Traveling to or near Williamsburg, Virginia, this holiday season? The destination offers plenty of events and festivities blending early American history with holiday cheer.

© Visit Williamsburg
In the Colonial Capital, musical performances and fireworks displays celebrate the season on Dec. 9 and 16. The events, dubbed the Grand Illumination, harken back to similar practices from centuries ago.
On select dates through Christmas Eve, Williamsburg Christmas Market has your last-minute gift-shopping needs covered with more than 30 chalet-style vendors, plus lots of classic Christmas market fun thanks to the music, fire pits, photo ops and more. It’s all in a convenient location near the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

© Visit Williamsburg
In Historic Jamestowne, travel to Christmas in the early 1600s with the “At Christmas be Mery” event on Dec. 11. Learn about early English Christmas traditions and how Jamestown settlers celebrated the holidays.
Prefer your Christmas celebrations with more thrills than historic interpreters? Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg for holiday festivities through early January, plus lots of roller coasters and rides set on 130 acres. Over the Christmas season, the theme park is decked out in more than 10 million lights, making it one of the largest holiday lights displays in North America.
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