Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!Hampton Roads Virginia

Illuminations—firing guns into the air and lighting fireworks—were commonly used during the 18th century to celebrate major events such as great military victories, the birthday of the monarch or the arrival of a new colonial governor.

Colonial Williamsburg carries on this tradition on Dec. 5 with Grand Illumination. The tradition of Grand Illumination originated in 1934 with a “White Lighting.”  The first re-creation of an 18th-century Christmas in Williamsburg featured single candles in the windows of the Historic Area’s restored and reconstructed buildings, as well as garlands and greens on the outside of the buildings. 

Guests can be part of Colonial Williamsburg’s holiday season that features fireworks, music and candlelit buildings. The celebration begins in the late afternoon with a variety of entertainment, starting at 4:45 p.m. on multiple outdoor stages throughout the Historic Area. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums provides 18th-century music appropriate to the season. Other performers present holiday entertainment found in Williamsburg two centuries ago and today.

At 5:45 p.m. the Fifes and Drums signals the beginning of Grand Illumination, from all four stages. At 6:15 p.m., candles are lit in public buildings, shops and homes, and fireworks are launched at three Historic Area locations: the Governor’s Palace, Magazine and Capitol. After the fireworks, entertainment resumes on the outdoor stages and continues until 7:30 p.m.

Guests will have the opportunity to continue the celebration of Grand Illumination with tours of the Governor’s Palace and Capital by candlelight. These walking tours are held every 15 minutes from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  A Historic Area admission ticket that includes the Governor’s Palace or Capitol is required. For more information, call (757) 229-2141 or 1-800-HISTORY.

Download the 25 page Christmas Planner from Colonial Williamsburg

Here are a few other Holiday Events in the Williamsburg/ Yorktown areas of Virginia for 2010

Since so many people plan in advance I wanted to post a few highlights of the  Christmas Season events for the Williamsburg and Yorktown area of Virginia for the upcoming 2010 Holiday Season.  This list is by no means complete. You can find more info on the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas page and the Christmas in Williamsburg website

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

November 26 – December 31 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays; daily December 17 – 31, except Christmas Day) Experience Busch Gardens in a whole new light during Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration. Holiday traditions, dazzling shows and one-of-a-kind gift ideas will make everyone say, "Now this is Christmas." Gaze at more than two million twinkling lights while enjoying Busch Gardens’ signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate. A complete Christmas Town experience includes a visit to Santa’s workshop and the park’s 50-foot tall, light-animated Christmas Tree. This year Christmas Town has been enhanced with additional operating days and the inclusion of the Italy village. For more information, including a complete operating schedule, visit the website or call 800-343-7946.

Master Thespian’s "A Christmas Carol"
Thanksgiving – Christmas (two performances each weekend)
This 20-minute version of Charles Dickens’ classic returns to Merchants Square!

Candlelight Concerts at Bruton Parish Church
Every Saturday in December, 8 pm

Continuing a tradition begun in the 18th century, Bruton Parish Church each Saturday presents recitals by instrumental and choral groups, interspersed with organ and harpsichord recitals by the church’s own splendid musicians. Concerts are held at 8 p.m. every Saturday. On Duke of Gloucester Street in the Historic Area. Free (freewill offerings accepted). Call 757-229-2891 for additional information.

Annual Holiday Celebration at the Williamsburg Winery
December 5, 12 – 4 pm
Enjoy Grand Illumination like never before! Come out to the Williamsburg Winery as seven great chefs prepare their signature dishes for you — all paired with a Williamsburg Winery wine. This event includes round-trip transportation from the Williamsburg Winery to the Historic Area starting from 3 pm – 9 pm. Cost is $30/person. Holiday Celebration tickets ONLY cost $18/person (non-drinkers and children are $10/person). Partial proceeds from this event benefits the American Red Cross. Call 757-229-0999 for additional information. Overnight packages are available.

Illumination and Christmas Tree Lighting Yorktown
December 3, 7:30 p.m.
The holiday lights go on and the festive season begins at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment at the Victory Monument followed by the process of light through historic Yorktown to Riverwalk Landing. The ceremony includes holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa. 757.890.3500

College of William and Mary Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert
December 2, 8 pm
In its 82nd season, the Symphony Orchestra combines the talents of undergraduate, graduate and community musicians. Tickets are $8; free for children under 12. Call (757) 221-2674. At Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.

College of William and Mary Wind Symphony Holiday Concert
December 3, 8 pm
Founded in 1929, the William and Mary Wind Symphony is the artistic cornerstone of the William and Mary Band program, presenting the finest in symphonic wind music. Comprised of both music majors and non-music majors, the Wind Symphony brings together talented wind, brass and percussion players to perform wind ensemble and symphonic band music from a repertoire that spans the 16th through the 21st centuries. Tickets are $8; free for children under 12. Call (757) 221-2674. At Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.

Colonial Christmas Show
December 4 – 5
Head to the Colonial Christmas Show — at Trinkle Hall on the College of William and Mary campus. Live music provided by Ardie Boggs. Exhibitors from 6 different states will be showing and selling the best in handcrafted work, fine art, jewelry, folk art, wearable art, paper, baskets, pillows, photography, quilts, Christmas decor, food, gifts and much more! Show is from 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am – 5 pm on Sunday. Trinkle Hall is located at the corner of the Campus Center, across from the Wren Building.

Christmas Night Concert – Presented by Cantori Vocal Ensemble
December 5, 3 pm
Established in the fall of 2005, Cantori is an auditioned choral ensemble composed of professional musicians and singers with extensive vocal and choral experience. It has earned a reputation for musical excellence, clarity of tone, and singular blend of voices. This concert will celebrate the Christmas season with music both joyful and reflective. Music to be performed will include excerpts from Monteverdi’s Christmas Vespers and traditional English carols arranged for choir by Sir David Willcocks, John Rutter, and Norman Luboff. The second half of the program will feature the entertaining extended work, A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas, by Craig Courtney, in which each "day" is set in the style of a different composer, with many tunes which will be familiar to the audience. The concert will be held at Walnut Hills Baptist Church, 1014 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg. The concert is free, but an offering will be received in support of Cantori.

Christmas Carol Concert
December 5, 4 pm
The Virginia Chorale, the 20-voice professional choral ensemble, will present their Christmas Carol Concert at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon, December 5. Tickets for the concert or for the season are available at the door or by calling 757-627-8375. This marks the 4th year of Virginia Chorale concerts in the new sanctuary at the church!

College of William and Mary Choirs Holiday Concert
December 4, 2 pm and 8 pm
The Choir of the College of William and Mary, a 70-member mixed choral ensemble, celebrates 88 years of choral singing at the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Tickets are $9; free for children under 12. Call (757) 221-2674.

51st Annual Christmas Homes Tour
December 4, 10 am – 6 pm
Presented by the Green Spring Garden Club. Enjoy touring five homes and buildings decorated for the holidays by garden club members and professional floral designers. Visit the Lightfoot House on East Francis Street, home of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presidents; and the President’s House at the College of William and Mary. The Tayloe House and the Grissell Hay Lodging House, both on Nicholson Street in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, are also included. All four are original buildings from the 1700s. The fifth location is the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge built in 1931 on the site of the "Old Mason’s Hall." It is across from the Lightfoot House. Tickets are $25 (or $7 to tour a single building). Ticket price includes use of Colonial Williamsburg buses from the Visitor Center and around the Historic Area. This is a fundraising project. All proceeds benefit local horticultural projects and provide scholarships for area students. Please see the Garden Club website for details or call 757-903-2161.

Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade
December 4, 7 pm
Decorated in holiday spirit, area boaters parade the York River in competition for "Best of Show." Waterfront events begin at 6 p.m. Enjoy hot cider and musical performances in the glow of a beach bonfire while awaiting the magnificent parade of lights. Yorktown waterfront. Free

Williamsburg Community Christmas Parade
December 4
Come out to the annual Christmas Parade

Christmas Town Dash
December 5
Chick-fil-A and Busch Gardens are partnering together to bring you Christmas Town Dash 8K – a run that will travel throughout the park! This event will help raise money for Toys for Tots. See website for complete information!

Williamsburg Symphonia – Holiday Pops
December 4 & 5, 1:30 & 3 pm
Seasonal music to delight the young and the young at heart, at the Kimball Theatre, Williamsburg; performances each day at 1:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Visit the website or call 757-229-9857 for updates and ticketing info.

Candlelight Concerts at Bruton Parish Church
Every Saturday in November & December, 8 pm

Continuing a tradition begun in the 18th century, Bruton Parish Church each Saturday presents recitals by instrumental and choral groups, interspersed with organ and harpsichord recitals by the church’s own splendid musicians. Concerts are held at 8 p.m. every Saturday. On Duke of Gloucester Street in the Historic Area. Free (freewill offerings accepted). Call 757-229-2891 for additional information.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 24, 5:30 pm

Colonial Williamsburg and the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg co-sponsor the lighting of an evergreen on Market Square. More than 2,000 guests will gather at the steps of the Courthouse on Duke of Gloucester Street in the Historic Area. A local resident shares a recollection from her great-grandmother, Martha Page Vandegrift, who in 1842 witnessed the first Christmas tree in Williamsburg at the George Tucker House. The president of the Kiwanis Club and the mayor of Williamsburg deliver holiday remarks and ask that the Christmas tree lights be turned on. Following the tree lighting, the audience lights individual candles.

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