Presidents Day weekend at Colonial Williamsburg – February 17 – 20, 2023
This year, take advantage of the long weekend to visit the place where it all began, Colonial Williamsburg! Before they were presidents, Virginians George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison were shaped by their experiences in Williamsburg. Meet them and discover the roles that each played in Virginia’s colonial capital and how that prepared them to be Commanders in Chief. Also meet Martha Washington the first First Lady of our Nation. You can see all these special programs with your Good Neighbor Pass, day tickets or annual pass! See special Presidents’ Weekend programs here. Here is the schedule for the President and 1st Lady.
A Public Audience with the 1st President, George Washington – Sat, Feb 18th from 11:30 am – 12:15 pm at Governors Palace Stage (open-air stage behind the Governor’s Palace). Meet with President Washington as he looks back over his long career in public service. How did his years in the House of Burgesses prepare him for later roles? Learn what it was like to serve as the commander in chief of the American forces during the Revolutionary War. Listen as he reflects on his part in drafting the Federal Constitution, which led to his election as the first President of the United States. More Info
A Public Audience with the 1st First Lady, Martha Washington – Sat, Feb 18th from 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm at the Hennage Auditorium. Join Mrs. Washington as she speaks about being the first President’s wife and the expectations placed upon her while the new Nation watches on. More info
A Public Audience with the 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson – Sunday, February 19th from 11:30 am – 12:15 pm at Governors Palace Stage (open-air stage behind the Governor’s Palace). Meet with President Jefferson as he looks back over his long career in public service. He will reflect on the American Revolution, drafting the Declaration of Independence, and his tenure as governor of Virginia during the war. Listen to his personal insight on what he thinks of his roles in the new government.. More Info
A Salute to the Presidents – Sun, Feb 19th and Monday February 20th from 1 pm – 1:30 pm. Market Square behind the Courthouse. Join us for a celebration of the presidency with our Nation Builders, military program staff, and the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg. This celebration will recognize those citizens who have served in office over the centuries and the states most closely associated with each president. More info
A Public Audience with the 4th President, James Madison – Monday, February 20th from 11:30 – 12:15 pm at at Governors Palace Stage (open-air stage behind the Governor’s Palace). Join President James Madison as he reflects on the invention of the executive branch of the United States. Hear the philosophy and history that inspired the United States Constitution, and how the small city of Williamsburg played a pivotal role in developing the earliest ideas of liberty and republican government in this young country. Has America realized the principles established in her earliest writings? What will the future hold for this American Experiment? Learn more
SOLD OUT – An Evening with the Presidents – February 19 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm at the Hennage Auditorium. Join George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison this Presidents’ Day weekend for a special evening event. The Presidents will explore how their administrations navigated party, faction, and the vast differences that challenged America during their times. Recognizing that throughout our history, the United States has been a nation divided politically with different opinions and points of view—in our infancy as it is today. Hosted by Alvin D. Hall. This event is SOLD OUT More Information & Tickets
You can see all these special programs with your Good Neighbor Pass, day tickets or annual pass! See special Presidents’ Weekend programs here. Don’t forget there is programming at the Hennage Auditiorium, Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, evening programs and ICE SKATING – just visit our Colonial Williamsburg events page to see it all!
