Williamsburg Fourth of July Celebrations
There’s nothing more patriotic than Independence Day in America’s Historic Triangle! Discover ways to celebrate the true spirit of red, white and blue – and you – this Fourth of July.
In Williamsburg, celebrate our nation's birthday with Fifes and Drums and Colonial Williamsburg's famous fireworks during its July 4 Independence Day Celebration, which also features a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums perform a “Music for the Fireworks” concert of patriotic music at 8 p.m. behind the Courthouse on Market Square, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
From 7:30 to 9 p.m., Colonial Williamsburg offers its Governor’s Palace Picnic with all-American fun and festive patriotic entertainment. Enjoy exciting performances by musicians, dancers, storytellers, and balladeers plus plenty of games for the kids. During “Brews, Blues & BBQ” at the Williamsburg Lodge, visitors can enjoy the sights of Colonial Williamsburg, specially brewed beer, barbecue and other favorites, and the traditional blues sound of Li’l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.
Busch Gardens features three nights of patriotic pyrotechnics set to an awe-inspiring original music track. On July 2-4, Busch Gardens will fill the skies with shimmering silvers, gorgeous golds and bright reds to top off Independence Day festivities. The fireworks extravaganza is included with park admission and begins nightly at 9:30 p.m. Guests can dine in the park’s Black Forest Picnic area behind Das Festhaus during a pre-fireworks buffet, featuring hand-carved pork tenderloin and BBQ ribs and exclusive fireworks viewing area, that the whole family will enjoy.
On July 2-4 during the Yorktown Victory Center’s “Liberty Celebration,” 9 a.m.-6 p.m., visitors can interact with Revolutionary War re-enactors and interpreters, observe tactical and artillery drills, discover the origins of “American” dishes such as apple pie, and see a rare early broadside printing of the Declaration dating to July 1776. In historic Yorktown, patriotism abounds from 4 to 10 p.m. during its July 4 Independence Day Celebration with live entertainment – including a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town – a children's fun center, parade, and at 9:15 p.m., spectacular fireworks over the York River.
Help yourself to a heaping scoop of liberty with ice cream socials in Williamsburg and at Shirley Plantation in nearby Charles City County. The 29th Annual Ice Cream Social on the lawn of the College of William and Mary’s Wren Building, 4:30-7:30 p.m. on July 4, features hot dogs, ice cream, children’s games, face painting, raffles and entertainment. At Shirley Plantation’s “Sweet Land of Liberty” event on July 4, tour the 17th-century plantation and enjoy ice cream and refreshments.
At 7:30 p.m. July 5-6, the fascinating story examining the beginnings of our American identity returns to the Colonial Williamsburg’s Kimball Theatre with “Jefferson & Adams,” a remarkable performance that tells the compelling story of two presidents – Thomas Jefferson and John Adams – and one astute first lady, Abigail Adams.
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