July 4, 2022
There's no better place to celebrate our nation's birth than on historic Duke of Gloucester Street. Enjoy a full day of patriotic festivities, including public readings of the Declaration of Independence, musical performances, and a dazzling fireworks display to cap the evening.
Special Events
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Salute to the States
Set to the pomp & pageantry of the CW Fifes & Drums, The Virginia Military Garrison presents musket volley salutes to the original thirteen states of the Union.
Open to the Public
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A Demonstration of Period Tactics
Guests of all ages will step into the shoes of 18th-century soldiers to learn military drill, tactics, and engage in a mock battle from the American Revolution in Williamsburg.
Open to the Public
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Concert of Celebration
Hear the Jug Broke Theatre Company play the music of the season in this live concert!
CW Admission
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Created Equal
This performance explores African American perspectives on the Declaration of Independence.
CW Admission
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Noon Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Residents of the 18th-century Williamsburg community read the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Courthouse and surrounding area.
Open to the Public
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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.
CW Admission
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Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson begins a day of pageantry, celebration, and reflection.
Open to the Public
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Phillis Wheatley and the Music of Freedom
Join the Governor’s Musick in a musical exploration of the paradox of freedom as seen through the poetry of Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved person and well-known poet.
Art Museums Admission
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A Community Salute to America
The American Music Concert Series continues with The United States Air Force Heritage of America band performing patriotic favorites in a concert on the Lawn of the Art Museums.
Open to the Public
Dining Opportunities
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Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
Featuring the best in British and American fine and decorative arts, plus the nation’s premiere collection of American folk art.
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Meet the Nation Builders
From recognizable names like Jefferson and Washington, to people whose names did not grace your history book, meet the Nation Builders who helped shape their time, and whose legacies continues to influence and inspire American ideals.
Meet the Nation Builders
