Evening Programs at Colonial Williamsburg – Yes, there is a night life in CW
Add a Little Drama to Your Nightlife! There is a night life in Colonial Williamsburg with their Evening Programs! The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Evening entertainment includes signature favorites and new enchanting experiences. Get tickets to take a spooky ghost tour or enjoy all of the fun without the fright on Haunted Williamsburg or Ghost Walk Junior, the official ghost tours of Colonial Williamsburg. Plus, enjoy other seasonal storytelling and staged experiences! Remember the programs below would go great with a meal at Chownings Tavern or an evening of drinks on the Social Terrace!
For the full list of programming you can visit Evening Programs at Colonial Williamsburg or keep scrolling!
Lighting of the Cressets this fall in Colonial Williamsburg
Thursday – Saturday evenings September 29 – November 26, 2022 & Dec 23 & 24– from 6 pm to 9 pm – FREE and open to the public. (Not occurring on Thanksgiving on Nov 24)
Head to Colonial Williamsburg a night for another reason this fall – on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street they will be Lighting of the Cressets. This brings their 18th-century 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
Revel at Chownings Tavern in the Chowning’s Tavern Garden – Fridays from 7 – 9 pm…
Revel at Chowning’s Tavern in the Tavern Garden this Fall!
Every Friday night from 7 PM – 9 PM beginning September 30th to November 18th.
First come first serve, No reservations required. Weather Permitting.
Revel at Chownings Tavern in the Chowning’s Tavern Garden – Fridays from 7 – 9 pm – An evening of 18th-century merrymaking in Chowning’s Tavern Garden, weather permitting. You never know who might drop in to converse, con, woo, share stories, ignite a little treason, or lead the room in boisterous song! Raise a glass to the past and experience one of the colonial capital’s greatest pleasures: an evening’s revel at Chowning’s! More on this event.
To Hang a Pirate
Wednesday & Saturday Nights at 7:30 PM & 9 PM Capitol General Court (See full Spring Summer Schedule here.)
**We saw this one in July 2022 – it is a great one hour re-enactment of the trial of one of Blackbeard’s priates! We really enjoyed it and will go back and see it again! – Staff at WilliamsburgFamilies.com
In late 1718, a Royal Navy expedition, dispatched from Virginia, killed Blackbeard the pirate off the coast of North Carolina. Also at that same time, 15 members of his crew were captured and brought to the Public Gaol in Williamsburg. They were tried for piracy at the Capitol by Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood in early 1719. Join in this recreation of the actual trial of Israel Hands, a member of Blackbeard’s crew. Hear the evidence and make a judgment! How would you sentence a pirate? Due to the subject matter, this program is not recommended for young children. Tickets can be purchased online – learn more
Haunted Williamsburg
Nightly at 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm. ( July thru November 23, 2022 full schedule here)
Haunted Williamsburg runs nightly . It is the official ghost tour of Colonial Williamsburg.
From authentic 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters,
Love a good scare or to hear a spooky story? How about a walking through Colonial Williamsburg at night with a ghost teller relaying authentic ghost stories from the 1700s? And maybe they will mention a few creepy recent encounters too. Sound fun? It is!! And Haunted Williamsburg is the only tour with exclusive access to historic outdoor spaces, featuring costumed storytellers who share their unnerving tales. The event is a one-hour candlelit walking ghost tour takes you strolling through town, into gardens, and beyond the barriers to our most haunted sites.
That means you will have exclusive access to historic outdoor spaces, with costumed storytellers sharing their unnerving tales. The total event runs an hour and begins at the Play House Stage on Palace Green. Get your tickets online!
Cry Witch!
Monday & Friday Evenings April – Oct 24, 2022 (visit here to see any changes to the schedule)
Capitol General Court
You decide! Is Grace Sherwood a witch? Question witnesses. Weigh evidence. Finally, cast your vote for the guilt or innocence of “the Virginia Witch.” Not appropriate for young children due to subject matter and intense emotion. Get your tickets!
Official Ghost Walk
Thurs, Fri, Sat nights at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm now through October 15 2022
Nightly at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm from Oct 15 – Oct 31, 2022
Thurs, Fri, Sat nights at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm Nov 3 – 19, 2022
Thurs, Fri, Sat nights at 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm Nov 3 – 19, 2022
Visit here for full Fall & Winter Schedule 2022
Junior Everyone loves a haunted tale! Bring the entire family for all of the phantom fun with none of the nightmares. Enjoy this 45-minute ghost tour of traditional spooky stories with a Colonial Williamsburg flavor.
Discounts on evening programs are available to all Annual, Good Neighbor, and Collegiate Pass holders. To receive that discount, passholders must purchase tickets in person at any Colonial Williamsburg ticketing location, or by calling (888) 965-7254.
Palace Concert
Tuesday Evenings from 7 pm to 8 pm Sept 27 – Nov 22, 2022
Event is open to the public. Separate ticketed event.
See Full Schedule and get tickets here
The regal Palace of the royal governor comes to life as Colonial Williamsburg’s early music ensemble, the Governor’s Musick, offers an elegant evening of chamber music showcasing 17th- and 18th-century music for harpsichord, voice, flute, and strings. The concert repertoire is custom-crafted for each series and varies throughout the year. The program includes music known in Virginia as well as music from Europe. Not appropriate for children ages six and under. Full Schedule and get tickets here
Revolutionary Points of View
7 PM & 8:30 Shows Tuesday Evening thru Nov 22, 2022
Open to the Public. Separate ticketed event.
(See full schedule and ticket info here)
It’s the eve of the American Revolution, and there are just as many opinions about war and independence as we hear about politics and religion today. Step back in time and encounter points of view that run the gamut. Then, engage in the most crucial debate in our nation’s history–you will decide whether we remain British or become Americans? Live Theatre at the Capitol Hall of Burgesses. More info
For more events in Colonial Williamsburg visit our Colonial Williamsburg Events Page, our Daily Calendar or Colonial Williamsburg website.
