Colonial Christmas in Williamsburg

By Mark McCullough

Colonial Williamsburg officially starts the holiday season with Grand Illumination, a wonderful evening of singing, storytelling and fireworks. The event offers a great opportunity for families to get into the holiday spirit by strolling the pedestrian-only areas of Williamsburg’s historic district and enjoying the candlelit windows, wreaths and entertainment. There are multiple stages in the historic area that features storytelling, period music and events for the children.

My family arrives around 3 p.m. so we can take in all the sights before sundown. We pack a thermos full of hot chocolate in addition to making stops for hot cider and the traditional Virginia ham biscuits that should not be missed. The fireworks display truly highlights the evening as it projects from three different locations: the Governors Palace, the Colonial Capital and the Magazine. All of these are within eyesight of each other, so getting a good viewing spot isn’t difficult. Never before have I experienced seeing fireworks in a 360-degree eruption where the lights are kept lower in the sky, creating a more intimate setting that doesn’t scare the kids-truly a grand illumination.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Williamsburg Inn and the Williamsburg Lodge as these hotels are dressed up in wonderful holiday decorations and serve traditional Tidewater Virginia fare. So if you are looking to kick off the holiday season in a more traditional way, Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination is a perfect family fit.

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Mark McCullough, father of 3 children under age 6, often reminisces about his former life as a raft guide and rock-climbing instructor. Now his outings are more subdued, like canoeing along the tidal rivers in Virginia’s historic triangle of Jamestown, Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg.

Tagged: Family time