Now that the Thanksgiving dishes have been cleared, the Historic Triangle is preparing for its annual holiday traditions.
Most kick off this weekend, including the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance’s Christmas Parade, Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination and a full weekend of events in Historic Yorktown.
Christmas Parade
The theme of the 49th annual Community Christmas Parade is “A Story Book Christmas.” With more than 100 participants, including marching bands and floats, it steps off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from Merchants Square.
The route will go down Richmond Road to finish in the William & Mary Hall parking lot.
Grand Illumination
Festive lights come to the historic area in full force Sunday for Grand Illumination.
Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City will first flow with candles lit in public buildings and homes, starting at 5 p.m.
The main event, fireworks set off simultaneously from the Governor’s Palace, Market Square and the Capitol, will begin at 7 p.m. Read more about colonial fireworks here.
There will be entertainment on multiple outdoor stages starting at 5 p.m., followed by a performance by the Fifes and Drums at 6:45 p.m. Click here for a full schedule of programs.
Historic Yorktown
Christmas celebrations start in Yorktown Friday evening with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Mt. Vernon Mustang Chorus will perform for guests at the Victory Monument from 6:30 to 7:10 p.m.
Afterward, the Fifes & Drums of York Town, joined by the Town Crier, will lead the Procession of Lights from the monument down Main Street to Ballard Street to Riverwalk Landing for the ceremony. Participants should gather at the Yorktown Victory Monument by 6:30 p.m., and the first 450 there will receive a free electric candle.
The U.S Army TRADOC Band Colonial Brass Quintet will start playing at 7 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing for those waiting there.
Once the tree is lit, Santa will greet children until 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the ninth Christmas Market on Main Street runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food, holiday decorations and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
That night the Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade will bring a parade of lights to the waterfront, with hot cider served by Boy Scout Troop 123 of Seaford starting at 6 p.m.
There will be musical performances and a beach bonfire before the judging starts at 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring flashlights for help navigating in the dark.
Rounding out the weekend will be Cookies with Santa at the Gallery at York Hall. From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, children of all ages can visit with Saint Nick while parents take pictures.
Public parking will be available at the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace on Water Street, York Hall with the exception of Friday night, County Administration Building, and Courts and Office Center parking lots on Ballard Street. The Yorktown Trolley will also run its normal route from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
No rain dates are scheduled for the weekend events. In case of inclement weather, call the York County event weather hotline at 890-3520.
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