The revolutionary spirit of the 18th century lives on at Colonial Williamsburg—through bold ideas, groundbreaking preservation, immersive education, and active civic engagement.
In 2026, we commemorate 250 years of American independence and a century of bringing history to life. Join us for a year of transformative events and initiatives that connect our shared past to the challenges and promise of today.
As we mark these historic milestones, we invite the nation—and the world—to honor the past, engage with the present, and help shape the future.
A revolutionary year awaits – discover what’s happening in 2026!
2026 SPECIAL EVENTS
JANUARY
1
Winter Season Begins
See preservation in action, explore historic trade shops, and learn about preparations for spring in 18th-century Williamsburg.
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Join us as we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with special programming in the Historic Area.
Teacher Summit over MLK Weekend
Educators across the country convene onsite and online for professional development and programming related to the Declaration of Independence.
22-25 Annual Working Wood in the 18th Century Conference
Join expert craftspeople, scholars, and special guests at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to explore how taste, status, and budget influenced craftsmanship, celebrating ingenuity and quality at every level.
FEBRUARY
7 Charter Day at William & Mary
William & Mary celebrates the 333rd anniversary of its Royal Charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England.
14-16 Presidents’ Day Weekend
Spend the long weekend in Williamsburg, where the nation’s founders, including Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, were shaped by their experiences.
20-25 Annual Antiques Forum
Join us for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s 78th annual Antiques Forum, featuring leading experts and extraordinary collections.
28
Centennial Exhibition Opens at The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
Centennial Exhibition opens, celebrating a century of discovery, interpretation, and preservation of America’s colonial capital.
Colonial Williamsburg 100th Anniversary Event
America’s 250th Anniversary Event
MARCH
1 Spring Season Begins
Explore magnificent gardens, meet the newest rare breed animals, engage in hands-on activities for families, and enjoy the vibrancy of spring in the Historic Area.
Spring Burgesses and Associates Donor Society Meetings 13-15
APRIL
5 Easter
Experience Easter traditions in the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg.
18-19 Annual Garden Symposium
Join us for the 79th Annual Garden Symposium celebrating the art of 18th-century gardens.
25-26 Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center Weekend
This special weekend celebration marks the debut of a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing archaeological research and deepening public engagement with Williamsburg’s rich history.
1 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying evening of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
2-3 Military Encampment Weekend
Threads of the Revolution: The 7th Virginia Regiment Joins the Fight.
American Mosaic: Williamsburg Symphony on the Palace Green
9
15-17
A musical-visual celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary—music by American composer Peter Boyer and imagery by National Geographic photographer Joe Sohm.
Commemorating the 5th Virginia Convention
On May 15, 1776, the 5th Virginia Revolutionary Convention instructed delegates to motion for independence, a pivotal moment in America’s founding.
16 William & Mary Commencement
Celebrate William & Mary’s graduating class with a weekend of time-honored traditions.
25 Memorial Day
Honor those who gave their lives for our nation’s founding ideals through special programs and commemorations.
28-30 Ceramics Symposium
From hands-on workshops to pottery demonstrations and expert lectures, this conference is a must for ceramic enthusiasts.
30 Teacher Institute Kickoff in California
The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute kicks off the 37th summer season with educators in California.
1 Summer Season Begins
Live performances throughout the city convey the significance of Williamsburg in the American story.
5 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying evening of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
5-7 Drummer’s Call
Experience the stirring sounds of 18th-century military music as visiting corps join the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums for performances throughout the Historic Area.
250th Anniversary of the First Virginia Declaration of Rights
Commemorate this landmark document that established a framework for protecting individual liberties and limited government power, setting a precedent for future declarations of rights.
19 Juneteenth Commemoration
In partnership with the Juneteenth Community Consortium, join us in honoring Juneteenth with special programs and reflections.
20 Sail 250 at Yorktown
Sail 250 Virginia welcomes over 60 ships from 20 countries, bringing sailors, officers, and dignitaries to Virginia’s shores for a milestone maritime festival.
21 Juneteenth Sunrise Service
Commemorate the African American journey with a special sunrise service under the majestic Compton Oak, a symbol of life, endurance, and joy.
25-28 Williamsburg Live
Join us on the Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and experience an unforgettable outdoor music festival, hosted by the Virginia Arts Festival.
JULY
1776 at Kimball Theatre
“1776” is a musical that dramatizes the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Focusing on John Adams’ efforts to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence, it is set against the backdrop of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
3 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying evening of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
2-5
11, 18, 25 Family Days
Independence Day Weekend
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth where it all began, in Williamsburg.
Experience a day of family-centric activities across the organization and take advantage of free admission for children under 12.
AUGUST
7 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying season of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage on the first Friday of every month, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
1, 8, 15 Family Days
Experience a day of family-centric activities across the organization and take advantage of free admission for children under 12.
22 William & Mary Welcome Day
William & Mary students return to Williamsburg for the 2026-2027 academic year.
SEPTEMBER
1 Fall Season Begins
The most colorful season in Virginia’s colonial capitol.
4 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying season of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage on the first Friday of every month, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
5-7 Labor Day Weekend
Celebrate the American labor movement in Williamsburg.
11-12
Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Meeting
Annual meeting in Williamsburg for the Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections.
17 Naturalization Ceremony & Constitution Day
Honor the adoption of the U.S. Constitution with our annual Naturalization Ceremony.
OCTOBER
2 Merchants Square Concert Series
Enjoy an electrifying evening of music and merriment as sensational performers take the stage, filling Duke of Gloucester Street with soul-stirring melodies.
3-4
Goodwin & Raleigh Tavern Donor Society Meetings
3-4 Military Encampment
Behind the Lines: Military Support in Williamsburg.
4, 11, 18, 25
Colonial Williamsburg Letters from the Archives
Explore 100 years of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation through archival letters and correspondences read by our Nation Builders, historical interpreters, and special guests.
9-10 15
African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground Dedication
Join the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg congregation and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for the dedication of the African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground.
General Assembly Convening
The Virginia General Assembly reconvenes in Colonial Williamsburg.
17
William & Mary Homecoming
The William & Mary community will gather on campus to reconnect with one another, cheer on the Tribe, and make new memories.
22-24 For 2026 Conference
Colonial Williamsburg, the Omohundro Institute, and William & Mary host the final of five annual conferences to spotlight emerging research, connect a diverse public to scholars and research, and convene significant conversations about how and why understanding the early American past is especially meaningful today.
NOVEMBER
1 Holiday Season Begins
Heartwarming festivities surround the yuletide season as well as the celebration of Colonial Williamsburg’s centennial.
5-7 Symposium on Historical Dress
The 2026 Symposium on Historical Dress will look at new research and discoveries in historical clothing and accessories, exploring the stories of objects, their makers, and those who wore them, as well as the process each step along the way.
6-8 Revolutionary Rhetoric
High-school students engage in spirited debates like our Founders, keeping revolutionary discourse alive for new generations.
Honor America’s veterans with special events, including a commemorative march and ceremony.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with festive traditions, seasonal programs, and historic holiday decorations.
100th Anniversary of Colonial Williamsburg
DECEMBER
3 Community Tree Lighting
Enjoy Christmas carols, the story of Virginia’s first Christmas tree, and the lighting of over 7,500 twinkling lights in Market Square.
250th Anniversary of Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa began at the Raleigh Tavern in 1776. Created by young men with a vision, the society grew to honor the most accomplished students in America and play a role in The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s creation.
100th Anniversary of the “David’s Father” Telegram
The December 7, 1926 “David’s Father” telegram from Mr. Rockefeller authorizes the first purchase of Williamsburg property, the Ludwell-Paradise House, marking the beginning of the Restoration. To honor Mr. Rockefeller’s request for anonymity, the telegram employed vague language — the “antique” referred to was the house itself, and “David’s Father” was, of course, Mr. Rockefeller.
4, 11, 18 Yule Log Ceremony
Follow the Yule Log, hauled by wagon, from Capitol Circle to Market Square. Enjoy music, festivity, lighting of the cressets, and the community found in 18th-century and present-day Williamsburg, as you make a wish and toss a sprig of greenery into the bonfire.
5, 12, 19 Grand Illumination
In the Colonial era, it was customary to illuminate public buildings to honor significant events, such as commemorating the reigning sovereign’s birth or a military victory. Today, we follow this grand tradition on three consecutive Saturdays in December to celebrate the yuletide season.
24 Firing of the Christmas Guns
Experience the 18th-century tradition of firing guns in celebration of the season.
25 Christmas Day
There’s no place like the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg for Christmas.
