Seasonal Events and Off-Season Shopping & Savings in Williamsburg, VA

Yorktown Victory Center - Yorktown, VA

Continental Army Encampment

Visitors explore the re-created Continental Army encampment at the Yorktown Victory Center.

With much to do all year long you wouldn't think there was an off-season for Williamsburg, but the winter months offer opportunities to save big on the trip of a lifetime and see sights not available at any other time of the year. With more than 4,000,000 visitors a year, if you visit on the off-season you can have a less crowded and more relaxed visit. So, head on down to Williamsburg off-season and enjoy savings and beat the crowds.

Events:

• Yorktown Celebrates Christmas. Each year, on the first weekend of the month of December, the town of Yorktown opens its doors and enjoys a festive holiday weekend and the spirit lasts the season long. The festivities begin on Friday with a candlelight procession down Yorktown's Main Street to York Hall, where a visit from Santa highlights the official tree lighting. A lighted boat parade follows on the York River with hot cider and a bonfire on the beach. Saturday features a Christmas Open House featuring many of Yorktown's privately owned homes and historic buildings professionally decorated for the season. 
• Grand Illumination. On the first Sunday of December, Williamsburg goes all out with its Christmas celebrations. The season is welcomed in with fireworks, candlelight and music. See Colonial Williamsburg all decked out in its seasonal finery, the way it was in the colonial times. Decorations from the celebration have been the subject of books and photos for years, now you can see it for yourself. 
• A Colonial Christmas. - Experience 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions at Jamestown Settlement. The celebration includes an audio-visual program and guided tours compare and contrast English Christmas with the early years of Jamestown. At Yorktown Victory Center hear accounts of Christmas and winter in military encampments and glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780s Virginia farm. 
• First Night of Williamsburg -- New Year's Eve Celebration. Enjoy New Year's Eve in Williamsburg with a community-wide, alcohol-free event. Featuring fun for all ages. Enjoy an evening of performing arts and music groups that concludes with a fireworks display to welcome the New Year. 
• Berkeley Plantation Events. With the holidays, the plantation that played host to the first ten presidents and the birthplace of one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, hosts several events. With a Holiday Tea and Tour you can learn about holiday traditions from the 18th century with stories, decorations and a traditional English tea. They also offer a Candlelight Christmas Tour and Dinner where you can hear tales of the era, enjoy the decorations and partake of a five course dinner including wine. With their final event of the year, Colonial Christmas at Berkeley Plantation, you can learn how the Harrison family celebrated Christmas in the 18th century and enjoy period music as well. A treat for all the senses at this plantation located in Charles City.

Shopping:

One thing you can be sure of is the shopping in the off-season is spectacular. Enjoy Christmas shopping at many of your favorite stores or add unique touches from one of the many fine establishments around Williamsburg.

• Prime Outlets at Williamsburg. Prime outlets is the largest retail facility in the area. With more than 80 designer and brand name outlet stores including Liz Claiborne, Nine West, Eddie Bauer, Oshkosh B'Gosh and L. L. Bean, you are sure to find what you are looking for. See why this outlet is ranked in the top ten of the industry. 
• Wallace's Trading Post. Located in downtown Williamsburg, Wallace boosts over 10,000 square feet of quality gifts, furniture, home decor, collectibles and more presented in a unique outdoor setting. Visit their own fudge factory where they make their own fudge or shop our wide selection of Virginia food products. Wallace's Trading Post is sure to be a hit for the whole family. 
• Williamsburg Pottery Factory. With more than 200 acres and 50 vendors of pottery, glassware, stemware, baskets, china and much more you will find something for everyone on your Christmas list. A hit with locals and visitors alike, this awesome outlet could be the reason you return to Williamsburg year after year.