Christmas in Williamsburg, Virginia

Anytime is the right time to explore Colonial Williamsburg, but Christmas is a particularly magical time of year in this historic city! So let's discuss how to spend the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg!

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Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas

Mulled wine, ginger biscuits, gorgeous colonial holiday decor, and did I mention fireworks? Colonial Williamsburg has a lot to offer throughout the holiday season, to get you in the mood for Christmas! And this year, they're offering special ticket prices (announced in early September) to entice visitors.

As many of you know, I was lucky enough to spend four years living in Williamsburg, during my time at The College of William & Mary, as an undergrad. In addition to the end of finals, Christmas time was a special season for all of us, with a (manageable) influx of tourists, bringing some light to an otherwise downturn in tourist activity. If you happen to visit right before the end of finals, don't be alarmed to see a bunch of torches burning on the William & Mary campus, and our president dressed up as Santa, reading to us. It's not a bizarre, Medieval uprising - it's Yule Log!

The Governor's Palace at Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg

So, let's discuss what you can expect during a Christmas-season visit to Colonial Williamsburg, including a few of my insider tips!

Here are my top 10 tourist mistakes in Williamsburg, and how you can avoid them!

Christmas in Williamsburg: Food & Drink

There's nothing cozier than sampling some of CW's delicious treats on a crisp day during the holiday season! Stop by any of the (many) food stalls throughout the property, to pick up some delicious warmed cider. Though it's usually packed during Grand Illumination, any other time, visit my personal favorite, The Raleigh Tavern Bakery, located, you guessed it, behind the Raleigh Tavern (where, incidentally, Phi Beta Kappa was founded, and a number of other historic events took place).

Is Colonial Williamsburg decorated for Christmas?
Of course! Christmas is the time the historic area truly shines, as mild weather, gorgeous wreaths, and glittering lanterns light up the entire area.

Christmas in Williamsburg:
​Stock up on Colonial Christmas Decor

Williamsburg is, rightfully, well-known for its stunning, often fruit-inspired, colonial Christmas decor, particularly wreaths. There's no time like Christmas time visit to stock-up on Christmas gifts and decor. My favorite colonial Christmas home decor spots in Williamsburg are:

• WILLIAMSBURG at Home
• WILLIAMSBURG Craft House
• Boxwood & Berry

A few colonial Christmas decor online recommendations:

Christmas in Williamsburg: Grand Illumination

The Fife and Drum Corps - expect them to be on full display during Grand Illumination!

Parades, fireworks, and the perfect time to discover the holiday decor in the historic area, consider visiting Williamsburg during Grand Illumination! Generally held the first weekend of December (this year it's December 5-6), it's a special way to kick off the Christmas season, and it's still plenty warm enough to spend extended periods of time outside taking in the festivities!

Christmas decorations outside the Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg

Christmas in Williamsburg: Where to Stay

If you're planning to come to Williamsburg for Grand Illumination, *book your lodgings early.* It's an incredibly popular time of year! My hotel recommendations in Williamsburg:

• The Williamsburg Inn: Located a a hop-skip-and-a-Christmas stroll away from the center of the historic area, and boasting the most incredible Christmas decor, The Williamsburg Inn is truly the perfect location. Even if you decide not to shell out for a stay at The Inn, it's worth having a look around to see how they've decked it out for the holidays!
• The Williamsburg Lodge: The Williamsburg Lodge is a less grand, but still charming, option, that's recently been heavily updated. Located in the same "on property" area as The Williamsburg Inn, it's also a prime location.
• A historic home: For the true history buff, don't worry, you can actually rent a historic house in Colonial Williamsburg! You receive the benefits of the hotel guests, but with a little more festive atmosphere, for a true Williamsburg experience.
• Marriott Manor at Ford's Colony: This is my "off property" recommendation, where I've stayed many times. Though you can't walk to Williamsburg, Ford's Colony is a lovely little settlement, with a golf course and plenty of walking trails and recreational activities!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a phenomenal time enjoying Colonial Williamsburg during the magical Christmas season! Leave your suggestions in the comments, below!

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