Williamsburg, Virginia is the quintessential holiday haven for an epic girls' getaway. Picture this: the city transforms into a kaleidoscope of festive cheer, draped in vibrant decorations, and filled with melodies of carolers.
Williamsburg shines even brighter with one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America. My bestie and I set out on an adventure of discovery through this historic holiday wonderland – here’s our four-day itinerary.
Day 1: Festive Christmas Markets & Dining
To kick off our visit, we got immersed in holiday vibes at the Williamsburg Christmas Market. A variety of vendors showcased their unique items from charming red chalets. We found gifts including handmade jewelry, soaps, candles, and wreaths. Be sure to treat yourself to the gluhwein (warm spiced wine) and get a picture with Santa while visiting.
As the sun was setting, we strolled from the Christmas Market to witness Colonial Williamsburg’s annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting, where we were welcomed by the harmonious sounds of carolers and a marching band. Before illuminating the tree, there was a special reading of "The Night Before Christmas" and a candle lighting ceremony. It was a unique experience to be surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles. Before we knew it, we were bathed in the glow of 7,500 twinkling lights wrapped around the giant spruce tree.
For dinner, we drove about 10 minutes to the delicious Kephi Greek Kitchen. This restaurant offers authentic Greek dishes, and we honestly wish we lived closer because we would be here all the time. We tried feta phyllo for the first time ever, which is baked phyllo-wrapped feta with honey and sesame seeds. I highly recommend it!
We were so full after that amazing dinner and ready to check into Kingsmill Resort. This resort is situated in a gated community on the James River and provides a range of accommodations, including standard rooms, condos, and cottages. The lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas, featuring a handmade gingerbread village of Williamsburg on display.
Day 2: Hot Lattes, History & Twinkling Lights
My perfect start to the day involves a wonderfully roasted cup of coffee. We headed to Column15, a cozy coffee shop with a good selection of coffee and baked goods. I couldn’t resist ordering the latte flight from their holiday menu. The festive flavors included snowball, sugar cookie, snickerdoodle, macadamia nut, and chocolate coconut macaroon.
A visit to Williamsburg wouldn't be complete without exploring its rich history, so we made our way to Jamestown Settlement, eager to step back in time. This modern museum and its outdoor living history areas gave us an immersive look at America’s earliest chapters. After the museum, we headed to lunch at La Tienda, where we instantly fell in love with the cozy ambiance. The menu offered a selection of tapas, and we each chose a couple different ones to share. Our favorite was the fried eggplant with honey.
Next, it was time to experience Christmas Town at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg. This event boasts over 10 million lights, making it one of the largest light displays in North America. We found ourselves surrounded by charming European-inspired buildings, carolers, and countless twinkling lights. We had checked the online schedule for Christmas shows and made our top picks: "Scrooge No More!" and "The Celtic Christmas Trio." Both shows left us speechless.
We ended our day with dinner at Second Street American Bistro. From the friendly staff to the unique dishes, we easily gave this experience a 10/10.
Day 3: Christmas Shopping & Coastal Charm
Our third day started with coffee and breakfast at Hohl. This cozy café (with locations in Colonial Williamsburg and nearby Toano) offers wholesome meals, most of which are made from scratch. The pastries look like something out of a magazine. I ordered the porridge and the chai latte, and they were perfect.
Our next stop was Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters in historic Yorktown. This charming coffee shop started back in 2007 and boasts a great selection of drinks, along with wraps and sandwiches. I loved the curry chickpea salad wrap, and it paired well with their ginger peach tea.
We finished our sandwiches and made our way to Yorktown’s Christmas Market on Main. This Christmas Market has close to 100 vendors selling beautiful handmade items like paintings, pottery, soaps, and baked goods. We picked up a few gifts to take home and wished we’d packed bigger bags.
After shopping, we explored some historic sites in Yorktown, which is full of charming 18th-century architecture. Some streets to explore include Water Street, Ballard Street, and Main Street. You can also drive to historic sites including Yorktown Battlefield, site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War. The nearby American Revolution Museum at Yorktown dives into the fascinating story of how American independence was won.
For dinner, we walked back to Water Street Grille, located right on the York River. It’s known for its craft beer selection, seafood, and brick oven pizza. We couldn’t resist ordering the mac & cheese egg rolls with chipotle ranch dipping sauce – and they didn’t disappoint!
As it got darker, we made our way to the beach and stood next to a warm fire pit to watch the Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade. Before the parade, we listened to carolers and a performance by the Fifes & Drums of York Town. It was a foggy night, but we enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere as the sparkling boats cruised down the river.
Day 4: A Whimsical Finale in Williamsburg
We started our last day in Williamsburg at Aromas Coffeehouse Bakeshop & Cafe. This inviting local favorite serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it’s dog-friendly too.
Then we walked over to Colonial Williamsburg to enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic area. This was such a unique experience and we passed so many beautiful sights and buildings, including the Governor’s Palace and the Peyton Randolph House. There are many walking tours to choose from in this area as well. We were excited to do the Secrets and Untold Stories of Williamsburg Tour with We Junket Tours. This walking tour was 1.5 hours long, and we learned so many interesting stories about the people who founded our country.
After the tour, we had lunch at The Cheese Shop. This famous shop makes all sandwiches to order and bakes their own breads daily. Seating is first-come, first-served – there’s normally a line when entering, but it's worth the wait. From there, we headed to the Kimball Theatre to watch The Holiday Pops show. This show featured the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra and tenor John Riesen from “America’s Got Talent.” We loved listening to our favorite Christmas songs in this gorgeous setting – it was a magical way to start the season.
One of my favorite winter activities is ice skating, and nearby was the Liberty Ice Pavilion. Right in Colonial Williamsburg, it’s the perfect little rink to get you into the Christmas spirit. They also have refreshments, such as hot cocoa and cider, available to purchase.
After ice skating, we strolled over to the Williamsburg Winery Merchants Square Wine Bar. We found a spot next to a Christmas tree and tried the red and sweet wine flights. We watched a Christmas Parade make its way down the road as we sipped.
Our last dinner in Williamsburg couldn’t have been more perfect. We ate at King’s Arms Tavern, an 18th-century colonial tavern. We loved that the dining rooms were lit with only candlelight. We tried peanut soup, and I had the onion pye which is made with potatoes, apples, and onions. It was delicious, and I know we’ll be talking about this experience for years!
Find more holiday fun in Williamsburg.
