Private Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Holiday Decorations Walking Tour in Williamsburg booking from $65.00

Private Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Holiday Decorations Walking Tour

Overview

This PRIVATE tour (only your group) highlights Colonial Williamsburg's picturesque holiday decorations of our historical area. This tour provides insight about the materials, crafts people, construction and design of the wreaths and garlands adorning the exterior of most 18th Century buildings, exhibits and private homes and different judging categories. We meet guests in front of the Williamsburg Inn to admire the spectacular decorations and begin our journey to the Duke of Gloucester. If there are children attending, please let us know in advance as our holidays take on a special magic for the young at heart. Authentic 18th Century African American tea cakes offered to guests.

Note: Grand Illuminations are the first, second and third Saturdays of December (7pm fireworks from the Governor’s Palace and Capitol). The Yule Log lightings are the first, second and third Fridays of December. Decorations are judged Monday after the first Grand Illumination and a second time two weeks later.

City: Williamsburg

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $65.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $65.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Guide will have a flashlight for evening tours. However, guests may want to bring their own.

18th Century African American Tea Cake (currently no vegan option) unique to Colonial Williamsburg.

Optional hot chocolate, coffee or cider (if available as sometimes the products are sold out or unavailable).

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Parking is available in nearby lots using the Passport App
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
This is an outdoor walking tour. All guides have COVID boosters including recent bivalent booster and flu vaccine.

What To Expect

Merchants Square

We'll begin our holiday journey with a meeting in front of The Dog Street Pub on Merchant Square and take in a breathtaking view of some of the decorations by our local merchants before making our journey along the Duke of Gloucester Street towards The Capitol. Roundtrip from Merchants Square to The Capitol is a little over 1 mile and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Note: this is a seasonal tour offered from November 25, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Keep in mind that the later tour time of 5pm may be darker although there are lights along the Duke of Gloucester. Because this is a new offering, we are manually accepting requests until our booking system catches up (thereafter, it will be automatic confirmation).

Bruton Parish Episcopal Church

As we walk along the Duke of Gloucester and take in the amazing holiday decorations, we'll pass this historical church built in 1715 and discuss some of it's history and Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin who helped inspire the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg.

Governor's Palace

As we pass the Palace Green on Duke of Gloucester, we'll see the Governor's Palace. If visitors want to walk closer to the palace after the tour, they are welcome to go check out the holiday decorations on the Palace.

Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building

Our tour ends at the Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building as we conclude our tour of the decorations on the Duke of Gloucester Street. We'll discuss some of the history of the Capitol and then turn and walk along the other side.

Colonial Williamsburg

Enjoy a private guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg's exterior building holiday decorations and learn about the materials, construction techniques, categories for judging the decorations and types of participation for these 18th Century decorations.

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (3)

CynthiaY103

Dec 2022

The holiday decorations throughout Colonial Williamsburg are beautiful this time of year. They unique, creative, historic and whimsical. I've always wanted to know more about the lovely Christmas decorations and traditions and how the Colonists celebrated the holidays. Bambi's tour was informative, entertaining, and fun, and put the decorations and celebrations into context. she even provided samples of a yummy Colonial tea cake that African-Americans served to their families during the holidays.

Jon_Maurice_44

Dec 2022

I had taken a previous tour with Bambi which is why I took this tour. She is amazing and knows her history of the Colonial Williamsburg, the history of the decorations, she always has a smile on her face and her happiness and enthusiasm is infectious. She told us all about the decorations, the holidays, she had the correct stops, breaks and kept us going. She also has a breakfast tour at the Williamsburg Inn for foodies, if the weather is bad or if you don’t want to walk. This is a 5 star must do during the holidays.

Robert_W

Nov 2022

We've been visiting Colonial Williamsburg for the holidays for over 20 years, and this is the best holiday tour. Our guide, Bambi, provided extensive knowledge about the 18th Century celebrations, in-depth details about the fresh fruit, dried herbs, flowers and unusual whimsical items like the clay pipes, playing cards, 18th Century tools, dolls and more to make the wall plaques, Della Robbia wreaths, sprays and roping. We learned about the 4 categories of judging and the blue ribbons, green ribbon and yellow ribbon. She retold stories of the holiday seasons for the wealthy and enslaved (including an inspiration plantation slave story from Wilford Kale's book, the 12 days and many others). We felt the enthusiasm, giving and warmth of the season with a visit to the Williamsburg Inn and a small treasure of a gift - an African American tea cake.

Private Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Holiday Decorations Walking Tour

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