Top Ways To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Williamsburg VA

(The post Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Williamsburg VA may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from the links. This is at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own. You can learn more about this in my Disclosures & Disclaimers.)

If there’s anywhere to enjoy good food and gratitude simultaneously (with a dash of classic fall festivities to boot), Williamsburg is a great place to enjoy all of the above. 

From a quaint Thanksgiving morning in Colonial Williamsburg to excellent Thanksgiving meals at Williamsburg Lodge, we’re going over the best ways to enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday in colonial Virginia.

Being an unofficial Williamsburg local, I have a few other guides that cover the best restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg and hotels to stay at if you’re in the midst of trip planning or are eager to find the best eats in the ‘burg.

With that said, let’s dive into the top ways to celebrate thanksgiving in greater Williamsburg VA: festival activities, delicious food, Williamsburg wineries, and more.

Related Reading: 20 Fall Things To Do In Williamsburg VA

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Thanksgiving In Williamsburg Va

Thanksgiving Day In Williamsburg VA

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg during the fall is a stunning autumn experience that provides a glimpse of what the season was like centuries ago. So, what better way to spend Thanksgiving morning than enjoying the season’s beauty?

Museums, preserved sites, gardens, and tours recount the rich history Williamsburg is known for. Carriage rides and nature trails offer scenic views of the fall colors adorning the area. Correlated shopping, dining, and live entertainment (with colonial period re-enactors) are offered too.

If you’re looking to experience the most of Colonial Williamsburg during your visit, you can book your Historic Triangle ticket for a lowest price guarantee. It includes access to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, the Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown’s American Revolution Museum, and Yorktown Battlefield.

It also comes with entry for 7 consecutive days, complimentary shuttle transportation, and interpreter led tours. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and you can reserve now and pay anytime up to 48 hours in advance.

Festival Activities

Thanksgiving in Williamsburg VA takes on a special charm as the city gears up for a plethora of events. The week is packed with activities suitable for the whole family, including ones such as the Thanksgiving Proclamation, Lighting of the Cressets, Native American History Month, Talk of the Town Christmastide tour, and more. 

The Thanksgiving Proclamation hearkens back to the first Thanksgiving with a proclamation by George Washington declaring a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. The Lighting of the Cressets is a nighttime historic celebration with music.

For Native American History Month, Williamsburg has interpreters, presentations, and performances that highlight Native American groups like the Pamunkey, Mattoponi, and Chickahominy tribes. The Encampment Historic Site showcases a camp of a small Native American delegation in Williamsburg. The Students of Brafferton Indian School is a presentation of Indigenous 18th century Williamsburg. And, Washington and the American Indians is a performance about the experiences between Washington and the Native Americans.

Additionally, don’t miss the Talk of the Town Christmastide tour, a captivating theatrical experience that virtually transforms Prince George Street into a live storybook. The tale unfolds as dusk sets, typically ending with the city beautifully illuminated, crafting a magical ambiance for all to enjoy.

Related Reading: Christmas In Williamsburg VA Guide

For a slice of history this holiday, check out the activities at Berkeley Plantation. Known as the Birthplace of Thanksgiving, it offers an insightful journey into the past colonial times.

Whether you’re an American history buff or seeking a unique Thanksgiving celebration, the greater Williamsburg area events definitely have you covered.

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King’s Arms Tavern Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner In Williamsburg VA

Williamsburg Lodge

Known for its exceptional service and remarkable atmosphere, the Williamsburg Lodge offers a classic Thanksgiving menu–including Thanksgiving turkey breast and all the trimmings to boot. This is a local restaurant sure to please the entire family with its great dining offerings and quaint colonial charm. It’s extremely popular on Thanksgiving Day (and throughout the Christmas season too), so definitely consider booking reservations for the Thanksgiving Day Feast here.

Jamestown Settlement Café

At the Jamestown Settlement Cafe, you can experience historic dining with quaint dishes inspired by America’s yesteryears. With delicious options like butternut squash soup topped with roasted Virginia peanuts and cider-brined smoked turkey, the Café provides a truly charming dining experience.

Williamsburg Winery

Be sure to take a tour of the Williamsburg Winery, known for their delightful dessert wines, which perfectly complement your Thanksgiving spread. The Winery is a historic (drum roll) winery offering a unique in depth experience between their Extensive Winery Tour, 1619 Wine Pavilion, Gabriel Archer Tavern, and Wedmore Place (their onsite hotel featuring colonial period suites). This isn’t your typical winery, needless to say.

Related Reading: Top Breweries In Williamsburg VA

More Thanksgiving Meals In Williamsburg VA

Christiana Campbell’s Thanksgiving dinner, King’s Arms Tavern Thanksgiving dinner, Traditions Thanksgiving Day buffet, Sweet Tea and Barley Thanksgiving dinner, Two Drummers Smokehouse, and Williamsburg Inn are additional options for great Thanksgiving dinners in Williamsburg.

Related Reading: Colonial Williamsburg Restaurants Guide

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Historic Powhatan Resort In Williamsburg VA

Williamsburg Vacation Packages

If you’re planning your Williamsburg vacation today, here are a few recommendations on deals, bundles, and packages, to make sure your next trip is both enjoyable and affordable.

Williamsburg Hotels

If you’re looking for a traditional hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Williamsburg Busch Gardens Area is a contemporary hotel with close proximity to Busch Gardens, a Bistro restaurant, and an outdoor pool (4 miles from Colonial Williamsburg).

If something more quaint suits your fancy, Cedars of Williamsburg Bed & Breakfast is a quintessential colonial bed and breakfast in a historic Georgian property with homemade breakfast, outdoor gardens, and a library (0.6 mile from Colonial Williamsburg).

And for more spacious resorts, Historic Powhatan Resort is a Colonial style townhouse condo resort with fully equipped kitchens and living room areas plus indoor/outdoor pools and the Powhatan Grille restaurant and bar (5 miles from Colonial Williamsburg).

Booking any of these three accommodations through the links provided comes with several complimentary perks like free cancellation and a price match. Plus, by booking this hotel through my link, you can take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts on your stay.

And, your reservation goes towards a rewards program that allows you to earn points towards future bookings. Also, their site allows you to compare prices, room types, and availability for easy trip planning.

Williamsburg Attractions

Historic Triangle Tickets

As mentioned above, but I’ll reiterate here, you can book a Historic Triangle ticket that includes admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, the Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown’s American Revolution Museum, and Yorktown Battlefield for a lowest price guarantee.

It also includes entry for 7 consecutive days, complimentary shuttle transportation, and interpreter led tours. There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and you can reserve now and pay anytime up to 48 hours in advance.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Tickets

If you’re eyeing a trip to the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park, through this special link (to Get Your Guide)you can save up to $25 on Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets.

These tickets are good for one year from the date of purchase and can be fully refunded with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your trip. (This exclusive deal is available to anyone through this link.) Busch Gardens Williamsburg will be under way with Christmas Town during Thanksgiving.

Full Day Historic Guided Tour

If tours are more your type, the Full Day Historic Guided tour is a 9-10 hour long tour that includes air-conditioned transportation, Jamestown & Yorktown admission, and lunch. So, your ticket fees into Jamestown & Yorktown and your Colonial-style lunch are included in the tour’s cost.

Booking your tour here comes with a lowest price guarantee, reserve now and pay anytime up to 2 days before your trip, and free cancellation for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The tour is also wheelchair and stroller accessible. If this is your first trip to the Historic Triangle and you want to make the most of it, this is the best Williamsburg tour for your trip!

Related Reading: 30 Things To Do In Williamsburg VA

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg Rhinefeld Village

​Thanksgiving In Williamsburg VA FAQs

What is there to do on Thanksgiving in Virginia?

There’s special Virginia Thanksgiving festival events like Thanksgiving Proclamation, Native American History Month, and Lighting of the Cressets in addition to other ventures like Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town, and Kings Dominion’s Winterfest to do on Thanksgiving in Virginia.

Related Reading: 25 Fun & Exciting Things To Do In Virginia

Is Williamsburg open in November?

Yes, Williamsburg is open year-round. That includes the city of Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, and numerous attractions in Williamsburg.

What to expect during Thanksgiving week in Williamsburg VA?

You can expect a week filled with varied festive events, including the Thanksgiving Proclamation, Lighting of the Cressets, and the Talk of the Town Christmastide tour. These activities take place at popular locations such as Prince George Street and Berkeley Plantation.

You can also count on the Williamsburg Outlets getting pretty busy as Black Friday sales start and Christmas shopping is in full swing.

What is the best Thanksgiving dinner in Williamsburg VA?

The Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Williamsburg Lodge is considered to be the best Thanksgiving dinner in Williamsburg VA, hence why reservations are recommended as the restaurant will be busy.

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Fall In Colonial Williamsburg

Summary

Thanksgiving in Williamsburg VA has much to offer in the way of great Thanksgiving meals and historic Thanksgiving events. It’s easy to find plenty of fall fun to fill the day.

You can kick off the morning taking a stroll through the beautiful scenery in colonial Virginia, spend the day taking in the Native American History Month presentations, enjoy the afternoon at the Williamsburg Winery, and then top off the night with delicious food at the Williamsburg Lodge.

Alternatively, you can shuffle around attractions and dining options to suit your preferences. Because, that’s the magic of Williamsburg–endless experiences abound.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more Williamsburg travel guides, you can also check out:

Best Resorts In Williamsburg VA

How To Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg On A Budget

30 Best Things To Do In Williamsburg VA

Top 10 Tours In Williamsburg VA

Ultimate Colonial Williamsburg Restaurants Guide

Thanks for reading!

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