now is the perfect opportunity! How about hangin’ at the Fort, by the boats and the river while eating Williamsburg favorites Old City BBQ, drinking Virginia Beer Company beer, and all the while listening to live music from Virginia’s Blues Ambassador Bobby BlackHat and his band? Sound like something you might like? If it goes indoors it will be beautiful experience so don’t miss it! Learn more
Yorktown Wine Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 from Noon – 6:00pm at the Riverwalk Landing Yorktown
Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or an aspiring novice—you don’t want to miss the Yorktown Wine Festival grand tasting. Not only will you sample some of Virginia’s finest vino, but you’ll take your palate on a trip around the world! Yorktown shares more than just history with our sister cities Zweibrücken and Port-Vendres. In a nod to both countries, you can sample Rieslings and Gewürztraminers from Germany and indulge bubbly from France—the only place where true champagne is created! Live music by Wonderland at 12:30 p.m. and Brasswind at 3:30 p.m. More info
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Jamestown Museum
October 7 – 8, 2023
Stuffed animal sleepover is a free public program at Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown JYF is hosting a special night at the museum with their stuffed animal friends! Your favorite stuffie is invited to join the Museum’s highly trained staff of stuffed-animal-sitters for an adventure-filled slumber party at Jamestown Settlement or the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. This is a free event; you don’t need to pay for a museum ticket to drop off or pick up your stuffie! In fact, on Sunday you can get free admission for your whole family by showing admission staff, your stuffie who spent the night at the museum. Learn more
Sing-Along Concert with Tiffany Haas – King of Glory – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 3 – 5 pm
Featuring Tiffany Haas (star of Broadway’s Wicked) on Oct 7 from 3 pm – 5 pm
Bring the family! Come sing-a-long to your songs from movies, TV and more! Admission is free with a free will offering that will benefit the school’s scholarship fund. More info
Haunted Activities at Go Ape Zipline Adventure Park
Saturdays Oct 7, 14, 21
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park has some fun fall activities planned! Frights at Height has returned this year, scaring guests in October. Find zombies and ghouls hiding as you navigate the Treetop Journey zipline and ropes course in the dark. They are also launching Haunted Trails this fall. A terrifying experience, our ground-based scare trail takes you on a hike through cursed woods, where every turn holds unfathomable evil. Or try their new activity called ForestEscAPE the Night! – a Halloween-themed outdoor escape room game, after dark. Chilling mysteries and ghastly puzzles, perfect for problem solvers looking for a challenge. For those not wanting to be scared, Go Ape is still the perfect place to get into the season. We will have festive decorations, candy for trick or TREE-ting, and more fun activities. More info
Back to Broadway – Join Broadway Star Tiffany Haas, for a fabulous evening of Broadway magic!
October 7 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
King Of Glory
In this concert, Tiffany takes us “Back To Broadway” as she tells stories of starring in the Broadway smash hit WICKED and the journey beyond. Tiffany shares favorite songs from popular Broadway musicals and the untold stories behind the composers who wrote them. Expect cherished classics from landmark songwriters including George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, as well as songs by Broadway’s most popular Tony-award-winning composers including Stephen Schwartz, Adam Guettel, Jeanine Tesori, and more! Get tickets & Info here
2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival
Oct. 8 from 11 am to 5 pm
Stroll the streets of Downtown Williamsburg on Oct. 8 and take in unique handcrafts and live music in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Wide range of handcrafts and continuous live music & performances. There’s something to be enjoyed by all! ADMISSION IS FREE. MORE
7th Annual Children’s Health Expo & Safe Kids Day at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center –
Event Update
The Children’s Expo & Safe Kids Day at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center has been canceled due to the rainy weather forecast. We’re just as disappointed as you are but your safety and comfort at this event is our top priority.
Saturday, October 14 from 10 am to 2 pm
The event is free and open to the public. Mark your calendars for the Children’s Health Expo & Safe Kids Day at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
– Fun Activities for Kids
– Health, Fitness & Nutrition Stations
– Sheriff Department
– Fire Truck & Ambulance
– Medical Helicopter
– Face Painting
– Character Visits
– Certified Pet Therapy
– Door Prizes
– Safe Kids Injury Prevention Activities: Medication Safety, Water Safety, Fire Safety, Bike Safety, Seat Belt Safety, Car Seat Safety, Distracted Driving Prevention. More Info
Fit Fest at the WISC!
Saturday, Oct 14 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
A FREE fun-filled fitness event for all ages! Sample size portions of Les Mills, HIIT, Power Hour, Total Body Row, Bounce, and Barre. Each class will last 20 mins with a 10 min break in between. A Power Performance obstacle course will be set up on back turf for kids ages 8 and up, arts/crafts/games upstairs for kids of all ages, and childcare is provided for the tiniest humans. There will be snacks, raffles, samples, and discounts for participants! More info
Victory at Yorktown 242nd Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, Oct 14, 2023
The 242nd anniversary of America’s momentous 1781 Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown will be celebrated Saturday, October 14 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown with artillery firings, military programs and music. Visitors can interact with Revolutionary War re-enactors and take part in interpretive demonstrations, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See the full schedule of the days events here
Boo Bash at the Beach
***UPDATE (10/12/23): Due to impending inclement weather, Boo Bash at the Beach has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience.***
Saturday, Oct. 14 from 1 – 4 pm
Enjoy a day at the beach with a Halloween twist! Enjoy Trick-or-Treating, hands-on activities, music, games, food for purchase and more! Choose a pumpkin from the patch on the beach to carve and decorate available first-come, first-served while supplies last. Costumes welcome; please, no costume masks. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more info on this event go HERE.
Parking Fee: $5/car (cash or check only)
The Haunted Homestead and Weird Woods at Peace Hill is BACK! Family Fun with An Eerie Edge (if you dare)
Event Date: (date change to:) Sunday October 15
Times: 12:30-8:30 PM
TICKETS: Buy at the door or online (https://www.historicpeacehill.com/general-7) before you arrive (in case they sell out)! Tickets purchase online
This is an all ages event! The Haunted Homestead and Weird Woods at Peace Hill Farm! The highlight of last year’s event was the opportunity for kids to play games and interact with the ghosts and monsters–and we’re thrilled to announce that we’re expanding, with even more monsters, food and fun, and outdoor games! We have a whole cadre of talented improv actors who are just waiting to give your kids a wonderful day at the farm.
The Weird Woods is on a marked trail and is suggested for kids 8 and older (though parents know their kids best)! New this year, instead of scaring the travelers along our woods path, they will be given the opportunity to complete challenges posted by the spooky woods dwellers. Finish the challenges to win (small) prizes! TIP** Younger children might want to go through the Weird Woods in daylight, but for a slightly spookier experience, wait until after dark! Or kids can stay up by the firepit and continue enjoying the goats, games and smores.
Grand Opening Party Zoom Room Williamsburg
Saturday Oct 14 from 4 pm – 6 pm
Bring your dog, your family and come celebrate the Grand Opening of our newest Zoom Room! The festivities during the party are free for everyone to enjoy, but RSVP to receive a special gift bag with treats. In addition, Zoom Room will donate $10 to Ring Dog Rescue for everyone who RSVPs and attends. Click here to RSVP for the party. To celebrate their Grand Opening, on Saturday and Sunday (October 14th and October 15th) morning they are offering a few Intro to Agility classes for only $5 (single classes are normally $38!) What will you do at the Grand Opening?
- Check out their new indoor dog training facility and meet their great staff
- Take advantage of special offers available only during the Grand Opening weekend
- Get a FREE caricature of your dog!
- Take home FREE photos of you and your best friend!
- Snap hilarious pics of your dog trying our Bobbing for Hot Dogs challenge!
- Learn some new TRICKS with our trainers!
- Decorate and take home our freshly baked doggy donuts (kids love this one!)
- Enjoy delicious food, treats (for humans!) and cold beverages!
- More info
Yorktown Day Parade & Patriotic Exercises
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Join in the festivities to commemorate the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 and the Revolutionary War victory that paved the way for America and freedom.
The official Yorktown Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Colonial National Historical Park wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument 11 am
Patriotic exercises will commence at the Monument to Alliance and Victory at 11:15 a.m
The day begins with a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a patriotic parade down Main Street. Enjoy a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town and be sure to visit all of the town’s historic sites, such as…read more here
Hannah’s Closet Spring Consignment Sale
2023 Fall Sale October 19-21, 2023
Woodlands Conference Center – 159 Visitor Center Dr.
Over 35,000 items; baby-teen clothing, shoes, toys, books, gear, and so much more! Hannah’s Closet is a semi-annual children’s consignment sale, held in the Williamsburg, Va area. This is a HUGE consignment sale that happens in the Fall and the Spring. Infant through Teen clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, sports equipment and so much more. Women’s clothes too! Don’t miss this sale! More info
Family Frights at Jamestown Settlement
“Family Frights,” a Halloween-theme museum night for the entire family, returns to Jamestown Settlement for the 10th year on Friday and Saturday, October 20 and 21. This has become an annual “must do” event in Williamsburg. This year’s themes, fairies and magical creatures, Peter Pan and that pesky crocodile, legendary villains, marvelous heroes and much more! Trick-or-treating, ghostly tales and grisly games will be among the festivities available at 6-7:30 p.m. and 8-9:30 p.m. on both dates. Tickets must be purchased online, tickets not sold at the door. More info
Fantasy Physics Fest at William & Mary
WILLIAM & MARY’S 12TH ANNUAL PHYSICS OPEN HOUSE
OCTOBER 21, 2023 · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Free and open to the public! Bring the kids for a day of why science is so cool!
More details
The FISH Costume Sale for 2023
Thursday, Oct. 26 from 10 am to 5 pm (Twilight Sale Wednesday Oct. 25 from 8 – 11 pm)
This annual event is a local favorite. Clothes that were donated to FISH but were not able to be used make the best Halloween costumes and this sale will not disappoint! The proceeds benefit FISH our local food pantry & clothes closet. There is a twilight sale on Wednesday if you are a night owl (mostly for the WM college kids). Location: William & Mary Sadler Center, Tidewater Rooms – more info
Disability Awareness Trick or Treat • All Ages with Disabilities FREE!
Saturday, Oct. 28 • 9 a.m.-noon
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center
Come Trick or Treating in a fun, sensory friendly environment while learning about community resources for children and adults with disabilities. Enjoy activities for all ages, allergy free treats and a sensory break room. If you’re interested in presenting as a vendor or would like more information, please call 757-259-5354 or email Tracy.Newsom@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Halloween Afternoon Tea at the Williamsburg Inn
Sunday, Oct. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 31
Enjoy a lovely afternoon with friends and loved ones with the fine tradition of Afternoon Tea, in the Goodwin Room at the Williamsburg Inn, with a spooky twist. Double, double toil and trouble; enjoy a festive blend of tea curated between our Chef’s and the Spice and Tea Exchange in Merchant’s Square. Be careful though, it’s been known to bite! More info
Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tours
Hopefully you’ve walked through the beautiful streets and buildings of Colonial Williamsburg (if you haven’t add that to your list). Try walking through CW at night with a ghost teller relaying authentic ghost stories from the 1700s. And perhaps they may mention a few creepy recent encounters too. Haunted Williamsburg is the official ghost tour experience of Colonial Williamsburg MORE.
Don’t forget to bring your Good Neighbors Pass if you are a local resident as you will get a 25% discount. Your Good Neighbor Pass offers discounts on food and beverage and shopping in Colonial Williamsburg stores and resort eateries. If you are a local resident or you teach or work in the area you may qualify for the Good Neighbors pass which gives you unlimited entrance to Colonial Williamsburg museums, historic trade house and discounts on tickets you purchase for friends and family. MORE on all the benefits of this pass!
Fall Fun – It is our big list of all things fall – from festivals to hayrides to fall leaves – if it has to do with fall – it’s there!
Fall Fun – we just have too many great events in the area to fit in to one post so this page has tons of events that are linked to it – it is a BIG list of Fall Fun Events!
Best Pumpkin Patches & Farm Events
Check out the full list of Pumpkin Patches and Farms in and around Williamsburg who are hosting fall events.
Fall Brochure for Rec Connect is out!
If you are looking for fun classes, activities and events make sure to check out the James City County Parks and Recreation: Destination Recreation Brochure! more info