Williamsburg is Always a Great Option for Holiday Family Fun and Shopping
December 09, 2020
Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg and the Williamsburg community have ample opportunities to enjoy outdoor holiday festivities this year — the usual festive events and new options.
Traditionally, Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand illumination launches the official holiday season with, quite literally, a bang. The fireworks are breathtaking. Thousands of people gather from around the world and the community to witness the display.
But there were no fireworks this year. The newest COVID restrictions limit gatherings to 25 people. Nevertheless, the holiday spirit is on display throughout the Historic Area. Visitors will still delight in the holiday lights and the ornate handmade wreaths and garlands hung on homes, shops, and taverns along Duke of Gloucester Street.
Sometimes, an unexpected turn of events can be a catalyst for innovation.
According to a recent article on wydaily.com, the new Williamsburg Christmas Market was made possible when funding for other canceled events was rerouted. “Because some of our other annual events had to be cut back a bit due to the pandemic, we were able to put funding together for a Christmas market in cooperation with Colonial Williamsburg and Merchant’s Square,” said Steve Rose, co-founder, and president of CultureFix, the nonprofit responsible for the event.
The first Williamsburg Christmas Market opened for visitors December 4-6. Additional market days are December 11-13 and 18-20. The festive Christmas market located in the P6 parking lot on the corner of Francis and South Boundary Street is reminiscent of European village-style markets, complete with vendor booths and street performers.
The Liberty Ice Pavilion located on Duke of Gloucester Street opened for family fun in 2015. It quickly became a favorite destination for locals and visitors. Skaters can purchase a one-day skating ticket or a season pass. Ice skates for all ages are available for rental. The ice rink will remain open through February 15, 2021.
Another popular family destination for holiday fun is Busch Gardens. The Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration offers a winter wonderland theme with all the trimmings, fifteen coasters and rides, shopping, a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, and more. Reservations are required due to limited capacity.
Shopping locally for gift-giving supports the many locally-owned small businesses in greater Williamsburg. Before heading out, visit the wydaily.com Shop 30 Off Local for full face-value gift certificates to local shops, restaurants, and services at a 30% discount.
The holidays are also the season to support area nonprofits who do so much for the local community, including our furry friends. The annual Heritage Humane Society Holiday Bazaar offers an online store, auction, and raffle site
If you’re looking for “distinctively Williamsburg” gifts, be sure to visit the online Williamsburg Virginia & Colonial Williamsburg Gift Guide. It offers links to local favorites such as Whitley’s Peanut Factory and gift cards for local attractions, brewery gifts, restaurants, and local retail shops.
All event information is accurate at the time of publication. But please call ahead to confirm. Schedules continue to be fluid during the health crisis.
THE BUCK STAYS HERE
TheBuckStaysHere.com, powered by Chesapeake Bank, is a local online resource of more than 400 small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Membership is FREE, so register your business or nonprofit today. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to support local small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy. You can help them survive and thrive by buying gifts, dining, and using local establishments’ services. So, please, put “helping our local economy” on your Christmas list.