The holiday feasting will be in full swing, and many of us are getting ready to join the masses in a shopping frenzy – but don’t forget to take some time out and have fun, maybe take in a historical event or get some culture while the whole family is in town for a visit. Look no further to plan out your upcoming weekend of fun. We’ve collected some of the best bets for weekend adventures right here in WYD, which stands for What You’ll Do.
We pull these ideas off our community calendar, which you can find on the right side of WYDaily.com. Submitting to the calendar is free and easy, so make sure to add upcoming events for your group or organization.
Read on to find out what’s happening around town and to get some Black Friday information for a few local shopping draws.
Shopping Frenzy
While you finish up your shopping list, remember Small Business Saturday: Lieutenant Governor Bolling encouraged Virginia shoppers to participate in Small Business Saturday; the event, which falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, supports the national movement to drive consumers to shop at local, independently owned businesses during the heaviest shopping weekend of the year.
“I hope that all Virginians will participate in Small Business Saturday,” said Lieutenant Governor Bolling. “Small businesses are the heart of Virginia’s economy. They make up 98% of all businesses in Virginia. We should do everything possible to lend them a helping hand in this uncertain economy. Please take this opportunity over the holiday weekend to patronize small shops, restaurants and service providers that help Virginia’s economy grow.”
Williamsburg Premium Outlets is a big destination for holiday shopping. We have a story with information on parking, planned police presence and more – just click here to see it. If you’re looking for information on Black Friday sales for the Outlets, just visit their website.
Colonial Williamsburg will also have some good shopping deals this weekend. They’ll have two great offers starting Black Friday and running through Monday: a buy one, get one free Annual Passes, and a one night free in a hotel suite when you book a stay of at least two nights. Check CW’s Facebook page for more on this offer, which will be available at midnight on Friday.
Holiday Goings-On
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is hosting Food and Feasts of Colonial Virginia starting on Thanksgiving Day. Colonial Virginia foodways are featured during this three-day event. At Jamestown Settlement, learn how food was gathered, preserved and prepared on land and at sea by Virginia’s English colonists and Powhatan Indians. At the Yorktown Victory Center, learn about typical soldiers’ fare during the American Revolution and trace the bounty of a 1780s farm from field to kitchen. Complimentary admission to residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including the College of William and Mary, with proof of residency. Click the calendar for details.
“An Irish Dancing Christmas!” will get guests in the spirit of the holiday season at Colonial Williamsburg’s Kimball Theatre. The Rhythm of Ireland Irish Dancers will enchant guests with their rhythmic, precise, high-energy dancing. This performance features live music Keltish with fiddler Chelle Fulk and special guest percussionist Catherine Hauke. The production takes place at 7 p .m. Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and students and $14 for children under 12. Here is a link to more information.
Don’t forget that Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration starts this weekend! Lights, music, food and fun – click the calendar to get all the details.
The Williamsburg Outlet Mall is holding its Holiday Indoor Street Festival this weekend – they’ll have crafters, artists, bead artists and more on display. Check out the calendar for all the information.
Outdoor Stuff
The new ice skating rink located in Sullivan Square in New Town opens this week! The rink will be open daily between Nov. 23 and Jan. 13 with weekday, weekend and winter break hours; it will be closed on Christmas Day. Skating is $7 per person including skate rental or $5 per person without skate rental. Season passes are also available for $50 and include skate rental. Skating will be offered in sessions: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m., 2 to 3:30 p.m., 4 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Operation hours may be adjusted based on weather conditions, participation numbers and special events.
Children ages 11 and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and all participants must wear skates. Visit the New Town Facebook page for details.
For the Kids
The Virginia Living Museum will be featuring a puppet show of “The Night Before Christmas” narrated by Mickey Rooney on Saturday. Rainbow Puppets is donating the performances in honor of its 35th anniversary and to help the museum recover from flood damage. The calendar has all the details.
Holiday Giving
While you’re doing holiday shopping for loved ones, you might want to check out these opportunities for volunteering and charitable giving from NetworkWilliamsburg, an organization that collects information on nonprofit needs to share with folks in the community: here is a link to items that are needed by local charities, and here is a link to volunteer opportunities.
