Visit Williamsburg

Williamsburg is known to be a year-round destination, but this summer be sure to check out these great afterhours happenings greater Williamsburg has to offer! From special evening concerts and extended summer hours to fireworks and outdoor movies, there’s something for every visitor after 5!

Busch Gardens stays open until 10 p.m. through Aug. 21 so guests can enjoy IllumiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore, featuring live performances and special effects culminating in a nightly fireworks extravaganza. The world’s most beautiful theme park also features a summer concert line-up, with performances by Colbie Caillat (July 23 – 24), Miranda Cosgrove (July 30 – 31), Pat Benatar (August 27 – 28) and Neil Sedaka (September 3 – 4). Concerts are included in park admission and take place at the Royal Palace Theatre in the France section of the park.

After the lights go down, head to Colonial Williamsburg for a variety of evening activities the whole family can enjoy. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., visitors can experience special evening programming, including African American music, classic 18th-century plays, a fast-paced comedic traveling show and the ghosts of Blackbeard! After 9 p.m., adults can head over to Chowning Tavern’s Gambols for late night 18th-century games and merriment. Friday evenings beginning July 8, Colonial Williamsburg presents “A Salute to the Nation” on the Palace Green where visitors share the sights, songs and words that came together to form the idea of America.

Adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll find Merchants Square, a unique shopping area that features various afterhours events this summer. Pack a picnic supper, grab your lawn chairs and bring the family to Outdoor Movies on Prince George Street. This free event is family-friendly and begins at dusk every Sunday through Labor Day. The annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concerts return with weekly Wednesday performances starting July 6, continuing through August 24. These concerts are free and take place on Duke of Gloucester Street. Throughout the week, you can also hear live music at many of the restaurants in Merchants Square, including Aroma’s and the Trellis.

Looking for other summer concert hotspots? Check out the New Town After Hours Concert Series running every Thursday night through August 25, located at Sullivan Square. Food and drinks are available for purchase at this ticketed event and don’t worry, the kids will have a blast in the children’s activity center which features a bounce house, face painting, a balloon artist and more. For more musical entertainment and toe tapping fun, head to Yorktown for the Shagging on the Riverwalk Beach Music Concert Series held every Thursday night until August 11 (except for July 7 & 14). Tuesdays in August, Yorktown also hosts the USAF Heritage of America Band “Airwaves” Concert Series from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Summertime also welcomes extended hours for many Williamsburg attractions, including: Go-Karts Plus, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. throughout the summer; Jamestown Settlement, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. through August 15; Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, 10 a.m. – midnight every day through September 4; Water Country, USA, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through August 14; Williamsburg Premium Outlets, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday; and Yorktown Victory Center 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. through August 15.

Discover Williamsburg area deals and packages to make this your best trip ever.

Contact Information

Busch Gardens

Colonial Williamsburg