The holiday season is filled with special community traditions in Historic Yorktown.
From modern celebrations like the tree lighting and Christmas Market on Main Street to period programming like “Christmastide in Virginia” and “Viking Yuletide”—there are special events taking place all December long.
Christmas Tree lighting
Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Riverwalk Landing along the Yorktown waterfront.
The fun begins with Yorktown’s 76th annual Tree Lighting. Guests will be entertained by the TRADOC Arsenal Brass Band at 6:30 p.m. followed by a performance from the Fifes and Drums of York Town at 7. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 7:30, immediately followed by a virtual message from Santa Claus. The Freight Shed is open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the public to write holiday cards to military personnel and Santa. York County Tourism Development asks that during the event the public adheres to the COVID-19 guidelines by practicing social distancing and wearing masks.
To register for this free event, visit www.yorkcounty.gov/treelighting. There is a 250-person capacity and families will be asked to use outlined social distancing circles which are first-come, first-served. The Tree Lighting is sponsored by the York County Historical Committee. For more information about this event, please call York County Parks and Recreation at 757-890-3500. There will be no programming or procession at Victory Monument this year.
Christmas Market on Main
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Yorktown’s Historic Main Street.
Close to 60 vendors line the street in a socially distanced setup—selling everything from local art like paintings, jewelry, and photography to breads, sweets, and other goodies, as well as greenery and Christmas wreaths.
The Town Crier rings in the market at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by a performance from The Fifes and Drums of York Town to open the market. Then, Santa Claus will ride in on York County’s first fire truck before greeting the crowd. Expect strolling musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere. Sunday’s program will include a special ice carving demonstration.
Viking Yuletide
Saturday Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 6, noon to 5 p.m. Watermen’s Museum.
At this free, family-friendly event, you can learn about the ancient Norse influences on modern Christmas culture; enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts and sport; play games and participate in the Althing in a Viking-era encampment; and enjoy a proper Victorian display. Odin and St. Nicholas will also be on-site for photos. The museum’s program is co-hosted by the Society of Amateur Vikings for General Reenactment.
Cookies with Santa
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery at York Hall, Main Street.
The Gallery at York Hall will host this special event once again, with a few modifications this year due to
COVID-19. Children and parents can stop by to wave to Santa Claus, drop off pre-made wish lists for the North Pole, grab a to-go goodie bag with a cookie, and do some holiday shopping as well. The Gallery at York Hall is filled with local one-of-a-kind art in all mediums.
Parents and grandparents are still encouraged to bring their own cameras to this family event, but are reminded that children will have to stand in front of Santa in a designated area. Though six feet away, the big guy in red will still be wearing a mask as an added precaution. Adults and children ages 5 and older are required to wear masks as they enter York Hall.
Mistletoe Market
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Riverwalk Landing.
Browse the market for chowders and soups; baked goods, including an assortment of cakes, breads, brownies, fudge, and cookies; jams, jellies, and honey; holiday wreaths; candles and soaps; and seasonal art. New this year is an ice carving demonstration. Don your holiday attire and march in the Toyland Parade—a short loop around Riverwalk—to celebrate the holiday season.
Yorktown Market Days is an open air market that continues taking important precautions to keep customers and vendors safe amidst
COVID-19 concerns, including required spacing between vendors and a setup to avoid congestion in typically high-traffic areas. All staff and vendors are required to wear face coverings when interacting with customers who are less than six feet away. Hand sanitizer stations are set up as you enter, as well as signs stating that no one with a fever or symptoms of the virus or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted to shop at the market.
Christmastide in Virginia
Dec. 19-31, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Experience Colonial Virginia holiday traditions with interpretive programs, cooking demonstrations and musical entertainment. Hear accounts of Christmas during the war in the re-created Continental Army encampment while learning about winter military camp life for a Continental Army soldier. On the Revolutionary War-era farm, compare 18th-century Christmas traditions with those of modern times, deck the halls of a clapboard farmhouse and observe preparations for a holiday feast.
The museums have made adjustments to operations and access to outdoor living-history areas and gallery exhibits so that families can enjoy the museum experience while following new safety protocols and social-distancing procedures. The museums’ films and immersive indoor gallery exhibits are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the outdoor living-history areas are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.