Seasonal events are winding down as we approach the week of Christmas. Take the chance this weekend to wrap up your shopping, or check out some of the ongoing programs you might have missed this season.
We’ve been publishing What Yule Do — the holiday version of What You’ll Do — every week throughout the season to keep readers in the know about events happening in the area.
Have an event you’d like to see highlighted in the future? Submit to our free community events calendar, which you can find on the right side of the page.
Dec. 18-22
The James River Pops will present a free concert 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Williamsburg Library Theatre. The ensemble will play holiday tunes and popular favorites. Read more about the band in a Hometown story here.
York County’s Skate, Rattle and Roll program will offer the Annual Holiday Glow Skate on Friday night at Dare Elementary School. The elementary school/family skate session runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by the middle school session from 9 to 11 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with the younger children, and glow sticks will be available for purchase for $2. For more information, click here.
Ongoing
Merchants Square will celebrate the holiday season with a number of events this year. Enjoy “Master Thespian’s A Christmas Carol,” a 30-minute street production of the Christmas classic from the Virginia Theatre Machine. Back for its sixth year, all performances are outdoors on Duke of Gloucester Street and free to the public. Father Christmas will be strolling the square on afternoons between Nov. 29 and Dec. 22. From 4 to 5 p.m. on select dates, he will be next to the Merchants Square Christmas tree on Duke of Gloucester Street (outside The Precious Gem). The Williamsburg Waites will also be caroling in Merchants Square. See the dates and times for all three programs here.
Santa will be at the William & Mary Bookstore through Sunday. He will be available for pictures from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Click here for more information.
Go for a glide at Holiday Skating in New Town. James City County, Town Management and Iron-Bound Gym are partnering for the second year in a row, with a synthetic rink open select days and hours through the end of January. Skating is $5 per person with skates, and $7 for those without. See the Hometown article on the rink’s second year here.
A Colonial Christmas offers a glimpse of 17th and 18th century holiday traditions from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Seasonal special tours and interpretive programs will run through Jan. 5 at the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Call 253-4838 or visit the website for more information about hours and tickets.
SantaLand at the NewTown Shops on Main is located directly across the street from the Virginia Diner store and next to Blue-Green Aqua. Santa and Mrs Claus will be there every Saturday and Sunday through and including Dec. 22. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Santa encourages lots of photographs and family photos and has free giveaways for all children.
Greenfield Senior Living will be collecting for Toys for Tots every weekend until Christmas at SantaLand. Everyone who donates may enter a drawing to win an iPad. See this Hometown article for a full list of Toys for Tots drop-off locations.
