Colonial Williamsburg Christmas
Their Grand Illumination is held every first Sunday in December
Sep 26, 2007
Colonial Williamsburg welcomes the Christmas season each year on the first Sunday of the month with Grand Illumination. The festival of fireworks and carols draws heavily from mid-Atlantic area, from Washington D.C. to Norfolk, Va., because it is a drivable weekend retreat. But many families fly to Williamsburg for annual family reunions and vacations. Christmas is the time of year for celebrating, gift-giving, and feasting. Colonial Williamsburg’s holiday season spectacular is an unforgettable night and a unique way to start the holiday.
Plan Ahead for the Crowds ... Get in the Christmas Spirit!
According to Colonial Williamsburg’s calendar, the celebration begins on Sunday in the late afternoon. However, many people come to town early, so be prepared! Area shopping draws Santa's helpers to the outlet malls and Colonial Williamsburg stores first. The crowds can be daunting (read about illumination alternatives) … but everyone is in a good mood, so wear your Santa hat!
Grand Illumination Entertainment, Fireworks, and Fifes and Drums
On December 7, 2008, in the center of Colonial Williamsburg, the official entertainment starts at 4:45 p.m. on multiple outdoor stages throughout the outdoor museum area along Duke of Gloucester Street. The one-mile long avenue runs between the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg’s re-creation of the historic 18th-century capitol building. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums are everybody’s favorite as they play their march-style music and other Christmas tunes. Colonial performers present holiday entertainment of the sort that Thomas Jefferson would have enjoyed.
At 5:45 p.m. the evening energy ignites when the Fifes and Drums signal the beginning of the Grand Illumination. At 6:15 p.m., the night is quite literally ignited when candles flick on in the windows of public buildings, shops and homes. Then, fireworks sparkle and boom over the colonial buildings. They are launched from three locations: the Governor’s Palace, Magazine and Capitol, but don’t worry about getting a front row seat. They can be seen all over. After the fireworks, carolers and other entertainers step up on outdoor stages and continue singing until 7:30 p.m.
Christmas in Eighteenth-Century Williamsburg
In 18th-century Williamsburg, illuminations were celebrations of major events such as military victories, the birthday of the King of England, the arrival of a new colonial governor and more. At that time, illuminations included firing guns into the air and lighting fireworks that were smaller, less colorful and closer to the ground. There are written accounts of illuminations in Williamsburg that say there were “candles in the cupolas of public buildings and windows of gentlemen’s houses.”
Other Illuminations at Colonial Williamsburg in December
If you can’t make it to Colonial Williamsburg on the first Sunday in December, the museum has smaller illumination celebrations all month long. These are usually preferred by those who like a little less crowd with their Christmas. Visit this link for 2008 times and locations.
To get a free Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Planner that lists all of their holiday programs, concerts and special dining events, call toll-free 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg’s Web site.
This article has been updated for 2008! Grand Illumination is on Sunday, December 7.
 |
