There are special events taking place all December in York County, from celebrations like the Tree Lighting and Christmas Market on Main Street to period programming like “Christmastide in Virginia” and “Viking Yuletide.”
Tree lighting
Yorktown’s 76th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be at the Riverwalk Landing on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The TRADOC Arsenal Brass Band will be entertaining the crowd at 6:30 p.m. followed by a performance from the Fifes & Drums of York Town at 7 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. During the event, the public is asked to adhere to the Virginia Phase Guidelines by practicing social distancing and wearing masks, according to a news release from York County.
Register for the event, by clicking here. There is a 250-person capacity and families will be asked to use outlined social distancing circles which are first come, first served.
Christmas Market
Searching for a holiday gift for family and friends can be difficult, but a good place to look and support local businesses is the annual Christmas Market on Main Street in Yorktown.
Close to 60 vendors (socially distanced) will line the street selling everything from local art, jewelry, and photographs to homemade sweets, according to the news release.
The Town Crier rings in the market at 10 a.m. followed by a performance from The Fifes and Drums of York Town to open the market. Santa Claus will ride in York County’s first fire truck before he greets the crowd. Strolling musical entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere this year.
Viking Yuletide
The Watermen’s Museum is hosting a free Viking Yuletide Program Saturday Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. During the family-friendly event, participants will learn about the ancient Norse influences on modern Christmas culture, enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts and sport, play games and participate in the Althing in a Viking-era encampment.
The museum’s special programming is co-hosted by the Society of Amateur Vikings for General Reenactment.
Cookies
The Gallery at York Hall announced they will once again host a cookies with Santa on Dec. 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children and parents can stop by to wave to Santa, drop off pre-made wish lists for the North Pole, grab a to-go goodie bag with a cookie, and shop for some locally made holiday gifts as well.
Adults and children ages 5 and older are required to wear masks as they enter York Hall.
Mistletoe Market
Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents are invited to browse the Mistletoe Market at the Riverwalk Landing for soups, baked goods, jams, jellies, candles, seasonal art and more. This year this were be an ice carving demonstration.
Christmastide in Virginia
To experience Colonial Virginia holiday traditions with interpretive programs, cooking demonstrations, and musical entertainment, visit the American Revolutionary War Museum at Yorktown anytime Dec. 19-31 at during “Christmastide in Virginia.”
Visit to hear stories of the holidays during the war in the re-created Continental Army encampment while learning about winter military camp life for a Continental Army soldier and more.
The museums have made adjustments to operations and access to outdoor living-history areas and gallery exhibits so that families can enjoy the museum experience while following new safety protocols and social-distancing procedures, according to the news release.
The museums’ films and immersive indoor gallery exhibits are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the outdoor living-history areas are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Click here for more information.
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