Williamsburg, VA Colonial Holiday

Trip Duration: 4 Days

Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

Tour Director: Yes 

 

 

Highlights Include:

 

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

At the Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm, visitors can hear accounts of Christmas and winter during the Revolutionary War. Learn about winter in the Continental Army encampment, including how soldiers cooked reations on an earthen kitchen, and observe flintlock musket demonstrations throughout the day. On the Revolution-era farm adorned with greenery, historical interpreters compare and contrast 18th-century holiday traditions with those of modern times and demonstrate a variety of holiday activities, from setting a farmhouse table for holiday feast and open-hearth cooking of period dishes.

 

Jamestown Settlement

Thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, after a four-and-a-half-month voyage to Virginia, a group of 104 English men and boys established a settlement on the banks of the James River. Located adjacent to the original site, this living-history museum offers full-scale re-creation of a Powhatan Indian village, the three original ships and a working colonial fort. Plus, you'll also learn the real story of Pocahontas. Tours of Jamestown Settlement are led by trained guides, who highlight each museum's exhibition galleries and outdoor living-history area.

 

Celebration in Lights

Enjoy Celebration in Lights at Newport News Park, Virginia's first drive-through holiday lights event. As it has since 1993, Newport News Park becomes a magical winter wonderland - transformed by more than a million individual lights, creating animated holiday and fanciful scenes along the two-mile drive into Newport News Park. Guests will be treated to more than 300 individual display pieces - some animated.

 

Star of Wonder & Laser Holiday Show at Virginia Living Museum Planetarium

Enjoy the Star of Wonder & Laser Holiday Shows at the Virginia Living Museum Planetarium. The Star of Wonder Show explores the wonder and mystery of the Star of Bethlehem and the Laser Holiday Show is a spectacular holiday laser light show to favorite traditional Christmas music.

 

Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Decorations Walking Tour

Upon arrival in Colonial Williamsburg this morning, we'll take the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Decorations Walking Tour and learn of decoration before electric lights.

 

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is a historic site of 173 acres, featuring preserved and restored buildings surviving from the era when Williamsburg was capital of the Virginia Colony and a gathering place for the leaders of the American Revolution. Colonial homes, public buildings, craft shops, special events, demos, and activities are offered on varying seasonal schedules. Costumed interpreters bring to life the residents of this 18th century town.

 

Grand Illumination Festivities & Fireworks

The Grand Illumination is an adaptation of a common practice during the 18th century, when ordinary citizens celebrated extraordinary events - major military victories, the arrival of a new colonial governor, or the birthday of the monarch - by firing guns and using fireworks. The festivities begin with a variety of traditional holiday entertainment - Fifes and Drums provide 18th-century holiday music, balladeers and musicians perform, church choirs sing Christmas carols and costumed performers present entertainment found in Williamsburg 200 years ago. A magnificent fireworks display will take place simultaneously at three locations in the Historic Area. Candles are then lit in the public buildings, shops and homes, throught out Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. There are no seats for the evening fireworks. This is an outdoor event. Dress warm and bring a blanket.

 

Berkely Plantation

Berkeley is the most historic plantation on the James River. It is the site of the first official Thanksgiving in America. Berkeley is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the US. "Taps" was composed at Berkely when General George McClellan headquartered Union troops here in 1862.

 

 

Need to Know:

This tour involves A LOT of walking and exploration time on own. The Grand Illumination Festivities & Fireworks is an outdoor event. Dress warm and bring a blanket.

 

Eyre has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Comfort Suites Williamsburg Historic Area Hotel

The hotel features an indoor pool, whirlpool/hot tub, and fitness center Guestrooms include refrigerator, hair dryer, iron/board, microwave, and coffee maker