Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg

Grand Illumination programming begins Friday evenings at 6 p.m. with a community Yule Log procession along Duke of Gloucester Street and a bonfire near the Magazine. Cressets will line the historic street, which will be alive with 18th-century entertainment until 8 p.m.

Programming continues each Saturday starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Courthouse in the middle of the town with traditional Grand Illumination festivities, including 18th-century music, dancing and other Yuletide favorites, and an appearance by Father Christmas, culminating in simultaneous 18th-century-inspired pyrotechnic displays at the Governor’s Palace and Capitol building. Special programming all three weekends at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg will feature familiar favorites and new entertainment offerings.

Guests can text the keyword CWEVENTS to 226787 to opt-in to RAVE alerts. The opt-in will auto-expire at 11:59 PM on December 20, 2025, and they can opt out of the messages at any time.

See more details on our website: https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/visit/through-the-seasons/grand-illumination/

You may also like the following events from Colonial Williamsburg:

• Happening on, 22nd January, 08:00 am, Working Wood in the 18th Century Conference: Exploring Early American Chairs in Williamsburg
• Happening on, 19th February, 08:00 am, Annual Antiques Forum: "That the Future May Learn from the Past" in Williamsburg

Also check out other Arts events in Williamsburg.