Holiday & Christmas Events in Yorktown – December 2024
Holiday and Christmas Events in Yorktown December 2024
December is a special time of year with many traditions that we look forward to all year. Yorktown is known for putting on a series of Christmas events that are family friendly and full of cheer. The following list give you and your family many options of ways to herald in your Christmas spirit!
Make sure to get a photo with the LOVE Letters! They are a permanent fixture at the waterfront! They are decorated to reflect the season so come down and see how they look this Christmas Season!
Christmas Tree Lighting – Victory Monument & Yorktown Waterfront
Friday, December 6
Monument Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tree Lighting at 7:30 p.m.
Our events kick off with Yorktown’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This community tradition goes all the way back to 1945. That’s the year that Reverend Claud G. Barkley, Pastor of Yorktown Baptist Church, and staff from the County Clerk’s office, decorated a cedar tree that stood at the corner of Main and Ballard Streets. The York County Historical Committee works hard to keep this ritual going! The tree that is used today is a 24-foot Tannenbaum tower tree placed down in Riverwalk Landing.
Everyone is invited to gather at the Yorktown Victory Monument by 6:30 p.m. for live music, including a performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town. From there, the procession will make its way from the Victory Monument to Riverwalk Landing, where the tree lighting ceremony will begin. Make sure you stay for a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, eager to hear all those wish lists! More info
Christmas Market on Main
Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Street
Whether you’re searching for a holiday gift for family and friends or a treat for yourself—you’re sure to find it at the Christmas Market on Main Street! This is one of the most anticipated Yorktown events every year. Close to 100 vendors line the street for the weekend – selling everything from local art like paintings, jewelry, and photography to breads, sweets, and other goodies. Get your greenery and Christmas wreaths too!
The Town Crier rings in the market at 10 a.m. followed by a performance from The Fifes and Drums of York Town to open the market. Then, Santa Claus himself will ride in on York County’s first fire truck before greeting the crowd. Expect strolling musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere. It simply doesn’t get more Christmas than this! View the schedule for Saturday here.
Sunday
The Market continues on Sunday from 11 to 3, so if you can’t make it on Saturday, you have another chance! For the second day, vendors, artists, and food trucks will line the street selling everything from local art (including ornaments) to seasonal foods to greenery and Christmas wreaths. Expect strolling musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere! View the schedule for Sunday here.
Viking Yuletide Celebration
Saturday December 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Watermen’s Museum
Join Odin and local Vikings as they celebrate the Yuletide. Observe a Victorian age reenactment and hear St. Nicholas contrast both eras’ contributions to today’s holiday celebrations. The Museum will be hosting games, crafts, shows, and more. More info
Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m
Watch as a fleet of decorated boats navigate around the York River and compete for best in show!
Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. and include caroling around illuminated braziers, a musical performance by the Fifes & Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider. The boats will finish out the evening, as they make their way down the river in a dazzling show of lights that starts at 7 p.m. This annual event has been a community tradition for more than two decades, and brings neighbors together to celebrate the season.
The boats will finish out the evening, as they make their way down the river in a dazzling show of lights that starts at 7 p.m. This annual event has been a community tradition for more than two decades.
As an added safety precaution, families are encouraged to bring flashlights to assist in navigation around town at night. No rain dates are scheduled for the holiday weekend events. In the event weather conditions pose a threat, please call the York County event weather hotline for the most current information at 757.890.3520. This event is sponsored by the Yorktown Foundation. Info
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 8 at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Riverwalk Restaurant
Breakfast with Santa is coming back! After a five-year hiatus, Riverwalk Restaurant will be hosting the memorable event! Enjoy a delicious meal with St. Nicholas as you dine at the beautiful Riverwalk Restaurant. A balloon artist will entertain children while kids get pictures with the jolly guy. There will be other surprises throughout the breakfast, and Santa will read “The Night Before Christmas” after guests’ bellies are full. Reservations are required, signup.
Cookies with Santa
Sunday, December 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Gallery at York Hall – Main Street
The Gallery at York Hall is excited to host Cookies with Santa. It’s free for families. Bring your phones or cameras, wish lists to share with Santa! Don’t forget to stop inside the Gallery on your way out to pick up unique Christmas presents handcrafted by local artists. The Gallery is filled with local one-of-a-kind art pieces from hundreds of local artists, in all types of mediums. For more information on specific exhibits, call the Gallery at York Hall. More info at VisitYorktown.org
An Enchanted Evening on Main Street
Friday, December 13 from 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Street
Enjoy a nighttime Christmas market! Shop amid the twinkling lights, festive music, and nostalgic aromas of roasting chestnuts and hot cider. Find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative or something perfect just for yourself. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform, as well. Wrap up your shopping while enjoying all the enchantment Historic Yorktown has to offer – at night!
Food trucks onsite, crafts for kids, live nativity scene (grassy area in front of York Hall), Santa and much more. View the full list of activities here
Mistletoe Market & Toyland Parade
Saturday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Riverwalk Landing – Yorktown Waterfront
Browse the market for chowders and soups; baked goods, including an assortment of cakes, breads, brownies, fudge, and cookies; jams, jellies, and honey; holiday wreaths; candles and soaps; and seasonal art!
March in the annual Toyland Parade, (family and pet friendly) and don’t forget to hop aboard the Riverwalk Landing Polar Express for a loop around the festivities. More on this event here
Wreaths Across America – Wreath Laying Ceremony
Saturday, December 14 at 12 p.m.
Location: Yorktown National Cemetery
Fresh Christmas wreaths will be placed on grave markers at the Yorktown National Cemetery in this remembrance ceremony conducted by the Yorktown Coast Guard Station to pay tribute to our fallen war veterans. This event joins several others across the country that happen on this same day and at the same time. The ceremony is open to the public, with parking at the Battlefield Visitor Center.
Christmastide in Virginia
December 20 – 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day)
Location: American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Get a glimpse of 18th– century holiday traditions through interpretive programs and demonstrations at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. On the Revolution-era farm adorned with greenery, historical interpreters compare and contrast 18th-century holiday traditions with those of modern times and demonstrate a variety of holiday activities, from setting a farmhouse table for a holiday feast and open-hearth cooking of period dishes. Visitors can take part in making traditional holiday pomanders with cloves and oranges.
At 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day, visitors can enjoy the sounds of Christmas through traditional carols and musical performances.
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