Historic Triangle residents have plenty of opportunities to ring in 2016 with a bang this weekend.
Whether you are looking for a sophisticated show and a cocktail on New Year’s Eve, a fun excursion for the whole family or an invigorating hike to start the new year out right, What You’ll Do has you covered.
Want to see your event included in What You’ll Do? We take these ideas from our community calendar, which you can find on the right side of WYDaily.com. Submitting to the calendar is easy – and it’s free – so make sure to add upcoming events for your group or organization.
New Year’s Eve
Are you looking for a fun, family-friendly and non-alcoholic way to ring in the New Year? Look no further than First Night, Williamsburg’s annual celebration that features the best in local performing arts. Head over as early as 1 p.m. to begin your New Year’s Eve festivities and stick around until midnight for a beautiful fireworks display. Click here for a complete line-up of events and a map of venues.
Liberty’s Ice Pavilion in Merchants Square is extending its New Year’s Eve hours so First Night revelers can take a spin around the ice rink. The skating rink, food and beverage kiosks and fire pits will remain open until 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, so stop by and skate in the New Year.
Head over to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg on Thursday to celebrate New Year’s Eve with “Hogmanay! Hogmanay!” This Scottish musical celebration highlights the fascinating religious history of Scotland, where secular celebrations of Christmas were suppressed after the Reformation, leading to an increased emphasis on New Year’s Eve. The show begins at 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $8 in addition to museum admission.
The Williamsburg Lodge is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a special edition of “Wine, Wit & Wisdom.” Close out 2015 with a bang by sampling some of Sommelier Noreen Graziano’s favorite wines paired with small bites of local, artisan-produced ingredients. The fun begins at 2 p.m. and tickets are $50.95.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Triangle and Urban Hill. This Tidewater Virginia Blues Band will be setting the mood with an eclectic mix of rock, R&B, boogie, blues and country. Head over at 9 p.m. for a front row seat to the fun, and grab a cocktail and some tapas to enjoy while you take in the show.
Everything Else
Get a healthy start to the New Year with a hike through York River State Park on Friday. Traverse through the stunning wilderness to the Pamunkey Overlook, an observation platform with a stunning view of the surrounding scenery. The echoes of history will surround you as you pass through the sites of shops, slave cabins and other features of the Taskinas Plantation. The kick-off will begin at 11 a.m. and is about 4 miles long. Admission to the park is free and open to the public.
Stop by the Toano Farmers Market on Saturday to pick up all your produce for the week. While you’re there, choose from a variety of items available at Bob’s Sausage Company, Rainbow Eggs and Heidi’s Home Grown. The market will begin at 8 a.m. and wrap up around noon.
The Williamsburg Regional Library is hosting a Studio Ghibli Anime Marathon starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Head over for a free screening of the Secret World of Arrietty, Tales from Earthsea and Princess Mononoke. Don’t miss your chance to get out of the house for a while and take in some of the most lauded films in the anime tradition.
Have you ever wondered what sort of dishes our colonial predecessors bought, or where their ceramics came from? Stop by the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday for “Ceramics Up Close,” a guided tour of the museum’s ceramics followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the ceramics storage vault. This program begins at 2:15 p.m. and is included with museum admission.
Head over to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center through Jan. 3 to celebrate a “Colonial Christmas.” Visitors can learn all about 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions and participate in holiday-oriented tours and interpretive programs. Don’t miss your chance to learn about the food, festivities and traditions off early settlers. Admission is free for residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg.
Stop by Jamestown Settlement this weekend to take in the new exhibit, “Clayton & Catesby: Botanical Virginia.” This show will allow viewers to explore and marvel at the beauty and variety of native Virginian plants and includes 17 period hand-colored engravings created by Catesby while he traveled around the colony in the 18th century. This exhibition debuted last weekend and will remain on display daily through February.
