Fall is one of the best times to visit Williamsburg, and the area’s autumn event lineup makes a fall escape even sweeter. From food and drink festivals to farmers markets to celebrations of art, music, history, Halloween, and beyond, you’ll find exciting events popping up all around the region. Check out this roundup of local happenings for fall 2025!
Markets & Harvest Festivals
Fall vibes flow at the Yorktown Market Days Fall Festival on Saturday, October 11 from 9 am to 3 pm. Head to Yorktown’s Riverwalk Landing to shop more than 60 vendors selling seasonal favorites like pumpkins, mums, autumn-inspired art, kettle corn, caramel apples, and more. Plus, enjoy free family fun like face painting, a hay maze, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and kid-friendly entertainment.
Yorktown Market Days
One of the area’s most adorable events, the Yorktown Market Days Paws at the River on October 25 pairs the Saturday farmers market with pet-themed fun for a good cause. The event highlights animal rescue groups and helps adoptable pets find their forever homes. Don’t miss the pet portrait station and delicious doggy delights, all taking place at Riverwalk Landing from 9 am to 3 pm.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Yorktown Market Days Harvest Festival on November 15 celebrates the bounty of the season with a cornucopia of holiday staples available for purchase: turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, cornbread, pumpkin pie, and more. Hayrides, inflatable axe-throwing, and balloon art will delight all ages, while local jewelers, painters, and photographers will sell seasonal treasures. The event takes place at Riverwalk Landing from 9 am to 3 pm.
Art & Music Festivals
Art lovers will marvel at the beautiful displays at the annual Yorktown Art Stroll on Sunday, September 28 in and around the Freight Shed at Riverwalk Landing. The free festival features oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings as well as glasswork, drawings, photography, jewelry, pottery, fiber art, handmade soap, and woodwork.
Williamsburg's premier fine art and music festival, An Occasion for the Arts, returns October 4-5 to Duke of Gloucester Street. The event features 150+ artisans from more than 20 states showcasing their art, plus live performances from beloved local musicians. Make a weekend of it with the new Friday night event, An Evening for the Arts.
A street fair unfolding in downtown Williamsburg, the 2nd Sundays - Williamsburg Art & Music Festival (through December) features over 180 artisans, musicians, street performers, and food vendors. Savor the season with a delicious spread of food and dessert trucks serving up hearty autumn favorites and scrumptious desserts, and relax in the beer garden with local beer, cider, seltzer, and wine. Also on the menu: live music in a mix of genres, folk and contemporary arts & crafts, local authors, and kid-friendly activities like face painting and crafts.
On Wednesdays from September 3 through October 8, the free New Town Tunes Concert Series takes place outdoors at Williamsburg’s Sullivan Square. Enjoy local bands and local beer – food and drinks are available for purchase at various restaurants, food trucks, and breweries.
As temperatures cool down, the Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series at Riverwalk Landing heats up every Thursday from September 4 through October 9. Enjoy jazz, big band, and country artists on the Yorktown Riverfront for free.
History Events & Commemorations
The Yorktown Victory Celebration on October 18-19 marks the anniversary of the Revolutionary War triumph that paved the way for American independence. Held at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, the event features artillery firings and immersive programming throughout the two days. The exhibits and interpretive programs will highlight the crucial American-French alliance and the return of the French Marquis de Lafayette.
Four Heroes of Yorktown Statue | Riverwalk Landing
Also honoring this pivotal Revolutionary War victory, Yorktown Day on October 19 brings the celebration to the streets of historic Yorktown. The festivities include a wreath-laying ceremony and a patriotic parade down Main Street to commemorate the victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform during the parade and at a special ceremony at the Victory Monument.
Other major attractions in the Historic Triangle also offer special fall events. Jamestown Settlement features homeschool family programs covering topics from culture to the environment. Their Director’s Series brings in leading historians, authors, and journalists for thought-provoking talks.
Nearby, Colonial Williamsburg also offers special programming for homeschoolers looking to experience the sights, sounds, and feels of this momentous era. Kids can meet and interact with War for Independence re-enactors, including Revolutionists and tradespeople, before supplementing their learnings with virtual tours, educational videos, activity sheets, and behind-the-scenes blogs. Be sure to ask about discounts.
Food & Drink Festivals
Perfectly timed with National Pancake Day, the Williamsburg Pancake Festival debuts on September 26-27. Festivities kick off Friday evening with a ticketed event featuring pancakes, live entertainment, and kids’ activities. (Participate in the Williamsburg Pancake Trail to earn a free ticket to this breakfast-for-dinner party!) On Day 2, stacks of pancakes and family-friendly fun come to Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. Don’t miss this sweet day of outdoor fun in the Pancake Capital of the World.
On October 4-5, indulge in local oysters and wines from around the world at the Yorktown Wine & Oyster Festival, held at Riverwalk Landing. This ticketed event features a grand tasting of wines from Virginia and beyond. In a nod to Yorktown's sister cities, Zweibrücken and Port-Vendres, sample Rieslings and Gewürztraminers from Germany and sip Champagne from France while enjoying live music, food from local restaurants, and the work of talented artisans.
Then get ready to sip, savor, and celebrate at Yorktoberfest on Sunday, October 26! Sample 35+ beers, ciders, and other craft beverages from Coastal Virginia. With unlimited tastings, this is your chance to discover your new favorite brew. This family-friendly event at Yorktown’s Riverwalk Landing also features live music, food, beer classes, and local vendors.
Halloween Happenings
On select days from September 5 through November 2, Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® gives thrill-seekers something to scream about with all-new scares. Explore five reimagined haunted houses, new scare zones and shows, and the ultimate rush – riding roller coasters at night. Parental discretion is advised after 6 pm as this year’s amplified scares aren’t recommended for children. For a tamer alternative, the kid-friendly Busch Gardens® Halloween Spooktacular runs Saturdays and Sundays from September 20 through November 2.
Family Frights at Jamestown Settlement returns for Halloween-themed evenings on October 24-25, from 6 to 9 pm. The indoor and outdoor areas – and ships – are transformed into a ghoul’s playground, with haunted houses, princesses and pirates, carnival acrobats, and kids’ favorite movie monsters. Kids are encouraged to come in costume to trick-or-treat in the museum’s themed outdoor areas.
Experience a genuine ghost tour with Colonial Ghosts, which features a nightly walk through the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. Hear spooky true stories based on research, eyewitness haunting interviews, and ghost stories connected to factual and historic events. You can also extend your tour with a bonus tour through the College of William & Mary. Tickets are available daily.
Experience Halloween fun in the treetops at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. Check into creepy nighttime climbs and the Forest EscAPE The Night challenge. During the daylight hours, get in the spirit with pumpkin painting and scavenger hunts.
A few weeks before Halloween, the BurgQuest Gaming Festival (October 11-12) comes to Williamsburg with three days of board game and RPG free play, panels, guests, game demos and game design workshops. It’s a fantasy world escape with a different take on tricks and treats.
More Fall Fun
Browse the event calendar to explore all upcoming events, or see the guide to fall fun in Williamsburg to play your getaway.