| A new holiday event titled the Winter Lantern Festival is slated to kick off at Jamestown Settlement this week.
The vibrant display, which coincides with a new exhibition on Chinese Ming Porcelain in early Jamestown, will light up the grounds of the living history museum with about 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns.
Produced by Kaleido Entertainment, the event is designed to transform the night into a "magical journey of culture and imagination," according to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Guests will journey through an outdoor trail aglow with 6-to-30-foot lanterns inspired by traditional folklore. The experience lasts for about an hour.
Tickets are separate from museum admission and start at $18. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. The Winter Lantern Festival runs Thursdays through Sundays through Jan. 4.
Other highlights this week include the annual Harvest Festival at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, the premiere of a new play, "Appertaining to Rebels" at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, a presentation of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Kimball Theatre and a concert by New West Guitars at Williamsburg Library Theatre.
A variety of Veterans Day ceremonies and events will be held throughout the Historic Triangle today. WAVY also compiled this guide to special Veterans Day deals valid in the Hampton Roads area.
Additional promotions for military members in our area include a free ice-cream sundae at Bruster's in Williamsburg and a free entree at Chicken Salad Chick on Nov. 11, while supplies last.
See below for our curated guide to things to do around the Historic Triangle, Nov. 11 - 16. |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK |
| Each week, we scour event calendars from across the region and send readers a list of local events and activities worthy of their time. For additional event details, click on the bolded, hyperlinked titles. |
Tuesday, Nov. 11 |
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| York County's annual Veterans Day ceremony at York Hall. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
| VETERANS DAY |
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Colonial Williamsburg Free Military Admission | The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will continue its tradition of honoring the military this Veterans Day by offering free admission to all active-duty military, reservists, veterans, retirees, National Guard members and their dependents on Nov. 11. Free, single day "Honoring Service to America" are available at all onsite ticket locations with proper ID. 9 am - 5 pm.
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National Parks Free Entrance Day | Colonial National Historical Park & Yorktown Battlefield | The National Park Service will waive admission fees for national parks on Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. (Note: While NPS admission is waived at Colonial National Historical Park, a $15 Preservation Virginia admission fee applies for adults visiting Preservation Virginia resources at Historic Jamestowne, including the James Fort site and the Archaearium). 9 am - 5 pm.
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Historic Grace Church Veterans Day Service | Grace Church | Yorktown | Historic Grace Church, founded in 1697, will hold its annual Veterans Day prayer service on Nov. 11. A brief ceremony will follow in the courtyard, to include the playing of "taps" and a salute to the 113 known veterans buried in the Grace Cemetery, as well as all veterans who are no longer with us. Free and open to the public. 10 - 11 a.m.
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Yorktown Veterans Day Ceremony | York Hall | Yorktown's annual Veterans Day program honors members of the American armed forces. The theme for 2025 is "Virginia's Medal of Honor Recipients." The ceremony highlights several of these remarkable individuals through stories and photographs. There will be a presentation of colors, tolling of the bell and the playing of "taps." Free and open to the public. 12 pm.
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| MUSIC |
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Wednesday, Nov. 12 |
| HISTORY |
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Thursday, Nov. 13 |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
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| FILMS |
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Throwback Thursday: Pillow Talk | Williamsburg Library Theatre | The Throwback Thursday film series screens a variety of classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience. This week's feature is "Pillow Talk" (NR, 1959), a romantic comedy featuring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Free. 2 - 4:30 pm.
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Celtic Film Series | Williamsburg Library Theatre | The Celtic Film Series runs on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The November feature is "The Last Rifleman" (2023). Starring Pierce Brosnan, the film tells the story of a man who - haunted by his wartime experiences - travels to France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Free. 6 - 8 pm.
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Pocahontas Reframed Film Shorts | Hennage Auditorium | Richmond's acclaimed Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival will come to Williamsburg with a series of short films, written, directed and produced by Indigenous artists. This event features 9 films illuminating Native American life today and in the past. Free and open to the public. 6:30 - 8 pm.
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| WELLNESS |
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| DOWNSIZING |
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| KIDS |
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| AUTHOR TALK |
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| LIVE MUSIC |
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Friday, Nov. 14 |
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| The theatrical premier of "Appertaining to Rebels" will debut at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on Nov. 14. (Photo courtesy of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
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"Appertaining to Rebels:" The Proclamation Play | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Using personal stories based on historical sources, this hour-long play explores how Lord Dunmore's proclamation to end slavery offered an unprecedented, and very dangerous, path to freedom. A discussion will follow. Tickets to this premiere are $25. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
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| KIDS |
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Up, Up & Away Storytime | Waltrip Williamsburg Executive Airport | Children are invited to attend an all ages storytime at the Waltrip Williamsburg airport, located at 100 Marclay Drive. Free. 10 - 11:30 am.
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| CRAFT |
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| NATURE |
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Raptor Meet & Greet | Freedom Park | Meet local wildlife rehabbers and interact with rehabbed raptors, including owls, falcons or hawks. Attendees will learn how to help conserve their habitats. For all ages. Free. 6 - 7:30 pm.
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| WELLNESS |
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Journey through Sound (bath) Series | James City County Recreation Center | Learn how to create a space that will positively impact your nervous system, reduce stress, enhance your focus and improve the quality of your sleep. See the website to sign up. $15. 6 - 7:30 pm.
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| DATE NIGHT |
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Saturday, Nov. 15 |
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| Hayrides will be offered during the Harvest Festival in Yorktown on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Yorktown Market Days: Harvest Festival | Riverwalk Landing | This autumn extravaganza features fall food and family fun. There will be a live animal show, petting zoo, inflatable ax throwing, a pie eating contest and hayrides. Holiday staples like turkey, cornbread and pumpkin pie will be available for sale, and local artisans will sell their holiday handiwork. Live music will be performed by Ralph Motley and the Last Minute Grass. Free. 9 am - 3 pm.
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| GAMES |
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| NATURE |
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| KIDS |
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| TEENS |
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| CRAFT |
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| LIVE MUSIC |
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| MARKETS |
- Williamsburg Farmers Market | 345 W Duke of Gloucester St. | Shop from the finest Virginia-grown and Virginia-made produce, plants and products. This farmers market features over 40 vendors, live music and children's programming. Rain or shine. Free admission. 8 am - 12 pm.
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- Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop from various vendors selling their finest products. Located on the Village Green near Hohl. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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- Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village's weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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Sunday, Nov. 16 |
| NATURE |
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| KIDS |
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Multi-Day |
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| Lighting of the Cressets returns to Colonial Williamsburg this weekend. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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| THEATRE |
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Rehearsal for Murder | 200 Hubbard Lane | The Williamsburg Players returns with Rehearsal for Murder, a thrilling theatrical mystery in which the theater becomes the set for the play. Tickets, available here, are $12 for students and children, $22 for adults. Oct. 31 - Nov. 16
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| This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! |
