The holiday season is here, and the Williamsburg Police Department has released a guide for navigating through traffic in the city this weekend.
The city will play host to the annual Christmas Parade at 8 a.m. Saturday and Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to a City of Williamsburg news alert.
“These fun holiday events bring in many visitors and guests to the city,” the alert said. “To best prepare for company and heavy traffic, please note the following road closures, detours and parking recommendations as provided by the Williamsburg Police Department:”
Closures, parking and traffic guides for the events are as follows:
Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 3, 8 a.m.
The parade will begin at Richmond Road and Brooks Street, traveling east on Richmond Road to the intersection of North Boundary Street and Duke of Gloucester Street. It will cross over onto the Duke of Gloucester Street and proceed to Henry Street where it will turn right. The parade will end at the intersection of Francis Street. The parade is expected to last an hour.
The following streets will close at 7:55 a.m.:
- Richmond Road from Wythe Avenue to North Boundary Street
- North Henry Street from Prince George Street to Newport Avenue
- Francis Street from Nassau Street to South Boundary Street
- Nassau Street from Francis Street to Newport Avenue
The following street will close at 7:40 a.m.:
- Richmond Road from Lafayette Street to Wythe Avenue
Detours:
Richmond Road East – Detour Lafayette Street to Page Street. Tum right onto York Street; continue on Francis Street to South England Street. Tum left onto South England Street and right onto Newport Avenue. From Newport Avenue tum right onto South Boundary Street and left onto Jamestown Road.Vehicles exiting parking lots east of Lafayette Street on Richmond Road will be detoured at Wythe Avenue.
Jamestown Road – Detour South Boundary Street to Newport Avenue. From Newport Avenue, turn left and proceed to South England Street. Tum left onto South England Street and right onto Francis Street. Continue on Francis Street to York Street and Turn Left on Lafayette Street. Proceed straight on Lafayette Street to Richmond Road.
Grand Illumination – Sunday, December 4, 5-7:30 p.m.
The following streets will close at 8:00 a.m.:
- Duke of Gloucester Street
- Blair Street
- Botetourt Street
- Queen Street
- Colonial Street
- Nicholson Street from Palace Green east to North England Street
- Prince George from Nassau Street east to Palace Green
- Palace Street from Duke of Gloucester north to Nicholson Street
- Scotland Street from Palace Green east to North England
- Nicholson Street from Palace Green east to North England
- Nicholson from North England east to Waller
- North England from Nicholson north to Tobacco Road
The following streets will close at noon:
- Francis Street from the intersection of Page and York Streets west to Henry Street
- Waller Street
- South England Street from the intersection with Francis Street south to Newport Avenue
- Nassau Street from Prince George Street south to Newport Avenue
- Court Street
Other streets:
- Scotland Street from North England to Palace Green will close to pedestrian traffic at 5:15 p.m.
- Tobacco Road from North England Street to the Colonial Parkway will close at approx. 6:55 p.m.
- Route 132Y from the Colonial Parkway west to Route 132 will close to facilitate vehicle traffic leaving the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center parking lots at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Parking for events:
- The Prince George Parking Garage on Henry Street may be used for parking for both events.
- The Parking Terrace on Boundary Street is also available.
- PLEASE observe all “No Parking” areas.
- Please do not block any driveways, fire hydrants, or park vehicles too close to intersections.
- It is recommended not to park on any “off road,” grass, or non-pavement areas.
- Colonial Williamsburg advises that Handicap parking spots will be in the Tavern parking lots on Francis Street.
- Avoid parking anywhere near the railroad tracks or crossing areas.
- Plan on a heavy volume of traffic before and after these events.
