Best things to do in November in Williamsburg 2025
Best things to do in November in Williamsburg, Yorktown and surrounding towns – November 2025
If you love the fall you will love being in Williamsburg in November. With the leaves changing and the air becoming crisp but not cold – it is the perfect time of year to walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg or head on over to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens and start stoking your holiday spirit! The outdoor ice rink Liberty Pavilion opens, tree lightings and evening programs keep the lights on and folks wandering the Historic Area. Maritime Markets in Yorktown will keep you kids wide eyed watching for pirates while you can get a holiday shopping done! And don’t forget the photos with Santa! Keep checking back – we add events to this list during the month!
Vintage Market
Saturday, November 1 from 9 am – 3 pm
McReynolds Athletic Complex (MAC) Yorktown
If you enjoy restoring old furniture, shopping for vintage clothing and jewelry or filling your home with one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces—you don’t want to miss this popular fall event! York County’s popular Vintage Market. Browse the complex to search for farm antiques, old children’s books, vinyl records, vintage tools and unique home décor. More info
Fall Festival at Peace Hill Farm
Saturday, November 1 from 10 am – 4 pm
A full day of local vendors and artisans, food, drinks, farm animals, live music, yard games (giant Jenga, chess, and four-in a row, plus corn hole toss and more)! All little ones are welcome to play in the giant sandbox! Parents, bring your kids and sit around the fire while they play. Or challenge your teenagers to a contest! Free admission to all! More info
The Virginia Cat Festival
Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2 from 11 am – 5 pm
Williamsburg Lodge
A celebration of all things cats. For cat people. This is a two day event featuring special guests, merchandise, workshops, vendors, games & activities, and more. More information on the schedule and tickets.
Special Event: Lighting of the Cressets
November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 | 6 – 9 pm
Colonial Williamsburg
Head to historic Duke of Gloucester Street for the Lighting of the Cressets as we bring our 18th-century streets to life at night with music. Stay and catch and evening program, dinner or a drink with friends. More info
The Bodacious Bazaar
Friday & Saturday, November 7 & 8, 10am–7pm & Sunday, November 9, 10am–5pm
Hampton Convention Center
This is Virginia’s largest shopping EXTRAVAGANZA! Packed with vendors wall to wall from all over the country. Get ready to shop for all your holiday gifts!! More info here
Yorktown Market Days Maritime Festival
Saturday, November 8 & Sunday, November 9 from 9 am – 3 pm
Yorktown Riverwalk Landing
Enjoy an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating everything there is to love about our waterfront locale! In addition to the amazing farmers market vendors, this annual themed market will feature sample some of the best seafood in the area, pirate encampment, sea shanties, a history fair, kids’ crafts and face painting, work boats, blacksmiths and colonial reenactments. See the day’s schedule and don’t miss it!
2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival
November 9 from 11 am to 4 pm
Stroll the streets of Downtown Williamsburg and take in unique handcrafts from more than 190+ artisans, live music, performing arts and food trucks in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. There’s something to be enjoyed by all! ADMISSION IS FREE. MORE
Veterans Day Events – Williamsburg & Yorktown
Tuesday, November 11
There are several events going on for Veterans Day. We have a Veteran’s Day post with the entire list of events because there are too many for this post. See all the Veterans Day events here.
Fall Tea at the Williamsburg Inn
Thursday – Saturday, November 13 – 15 from 2 – 3:30 pm
Spend the afternoon with your family and friends indulging in the fine Afternoon Tea with a fall-inspired menu. Enjoy handmade scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, and more with a signature tea from the Chef Collaboration with The Tea and Spice Exchange. Make reservations online.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens
Select dates from November 14 through January 4
It is the most wonderful time of the year as Busch Gardens® Christmas Town™ returns to celebrate 16 years of festive fun. Family-friendly classics such as Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas Town Express and festive shows cover the park in holiday cheer. Indulge in seasonal sweet treats like flavored hot chocolates and deep-dish cookies, exclusive to Christmas Town. Holiday shopping and special photo opportunities complete the festive holiday tradition for friends and families.
The annual Christmas Town celebration transforms Busch Gardens Williamsburg into one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America. It is a local and tourist favorite events. Busch Gardens is already running single day ticket promotions (see Busch Gardens ticket discounts here) and they have Fun Cards for those who like to go more than once during the season. This event combines rides, food, live theater, music and LIGHTS. It is a great place to see Santa and world class ice skating. It is kind of…AMAZING.
Harvest Festival at Yorktown Market Days – extended Fall Fun Market
Saturday, November 15 from 9 am – 3 pm
Riverwalk Landing – 331 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690
It’s a pre-Thanksgiving cornucopia of fun! Shop for turkeys, pecan pies, and cranberry sauce. Take home unique holiday pieces from local artists for serving your family meals. More than 50 vendors participate in this special November market. Bring the family family–kids young and old will enjoy this autumn extravaganza, which features a live animal show, petting zoo, balloon art, inflatable axe throwing, hay rides, and a pie eating contest. Learn more
Tournament of the Castle Renaissance Faire
Bacon’s Castle
November 15 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Step back in time at Bacon’s Castle for the Tournament of the Castle Renaissance Faire on November 15 & 16, 10am-5pm, 2025. This thrilling weekend features medieval full-plate armored combat from the local Tidewater Dogs of War, including international teams battling for prizes and 1st place. Witness the Classic Level Melee, featuring longsword duels and all aspects of medieval combat, set against the backdrop of the oldest brick dwelling in North America.
Spread across 40 acres, this is the first two-day renaissance faire at Bacon’s Castle, offering a variety of family-friendly activities. Delight in entertainment from Celtic music performers, demonstrations by the Tidewater Blacksmith’s Guild, equestrian showcases and more! Explore our artisan craft market, savor mead, craft brews, wine, and indulge in an array of food truck offerings. There’s something for everyone, so don your Renaissance attire and join the festivities! Get your advance tickets now, they’re likely to sell out! Tickets here
Hannah’s Closet Children’s Consignment
Thursday, November 20 – Saturday, November 22
Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center – 549 E Rochambeau Dr., Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hannah’s Closet Childen’s Consignment sale has over 35,000 items; baby-teen clothing, shoes, toys, books, gear, and so much more! They offer quality, name brand children’s items at a fraction of the cost of retail! See hours and additional info here.
Liberty Ice Pavilion
Open daily beginning Friday, November 21
It really starts to feel like the holidays when the Liberty Ice Pavilion ice rink opens in Colonial Williamsburg. Ice skate with your family on Duke of Gloucester Street at the outdoor Liberty Ice Pavilion! Refreshments including hot cider, coffee, and more will be available for purchase only steps away from the ice. Or make it an evening with dinner at one of the restaurants in Merchants Square just across the street. Hours and additional information here.
Heritage Humane Society Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, November 22 from 9 am – 3 pm
Bruton Parish Hall
The Annual Holiday Bazaar raises funds for homeless pets at Heritage Humane Society. Shop for everyone on your holiday shopping list (furry and human)! Hand-Crafted Fabric Creations & Gifts, Homemade Baked Goods, Gift Baskets for Pets & People, Critter Corner, Jewelry, Holiday Decorations, Kids Corner (with books, games, stuffed animals, & more!), and Raffles!
Gourmet Soup for Pre-Purchase online only! Soup goes on sale Monday, November 3 at noon and will close on Monday, November 17 at noon. Learn more here.
“The Nutcracker Suite” presented by the Concert Ballet of Virginia
November 22 at 11 am and 1 pm
Williamsburg Library
A holiday tradition returns to the Library. The Concert Ballet of Virginia, the state’s oldest continually operating ballet company, presents The Nutcracker Suite. The bright, colorful costumes and exciting enthusiastic performances by dancers from throughout Virginia are sure to delight children of all ages. More info
Virginia Regional Ballet Presents: 2025 Tea with Klara!
Sunday, November 23, 2025
12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
Williamsburg Community Building
401 N. Boundary St
Begin this holiday season with a magical afternoon your little ones will never forget!
Join us Sunday, November 23, for our beloved “Tea with Klara” event — a festive full afternoon tea including
Delicious sweet treats and tea
Holiday crafts
Dancing with Klara and her Nutcracker friends
A special reading of The Nutcracker with a live performance.
More Info
Thanksgiving Dinner at Colonial Williamsburg
Thursday, November 27
Looking for a special family tradition? Colonial Williamsburg serves Thanksgiving dinner for your family like no one else at five different locations this year. From the fine dining experience to the family holiday traditional meal – your family will love it.
- Virginia Ballroom Thanksgiving Feast
- Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Shields Tavern
- Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Traditions at the Williamsburg Lodge
- Thanksgiving Day Pre-Fixe at the Williamsburg Inn
- Williamsburg Lodge Gingerbread Holiday Dinner
- Christiana Campbell’s Tavern Thanksgiving Dinner
- Kings Arm’s Tavern Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Celebration in Lights
Opens Daily November 27
5:30 pm – 10 pm
Newport News Celebration in Lights Celebration in Lights is in its 33rd season. Virginia’s first holiday drive-through light show features a stunning array of two-miles of holiday lights, including a dazzling Tunnel of Lights, Snappy the Alligator, Underwater Fish Arches, and vibrant 3D Trees. The addition of colorful peacocks and a whimsical Candy Arch adds even more charm. More info
Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia
November 28 & 29
Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
This Thanksgiving holiday, dig into the foodways of 17th- and 18th-century America during Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia. Explore centuries-old culinary practices and cooking techniques of early Virginia during a two-day event. At the Jamestown Settlement, “discover how food was gathered, preserved and prepared on land and at sea by Virginia’s English colonists and Powhatan Indians”. At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, “explore how Continental Army soldiers earned their rations and witness the bounty of produce and proteins fresh from the fields transformed into stews, pies and breads”. Remember locals get in to both museums for free (see if you live in the local area) More info
Merchants Square Annual Tree Lighting
November 29 at 5 pm
Duke of Gloucester Street
Light Up Your Holiday Season! A festive Merchants Square tradition in downtown Williamsburg, the lighting of the Merchants Square tree! Featuring caroling and an appearance by Father Christmas! Event is FREE! More information here
Holidays in Colonial Williamsburg
November & December
Colonial Williamsburg has announced its Holiday Planner and you literally can visit everyday and experience something different. There are evenings with lighted cressets, special holiday music, Strolling Father Christmas – so many events! See all the holiday events planned at Colonial Williamsburg here.
Daily Events in Williamsburg for November
Make sure to visit our daily site calendar. We add events all the time and be patient. The calendar may take a few seconds to appear as there are so many events on each day. Great news is once it loads you can visit any date without it taking time to reload. Here is our Daily Calendar link.
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