Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown EventsIn honor of its role in American heritage and culture, Virginia’s Historic Triangle hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your visit.
Uniformed re-enactors join forces with modern-day veterans and active units at Jamestown Settlement to demonstrate military encounters, camp life, tactics and weaponry at Military Through the Ages in March.
Held at Colonial National Historical Park in April, Civil War Weekend includes tactical demonstrations, an encampment and a replica of a Confederate field hospital. In 1862, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, launched his Peninsula Campaign at Yorktown, intent on capturing Richmond. Anticipating the attack, Confederate troops used Revolutionary War fortifications to hold the enemy at bay for nearly a month; McClellan withdrew.
The Fourth of July holds special meaning in Virginia. Williamsburg's Independence Day is a military salute to the original 13 Colonies that includes historic re-enactments, a fife and drum parade and patriotic fireworks. The Yorktown Independence Day Celebration features a foot race, a parade, arts and crafts, music and more fireworks.
On the October anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown, a parade and patriotic ceremonies mark the occasion. Yorktown Victory Celebration weekend features special programs at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown . Also in October is An Occasion for the Arts , when Merchants Square hosts a juried art show, musical entertainment, a bustling food court and family activities.
Things to do include learning how to pickle vegetables and prepare pastries in James Fort, haul cargo from the hold of the Susan Constant and roast oysters over an open fire in a Powhatan Indian village during Foods and Feasts of Colonial Virginia , Jamestown Settlement. The 3-day event begins on Thanksgiving Day. Foods and Feasts of Colonial Virginia festivities also take place at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Historic Yorktown launches the holiday season with the Illumination and Christmas Tree Lighting as well as the Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade down the York River. Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination Festivities attracts thousands of revelers for the traditional cannon blast signaling the lighting of candles throughout the historic area. The luminous event features choir and orchestra performances, carolers and a massive fireworks display. A Colonial Christmas , American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, celebrates 17th- and 18th-century holiday customs and traditional foods. A Colonial Christmas activities also take place at Jamestown Settlement.
See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.
Virginias Historic Triangle, VA
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