For a vacation with the grandchildren, for a holiday celebration with the family, or for a time of personal reflection: treat yourself to the opportunity to become part of our nation's living history in Colonial Williamsburg!

Population:                  11,998

Elevation:                    86 feet above sea level

Land Area:                   8.5 square miles

Location:                     Williamsburg is 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., midway between Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia on Interstate 64.

Time Zone:                  Williamsburg is located in the Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Williamsburg, it’s 11am in Chicago and 9am in Los Angeles).  Williamsburg observes Daylight Savings Time April – October.         

Weather:

Climate:

Local Seasons:

Summer is the busiest time of year as visitors come to visit and experience the many historic attractions in and around the area.  With the summertime temperatures averaging in the high 70s F, with daytime highs in the mid to high 90s and evenings dropping into the 60s F, it is possible to spend the entire day and night seeing the sights.  Spring and fall are quite beautiful with the changing of the seasons.  In the spring, the blossoms begin to appear as early as March and dot the countryside.  It’s a great time to take a walk and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.  The same applies to the fall when the area becomes an array of beautiful colors and temperatures to match.  Winter is the slower time of year and snow does fall but it does make the town look even more “picture perfect”.  While the temperatures do drop during this time, the daytime can reach the 40s F, giving the visitor the choice of both indoor and outdoor activities to pursue.

How to Get There:

By Car

Easily accessible by car, Williamsburg is conveniently located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., midway between Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia on Interstate 64.

From Interstate 64, visitors may take exits 227 through 242 to reach different points of interest in the Historic Triangle.

Exits 227, 230, and 234 - route travels to Route 60 West.

Exit 238 - route travels to Colonial Williamsburg and the downtown area.

Exit 242 - route travels to Route 60 East.

By Air

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)

900 Bland Blvd.

Newport News, VA 23602

757-877-0221

The airport is located 20 minutes from downtown and is served by many of the low cost regional airlines.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

2200 Northview Avenue

Norfolk, VA 23518

757-857-3351

The airport is located approximately 50 minutes from Williamsburg and is serviced by many of the national airlines as well as certain regional carriers.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

1 Richard E Byrd Terminal Drive

Richmond VA 23250

804-226-3000

The airport is located 50 minutes from Williamsburg and is serviced by a variety of the national airlines as well as certain regional carriers.

Ground Transportation

Ground transportation is available at all three airports, including car rental companies, taxis, and limousines

.

By Train

Amtrak

468 North Boundary Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185

800-USA-RAIL

Direct Amtrak service from Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

How to Get Around:

Very few cars are allowed in the Historic Area from 8am – 10pm daily, so visitors must find alternate parking.  In addition a shuttle bus is available.

The Williamsburg Visitors Shuttle

757-259-4111

Fee Charged

The shuttle bus operates from Memorial Day until Labor Day, from 9am -10pm. 

National Holidays:

New Year’s Day, January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January

President’ Day, the third Monday in February

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, the first Monday in September

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25

New Year’s Eve, December 31

Events

January

Williamsburg Quilt Festival

Usually held the third week of February

215-862-5828

Explore an American art that has developed and grown with the nation.  Williamsburg Festival Week is a compilation of four exciting quilting, fiber arts, and wearable art shows, and is the perfect place for quilters and wearable, textile and fiber artists of all levels and ages to explore these arts. These four festivals revolve around the textile arts: the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival; the Mid-Atlantic Wearable Art Festival; the Mid-Atlantic Fiber Arts Fair; and the Williamsburg Quilt & Vintage Annex. In all, more than 500 quilts, wearables, dolls and textiles on exhibit; workshops, lectures and special activities offered; four Merchant Malls with more than 140 vendors.

May

Spring Native Wildflower Sale

Held in early May

Virginia Living Museum

Newport News, VA.

757-595-1900

Admission Free

More than 40 species of native perennials, grasses and shrubs are available for purchase in this joint sale by the Virginia Living Museum and Virginia Native Plants Society. All plants are nursery propagated.

Civil War Weekend

Held in late May

Yorktown National Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery

757-898-2410

Tactical demonstrations, encampments and a Confederate field hospital interpret the role Yorktown played during the Peninsula Campaign. Special Memorial Day ceremonies take place at the Yorktown Victory Center,

July

The Road to Independence: People of Vision

Held over the Fourth of July weekend

888-593-4682

Salute America during the third annual Fourth of July event, leading up to the anniversary of the momentous American victory at Yorktown. The two-day event explores the important personalities of the American Revolution. Visitors can join in military drills and learn about the sacrifices of our nation's founders, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg

Held on the Fourth of July

Colonial Williamsburg

800-HISTORY

A salute to the 13 Colonies, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a garden party at the Palace, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Fireworks viewing open to the public. Garden Party requires admission.

Yorktown Independence Day Celebration

Held on the Fourth of July

757-890-3500

Hours: 9am – 10pm

Admission Free

Celebrate the Fourth of July in the place where independence was won. This family-oriented event is staged in Historic Yorktown and has something for everyone, including an arts and crafts show, a classic car show, parade, children’s game area, food and beverages, musical entertainment and of course, a spectacular fireworks show over the York River.

Watermen's Heritage Festival

Held in mid July

Watermen's Museum

309 Water Street

Yorktown

757-887-2641

Admission Charged

The Work Boat races start with a parade of Work Boats at 12:30 pm followed by the blessing of the fleet and the races. Activities include exhibits, contests, demonstrations, crafts and artwork for sale. There are children's activities and displays from local military bases including the Naval Weapons Station and the Coast Guard Training Base. The Yorktown Trolley runs from the parking areas in town to the Watermen's Museum.

September

National Public Lands Day

Held in mid September

Colonial National Historical Park

Historic Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield

757-898-2410

Admission Free

A celebration of the role that publicly owned lands play in the preservation of America’s natural and cultural resources at one of the 387 areas nationwide administered by the National Park Service.

Bacon's Rebellion Weekend

Held in mid September

Historic Jamestown

757-898-2410

Evening walking tours will relate the details of Bacon’s Rebellion as they occurred at Jamestown, including a symbolic burning of the town site. Living history programs during the weekend highlight the actions of key events of the rebellion.

October

Howl-O-Scream

Held during the entire month of October

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

800-343-7943

Admission Charged

The creeps come out at night as Howl-O-Scream returns to haunt Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Monstrous mayhem is on hand as this 17th century European-themed adventure park transforms into a “scream” park full of Halloween fun.

Spirits and Witches Brew Lunch and Tour or Candlelight Dinner Tour

Held various days throughout the month of October

Edgewood Plantation

Charles City, VA

800-296-3343

Reservations required

Edgewood Plantation has a lunch or dinner and a tour of the plantation where countless ghost stories have been written, including one about the legendary lost Civil War love of Lizzie Rowland. 

An Occasion for the Arts

Held in early October

Merchants Square

757-259-1206

Admission Free

Annual juried festival of nationally acclaimed artists; performances by jazz, classical, Dixieland, acoustic, country and rock musicians; youth art and stage.

Italian Festival

Held in mid October

On the grounds of the Williamsburg Winery

757-220-5535

Admission Charged

Italian food, Virginia wines, entertainment and artisans, plus an Alfa Romeo classic car exhibit and activities for children. 

Yorktown Victory Celebration

Held in mid October

Special programs also are held in Yorktown at Yorktown Battlefield, administered by Colonial National Historical Park.

Yorktown Victory Center

888-593-5682

Military life and artillery demonstrations mark the anniversary of America’s momentous victory at Yorktown. To experience Continental Army life firsthand, visitors may enroll in “A School for the Soldier,” where they can try on uniforms, march to the beat of a Revolutionary drum and join in other hands-on military activities.

Night of the Living Museum

Usually held the third week of October

Virginia Living Museum

Newport News, VA.

757-595-1900

Hours: 6pm – 9pm

Admission Charged

A family Halloween celebration returns at the Virginia Living Museum, featuring live animal shows, a night trail walk, and various creatures of the night. Hear Halloween and night animal myths dispelled and experience a haunting planetarium show filled with little known Halloween facts. This is a non-scary event for families with children ages 12 and under.

November

Berkeley Plantation First Thanksgiving Festival

Held in early November

Berkeley Plantation

Charles City, VA

888-466-6018

Hours: 9am – 5pm

Admission Charged

Celebrate the 1619 landing of the original colonists at Berkeley Plantation; the site of the first official Thanksgiving in America, for a day dedicated to history, food and fun with tours of the 1726 manor house, Thanksgiving dinner at Berkeley Coach House Tavern, walks in the colorful autumn gardens and a formal living history program.

Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia

Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center

888-593-4682

Admission Charged

Explore Virginia food of the 17th and 18th centuries during this three-day event beginning on Thanksgiving Day. At Jamestown Settlement, learn how food was gathered, preserved and prepared on land and at sea by Virginia’s English colonists and Powhatan Indians. At the Yorktown Victory Center, learn about typical soldiers’ fare during the American Revolution and trace the bounty of a 1780s farm from field to kitchen.

December

Annual Williamsburg Area Community Christmas Parade

Held in early December

757-229-6511

Hours: 9am

Admission Free

Starts at Merchants Square.

Annual Christmas Homes Tour Presented by the Green Springs Garden Club

757-565-7844

Admission Charged

Tour private residences in or near the Historic Area that are not usually open to the public. Each location will be decorated with holiday floral arrangements.

The Grand Illumination

Colonial Williamsburg

800-HISTORY

Admission not required for viewing

Colonial Williamsburg welcomes the Christmas holiday season with candles, fireworks and music.

A Colonial Christmas

Held mid to late December

Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center

888-593-4682

Admission Charged

Experience 17th-and 18th-century holiday traditions. At Jamestown Settlement, a film and special guided tours compare and contrast English Christmas customs of the period with how the season may have been observed in the difficult early years of the Jamestown colony. At the Yorktown Victory Center, hear accounts of Christmas and winter in military encampments during the American Revolution and glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780s Virginia farm.