Williamsburg Virginia is well-known for being a place full of early American history. From the discovery of the New World at Jamestown all the way to fighting to be an independent nation at Yorktown, our historic triangle has no shortage of patriotic history, making it the perfect place to spend this Fourth of July celebration. While Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown have plenty going on, they aren’t the only ones joining in on the fun. All of Williamsburg will be pulling out the stops for the holiday, with something for everyone.
Check out the main events in Williamsburg this Fourth of July:
Colonial Williamsburg is offering events throughout the day. The Salute to the States, Reading of the Declaration, Colonial Auction, and Fifes and Drums performance are outdoor reenactments free for anyone to watch, however the other events require the purchase of an admission pass. The Colonial Faire and the Food, Fanfare, & Fireworks event, including a buffet dinner and entertainment at the Williamsburg Lodge, both require tickets for admission. The evening ends with a bang, starting with the Illumination of Market Square, Armed Forces Tribute, and ending with the fireworks display. Colonial Williamsburg offers quite a selection of events perfect for all ages! Click here to see the Colonial Williamsburg event lineup.
Yorktown has many events to offer as well, in addition to the fabulous tours this venue always provides. For the early birds, join the Yorktown Independence Day 8K Run and 5K Walk. Families can enjoy the Water Street Parade with music by the U.S. Coast Guard band. In the evening, catch the Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony and the U.S. Army Brass Band concert. And, of course, there will be a fireworks display over the York River to finish out the day. Celebrating with music and family fun! Click here to see the Yorktown Event lineup.
Free Picnic Spots:
There is nothing more American than a Fourth of July picnic, and Williamsburg has six unique venues for you to put down a blanket and enjoy your lunch. For free!
- For those wanting to stay in the Colonial Williamsburg area, the street long lawn stretched out in front of the Governors Palace is a perfect picnic spot. Grab lunch at one of your favorite downtown Williamsburg restaurants (or pack a basket!) and sit in the midst of historic buildings and beautiful trees and gardens .
- For those wishing to stay in the Colonial Williamsburg area, but perhaps a bit outside the tourist foot traffic, The Sunken Gardens at William & Mary is the place for you. The College of William & Mary has some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings and grounds in the Williamsburg area. Pick up a bite to eat at one of the local sandwich places in Williamsburg, like The Cheese Shop, or Paul’s Deli. A serene picnic lunch to get away from the crowds for a while.
- For those wanting to get down to Colonial Parkway and Jamestown Beach and are looking for a great local sandwich shop, The Carrot Tree Kitchens is the place to go. Not only do they have fabulous sandwiches and wraps, but also are a full bakery! They will wrap up a lunch (and a cupcake) to go for your picnic at the beach.
- For those staying around the Yorktown area, The Yorktown Pub offers many sandwich and seafood options to satisfy any pallet. Take your lunch to Yorktown Beach or the Riverwalk Landing. Perfect way to refuel after the Yorktown Independence Day 8K Run and 5K Walk!
- For those planning to do some shopping in the New Town area, New Town has some park areas ideal for a nice picnic lunch. Grab a bite at The Corner Pocket or one of the other local restaurants in this area and you will not be disappointed. New Town also has the Regal Cinemas if you want to escape the heat and catch a lunch time showing.
- For those wishing to lunch in the outdoors, Waller Mill Park would be a great choice. A 2,705 acre park just north of Williamsburg, which offers facilities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, as well as lots of picnic tables and shelters for large groups, playgrounds, and lots of fresh air. An ideal spot to bring food for a big family get together or even a fun kayak adventure for two.
Spend this Fourth of July surrounded by history! Whether it’s one of the big events or just a small picnic lunch with friends, Williamsburg Virginia will have you coming back every year to celebrate!