Williamsburg, VA is the home to some of the most important historic sites in America, including the historic triangle of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown. In fact, the Williamsburg area played an important role in the history of Thanksgiving in America.
Williamsburg also has plenty of excellent restaurants, all of which makes it one of the best places to celebrate November and Thanksgiving weekend.
Below are some of my top recommendations for things to do for Thanksgiving in the Williamsburg, Virginia.
Top photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash.
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| Where to Stay in Williamsburg, VA |
| Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg – Great for Families * * * The Historic Powhatan Resort by Diamond – Great for Furnished Apartments * * * Club Wyndham Kingsgate – Great for Recreation and Amenities * * * Kingsmill Resort – Great for Nature Trails |
Colonial Williamsburg
Location:
101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Dates:
Throughout November and Thanksgiving Week
Tickets:
You can buy tickets here.
Description:
Colonial Williamsburg is decked out with special decorations for the Thanksgiving holiday. The historic site also has a number of different events throughout the month of November and Thanksgiving Week.
Some of the special events include the Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington and Midwinter Stories by the Native Nations of the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Sappony.
There are a number of special Thanksgiving Dinners, including Thanksgiving Dinner at King’s Arms Tavern, Thanksgiving Dinner at Williamsburg Inn, and Thanksgiving Dinner at Campbell’s Tavern, which includes 18th-century music!
November is National Native American Heritage Month, and there are numerous special events to mark the occasion, including interpretative stories and reenactments about the Native Americans in colonial Virginia.
Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia
Location:
Jamestown Settlement
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Dates:
November 25 and 26, 2022
Tickets:
You can buy tickets here.
Description:
The annual Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia event is held around Thanksgiving and features fun cooking demonstrations that teach guests how meals were made back during the colonial period. Clay pots, iron kettles, smoking, and salt curing are all used to make the food. Events are held at both Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival at Berkeley Plantation
Location:
12602 Harrison Landing Rd, Charles City, VA 23030
Dates:
Sunday, November 6, 2022 (11 am to 4 pm)
Tickets:
- Buses: $30.00
- Cars: $20.00
- Bikes: $5.00
Description:
The Virginia Thanksgiving Festival at Berkeley Plantation is an annual event in November that celebrates the first Thanksgiving in Colonial Virginia. The tradition has continued since 1619, when early English settlers first arrived at the site.
As part of the festival, there are activities for the whole family, including a juggling and magic show, colonial period re-enactors, a parade, dance performances by a Native American group, and musical performances. You can also tour the mansion for an extra fee.
There are also plenty of food options available at the event, including BBQ, turkey legs, Brunswick stew, Virginia ham biscuits, kettle corn, hot dogs, and funnel cakes.
Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot
Location:
420 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
The Turkey Trot takes place around Colonial Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary campus.
Dates:
November 24, 2022 at 8:30 am
Tickets:
You can register for the Turkey Trot here.
Description:
You can work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner by taking part in the annual Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.
The annual event is sponsored by the Blue Talon Bistro, which is a local restaurant. The Turkey Trot takes place around the nearby College of William and Mary campus and Colonial Williamsburg.
You can take part in the 5K Turkey Trot or a 1-mile walk/trot/run. There is also a kid’s fun run after the 5K event.
The Blue Talon Bistro also serves great food, and it’s one of my top recommendations for restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg!
Interested in more things to do in Williamsburg? Check out the following blog posts for more information!