Imagine it’s December 1739 and you’re in the colonial city of Williamsburg, Virginia. The wooden clapboard homes along Duke of Gloucester Street are decorated for the holidays inside and out. Fruit studded garlands and swags of fresh greenery trim the doors and windows with the most prosperous households displaying a precious pineapple, a status symbol of wealth. Candles are centered in each wavy, hand blown glass window, ready to be lit at dusk. Cressets with burning fatwood stand along the main thoroughfare to light the way and provide a little warmth for the carolers, fifers and drummers. You wrap your cloak tighter against the Virginia winter chill and step outside to join the celebration of the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg.

The Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Fast forward to the 21st century. The tradition of the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg is going strong. While there was no annual event during much of the 1800s, for the last 77 years on the first Sunday of December, thousands of people crowd the living history museum to welcome the holiday season.

The 2012 Grand Illumination will be held on December 2.  The shops and houses are decorated as they would have been two hundred, fifty years ago, the dining taverns serve traditional hot meals and fatwood burns in cressets to warm cold hands and light the streets.

Multiple outdoor stages provide entertainment throughout the historic district beginning at 4:45 p.m. Colonial-costumed entertainers perform a variety of holiday concerts common in the 1700s. The Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps play 18th century holiday music and vendors sell hot cider and chocolate. There is a festive air amid the throngs of holiday revelers as they admire the decorations, shop for colonial goods and wait for the anticipated grand illumination. 

At 5:45p.m., the Fife and Drum Corps march to signal the beginning of the Grand Illumination and the candles are lit in the windows of the shops, homes and public buildings. Then the spectacular fireworks show begins at 6:15 p.m. The fireworks are launched simultaneously from three locations: the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine and the Capitol. The three fireworks displays are synchronized and they are choreographed to music played from the various stages, so there really isn’t a bad seat in the city! That said, my personal favorite spot for viewing is on the green of the Governor’s Palace with a spot near a warm cresset being a bonus. Hearing the Christmas music play as the stately brick building is illuminated by the rockets is a thrilling way to welcome the holiday season.

Travel Maestro tips:

• The Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area is just over 300 acres in size, with many roads closed to vehicular traffic. Lot parking is extremely limited, so be prepared to compete for tight roadside parking around the perimeter even if you arrive very early.
• If you plan to enjoy an authentic 18th century meal in one of the four historic area dining taverns, reservations well in advance are a must, as they will be completely booked all day of the Grand Illumination.
• Dress warmly, wear good walking shoes and bring a blanket or folding chairs to view the fireworks. Many people bring picnic baskets and thermoses of warm drink and make an afternoon of the event.
• There is no admission fee for the outdoor events of the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg (unless you pay for parking or dining). Following the fireworks, candlelight walking tours of the Governor’s Palace and Capitol building are offered every 15 minutes, but these tours do require a Historic Area admission ticket that includes those buildings.

Being a life-long fireworks fan and having seen some of the great fireworks extravaganzas, I must say that the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg ranks up there with the best. Maybe it’s the absence of neon flashing decorations or the costumed musicians that harkens a distant past. Maybe it’s successfully warding off the cold Virginia December with a cup of steaming hot chocolate. Maybe it’s the company you keep and the holiday joy in your heart. Whatever the special ingredient, the Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg is a magical event that I hope you will enjoy.

For further information about historic district tickets and reservations in Colonial Williamsburg, contact Covington Travel.