Williamsburg: Colonial Christmas walking tour with guide

Summary

Walk candle-lit streets & hear Williamsburg’s holiday stories

You’ll walk Williamsburg’s historic streets by candlelight with a local guide in costume, hearing stories behind colonial Christmas traditions and seeing decorated homes as they were centuries ago. Expect laughter, unexpected details (pirate tales included), and small sensory moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You know, I never thought I’d laugh so much on a history tour — but there we were, following our guide (full 18th-century getup, tricorn hat and all) through the chilly streets of Colonial Williamsburg. She handed us these little candles at the start — not real ones, but they flickered just enough to make me feel like I’d stepped sideways in time. The air smelled faintly of pine and something sweet from one of the houses. We stopped outside the Geddy House while she told us how colonists made their own decorations — apples, pineapples, bits of ribbon. I tried to picture it all by candlelight, and honestly, it was easier than I expected.”

There was this moment near Bruton Parish Church where everything went quiet except for our guide’s voice and the crunch of gravel underfoot. She explained how Christmas wasn’t always about trees and presents here — sometimes it was just a simple meal or a hymn sung together. I caught myself humming along when she mentioned an old carol (I’m not sure which one). And then she threw in a story about pirates celebrating Christmas — apparently rum was involved, which made everyone laugh. The kids in our group kept asking questions about pirates after that; can’t blame them.

The decorations weren’t flashy — more like careful arrangements of fruit and greenery on doors, with candles glowing in the windows. It felt honest somehow, not staged for photos but for people who actually lived here centuries ago. Our guide waved at someone across the street (I think he was another reenactor), and they exchanged some joke about figgy pudding that went over my head. By the end, my hands were cold but my head was full of odd little facts and images I didn’t expect to care about so much. Still thinking about those quiet moments outside the church.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Colonial Christmas Traditions Tour

• Hear holiday tradition stories and see decorated historic homes
• Visit Bruton Parish Episcopal Church Christmas traditions
• Learn colonists' customs and traditions

Top questions

Is the Colonial Christmas walking tour in Williamsburg wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible.

Are strollers or prams allowed on this Williamsburg Christmas tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Does the guided Colonial Christmas tour include entry to any buildings?

The tour focuses on walking past decorated homes and hearing stories outside; entry is not specified.

Are service animals allowed on this Williamsburg holiday tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

What attractions are visited during the Colonial Christmas walking tour?

The tour includes stops at Colonial Williamsburg sites like Geddy House, St. George Tucker House, Palmer home, and Bruton Parish Episcopal Church.

Is public transportation nearby for this Williamsburg Christmas experience?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided walk through Colonial Williamsburg with a costumed local guide sharing holiday stories at decorated historic homes like Geddy House and Bruton Parish Church. Each guest gets a flickering Christmas candle to carry along the way before heading back warmed by new memories.