CW Planner

'Tis the Season for Weddings

Eighteenth-century weddings often took place during the Holidays. Visit the Milliners and Mantua-makers as they make a festive gown suitable for an 18th-century bride.

(re)educate

This theatrical performance explores the agency of free and enslaved students of the Williamsburg Bray School and the legacies of their lessons.

18th-Century Field Music with the Fifes & Drums

Watch and listen to the Fifes and Drums as they demonstrate the music and drill of various military ceremonies from an 18th-century soldier's working day.

40 Christmastides

Join Bill Weldon on guitar and Dean Shostak on fiddle as they share songs of the season while remembering their past 40 years of making music at Colonial Williamsburg.

90 Years of Folk Art Collecting

Join Laura Barry, curator, to discuss Colonial Williamsburg's 90 years of folk art collecting.

A Celebration of the Yule Log

Follow the Yule log, hauled by wagon, from Capitol Circle to Market Square, accompanied by music, festivity, and the community of 18th-century and present-day Williamsburg.

A Charles Dickens Christmas

Gabe Stone, Mark Nixon, David Gardner, and Su Tarr present a holiday show featuring readings from a variety of Charles Dickens' writings paired with Victorian Christmas carols.

A Christmas Remembered

Join a Nation Builder as they share memories of Christmastide and hopes for the coming year.

A Colorful Past: Edward Bulmer & The Country House

Enjoy a beautifully illustrated visit to some of the finest mansions in the United Kingdom with interior designer Edward Bulmer. Books are available for purchase and signing.

A Fugitive Christmas

Join two fugitive soldiers on New Year's Day in 1776 as they celebrate Christmastide while recovering from their wounds in a military hospital.

A Gospel Christmas: Music for the Holidays!

Listen and learn music in the Gospel style and bring to life some of the traditional carols and favorite Christmas tunes heard throughout the holiday season.

A Soldier's Christmas

Colonel James Innes returns home from the War filled with the haunting voices of his fallen comrades. Will he be able to recover from the War and find peace this Christmas?

A Toast to Christmas

Brass 5 offers an afternoon of Christmas treasures, everything from traditional settings to clever arrangements of secular Christmas favorites.

Acting How To

Learn about the new acting style published in the 1753 edition of Aaron Hill's Essay on the Art of Acting. Then test out the styles for yourself!

Ales Through the Ages 2022

An exciting weekend of beer & history.

All Things Masonry

Tour the town through the eyes of our Brickmakers as they share the stories behind the buildings in this one-hour walking tour.

All Things are Possible

On September 5, 1791, Robert Carter III recorded an extraordinary document. Why did the largest slaveholder in Virginia do what most of his peers consider impossible?

American Indian Interpretation

Explore the diverse cultures of Native peoples striving to preserve their traditional way of life and learn about their roles in creating a new country.

American Indian Life Series

Through stories and questions, this series of programs will examine a specific aspect of American Indian history, society, and role in the American story.

Ann Barraud’s Collection on the Organized Piano

Join Colonial Williamsburg’s Governor’s Musick keyboardist, Kyle Collins, for music played on our unique organized piano.

Arboretum Tour - Central Historic Area

Learn about some of Colonial Williamsburg's most asked about trees, how the colonists used them and why they continue to be important today.

Archaeology Behind the Scenes

Visit the Archaeological Lab for a guided tour and learn about a century of archaeological discovery at Colonial Williamsburg!

Art Museum Members: Behind the Scenes

Art Museum Members are invited to join us for a private tour behind the scenes with Mary Cottrill, manager of museum operations and the Hennage Auditorium.

Art Museums Members: Making Music in Early America

Art Museum Members are invited to a private tour of the exhibition "Making Music in Early America" with Amanda Keller, musical instruments curator. Meet Amanda in Wolf Hall.

At a Glance

Join us on a 20-minute guided tour and enjoy some Museum favorites at a glance.

Bits and Bridles

Get a behind-the-scenes look at our modern stables and learn more about our carriages.

Botanical Art Workshop

Learn methods to capture the botanical world in watercolor from Linda C. Miller, a local artist. This two-day workshop, with an optional third day, is for all artists.

Botanical Art Workshop - Optional

Learn methods to capture the botanical world in watercolor from Linda C. Miller, a local artist in this optional third day of the Botanical Art Workshop.

Capitol Concert

Celebrate the joys of holiday music with this 18th-century concert by the Governor's Musick Ensemble.

Chamber Concert - York River Concert Band

Come to this beautiful 18th-century worship center and enjoy a candlelit concert by the York River Concert Band from Hampton Roads directed by Jeff Haney.

Choral Evensong of Remembrance for All Souls

Join us for the Requiem by Dan Locklair sung in honor of James S. Darling, former Choirmaster/Organist of Bruton Parish.

Christmas Decorations Walking Tour

Enjoy a one-hour walking tour for a closer look at the Colonial Williamsburg decorations and a discussion of holiday traditions, past and present.

Christmas Dinner King's Arms Tavern

Enjoy a traditional holiday fare while relaxing to 18th-century music by candlelight.

Christmas Trees and Treasures

Discover trees themed to the exhibitions and the object-inspired ornaments on our 16-foot tree. Enjoy live music with holiday treats and unique gifts available for purchase.

Christmas and the Constitution

Join Madison and Hamilton in the throes of writing the Federalist Papers to support the constitution over a hectic holiday season, as they balance public and personal duty.

Christmastide Music at the Courthouse

Join musicians Brian Forsman & Bill Weldon for the best dance tunes and songs of Christmastide.

Clothing Enslaved People in Colonial Virginia

This lecture will explore some of the complex relationships between apparel, labor, identity, and enslavement.

Coffee Cantata

Mrs. Charlton’s daughter is in love with the delicious juice of the coffee bean! A comedic ballad opera, based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Coffee Cantata."

Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds Program

Learn about the rare breeds of livestock that live at Colonial Williamsburg.

Come Ye Thankful People Come

Join Kelly Kennedy and John Turner for a program of tunes, poems, and readings from several centuries related to harvest time and Thanksgiving.

Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join us for our annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Courthouse.

Cost of War

Colonel George Washington discusses the Seven Years' War and its high cost on combatants and non-combatants alike.

Created Equal

This performance explores African American perspectives on the Declaration of Independence.

Cry Witch

Question witnesses, weigh evidence, and determine the guilt or innocence of "the Virginia Witch." Not appropriate for young children due to subject matter and intense emotion.

Crystal Carols

Dean Shostak returns with this popular Christmas concert featuring Lance Pedigo and Kelly Kennedy. Discover the unique sounds of holiday favorites played on glass instruments.

Crystal Concert

Dean Shostak shares the music and stories of Benjamin Franklin's glass armonica. This multi-media concert features new and antique glass instruments from around the world.

Custis Square Community Open House

Join us for a day of archaeology at Custis Square! Free flow exploration all day and conversations with George and Martha Washington.

DIY - Fresh Fruit Decorations

In this hands-on class, Colonial Williamsburg's Landscape Designers will show you how to make a decorative apple candle and fragrant orange pomander to take home.

DIY - Candle Centerpiece

In this hands-on class, Colonial Williamsburg's Landscape Designers will show you how to make a candle centerpiece to take home and enjoy.

DIY - Decorating Grapevine Wreaths

In this hands-on workshop, Colonial Williamsburg's Landscape Designers will show how to decorate a grapevine wreath with natural materials the participant can take home.

DIY - Holiday Decoration Workshop

Following a demonstration by a Colonial Williamsburg landscape designer, participants will create their own "Williamsburg Style" arrangement in a holiday mug to take home.

DIY - Wreath Decorating Workshop

Take home your own "Williamsburg style" wreath that you decorate yourself after learning the tricks of the trade from the landscape design team who decorates the Historic Area.

Decorated Wreath Sales

Visitors have the opportunity to buy a Williamsburg-style wreath or centerpiece made by the same designers that create the decorations that adorn the Historic Area buildings.

Decorating the Private Homes

Join us for our 30th annual, fun-filled celebration of the decorating efforts of the employees who live in Colonial Williamsburg's restored private residences.

Designing Virginia's Seal

Join George Mason and George Wythe as members of the committee to design the new seal of a free and independent Virginia.

Donor Visit with a Nation Builder

Donors who contribute $250 or more annually to the Colonial Williamsburg Fund are invited to visit with a Nation Builder.

Draw Thy Sword

Sword fights ensue as we explore combat weapons and the works of William Shakespeare.

Drawing the Line

Lord Dunmore, the last Royal Governor of Virginia, finalizes his proclamation issuing martial law and offering freedom to enslaved people owned by those rebelling against the King.

Dye Day at the Weaving Shop

Join us as natural dyes and dye recipes of the 18th century are recreated to achieve a spectrum of dazzling colors.

Expert Insights: African American Quiltmakers

Join Kim Ivey, textile curator, as she offers an in-depth look at Black quilters in the Colonial Williamsburg collection and in the “I Made This” exhibition.

Expert Insights: Archaeology Update

Join our archaeologists as they share what we have learned from our current archaeological sites and new research into our artifact collections.

Expert Insights: Black Potters

Join Angelika Kuettner, ceramics curator, as she offers an in-depth look at the Black potters featured in the “I Made This” exhibition and other museum galleries.

Expert Insights: Cesar Chelor and Jethro Jones

Join Scott Merrifield, architectural historian, as he offers an in-depth look at the Black toolmakers, Cesar Chelor and Jethro Jones featured in the “I Made This” exhibition.

Faith, Hope, and Love

An uplifting story invites you to imagine what it costs to pursue love and freedom in an enslaved society.

Fiddling Away the Holidays

Master fiddler John Turner returns for this Colonial Williamsburg Christmas tradition of reveling in the lighter side of the holiday season.

Finding First Baptist Church

Join Meredith Poole, archaeologist, and Connie Harshaw, president of the Let Freedom Ring Foundation, for an update on findings at the First Baptist Church archaeological site.

Fire a Flintlock Musket

Fire live rounds at a target from two different reproduction 18th-century flintlock firearms used during the Revolutionary War.

Firing of the Christmas Guns

In the 18th century, guns were customarily fired in salute to the Christmas season. Join us on Duke of Gloucester Street for a re-creation of this event.

Firing the Brick Kiln

Fall is time to fire the bricks! Come see the kiln fires rage as the bricks reach a temperature of over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

First Baptist Archaeology Community Open House

Join us for a day of archaeology on the original site of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg! Explore the site and check out recently uncovered artifacts from 10am to 4pm.

Frameworks for 18th-Century History

This panel brings together distinguished scholars, historians, and Interpreters for a discussion on how research frameworks for 18th-Century History has developed over the years.

Freedom's Paradox

Explore the paradox of the institution of slavery and the movement for independence in a 60-minute walking tour that begins and ends at the Randolph Yard.

From Freedom to Slavery

After making a free life for herself as an adopted Shawnee Indian, Methotaskee is brought back into slavery.

George and Martha and John and Abigail

Professor Peter Henriques explores the marriages of the Washingtons and Adams.

Ghost Walk Junior

Calling guests of all ages! Enjoy this 45-minute ghost tour of traditional spooky stories with a Colonial Williamsburg flavor. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Good Progress

Meet Mrs. Wager, teacher of the Williamsburg Bray School, as she debates the nature of her school with Elizabeth DeRosario, a free Black woman.

Good Stories about Great Stuff

Discover who created the object, who owned it, and how it ended up in our collection. Each week an object will be examined by a curator, educator, or conservator.

Governor’s Musick at the Raleigh Tavern

Visit with members of the Governor’s Musick to explore music in colonial Virginia and explore the ways in which music was an important part of everyone’s life. Limited capacity.

Grand Illumination

Enjoy musical performances, Lighting of the Cressets, storytelling on Palace Green, a special appearance by Father Christmas, and fireworks displays from the Capitol and Palace.

Grand Illumination Dinner King's Arms Tavern

Join us for a three-course holiday meal while serenaded by tavern music.

Handel's German Arias

Join Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, soprano, accompanied by violin, harpsichord, and viol, in a performance of Handel's song cycle celebrating both heavenly and earthly beauty.

Haunted Williamsburg

Brave centuries of scares, from 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters!

Historic Organ Recital - Norman Elton

Norman Elton, organist at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, gives a recital on the Historic English Chamber Organ, one of Colonial Williamsburg's 18th-century instruments.

Historic Organ Recital - Rebecca Davy

Rebecca Davy, Music Director at Bruton Parish Church, gives a recital on the Historic English Chamber Organ, one of Colonial Williamsburg's 18th-century instruments.

Historic Organ Recital with Thomas Marshall

Enjoy this Historic Organ Recital in the Wren Chapel at the College of William & Mary performed by Thomas Marshall, organist at Williamsburg United Methodist Church.

Hogmanay! Hogmanay!

Join John Turner and Kelly Kennedy as they usher in the new year with Scottish traditions and songs.

Holiday Season Preview for Art Museums Members

Art Museums Members are invited to preview the 2022 holiday schedule of programs and activities at the museums. Stop by and see the Christmas Tree and get in the holiday spirit.

Home and the Holidays

Timothy Seaman, Ann Robinson, Peter Budnikas, and Mei-Li Beane explore the richness of holidays at home and with family with American and worldwide melodies and songs of Christmas.

How Did They Survive?

Join Ayinde Martin, Journeyman Carpenter, to discuss enslaved people in Colonial Virginia and their survival techniques and skills.

In Defense of Our Liberty

Enlist in the Continental Army, become a recruit, and see what it was like to be a soldier in the 18th century. Minimum required age of 9 to participate.

Intersections

The The Williamsburg community comes to life in this street theatre experience exploring the daily lives of ordinary people during extraordinary times.

Isaac Bickerstaff: The Deed Without A Name

Discover the tale of this musical theater playwright, who lost his career due to public exposure of his homosexuality. Mature subject matter, audience discretion advised.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Celebrate that jolly old elf and discover worldwide traditions with Gabe Stone and David Gardner through tunes and stories about the star of the Christmas gift-giving season.

Juneteenth's Revolutionary Roots-A Keynote Address with Annette Gordon-Reed

Juneteenth's Revolutionary Roots: Keynote Lecture featuring award-winning author and Harvard Professor Annette Gordon-Reed. Tickets include a reception.

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

Kelly Kennedy shares tunes, recipes, tales, and lore from women through the centuries as they continue to keep the flame of holiday traditions alight.

King's Arms Wine Dinner with a Nation Builder

Dine in the company of a Nation Builder on a delightful combination of their favorite fare and international wines.

Legacies of African American History

These panels bring together distinguished scholars, historians, and Interpreters for discussions on how research on African American History has developed over the years.

Legacies of LGBTQ+ History

This panel brings together distinguished scholars, historians, and Interpreters for a discussion on how research on LGBTQ+ History has developed over the years.

Legacies of the History of Indigenous People

This panel brings together distinguished scholars, historians, and Interpreters for a discussion on how research on Indigenous History has developed over the years.

Lighting of the Cressets

Join us on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street as we bring our 18th-century streets to life at night.

Lives Stitched Together

Join our modern milliners as they discuss what they have learned about the work and lives of the free and enslaved women who worked in the Millinery Shop in the 18th century.

Loquacious Lucy, Queen for a Day

When Lucy, a loquacious enslaved child, learns that her friend has been sold, her father must teach her hard lessons about slavery and instill in her the pride of her ancestors.

Lucinda and the Lottery

Based on a story from The Christmas Frolick (1775), Lucinda, a charming young heiress, devises a stratagem to test whose love is true.

Meet the Gardener

Garden volunteers answer questions about growing flowers and vegetables in the Historic Area.

Merriment and Measles

Join the Washingtons on the eve of Twelfth Night in 1760 as they reflect on the past year and their hopes for the future in the midst of a measles outbreak at Mount Vernon.

Midwinter Stories

Celebrate American Indian life and culture through stories and traditions.

Military Walking Tour

Join a member of Military Programs for a walking tour discussing various parts of town relating to 18th-century military history.

Mind the Music and the Step

Join members of the Governor’s Musick for an exploration of the political lyrics set to popular tunes at the time of the American Revolution.

More Labor than Ingenuity

Families will be able to experience some of the major elements of the Wheelwright’s trade.

Music and Mischief

Join the Jug Broke Theatre Co. as they perform holiday stories and music from the 18th century.

Music for St. Andrew's Day

Celebrate Scotland's patron saint with John Turner and Kelly Kennedy. Join them for tunes, stories, and traditions related to what has become a month-long celebration.

Music from Over Yonder

Join the Waterman family for a musical experience, sharing sounds of the early American story.

Music of J.S. Bach

Get ready for an extraordinary candlelight concert showcasing music of J.S. Bach for voice, recorder, baroque violin, baroque cello, and harpsichord.

Music of Queen Anne's World

The Jug Broke Theatre Co. explores tunes and songs that wove themselves through the fabric of this important transitional time in the early 18th century.

My Dear Madam

Mrs. Washington reflects on her life in the public eye and how her friendship with Mrs. Adams has shaped the role of the president’s lady.

My Story, My Voice - Joseph Martin, Indian Agent

Joseph Lynch Martin, agent of Indian Affairs, returns home to Virginia and is confronted by his teenage son about his new Cherokee wife.

My Story, My Voice - Sam's War

Sam, a formerly enslaved soldier, tells us his heroic story of self-liberation, encounters with the Shawnee, his supposed enemy, and those who enslaved him.

My Story; My Voice

Witness a compelling story from the life of an 18th-century person, then hear from the actor interpreter as they share how they discover and bring to life a voice from the past.

Nation Builder at the Encampment

Visit an interpretive camp of a small American Indian delegation, and a Nation Builder discussing their relationships and interactions with Indigenous peoples.

Nation Builder on Palace Green

Meet a Nation Builder for a conversation on Palace Green.

Nation Builders Discuss War and Conflict

Join two Nation Builders as they discuss war and conflict.

Nowell Sing We Clear

Join Lynn and Barry Trott to sing along with favorite English and American carols from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

Oboe, Organ & Harpsichord Recital

Enjoy a candlelight concert in an elegant historic church, presented by oboists Melinda McKenzie, Daniel Cho, and Cristin Cho and organist/harpsichordist Rebecca Davy.

Of Christmas Past

A British servant, newly arrived in the colony with his master, reflects on the holiday traditions he has left behind in the mother country.

One Street Over: Irish and Scottish Music

Join One Street Over, a four-piece traditional Irish band that combines the sounds of flute, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, cello, banjo, and bodhran into foot-tapping melodies.

Order in the Court

After a short exploration of the Courthouse and its surroundings, participate in a local court session where lives, liberties, and property are contested.

Organ & Harpsichord Recital: Music of the 18th C.

Experience sacred music by candlelight in this 300-year-old church. Rebecca Davy, Music Director & Organist at Bruton Parish Church, presents a recital of 18th-century music.

Organ Recital & Hymn Sing - Rebecca Davy

Come and see this elegant 300-year-old worship space and enjoy a recital and hymn sing presented by Rebecca Davy, Music Director and Organist at Bruton Parish Church.

Organ Recital - Dr. JanEl Will

Enjoy a candlelit recital by Dr. JanEl Will, organist at Bruton Parish Church.

Palace Christmas Ball

Celebrate the Christmas season with the Royal Governor at a grand ball hosted at the Governor’s Palace.

Palace Concert

Colonial Williamsburg's early music ensemble, the Governor's Musick, offers an elegant evening of chamber music.

Pictures of West Africa

Join Harold Caldwell, apprentice carpenter, as he shares a pictorial of the connected 18th-century African and Virginian history, while tying it to a modern understanding.

Pochettes for Christmas

John Turner and David Gardner perform traditional and seasonal tunes on a variety of instruments made specifically for travel in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

Pop-Up Archaeology!

Drop in to the Art Museums for a special pop-up exhibition of artifacts from the Custis Square, First Baptist Church, and Powder Magazine archaeology sites!

President George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Hear from President Washington on the 233rd anniversary of this day of Thanksgiving.

Pride not Prejudice

Join members of the Gender and Sexual Diversity Research Committee to explore some of the exciting research they have uncovered.

Private Family Tour

Your group's private guide will lead your family through town to learn more about what it was like to live in the 18th century.

Profound Joy

Timothy Seaman celebrates the wonder of winter, Christmas, and Hanukkah on extended-range hammered dulcimer, with songs full of joy, hope, and peace.

Public Auction

Take part in an exciting auction! Bid on selected items from Colonial Williamsburg stores as well as exclusive items not available elsewhere.

Recorder & Harpsichord Recital

A recital of Recorder and Harpsichord with Ruth van Baak Griffioen and Rebecca Davy.

Rediscover Custis Square

Take a guided tour and talk with archaeologists in the field about the current archaeological investigations at John Custis IV’s four-acre home and early 18th-century gardens.

Revel at Chowning's Tavern

Join us at Chowning’s Tavern for an evening of 18th-century merrymaking.

Revolutionary Points of View

Step back in time to 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.

Rockefeller Room Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Chefs of the Williamsburg Inn’s beloved Rockefeller Room bring a special nine-course interpretation of the Feast of Seven Fishes to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Rockefeller Room New Year's Eve Celebration

Bring in the New Year with the incredible staff of the Williamsburg Inn's Rockefeller Room.

Rockefeller Room New Years Eve Early Dinner

Join us for an early dining experience with a delicious three-course menu featuring fabulous items from the beloved Rockefeller Room menu.

Same Song Different Day

Join the Jug Broke Theatre Co. as they perform songs from the 18th century that a modern audience may be more familiar with, inspired by the current holiday.

Same Space, Different Place

Meet Rachel Whitaker, a recently widowed tavern owner, and her enslaved servant, Milly, to discover how the Christmastide season differs for these two mothers.

Santa's Stories

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they share some of their favorite stories worldwide.

Silent Night

From the Revolutionary War to Vietnam, travel through time as women in various wartime roles struggle to experience a silent night in the midst of the sounds of war.

Socials and Songs

The American Indian Initiative and the Jug Broke Theatre Co. share the timeless universality of music.

Take a Drink With Auld Rosen the Beau

On the 89th anniversary of the end of prohibition, join John Turner and a drinking buddy for popular 18th-century drinking and other drinking songs of the season.

Talk of the Town Walking Tour

Join an 18th-century Virginia resident on a walk through the Historic Area to learn about events in their lives and their perspectives on the world around them.

Talk of the Town: Christmastide

Walk through town with a resident of 18th-century Williamsburg as they share reflections on the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Dinner King's Arms Tavern

Celebrate Thanksgiving in 18th-century style with a three-course meal of traditional favorites in an 18th-century tavern.

The Art-Full Tree

Explore our exhibitions and our 16-foot Christmas Tree for inspiration, then drop in to make an ornament for your tree.

The Arts and Mysteries of Brewing

This program demonstrates the process of brewing beer as it was practiced in the 18th century.

The Mandolin Comes of Age

Doug Austin and Barry Trott explore the history of the mandolin in America. Enjoy tunes written for mandolin-family instruments, including classical pieces and holiday favorites.

The Musket

Participants will learn about the evolution of firearms leading up to the American Revolution and the ammunition. Make a paper cartridge to take home with you.

The Peddler's Opera

The Peddler’s Opera serves as a hilarious morality play to show the downfalls of profiting off a tragedy.

The Soldier and the Widow

Experience the first conversation between Colonel George Washington and Martha Custis that set them on the path to becoming the iconic couple that history remembers.

The Test of Time: How We Commemorate Historical Moments

Join esteemed panelists as they examine the legacy of the past, and how the ways used to commemorate our history have been revolutionized by a more aware and inclusive approach.

Thomas Jefferson and John Hemings: A Collaboration

After his retirement, Jefferson returned to Monticello, where he relied on his African American joiner, John Hemings, an enslaved woodworker, to build and decorate Monticello.

Through the Seasons of the Year: Songs of Rural Life

Join Lynn and Barry Trott explore the world of planting, farming, and herding through music of the seasons from the 18th and early 19th centuries.

To Hang a Pirate

Join with us in a trial of a member of the crew of Blackbeard the pirate that actually occurred in Williamsburg in 1719. Hear the evidence and make a judgment!

Tools Tell Stories: The Planes of Cesar Chelor

Join the Cabinetmakers as they construct a raised panel door using planes reproduced from originals made by free Black plane-maker Cesar Chelor.

Tracing Adam Waterford

Discover what we know and what we don't know about Adam Waterford, a free Black man who worked as a cooper in Williamsburg during the time of the American Revolution,

Tunes and Dances of the Scottish Highlands

Join David Gardner, master Scottish fiddler, and his daughter Eliza as they present the music and dance of the Scottish Highlands.

Veterans Day Proclamation Ceremony

Our Veterans Day begins at 10 a.m. with a ceremony on Palace Green honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Day: A Military March Honoring America's Veterans

Join us this Veterans Day weekend for a march and ceremony honoring America's veterans.

Virginia Evergreens

Before the Community Christmas Tree lighting, join Timothy Seaman to celebrate Virginia’s rich diversity of trees on hammered dulcimer, flutes, mountain dulcimer, and psalteries.

Visit a Nation Builder

Step into the past with a Nation Builder. Through stories, discussion, and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges they faced.

Visit a Nation Builder- George Mason

Step into the past with George Mason, Father of American Rights.

Visit a Nation Builder- George Wythe

Step into the past with George Wythe, teacher, lawyer, judge, and revolutionary.

Visit a Nation Builder- Marquis de Lafayette

Step into the past with the Marquis de Lafayette, French Hero of Two Worlds.

Visit a Nation Builder- Martha Washington

Step into the past with Martha Washington, our Nation's first First Lady.

Visit a Nation Builder- Reverend Gowan Pamphlet

Step into the past with Gowan Pamphlet, Revolutionary Black Baptist Preacher.

Visit a Nation Builder- Thomas Jefferson

Step into the past with Thomas Jefferson, The Rebellious Philosophe.

Visit a Nation Builder-Colonel George Washington

Step into the past with George Washington, Colonel of the Virginia Regiment. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Voices of Their Hands

Discuss the lives of enslaved tradespeople on this walking tour. Hear from our historic tradespeople discussing their experiences interpreting skilled laborers and their work.

W&M Accidentals Holiday Concert

Enjoy a cappella arrangements of holiday standards and crowd favorites that the W&M Accidentals love to share with the Williamsburg Community, on and off campus.

Washington and the American Indians

Join George Washington throughout his life as he discusses his experiences with and views of various American Indian nations, and hear some of their opinions.

Wassails to Hoedowns: Holiday Music in Virginia

Join Henley Fork along with Lee Welch for a musical journey across four centuries of Virginia holiday music and traditions.

Wigmaker: Behind the Scenes Apprentice Tour

Explore the trades of Wigmaking and Hairdressing by taking part in several tasks, such as combing, washing, or weaving hair.

Williamsburg Inn Christmas Day

Savor your Christmas with a long-standing tradition of well-crafted offerings from the kitchen of the Williamsburg Inn. Prepaid reservation required.

Williamsburg Inn Holiday Tea

Begin your holiday season with the newly reimagined Williamsburg Inn Holiday Tea featuring the beautiful patterns of Churchill Tea China. Prepaid reservation required.

Williamsburg Inn Thanksgiving Day

Savor your Thanksgiving with a long-standing tradition of well-crafted offerings from the kitchen of the Williamsburg Inn. Prepaid reservation required.

Williamsburg Lodge Christmas Day Meal

Gather for a festive feast at the Williamsburg Lodge this Christmas!

Williamsburg Lodge Thanksgiving Day Feast

Gather your family around one of our tables for a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings.

Witchcraft in Colonial Virginia

Historian Carson Hudson discusses how colonial Virginians shared a common belief in the supernatural and the existence of witches with their northern neighbors.

Women at Work!

Join us for a walking tour discussing the often-surprising realities of women’s labor, skills, and rights in 18th-century Williamsburg and the Colonial Atlantic World.

Works By Black Artists and Artisans

Tour the museum galleries including the “I Made This” exhibition to explore decorative arts and folk art made by Black artists and artisans. Free reservation required.