Williamsburg Christmas Traditions: Candles in Our Windows
A Warm Welcome in Colonial Williamsburg
Picture this: It’s a chilly Christmas Eve night as you drive through the quiet, historic streets of Williamsburg, Virginia. The air is crisp, and holiday music is softly playing. As you turn a corner, a cozy, unforgettable sight welcomes you: a home with brightly lit candles glowing in every single window.
Whether you’re returning home for the holidays or arriving at a new destination, the sight of these simple, bright windows provides an immediate feeling of warmth, safety, and welcome. This beautiful tradition, practiced across the U.S. today, has its American roots right here in Colonial Williamsburg.
The Unique Look of a Colonial Christmas
The Christmas decorations in Williamsburg are truly unique. In the historic areas, you won’t see the colorful electric lights we typically associate with the holidays. Instead, the buildings are decorated with natural materials—like fruit, pine, and greenery—to remain historically accurate. The one major exception? Candlelight.
Tracing the Tradition: From Ireland to Virginia
The act of placing a candle in a window during Christmastime is widely believed to be Irish in origin. Historically, during periods of religious persecution, Irish Catholic homes would secretly place a lit candle in a window. This simple light served as a signal to priests that they would be welcomed inside to celebrate Christmas Mass safely and in secret. The light represented a sign of welcome and hope.
How it Became a Williamsburg Staple
So, how did this practice become a signature tradition in colonial Virginia?
In the 1930s, after the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, historians sought ways to revive the spirit of the Christmas holiday. They discovered that Christmas was actually a relatively minor event in the 18th century, celebrated with only a few decorations and one special meal. There weren’t many traditions to “revive.”
It was an architect working on the project, Arthur Shurcliff, who offered a solution. He suggested an old tradition his own family had started in the 1800s: lighting a candle in every window at Christmas.
The town adopted this beautiful idea. Starting on Christmas Eve and continuing through New Year’s Day, candles would glow in the windows each evening. The tradition was immediately loved. Visitors and locals began buying candles to take back to their own homes, and by 1941, local stores were selling out before Christmas Eve. While the tradition is not purely colonial, its rapid spread and popularity across the United States are widely considered a direct result of the Colonial Williamsburg tradition.
A Tradition We Share at Colonial Gardens B&B
From its very beginning, the candle in the window has symbolized hope, safety, and a heartfelt welcome. That powerful feeling still resonates today.
The brightly lit windows of Williamsburg serve to welcome guests and locals, a tradition we proudly practice here at Colonial Gardens Bed & Breakfast to greet you with the warmth of the holiday season.
What’s your favorite holiday tradition that brings a feeling of warmth and welcome?
The candle in the window has always been a sign of warmth and welcome. Book your stay with Colonial Gardens Bed & Breakfast to experience this beautiful tradition and make our cozy, historic home your destination this season.