VACATIONS MADE EASY : DESTINATIONS : WASHINGTON DC : EVENT CALENDAR

Grand Illumination at Governor's Palace, near Washington, DC

Colonial Williamsburg is beautifully decorated with natural and historically accurate d??cor for the holidays. But, it kicks off its Christmas celebration with an event they call Grand Illumination. People crowd the streets to see the display and begin their holiday season. The Governor???s Palace, and all the historic buildings in the restored Colonial Capital are lit with candles in every window. Fires crackle on the sidewalks, but the most impressive light display is in the sky! Pyrotechnic wonders are wrought each year by professionals in a fireworks display that is synchronized. Fireworks are set up at the Governor???s Palace, the Magazine and the Capitol and are controlled by computer. Amid this technological wonder are concert stages set up with music from the period, and the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums perform. Of course, the costumed enactors are going about their business as though they were celebrating the yuletide centuries ago. Colonial Williamsburg is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, around 160 miles from Washington, DC.

Points of Interest

Governor's Palace, near Washington, DC

The Virginia Governor's Palace was completed in 1722 - a full 16 years after construction began - and instantly became one of the most elegant and impressive buildings in Colonial America.