Holiday & Christmas Events in Yorktown – December 2023
Holiday and Christmas Events in Yorktown December 2023
December is a special time of year with many traditions that we look forward to all year. Yorktown is known for putting on a series of Christmas events that are family friendly and full of cheer. The following list give you and your family many options of ways to herald in your Christmas spirit!
Make sure to get a photo with the LOVE Letters! They are a permanent fixture at the waterfront! They are decorated to reflect the season so come down and see how they look this Christmas Season!
Christmas Tree Lighting – Victory Monument & Yorktown Waterfront
Friday, December 1
Monument Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tree Lighting at 7:30 p.m.
Our events kick off with Yorktown’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This community tradition goes all the way back to 1945. That’s the year that Reverend Claud G. Barkley, Pastor of Yorktown Baptist Church, and staff from the County Clerk’s office, decorated a cedar tree that stood at the corner of Main and Ballard Streets. The York County Historical Committee works hard to keep this ritual going! The tree that is used today is a 20-foot artificial commercial “Giant Everest Fir” tree placed down in Riverwalk Landing.
6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- Live musical performance from SantaBones at York Hall
6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
- Live music from TRADOC (Army Training and Doctrine Command) at Riverwalk Landing
7:30 p.m.
- Fifes and Drums leads a procession from York Hall to Riverwalk Landing
- Holiday cards for heroes in the Freight Shed
- Letters to Santa in the Freight Shed
Everyone is invited to gather at the Yorktown Victory Monument by 6:30 p.m. for live music, including a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town. From there, the procession will make its way from the Victory Monument to Riverwalk Landing, where the tree lighting ceremony will begin. Make sure you stay for a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, eager to hear all those wish lists! More info
Christmas Market on Main
Saturday, December 2 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 3 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Street
Saturday
Whether you’re searching for a holiday gift for family and friends or a treat for yourself—you’re sure to find it at the Christmas Market on Main Street!
This is one of the most anticipated Yorktown events every year. Close to 100 vendors line the street for the weekend – selling everything from local art like paintings, jewelry, and photography to breads, sweets, and other goodies. Get your greenery and Christmas wreaths too!
10 a.m.
- Market opens: Town Crier and Fifes and Drums of York Town
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Custom House will be open.
- Grace Church is offering free docent tours of Yorktown’s oldest building.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Antique cars
- Blacksmith demonstrations by York Hall
- Colonial ornament craft (while supplies last)
- Market vendors and food trucks
- Santa will be hanging out by the old ’55 Dodge firetruck next to the Nelson House.
- Santa coins
- York County Historical Museum Model Train Display in York Hall, lower level room 4-B
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Dickens Trio will perform.
The Town Crier rings in the market at 10 a.m. followed by a performance from The Fifes and Drums of York Town to open the market. Then, Santa Claus himself will ride in on York County’s first fire truck before greeting the crowd. Expect strolling musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere. It simply doesn’t get more Christmas than this!
Sunday
The Market continues on Sunday from 11 to 3, so if you can’t make it on Saturday, you have another chance! For the second day, vendors, artists, and food trucks will line the street selling everything from local art (including ornaments) to seasonal foods to greenery and Christmas wreaths. Expect strolling musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere! More Info
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Market vendors and food trucks
12 to 1:30 p.m.
- SantaBones will perform.
12 to 2 p.m.
- Custom House will be open.
- Grace Church is offering free docent tours of Yorktown’s oldest building.
1 p.m.
- Ice carving demonstration
1 to 3 p.m.
- A Taste of Love with Bart and Jan will perform.
1 to 4 p.m.
- Cookies with Santa in York Hall
Also, on Sunday from 1-4pm, make sure to visit Santa at Gallery at York Hall with Cookies with Santa! Bring your phones or cameras, and wish lists! Don’t forget to stop inside the Gallery on your way out to pick up unique Christmas presents handcrafted by local artists. The Gallery is filled with local one-of-a-kind art pieces from hundreds of local artists, in all types of mediums.
Viking Yuletide Celebration
Saturday December 2 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 3 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Watermen’s Museum
Join Odin and local Vikings as they celebrate the Yuletide. Observe a Victorian age reenactment and hear St. Nicholas contrast both eras’ contributions to today’s holiday celebrations. The Museum will be hosting games, crafts, shows, and more. . More info
Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, December 2
6 to 8 p.m
Watch as a fleet of decorated boats navigate around the York River and compete for best in show!
Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. and include caroling around illuminated braziers, a musical performance by the Fifes & Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider. The boats will finish out the evening, as they make their way down the river in a dazzling show of lights that starts at 7 p.m. This annual event has been a community tradition for more than two decades, and brings neighbors together to celebrate the season.
As an added safety precaution, families are encouraged to bring flashlights to assist in navigation around town at night. No rain dates are scheduled for the holiday weekend events. In the event weather conditions pose a threat, please call the York County Event Weather Hotline for the most current information at 757.890.3520. This event is sponsored by the Yorktown Foundation.
Interested in joining the parade? Learn more here.
Order of events:
- Boy scouts will be serving free apple cider.
- Christmas caroling
- DJ Ben Herrick will be playing Christmas songs.
- Food vendors
- Illuminated braziers
- Parked boats on display
- Roving entertainment
The boats will finish out the evening, as they make their way down the river in a dazzling show of lights that starts at 7 p.m. This annual event has been a community tradition for more than two decades.
As an added safety precaution, families are encouraged to bring flashlights to assist in navigation around town at night. No rain dates are scheduled for the holiday weekend events. In the event weather conditions pose a threat, please call the York County event weather hotline for the most current information at 757.890.3520. This event is sponsored by the Yorktown Foundation. Info
Cookies with Santa
Sunday, December 3 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Gallery at York Hall – Main Street
The Gallery at York Hall is excited to host Cookies with Santa. It’s free for families. Bring your phones or cameras, wish lists to share with Santa! Don’t forget to stop inside the Gallery on your way out to pick up unique Christmas presents handcrafted by local artists. The Gallery is filled with local one-of-a-kind art pieces from hundreds of local artists, in all types of mediums.
For more information on specific exhibits, call the Gallery at York Hall. More info at VisitYorktown.org
An Enchanted Evening on Main Street
Friday, December 8 | 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Street
Enjoy a nighttime Christmas market! Shop amid the twinkling lights, festive music, and nostalgic aromas of roasting chestnuts and hot cider. Find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative or something perfect just for yourself.
5 p.m.
- Ice carving demonstration in front of York Hall
- The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Clan MacCool Band and colonial entertainers will perform classic Christmas music and stories on Main Street.
- Dickens Trio will perform in York Hall.
- Gallery at York Hall open
- Kids’ crafts at On the Hill Gallery (while supplies last)
- Nativity scene with live animals on the grassy area in front of York Hall
- Market vendors and food trucks
- Santa Claus Gallery at York Hall, East Room
- The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra will play Christmas music at Mobjack Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe and Little York Confectionery.
Food trucks onsite, crafts for kids, live nativity scene (grassy area in front of York Hall), Santa and much more. View the full list of activities here
Mistletoe Market & Toyland Parade
Saturday, December 9 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Riverwalk Landing – Yorktown Waterfront
The holiday shopping season has officially kicked off in Yorktown! Browse the market for chowders and soups; baked goods, including an assortment of cakes, breads, brownies, fudge, and cookies; jams, jellies, and honey; holiday wreaths; candles and soaps; and seasonal art! Don’t miss a festive ice carving demonstration in front of the LOVE letters!
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Cards for heroes with York County Parks & Recreation in the Freight Shed
- Colonial ornament craft behind the Freight Shed (while supplies last)
- DJ Ben Herrick will be playing holiday hits.
- Kids crafts underneath the Freight Shed tent
- Market vendors and food trucks
- Model train demo in the Freight Shed
- Holiday-themed photo cutout by the Freight Shed
- Polar Express trackless train ride (pick up behind the Freight Shed)
10 a.m.
- Ice carving demonstration in front of the LOVE letters
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Balloon artist behind the Freight Shed
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Santa in the Freight Shed
12 p.m.
- Centerstage Academy will perform on the grassy area in front of the fountain.
1:30 p.m.
- Toyland Parade (line up begins at 1 p.m. in front of the Water Street Grille)
- The Fifes and Drums of York Town will lead the parade procession.
March in the annual Toyland Parade, (family and pet friendly) and don’t forget to hop aboard the Riverwalk Landing Polar Express for a loop around the festivities. More on this event here
Christmastide in Virginia
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Dec. 16-31
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day)
Get a glimpse of 17th– and 18th– century holiday traditions through interpretive programs and demonstrations at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. On the Revolution-era farm adorned with greenery, historical interpreters compare and contrast 18th-century holiday traditions with those of modern times and demonstrate a variety of holiday activities, from setting a farmhouse table for a holiday feast and open-hearth cooking of period dishes. Visitors can take part in making traditional holiday pomanders with cloves and oranges.
At 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day, visitors can enjoy the sounds of Christmas through traditional carols and musical performances.
Wreaths Across America – Wreath Laying Ceremony
Yorktown National Cemetery
Saturday, December 16
12 p.m.
Fresh Christmas wreaths will be placed on grave markers at the Yorktown National Cemetery in this remembrance ceremony conducted by the Yorktown Coast Guard Station to pay tribute to our fallen war veterans. This event joins several others across the country that happen on this same day and at the same time. The ceremony is open to the public, with parking at the Battlefield Visitor Center.
Wreaths Across America – Wreath Laying Ceremony
Saturday, December 16, 2023
1 pm
Immediately following the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Yorktown National Cemetery, VA0861P – Spouses’ Club of Fort Eustis will be helping Grace Episcopal Church to remember and honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.
Fresh Christmas wreaths will be placed on the grave markers of the 110 known Veterans buried in the Historic Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery during this remembrance ceremony conducted by Grace Church and the Charles Parish Chapter NSDAR. The ceremony, which will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, is open to the public, with parking at the church or York Hall Parking lot. All wreaths are sponsored by parishioners and friends of Grace Church.
All the wreaths are sponsored by numerous civic, veteran, and auxiliary organizations throughout the community. If you’re interested in personally sponsoring a wreath, or volunteering to place them on the graves, please visit this website.
Christmas in Yorktown Exhibit Featuring Local Artists
Gallery at York Hall
301 Main Street Yorktown, VA 23690
Visit the Gallery at York Hall to admire holiday creations by local artists. Open November – December. Closed Mondays. Tues – Sat 10 am – 4 pm. Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Phone: 757-890-4490
A welcome center for visitors and gathering place for residents, the Gallery features paintings, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, quilts, and other pieces from more than 300 local artists. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase supports performing and visual arts in Historic Yorktown so you can feel good when you shop here. Visit often to see what’s new!
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