Find Events For Your Visit

Each Tuesday, visitors to Colonial Williamsburg are encouraged to view archaeological objects and to learn about current research being undertaken by the Foundation's archaeological staff. Tours cover the history of archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg and highlight artifacts and other evidence from more recent excavations.

Interaction with Foundation archaeologists provides insight into excavation techniques, curatorial efforts, and the functions of various labs. Participants will learn how artifacts, plant remains, and animal bones play roles in the history interpreted at Colonial Williamsburg today.

Check "Colonial Williamsburg This Week" for starting location. Tours last 90 minutes and begin at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 2:45 p.m.

Available only with Freedom Pass or Independence Pass. Due to limited availability, reservations must be booked on-site at any CW ticket location.

Available to Colonial Williamsburg Liberty Pass, Hotel Guest Pass, Freedom Pass or Independence Pass holders only.

Celebrate Colonial Williamsburg’s Black History Month and discover how colonial African Virginians fought for their individual and collective freedom in the face of a slave society. Programs this month will offer dramatic interpretations and compelling discussions to illuminate the lives of these courageous early Americans.

See an extensive collection of American and British antiques. See furniture, metals, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, firearms, and textiles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and the Public Hospital of 1773. Attend lectures and musical performances in the Hennage Auditorium. Visit the Museum Store and the Museum Café.

View Current Exhibits

Enjoy changing exhibitions of American folk art, the colonial and contemporary artists and craftspeople who work outside the mainstream of academic art to record aspects of everyday life. Attend lectures and musical performances in the Hennage Auditorium. Visit the Museum Store and the Museum Café.

View Current Exhibits

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

The orientation walk is designed to help guests plan their visit. Guides share the latest information on programming, dining and shopping options.  Guests get an overview of the 18th century community and learn about the restoration of Williamsburg.  The experience lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Included in all Historic Area or Museum admission passes. Tours depart at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 2:00 and 3:00.

Stop by to chat and enjoy music played by a member of the resident performing ensemble at Colonial Williamsburg, the Governor’s Musick. Program is ongoing and guests can come and go as they wish. Space is limited.

Guided tours by knowledgeable museum volunteers introduce you to some of the masterworks on exhibit, such as paintings, ceramics, furniture and silver.

Included in museum admission ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Come and participate in a local court session where lives, liberties and property come into contest.  Our guests may take on roles as justices, attorneys, litigants, petitioners or defendants.  See how the rights of Virginians were maintained in open court.

25 minute program.

Let us introduce you to an evening at the theater. A favorite pastime of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, century theater reflects the popular culture of the day from marriage, fortune, and title to master-servant relationships--no topic escapes the 18th century stage.

Guided tours by knowledgeable museum volunteers introduce you to the whimsical and fascinating paintings, sculpture, textiles and more from Mrs. Rockefeller's original collection, for which the museum was founded.

Thirty-minute tours begin at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Included in museum admission ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Is the theater a moral academy or the devil’s chapel? It’s the players vs. the pulpit! Hear sermons and letters from both sides of the argument brought to life as fiery rhetoric and comic quips meet head to head. Join members of the Performing Arts Department as they take a look at the debate over theater’s place in society, focusing on audiences in London and Virginia, the Church of England, and the famous Methodist preacher, George Whitefield.

The world is familiar with the accomplishments of America’s historical giants, men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. The efforts of these great men were essential to the overthrow of tyranny and the establishment of the United States as a self governing republic. But their contributions were made possible only by the often overlooked people of history on whose shoulders these first line patriots stood.

These people, preachers and house servants, enslaved and free, who lived their lives, some heroically and some humbly, were nation builders no less than the Washingtons, Jeffersons and Henrys of history. Have a conversation with a Nation Builder as they discuss the "Revolutionary" events that helped to inspire and influence the ideas of their American dream.

Guided tours by knowledgeable museum volunteers introduce you to some of the masterworks on exhibit, such as paintings, ceramics, furniture and silver.

Included in museum admission ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Guided tours by knowledgeable museum volunteers introduce you to the whimsical and fascinating paintings, sculpture, textiles and more from Mrs. Rockefeller's original collection, for which the museum was founded.

Thirty-minute tours begin at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Included in museum admission ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Museum volunteers guide this in-depth tour of 18th and early 19th century furniture including rare baroque, rococco and neo-classical tables, chairs, chests and desks.

45-minute tours begin at 2:15 and 3:30 p.m.  Included in Museum Admission Ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

How does the colonial performing artist develop his art? How are costumes, sets, scripts, and music brought to life for a colonial audience? Drop in and chat with our Performing Arts staff as they share with you some costuming, props and theatrical images.

Stay for as little or as long as you wish—this is the chance to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

On a guided tour, explore 18th & 19th century folk art created by or depicting African Americans and discover what the art tells us about their lives.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Museum volunteers guide this in-depth tour of 18th and early 19th century furniture including rare baroque, rococco and neo-classical tables, chairs, chests and desks.

45-minute tours begin at 2:15 and 3:30 p.m.  Included in Museum Admission Ticket.

Programs and exhibitions at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

Monday, Feb. 1 - Thursday, Feb. 11
Shows at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Not rated
Cedric Klapisch, director of L’auberge Espagnole, gathers together an all-star cast including Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche and Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds) for a valentine to the city of lights. While waiting for a heart transplant that could save his life, Pierre (Romain Duris) grows closer to his sister and her lively children. Inspired by his family and observation of the teeming streets outside his window, Pierre regains hope in the time he has left. The Film explores the life and love possible only in the city that holds a story behind every shop window, small alley, street market or grand apartment building. French with subtitles. Feb. 2, 4-8, 10 screening room. 129 mins.

Ticketed event.

Mon., Feb. 8–Wed., Feb. 17
Shows at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m.
Rated: PG-13
An aging Tennessee farmer returns to his homestead and must confront a family betrayal, the reappearance of an old enemy, and the loss of his farm. Based on a short story by acclaimed author William Gay. Written and directed by Scott Teems. Starring Hal Holbrook, Barry Corbin, Raymond McKinnon and Mia Wasikowska. Winner of the Audience Choice Award Best Feature Film at the 2009
Feb. 9, 11–16 screening room. 109 mins.

Reservations or additional tickets required. Call 1-800-HISTORY for prices and reservations.

Monday, Feb. 1 - Thursday, Feb. 11
Shows at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Not rated
Cedric Klapisch, director of L’auberge Espagnole, gathers together an all-star cast including Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche and Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds) for a valentine to the city of lights. While waiting for a heart transplant that could save his life, Pierre (Romain Duris) grows closer to his sister and her lively children. Inspired by his family and observation of the teeming streets outside his window, Pierre regains hope in the time he has left. The Film explores the life and love possible only in the city that holds a story behind every shop window, small alley, street market or grand apartment building. French with subtitles. Feb. 2, 4-8, 10 screening room. 129 mins.

Ticketed event.

Mon., Feb. 8–Wed., Feb. 17
Shows at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m.
Rated: PG-13
An aging Tennessee farmer returns to his homestead and must confront a family betrayal, the reappearance of an old enemy, and the loss of his farm. Based on a short story by acclaimed author William Gay. Written and directed by Scott Teems. Starring Hal Holbrook, Barry Corbin, Raymond McKinnon and Mia Wasikowska. Winner of the Audience Choice Award Best Feature Film at the 2009
Feb. 9, 11–16 screening room. 109 mins.

Reservations or additional tickets required. Call 1-800-HISTORY for prices and reservations.

Ticketed event.

The regal palace of the Royal Governor comes to life by candlelight as Colonial Williamsburg's early music ensemble, the Governor's Musick, offers an evening of chamber music. The concert repertoire is custom-crafted to each performance, and varies throughout the season. The program includes music known in colonial Virginia as well as music from Europe and England.

Adult tickets are $12, children (under 6) $6.00.

Reservations or additional tickets required. Call 1-800-HISTORY for prices and reservations.

Ticketed event.

The regal palace of the Royal Governor comes to life by candlelight as Colonial Williamsburg's early music ensemble, the Governor's Musick, offers an evening of chamber music. The concert repertoire is custom-crafted to each performance, and varies throughout the season. The program includes music known in colonial Virginia as well as music from Europe and England.

Adult tickets are $12, children (under 6) $6.00.

Reservations or additional tickets required. Call 1-800-HISTORY for prices and reservations.