Christmastide: A Colonial Christmas Explores Historical Holiday Traditions at Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Christmastide at Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown December 16-31, 2023 (except on Christmas 12/25) “Wassail! Wassail! All over the town!” ‘Tis the season for centuries-old holiday merriment. Grab your friends and family and plan on attending Christmastide in Virginia. Come have a glimpse of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions through festive interpretiveContinue Reading

Local Museums

There are a lot of wonderful museums in and around Williamsburg, VA. Most museums offer discounts, memberships, free admission, activities and classes. Enjoy taking advantage of all the area museums have to offer your family. Museums are listed below by city. If we missed one please let us know, Kristy.wf@gmail.com. Due to COVID-19 some museumsContinue Reading

Wreaths Across America – Yorktown National Cemetery on Saturday, December 16

Wreaths Across America Yorktown National CemeterySaturday, December 1612 p.m. Fresh Christmas Continue Reading

A Christmas Carol at Williamsburg Players

A Christmas Carol at the Williamsburg Players runs December 7 - 17 Conceived By Brink MillerBook Continue Reading

Winter Nature Nights at the Virginia Living Museum – Select Days in December

Winter Nature Nights at the Virginia Living Museum Dates: December 8-10, 15-17, 22- 23, Continue Reading

Holiday Shows at the Planetarium at Virginia Living Museum – Mystery of the Christmas Star and Laser Holiday Show – Select Dates

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Win a $50 Gift Card to Zoom Room Williamsburg!

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Spectacular Lights Tour in Williamsburg and Surrounding Areas – Best Christmas Lights Williamsburg!

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Santa in the Country at Peace Hill Farm Historic Great Barn – Saturday, December 9

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The Burg Weekender & The Burg Weekly – our big list of events for the weekend and the week

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december

06dec12:00 pm8:00 pmColonial Williamsburg Ice RinkIce Skating in Merchant Square

06dec2:00 pm4:00 pmHoliday Tea

06dec4:00 pm8:00 pmThe Cellar - walk-in experience

06dec4:00 pm9:00 pmChristmas Town at Busch Gardens

Event Details

The annual Christmas Town celebration transforms Busch Gardens Williamsburg into one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America. Christmas Town runs on select dates from November 11 through January 8.

The park will transform into a stunning holiday wonderland with over 10 million twinkling lights, one of the largest light displays in North America. Enjoy heart-warming shows like the all-new Wisemen, returning favorites like ‘Twas that Night and for the first time since 2019, Gloria! Other highlights include Christmas Town Express holiday-themed train ride, Santa’s Workshop, and festive food, drinks and unique holiday shopping.

This year there are two all-new light experiences, Polar Pathway: Spectacle of Lights and Celebration of Lights at O’Tannenbaum.

Enjoy holiday shows and classics such as Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas Town Express and ‘Twas that Night ice skating show. Over 20 rides and coasters. If you are in Williamsburg, you do not want to miss Busch Garden’s Christmas Town. There is something for everyone in your family. Wait, did we mention Santa Claus is there too? (The real one!)

Need a ticket? Check our page with the latest Busch Gardens promotions and special discounts.

Wait before you go check out our Unofficial Guide to Busch Gardens Christmas Town for tips and what to expect this year.

Time

(Wednesday) 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg, VA 23185, United States

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

06dec5:30 pm10:00 pmCelebration in LightsNewport News Park

Event Details

31st Annual Celebration in Lights

November 23, 2023 – January 1, 2023

Celebration in Lights, opens for its 31st season on Thanksgiving night (November 23, 2023). Relish in the two miles of over one million lights in their dazzling holiday light displays set amongst the beautiful woods and waterways at Newport News Park. The event will be open nightly from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.

New this year, a salute to the USS Newport News (CA-148), a ship named after our hometown and built by Newport News Shipbuilding! This impressive lighting installation presents a beautiful silhouette of the “Top Gun” awarded ship and stands 36 feet tall. Other new installations include the new City of Newport News logo, furry friends, sea life and more!

Over 350 individual display pieces, 50+ arches, and over three miles of rope lighting enhance the natural beauty of the two-mile drive along Newport News Park’s main road. All new display pieces added since 2007 use LED lights which result in a savings of approximately 30% on electrical cost compared to incandescent bulbs and last 100,000 hours versus 3,000 hours for incandescent. Older (pre 2007) display pieces are being refitted with LED lights.

Admission:
$15.00 per car on weeknights (Monday – Thursday)
$18.00 per on weekends (Friday – Sunday)
$85.00 per bus (any night)

Cash, credit cards Visa/MC, and checks made payable to the City of Newport News are accepted at the gate. Advance purchase tickets may be purchased (good any night) for $12.00 at the Newport News Visitor Center at the entrance of Newport News Park.

Newport News Park is located at the intersection of Ft. Eustis Blvd. and Jefferson Ave. in Newport News, VA. Directions: Eastbound I-64 use Exit 247 (Lee Hall), Westbound I-64 use Exit 250 B (Ft. Eustis). For more information, call 757-886-7912.

Venue:
Newport News Park
13560 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23606

Phone: (757) 926-1400

Additional information

Looking for Christmas Lights? Be sure to visit our Best Christmas Lights list for home, neighborhoods and public light displays!

Time

(Wednesday) 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Location

Newport News Park

13560 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23603

Calendar GoogleCal

07dec9:00 am5:30 pmThe Santa ExperienceKids, Families and Pet Photos with Santa

Event Details

The Santa Experience in Williamsburg – Photos with Santa with your kids (and pets)! Book your spot today!

Dates: Select dates November 24, 2023 through December 23, 2023
Pre-Booking is required

Need that perfect picture of your child, family or pet with Santa? Then this event is for you!

How does it work? Sign up for a session. A handful of sessions are scheduled every 30 minutes. (Only 1-2 families will be allowed in the studio at a time). Families over 6 people will need to purchase two time slots back-to-back in order to accommodate the size). Sundays are to be an allergy free day so Santa’s suit will be animal hair free and the studio is as pet free as possible for families with extreme allergies.

Fee and what is included: $65 fee + $3 processing fee includes high resolution digital copies of all photos taken during your session. This is not per child or per pet – it is per session. So you can get multiple shots of each child with Santa, a family picture, kids, pets and Santa…well, you get the picture!

When: This event runs from November 24th through December 23rd and is both kid and pet friendly.

Pet Photos: “Santa Paws” pet portraits will be on select days so please be aware when booking that pets may be present. Families without pets can book on any day. Pets can have photos all week EXCEPT on Sunday. But you have to pre-book (here).

Bathroom: There is a small bathroom onsite but they suggest you come dressed in your clothes prior. It is not large enough for any outfit changes. Guests can use the bathrooms for potty breaks.

Location: Santa’s workshop and photo studio will take place at 439 Prince George Street, Williamsburg VA 23185 which is two doors down from Aromas in downtown Williamsburg and near the Henry Street parking garage.

Do you recognize Santa?

You might recognize this beloved local “Santa,”…it is Jim Hines, who has been known to thousands of families as the “Yankee Candle Santa” from his years at Williamsburg’s former Yankee Candle location.

Proceeds: All proceeds from this photo event will go back into our wonderful community.

Why Schedule Times: They are scheduling times in an effort optimize families’ Santa experience. Event organizers don’t want long lines at this event and want to encourage families to spend more time shopping, dining and exploring all the wonderful businesses downtown instead. All of Downtown Williamsburg is aglow this season, so enjoy it before or after your session with Santa. Now, what are you waiting for? Book your photo session today!