Top Williamsburg Holidays

Immerse yourself in the atmospheric setting of Colonial Williamsburg after dark—and learn all about the real-life murders, executions, and other sordid events that happened here—on this nighttime ghost tour. No separate ticket to Williamsburg is needed: meet your costumed guide at the Capitol Building and set off. Visit supposedly haunted landmarks like the Peyton Randolph House, and hear stories about pirates, witch trials, and more as you go.

Richmond, Virginia is celebrated for its over-the-top holiday lights displays every year—and this tour makes exploring them simple. In the evening, depart from Williamsburg via climate-controlled vehicle and travel to Richmond. You’ll learn all about the city’s history of tacky lights displays, will admire some of the best examples, and will even see the Christmas tree in front of the Virginia State Capitol.

The Ghost Tour is Williamsburg's first and only murder-focused tour. Explore areas that other history tours would be afraid to visit. Explore a historic city that conceals a sinister and unsettling past. A netherworld of horrific death and hatred. Accompany your guide on foot to some of our favorite local watering establishments. To help you get ready for what's to come, try a drink with a murder theme or one of the pub's specialty beverages. Then, take a stroll through the dim, peaceful streets of Historic Williamsburg, where you may learn the real stories of the city's most notorious crimes. There's nothing ghostly about Williamsburg's scariest tour. It has to do with murder.

Be transported back to Williamsburg in 1943 in this 1-hour character tour. Learn how the citizens of the town are dealing with rationing, blackout drills, and all the new servicemen in town during the Holiday season. Please note that each tour is unique, so the advertised routes may vary. You will be guided through town by either a USO Hostess or an Air Raid Warden. However, for evening tours, the guide will solely be an Air Raid Warden. Routes may also be changed to accommodate activities in Colonial Williamsburg. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions. Please be aware that due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on certain days. For details about these programs, please visit our website.

Join us as we discover the History of Christmas in the colony while exploring the handcrafted decorations that adorn the historic buildings. On our 1-hour leisurely stroll thru the city, you will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most iconic decorations that are uniquely Colonial Williamsburg. Handcrafted one-of-a-kind decorations made by employees and residents of the city are beautifully and proudly displayed on each building and we will discover the most beautiful and unique of this year's display. We will discover the religious, humorous, and heartfelt traditions that span the centuries. While learning how the decorations are made, how they became a tradition, and even helpful tips and tricks on how the create your own decorations at home. Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg is truly an experience that you and your family will cherish for years to come.

This exclusive, private tour (only your group) highlights Colonial Williamsburg's Christmas traditions and picturesque holiday decorations of our historical area. This tour provides insight about the materials, crafts people, construction and design of the wreaths and garlands adorning the exterior of most 18th Century buildings, exhibits and private homes and different judging categories. We meet at The Williamsburg Inn to admire the decorations and begin our journey to the Duke of Gloucester. We'll discuss how holidays were celebrated in 17th and 18th Centuries here in Virginia including plantations, our Capital cities and during the Revolutionary War (e.g., Continental Army). Holiday biscuits by African descendants or traditional gingerbread cookies are offered. If before 7PM, we offer hot beverages. Note: Grand Illuminations are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of December (7pm fireworks). The Yule Log lightings are the first, second and third Fridays of December.

Raise a glass with the spirits of the past on this haunted pub crawl through Colonial Williamsburg. Led by a costumed guide steeped in ghostly lore, you’ll explore historic taverns and haunted landmarks where tales of executions, scandal, and lingering souls still echo. Sip on local brews and cocktails as you uncover the chilling stories behind America’s colonial capital—perfect for those seeking a spirited night out with a supernatural twist.

This private tour explores the historic and cultural heritage of Williamsburg during the Christmas season through a refined and immersive journey. Walk through a preserved Old Town where colonial architecture and festive traditions reflect a history older than the United States. Begin near the Visitor Center, where seasonal décor highlights the city’s enduring cultural heritage. Continue to the St. George Tucker House, an elegant example of colonial architecture enriched by traditional holiday presentation. Visit Bruton Parish Church, a landmark shaped by centuries of spiritual and cultural legacy. Stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street, where historic surroundings reveal the atmosphere of early American life during the festive season. Please note: The program and attractions may vary based on booking date/time and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience

Have you ever wondered how our modern Christmas traditions began? Join us for a 1-hour walking tour through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, where your guide will reveal the colonial Christmas celebrations that shaped our current traditions. You'll also learn how the decorating style of Colonial Williamsburg influenced decorations across the nation. Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entry to any buildings owned by Colonial Williamsburg. The tour takes place through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg and is subject to weather conditions. Please be prepared for various weather scenarios. Additionally, the advertised tour route may change based on activities in the Historic Area. Please note that tours may be unavailable on certain days due to staff participating in other events. For more details about these programs, please visit our website.

Spend the evening exploring the historic streets of Colonial Williamsburg on a candlelit guided ghost tour. The ghost tour reveals a lesser-known side of the historic streets and takes you to parts of the town most tourists wouldn’t be comfortable visiting on their own. Along the way, a guide entertains the group with family-friendly stories and local legends.