Fourth of July

The evening grand ceremony, “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together," is presented in partnership with the Virginia 250 Commission. The two-hour live event will be presented on Market Square behind the Courthouse featuring a spectacular line-up of American musicians led by legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins, as well as a world-premiere poem by Trustee Justice John Charles Thomas and remarks from Chair and Chief Executive Officer and National Honorary Chair of VA250 Carly Fiorina. The evening will culminate with the largest fireworks display ever produced at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The show will be broadcast live across the country by PBS.

The main entertainment will be staged on Market Square behind the Courthouse. Screens will be set up on Palace Green for additional viewing of the grand ceremony.

On Saturday, July 4th, 2026, the fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:35 p.m. and will last about 15 minutes. The fireworks display will be preceded by a drone show at 9:25 p.m.

The best location for viewing is Palace Green. The fireworks can also be seen from Market Square in the middle of town on Courthouse Green and at the Magazine.

Colonial Williamsburg does not offer a rain date for the July 4th Fireworks. We do not have a set time for canceling the program if the weather is a concern. Communication on the status of the fireworks will be posted through our social media channels.

To receive weather-related special event information via text, please text the keyword CWEVENTS to 226787. The opt-in will auto-expire at 11:59 PM on July 4, 2026, and you can opt out of the messages at any time.

Yes. In addition to daily Historic Area programming, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson at 9:30 a.m. from the Capitol building’s West Balcony.

At 10:30 a.m. at the Military Encampment, A Salute to the States will feature a special muster in commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of our nation. At 11:00 a.m., learn about the Virginia Declaration of Rights with Nation Builder George Mason at the Hennage Auditorium. At 11:30 a.m., experience a special demonstration of the weapons, tactics with Freedom and the Fog of War at the Military Encampment.

12:00 p.m. Noon at the Raleigh Tavern, Williamsburg Declares will explore how our historic community played a vital role in the lead up to the Declaration of Independence.

At 2:00 p.m., recruits of all ages are welcome to take part in Under Arms: Training the Grand Army, an interactive military drill with a final inspection conducted by Patrick Henry or enjoy a stage presentation at the Hennage Auditorium of Pursuing Happiness, and gain a new perspective on the document we celebrate on July 4.

Close out your day with Beat the Retreat: Marching to a New Nation at 4:00 p.m. featuring General George Washington and march from the Magazine to the Capitol and experience 1776: The Trial for Independence at 4:30 p.m.

There is a full line-up of Nation Builder programs offered at various venues throughout the day:

• Visit with James Lafayette: 10:00 a.m. at the Kimball Theatre
• Visit with James Madison: 11:00 a.m. at the Governor’s Palace Stage
• Visit with Thomas Jefferson: 11:30 a.m. at the Charlton Stage
• Visit with the Marquis de Lafayette: 12:00 p.m. at the Kimball Theatre
• Visit with George Washington: 1:00 p.m. at the Charlton Stage
• Visit with Martha Washington: 1:00 p.m. at the Governor’s Palace Stage
• Visit with George Mason: 2:00 p.m. at the Kimball Theatre

The best place to park is the Visitor Center parking lot, however, capacity is limited.  Additional Williamsburg parking will be available at William & Mary’s Zable Stadium, located at 100 Stadium Dr. off Richmond Rd, and at William & Mary’s Kaplan Arena, located at 751 Ukrop Way. It is approximately a 15-minute walk to Palace Green from these locations.

Free overflow parking will be available at the Williamsburg Community Chapel located at 3899 John Tyler Highway in Williamsburg. Complimentary shuttles will take guests to and from Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area from Noon to 11:00 pm. Travel time will be approximately 17 minutes each way.

Complimentary bus service is provided by Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA). The route servicing Colonial Williamsburg is Route 15: Colonial. Buses leave the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center to service stops throughout the Historic Area every 15 minutes. Bus service hours of operation on July 4th will be 9:00 a.m. until 12:00a.m. There will be no bus service from 8:30 p.m. until 12:00a.m. Bus Service will resume when streets reopen for vehicle traffic, as late as 11 p.m.

The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority will extend service hours on all routes and paratransit service until midnight on July 4 to help residents and visitors travel to Independence Day celebrations and fireworks events in downtown Williamsburg. Routes 1 and 2 will run 30-minute service on this day as well. Additionally, WATA will host Liberty Fare Week from June 29 through July 5, allowing residents and visitors to ride all fixed routes and paratransit service at no cost. Visit gowata.org for complete details.

There is an accessible walking path to the Visitor Center from the Palace bus stop. This path will be closed beginning at 8:30 p.m. and will reopen following the fireworks display.

• Morning Concession by Capitol: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in front of Shields Tavern; Coffee and Doughnuts
• Kings Arms Dinner Service: will be open for lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. for dinner. Reservations are required for dinner, 1-800-HISTORY or OpenTable app.
• Campbell’s Tavern will be open for dinner from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Reservations are required, 1-800-HISTORY or OpenTable app.
• Chowning’s Cider Stand: Open 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Drinks, snacks and cookies.
• Chowning’s Garden Snack Bar: Open 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Burgers, Hot dogs and more.
• The Raleigh Tavern Bakery: Open 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; sandwiches, snacks, sweets, drinks and beer
• Mckenzie Apothecary: Open 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Drinks, snacks, baked goods.
• Dubois Grocer: Open 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Thomas Jefferson's recipe soft serve ice cream, period candy, roasted nuts.
• Shields Tavern: Mr. Shields' Picnic Basket – Prepaid Event 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a festive July 4th Family Picnic Basket from Shields Tavern Pavilion. Relax in the shade at your reserved picnic table and indulge in holiday favorites like Mr. Shields' Fried Chicken, cornbread, green bean salad, potato salad, and fresh watermelon & strawberries, all topped off with patriotic cookies and refreshing lemonade. $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Prepaid reservations are required. Reservations are available on OpenTable or by calling 1-800-HISTORY.
• Traditions: Build Your Own Picnic - Prepaid Event 12:30 pm– 8:00 pm – Make the Fourth easy this year. Skip the prep and enjoy a relaxed, picnic experience—build your plate, grab a drink and settle in at your table. Perfect for a quick stop between celebrations or a casual meal with family and friends.
• Greenhow Concessions: 11:00 a.m.-Fireworks – Next to the Greenhow Lumber House; Pastries, soda, water, beer, snacks and cookies.
• Local food trucks will also be operating in the Historic Area on Courthouse Green west of the main stage and down by the Capitol on Blair Street.

Besides the regular restroom locations in the Historic Area, additional portable toilets are available near Palace Green, as well as off Blaire Street and Botetourt Street. Please note that the restrooms within the Governor’s Palace Gardens and the structure at the corner of Scotland Street and Palace Green will not be available after 4 p.m. Public restrooms are also available in Merchants Square at the corner of Duke of Gloucester and N. Henry Streets, and in the Henry Street Shops.

Besides the food and beverage areas, there will be three cooling tents throughout the Historic Area. There will be a cooling tent on the Courthouse Green, next to the Greenhow Lumber Ticket Office, and next to the Capitol off of Blaire Street. These tents will be air conditioned and the Capitol and Courthouse tents will be equipt with water bottle filling stations.

Yes. The following items will not be permitted on Market Square, Palace Green, Art Museum Lawns, or any other Colonial Williamsburg Foundation owned properties:

• Tents
• Pop-up tents
• Oversized umbrellas
• Drones
• Firearms, Ammunition, Knives, and Weapons of any kind

We encourage all attendees to travel light by leaving large bags at home or in your hotel. Please be aware that bag checks may be implemented at Colonial Williamsburg venues at any time, and additional security measures may be in place at individual locations.

Larger bags such as duffel bags, shoulder bags, and backpacks may be subject to inspection by venue staff before entry. Please note that luggage or large cases of any kind are not permitted.

For safety, all belongings must remain with you at all times; unattended items may be treated as a security concern and reported to security and local authorities.

Yes.

• The John Greenhow Store will be open 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Market House will be open 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• The William Pitt Store will be open 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Tarpley, Thompson & Company will be open 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• The Prentis Store will be open 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• The Golden Ball will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Public Auction on Friday, July 3 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Market Square, bid on select items from CW stores as well as one-of-a-kind auction items found nowhere else.

Photographing and filming will take place throughout Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area July 2-5. Please be advised that by attending events during this time, you grant The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation the right to use your likeness and voice, without additional compensation, and release The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation from any related liability.