Williamsburg Grand Illumination (homes, shops, buses)

[flowerlady9]

This will be my first time attending the Grand Illumination on Sunday. I understand it gets very crowded. Where is the best place to park? And when is the best time to arrive?

Thanks.

[Mr Williamsburg]

Park at the Visitors' Center, you can ride the shuttle bus to the Governor's Palace stop for free. You don't even need a pass. The shuttle runs all day until 5:45 p.m., then starts up again at 8:30, after the festivities are finished.


At the historic area, there are four stages and four identical fireworks performances. These are the old-fashioned lower fireworks, not the 4th of the July kind which explode way up in the air. So you're likely to be very far back and, unless you're tall, have your view partially blocked by the crowd.


There are actually two sets of fireworks shot off at the Capitol. There's always a big crowd on the south lawn, but the crowd's always smaller on the north side.

On Sunday, entertainment begins on the four stages at 4:45 p.m. At 5:45, the Fifes and Drums signal the beginning of Grand Illumination.

At 6:15, candles are lit in public buildings, shops and homes, and fireworks are launched from the Governor's Palace, the Magazine and the Capitol.

[flowerlady9]

Thanks for the information. Very helpful. Just a point of clarification. Did you mean that the buses back to the visitors center start back at 7:30 or 8:30. Do the fireworks, etc. go on until 8:30?

[Mr Williamsburg]

Clarification according to phone operator at CW
Red Line Bus from Visitor Center to Gov Palace stops running at 545pm. It resumes at 800 pm and runs until 1000 pm .
Entertainment stops at 700pm.


From CW website Colonial Williamsburg heralds the Christmas season with candles, fireworks and music during Grand Illumination. The celebration begins at 4:45 p.m. on outdoor stages throughout the Historic Area. Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums provide 18th-century music as costumed performers present holiday entertainment found in Williamsburg two centuries ago.
At 5:45 p.m., the Fifes and Drums signal the beginning of the Grand Illumination. At 6:15 p.m., candles are lit in public buildings, shops and homes, and fireworks are launched at three Historic Area locations: the Governor’s Palace, Magazine and Capitol. After the fireworks, entertainment resumes on the outdoor stages, continuing until 7:30 p.m. ( operator on the phone said 7 )


NOTICE: All events and exhibits listed on the calendar are subject to change. Call 1-800-HISTORY for reservations and check the daily program schedule upon arrival.
You can look up anything about Colonial Williamsburg on their wonderful website www.History.org

[flowerlady9]

Thanks again. The CW folks seem to have a different story depending on who you talk to. The person at the info desk at the Visitor Center yesterday told me the buses stop running from the Visitor Center at 4! Oh well, I'll go early and plan to stay late.

I'm still looking forward to it!