What's Happening in Williamsburg, VA…

An annual event that signals the start of the holidays has been scheduled for Colonial Williamsburg.

A long tradition informs the upcoming event in the historic city. In the 1700s, it was customary to celebrate special events, such as military victories, the king's birthday, or the arrival of an important person such as a new governor for the colony, by setting off fireworks and firing guns. This type of celebration was known as an illumination, and today, Williamsburg begins the holidays with a Grand Illumination.

Not only will there be extravagant fireworks displays, but various performers will be providing live musical entertainment from various stages throughout the city. In addition, Colonial Williamsburg will be sporting unique decorations that preserve colonial practices.

A living-history museum, Colonial Williamsburg covers 301 acres, and features several hundred buildings that were either recreated or restored to authentically represent the city as it was in the 1700s, when it was the Virginia Colony's capital.

The date of this year's Grand Illumination is December 6, with the music beginning at 5:15 pm, and fireworks following at 7:00 pm. Fireworks will be displayed in three places—the Capitol, the Magazine, and the Palace. Organizers ask that people planning on attending check for updates regarding any changes in the schedule. Flyer printing can be used to create handouts for those attending celebrations like this, listing the sequence of events.