Top Things to Do in Williamsburg in May
Top Things to Do in Williamsburg and surrounding towns in May 2023. In this big list we actually have a couple of other posts like our “Things to Do on Mother’s Day Weekend in Williamsburg” and our “Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend” that will give you another set of events!
Events are in date order so you can plan your month:
Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens – Thurs – Sundays in May
This is the 10th Annual Food & Wine Festival and it gets even better every year! This year in addition to the great food and drinks they have great local/regional bands. Don’t forget this month is when Darkoaster opens so that is another great reason to visit. Learn more about the Festival here.
New Town Tunes – Free Concert Series
Wednesday, May 3 – Beatlesque
Wednesday, May 10 – The Michael Clark Band
Wednesday, May 17 – Bullet the Blue Sky
Wednesday, May 24 – Lionsbridge
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Family and dog friendly. Enjoy food and drink for purchase from local restaurants, food trucks and breweries. Learn more
Yorktown Events
Yorktown Ranger Programs – select dates in May (see schedule here)
- Yorktown Battlefield Walk – 10 am
- Ranger Talk 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
- *Nelson House: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (as staffing allows)
Brews Blues & BBQ – Saturday – May 6, 2023
Attendees can sample dozens of craft beers, dig into some amazing BBQ (available for purchase) and listen as some of the best blues musicians in Hampton Roads at Riverwalk Landing. The music starts with HM Johnson Band at 12:30 p.m. The Jason Cale Band at 3:30 p.m. Another favorite, and back by popular demand, is the wine tent offering tastings included with admission. The tent showcases French, German, and other wine favorites. More info
Art at the River Sunday May 7, 2023
Guests can stroll down the Riverwalk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to marvel at the incredible one-of-a-kind work on display and for sale—paintings, pottery, jewelry, glass arts, photography, woodwork, metalwork, and much more! Visit here for more info
Vintage Market & Car Show – Saturday – May 13, 2023
Do you love the thrill of the hunt? This Saturday (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.), don’t miss the special opportunity to search for upcycled treasures and hard-to-find collectibles that are sure to delight your sense of nostalgia at the 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 at Riverwalk Landing on the beautiful waterfront. Up the hill on Historic Main Street, stroll among more than a dozen fully restored classic cars, and speak to the owners at the 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄. See list of performers, events and cars that will be attending here.
Williamsburg Farmers Market – Saturdays from 8 am to noon
Start your Saturday morning at the Williamsburg Farmers Market – it opens at 8 am runs until noon. You can get baked goods, plants, veggies, meat and even that much needed cup of delicious coffee. Bring your friends, your family, and your dog. If you are wondering who the vendors are – and who is playing live… More Info
Pedal the Parkway – May 6 & 7, 2023
The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park invites the community to recreate on a seven-mile section of the Colonial Parkway on May 6 & 7, 2023. Learn more about where to park and where you can ride or walk here.
Don Giovanni – Opera in Williamsburg – May 10, 12 & 14
WEDNESDAY MAY 10 AT 7:30 PM
FRIDAY MAY 12 AT 7:30 PM
SUNDAY MAY 14 AT 2:30 PM
Fully staged with world class cast with orchestra in Italian with English supertitles. More info and tickets here.
Water Country USA opens for the 2023 Season! May 13
Get ready to take on the park’s thrilling slides, refreshing pools, and lazy rivers. The park opens the following weekends May 13 & 14 & May 20 & 21, and opens daily starting May 26! More info
York River State Park Events – May 2023
Mother’s Day Surf and Turf – May 14, 2023 from 2 pm to 5 pm
Treat mom to an adventure on land and sea with us on May 14, 2023 at 2 p.m. We will paddle the York River to the Fossil Beach. Upon arrival, we will search for prehistoric relics and return. Reservations and rental fees are to be paid in advance. Mom paddles free with a paying paddler. Learn more
See all of the events going on this month at York River State Park here.
Mother’s Day Weekend Events – May 12 – 14, 2023
Here is our big list of events going on on Mother’s Day Weekend. And you can also head to our Daily Calendar to find events on May 12- 14.
Darkoaster OPENS to the Public at Busch Gardens – May 19
Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that DarKoaster, North America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster, will be available exclusively to Members ONLY ( for early ride access on select dates starting May 11. The park’s tenth roller coaster will open to all park visitors on May 19. Continue reading to see our review of DarKastle… More info
Drummer’s Call Weekend in Colonial Williamsburg – Friday May 19 & Saturday May 20
Free event is open to the public to enjoy! Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes & Drums, along with fife and drum units from across the United States, will celebrate the tradition of military music during Drummers Call Weekend. These are really cool events – see all three with times and locations here
King of Glory Children’s Consignment Sale – May 19 & 20
Friday May 19, 2023 – 11am – 7 pm
Saturday May 20, 2023 – 8 am – 12 pm
Shop for new and gently-used seasonal clothing for growing children (newborn to teen), maternity clothing, nursery and children’s furniture/decor, baby equipment, toys, books, videos, puzzles/games, sporting goods and bikes. Learn more
Fun Fest: Spin, Pop, Boom! – May 20 at 11:30 am
Bring the kids to learn all about the chemical reactions in action to this energetic, interactive show. This is a library event at the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center.
Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg & Hennage Live Theatre, Lecture and Music Schedule for May 2023
The programming in the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg is forever changing, if you came last month, there will be something new this month, or even this week. Many events are included in your day pass or with your Good Neighbor Pass. See the full list of May events at the Museums here.
Chippokes State Park Events in May 2023
Just a short free ferry ride from Williamsburg is one of the best spots to find sharks teeth. And that is not all Chippokes State Park is known for, they have events going on all week and weekend long. To see what is happening at this local area State Park, visit here.
Memorial Day Events 2023
In the Historic Triangle there are usually quite a few events going on for Memorial Day weekend also known as the unofficial start to summer. So many that we have a separate post for it. Visit here to see all the events going on for Memorial Day including Colonial Williamsburg offering free admission for veterans and military families, May 26-29, and special programming on Monday, May 29. Visit here
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