Virginia

Colonial Christmas at Williamsburg & the James River Plantations

Program No. 22934RJ
Sing Colonial carols, design historical decorations and enjoy a holiday dinner with period personalities on this time-travel deep-dive into the history of Christmas in America.

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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Dec 2 - Dec 7, 2024
Starting at
2,099
Dec 5 - Dec 10, 2024
Starting at
2,099
Dec 9 - Dec 14, 2024
Starting at
2,099
Dec 12 - Dec 17, 2024
Starting at
2,099
Full Inventory
Dec 1 - Dec 6, 2025
Starting at
2,199
Full Inventory
Dec 8 - Dec 13, 2025
Starting at
2,199
Full Inventory
Dec 11 - Dec 16, 2025
Starting at
2,199
Dec 15 - Dec 20, 2025
Starting at
2,199
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Dec 2 - Dec 7, 2024
Starting at
2,619
Dec 5 - Dec 10, 2024
Starting at
2,619
Filling Fast!
Dec 9 - Dec 14, 2024
Starting at
2,619
Filling Fast!
Dec 12 - Dec 17, 2024
Starting at
2,619
Full Inventory
Dec 1 - Dec 6, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Full Inventory
Dec 8 - Dec 13, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Full Inventory
Dec 11 - Dec 16, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Dec 15 - Dec 20, 2025
Starting at
2,749

At a Glance

Travel back in time to Colonial Williamsburg as reenactors make history come to life for Christmas. Explore the historical and cultural significance of Christmas in the 18th and 19th centuries and find out how music, traditions, festivities and food have evolved from early America to what we know and love at Christmastime today. Observe and then make historical decorations, sing music of the era with costumed singers and learn about religious customs of both free and enslaved people. And at the end of your week of celebration, sit down with period personalities for a festive meal in a colonial tavern!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Considerable amounts of walking and long periods of standing.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy a private organ concert in the College of William & Mary’s historic chapel, sing along with well-known musicians and meet African American and colonial interpreters.
  • Visit seasonally decorated homes spanning four centuries of history from Colonial Williamsburg to the James River plantations.
  • Create your own Colonial decoration using traditional techniques, prepare a Colonial treat and savor both a lunch and a festive farewell dinner in Colonial taverns.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Dean Shostak
Dean Shostak, in 1991, became involved in the revival of the rare glass armonica, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Today, he is one of eight glass armonica players in the world, and the only musician since the 18th century to use a flywheel and foot treadle as Franklin originally designed. Dean began his musical career in Colonial Williamsburg at the age of 14, and after graduating from the University of Virginia, began to study 18th-century instruments such as the pocket violin and the hurdy-gurdy.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Dean Shostak
Dean Shostak View biography
Dean Shostak, in 1991, became involved in the revival of the rare glass armonica, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Today, he is one of eight glass armonica players in the world, and the only musician since the 18th century to use a flywheel and foot treadle as Franklin originally designed. Dean began his musical career in Colonial Williamsburg at the age of 14, and after graduating from the University of Virginia, began to study 18th-century instruments such as the pocket violin and the hurdy-gurdy.
Profile Image of Stephen Christoff
Stephen Christoff View biography
Stephen Christoff has been a musical fixture at Colonial Williamsburg for more than 15 years. Since 2006, he has performed his one-man show called "Seller of Songs" at the Hennage Theater in Colonial Williamsburg to sell-out audiences and rave reviews. In 2007, Stephen was a member of a collaborative performance team that played over 100 performances of "American Musicworks," a signature show designed for the Dewitt Wallace Galleries folk art exhibition. He also performed for the Jamestown Godspeed Sail and Landing Party Festival.
Profile Image of Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall View biography
Tom Marshall has been an instructor in the music department at the College of William and Mary and a harpsichordist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for more than 20 years. Not only is he featured playing original instruments in many of Williamsburg’s historical recordings but he has made seven study explorations in Europe to examine and play many surviving keyboard instruments from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Profile Image of Anne Conkling
Anne Conkling View biography
A native of Pennsylvania with family roots deep in that state, Anne Conkling attended American University before finally settling in Williamsburg, Va. She has a passion for anything historical, particularly from the period 1500-1875. Her interests include colonial Virginia, the role of the Anglican Church in colonization, royal charters, political life cycles, and the roles of women of all races. Anne has written for various newspapers and publications, is a historical interpreter at Bruton Parish Church, and a teacher of historical interpreters at Jamestown Island.
Profile Image of Mary Griffith
Mary Griffith View biography
Mary Griffith, a chocolatier, has an MBA from Old Dominion University and started Virginia's Finest Chocolate while an undergraduate student at Christopher Newport University. Taking the Small Business Institute class, she created the business plan for Virginia's Finest Chocolate and carried it out. For more than 25 years, Mary has enjoyed sharing her love for all things chocolate with her handmade products and educational programs. Her products carry Virginia's Finest Trademark as awarded by the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Profile Image of Christi Pancoast
Christi Pancoast View biography
Christi Pancoast is originally from Ohio and has been a teacher in Richmond, Virginia for over two decades. She is a self-proclaimed travel junkie, lifelong learner, and people enthusiast. In her free time, she enjoys Zumba, yoga, and being with her friends.
Profile Image of Mary Alie
Mary Alie View biography
Mary had a 34-year career in education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. Since retiring in 2001, Mary has worked as a schools and groups Interpreter for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She has also served as an instructor for the Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Institute. Mary also serves as a costumed interpreter in Colonial Williamsburg’s original and restored homes and public buildings, such as the Governor’s Palace and the Colonial Capitol.
Profile Image of Teri Toepke
Teri Toepke View biography
Teri Toepke has been an educator for her entire adult life. She graduated from The College of William & Mary with a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Special Education, and advanced course work in administration. She taught at Eastern State Hospital, public and private schools, and Hampton University Department of Education. Moving into museum education, she provided educational programs for children and adults. In 2006, she returned to the College as director of Learning Odysseys. Teri is a Civil War historian and reenactor.
Profile Image of Debbie Downs
Debbie Downs View biography
Debbie Downs has worked on Road Scholar programs since 2005. She has worked with Colonial Williamsburg as school group interpreter, educational specialist, and an African-American history interpreter. She currently works as an instructor for Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute and Evening Programs. She also serves as a program manager for the Shadows of the Past, telling ghost stories. Debbie has a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University and is employed by Newport News Public Schools as a pre-kindergarten teacher.
Profile Image of BJ Pryor
B.J. Pryor was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and attended the College of William and Mary. He spent his first year after graduation in Vienna, Austria, but returned to Williamsburg in 1979 and, the following year, took a job at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where he remained for almost 40 years. He played many roles, including the impersonation of several "people of the past." Since leaving Colonial Williamsburg, he has made his portrayal of Benjamin Franklin available to schools, museums, and special events.
Profile Image of Heather Pfeifer
Heather Pfeifer View biography
Heather Pfeifer, after obtaining a degree in history from Frostburg State University, used her passion to work at Fort Frederick State Park before coming to Virginia and Colonial Williamsburg. She has been a historical interpreter, storyteller, and character interpreter for over a decade. Heather is currently researching women’s rights in the colonial era as well as partnering with her husband, Michael, to research Virginia’s first openly Catholic family. In her free time, she likes to make craft items for friends and family.
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