
YORKTOWN — Historic Yorktown will celebrate the season with a festive weekend of holiday traditions.
The weekend will kick off on Friday, Dec. 3 with Yorktown’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tradition that dates back to 1945, the year Reverend Claud G. Barkley, Pastor of Yorktown Baptist Church, and the County Clerk’s office staff decorated a cedar tree that stood at the corner of Main and Ballard Streets.
A ritual that is still kept up by the York County Historical Committee, the tree lighting features a 20-foot artificial commercial “Giant Everest Fir” tree placed in Riverwalk Landing.
For the first time, ornaments will be added to the tree this year to help spread holiday cheer to the riverfront.
The community is invited to gather at the Yorktown Victory Monument by 6:30 p.m. for live music, including a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town. The procession will then make its way from the monument to Riverwalk Landing for the tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
Families are encouraged to stay after the ceremony for a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
On Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., shoppers can look for holiday gifts at the Christmas Market on Main Street.
The popular Yorktown event, which has been extended to two days in recent years, will see nearly 100 vendors along the street selling everything from handmade soaps to Christmas decorations.
The Town Crier will ring in the market at 10 a.m. on Saturday before the Fifes and Drums of York Town officially open the market with a performance.
Santa Claus will also be in attendance to greet families. Visitors can expect strolling musical entertainment throughout the market, as well as an ice carver set up in front of York Hall on Sunday.

On Saturday, Dec. 4 the Lighted Boat Parade will take place on the waterfront with pre-parade festivities taking place at 6 p.m., including caroling around a beach bonfire, a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town and complimentary hot cider.
In an annual Yorktown tradition that has taken place for over two decades, boats will make their way down the river in a light show beginning at 7 p.m.
For safety precautions, attendees are encouraged to bring flash lights to navigate around town at night.
On Sunday, Dec. 5, the Gallery at York Hall will host Cookies with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. Santa Claus will stay socially distanced, and guests are encouraged to bring their masks, phones or cameras, and wish lists.
Guests can also stop inside the Gallery to shop for unique Christmas gifts handcrafted by local artists.
For more information about the events, go to VisitYorktown.com.