Best things to do in Williamsburg: January 2025

Best things to do in and around Williamsburg – January 2025

Blow the budget at Christmas and now fun in January is looking like a non-existent option? Well here is a list that may help. If you are looking for fun free, or not too expensive things to do this January in the Williamsburg, James City County and Yorktown area (and a little further down the Peninsula) below is the list for you!

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink in Colonial Williamsburg 
Open Daily

Liberty Ice Pavilion will open daily through February 28, 2025, including holidays! Ice skate with your family on Duke of Gloucester Street at the outdoor Liberty Ice Pavilion! You can purchase day tickets or if you know you are going to be going more than a few times between – consider getting a Skate Season Pass. Day Passes and hours of operation here.

Visit Colonial Williamsburg

NEW lower tickets prices at Colonial Williamsburg starting January 2, 2025. As Colonial Williamsburg gears up for the nation’s 250th anniversary and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s centennial in 2026, they announced lower admission prices to make history more accessible to everyone! More info…

Activities in the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg

Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg is currently FREE!  Explore the Art Museum on your own and/or take a 40 minute guided tour (daily in January). There is a Black Artists and Artisans tour (Tuesdays), drop-in Pop-Up Archaeology (Thursdays) and Good Stories about Great Stuff tour (Fridays). All are worth repeat visits to this world class museum. Learn more…

Open Gym at Williamsburg Gymnastics

Preschool Open Gym – January 9 & 23 from 10:30am-12pm
School Age Open Gym – January 11 from 5 – 7 pm  & January 20 from 10 am – 12 pm 
Open gym is open to the public and a great way to get the kids out of the house and release some of the pent-up energy that winter can sometimes bring. Staff are on hand to ensure a safe environment for all. Parents of preschoolers are required to stay. Register online.

Fitness Open House at James City County Parks & Recreation

Saturday, January 11 from 9 – 11 am

It is time for a new healthy routine in the New Year! Meet their instructors, reserve a spot for demo classes and receive information on all that James City County Health & Wellness has to offer. Raffle prizes and Sentara Health Screenings. All ages. Free event. More info…

American Revolutionary Museum Yorktown – Free Admission for locals*

I had the good fortune of getting to spend a day with 4th graders on their field trip to the American Revolutionary Museum in Yorktown and it made me remember why I love this museum. Hallographic projections telling history to us in the first person. A movie theater in the round that tells the epic story of the last days of the decisive Battle of Yorktown. Your seats shudder when the bombs blast and smokey fog rises from the floor as the guns fire. But this is just on the inside of the museum. Outside museum interpreters are there in a rebuilt Revolutionary period town with a farm and roaming chickens. And that is just what we saw during a two hour field trip. Spend a day there and you will be amazed! *Best part? Residents of Williamsburg, James City County and Yorktown get in free with proof of residency.

Junior Handler Workshop at Zoom Room

January 11 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Do you want to learn amazing things with your furry friend? Join their Junior Handler Workshop (ages 8 -11) and discover tricks, agility, obedience, and so much more—all guided by the expert Zoom Room Trainers! More info…

Tweens & Teens Pokémon Meetup at Tap N Roll

January 12 at 2 pm

Ready to catch ’em all and meet some new friends? Whether you’re an experienced Trainer or just getting started, this is a fun, casual space to play, trade, learn, and show off your best decks. Don’t miss the chance to meet other Pokémon fans and make some new connections. More info

Director’s Series: Dr. Thomas E. Chávez at Jamestown Settlement

January 15 at 7 pm

Enjoy a thought-provoking conversation when Christy S. Coleman, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, as she sits down with Dr. Thomas E. Chávez. Chávez is a prolific historian and author exploring Spanish America and its intersections in the fight for American independence, a topic of his forthcoming book, “Revolutionary Diplomacy: Spanish Statecraft and the Birth of the United States.” He is former executive director of the National Hispanic Culture Center in Albuquerque and Palace of the Governors State History Museum in Santa Ferguson HVAC – Lyon Conklin. Join in-person or virtually for $10 per program or $50 for the entire series of six speakers. Admission is limited and tickets must be purchased online in advance. 

Cabin Fever Concert with Skylark in Yorktown

January 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Cabin Fever Concert Series kicks off with Skylark! This jazz band provides sophisticated, funky grooves that are different from your typical top 40 or swing groups. You’ll hear songs you know, but with new, modern arrangements, along with your favorite classics. Concerts are free but space is limited so come early. More info…

Colonial Williamsburg Restaurant Week

January 12–25

Colonial Williamsburg invites you step back through time and indulge in centuries of flavor. The now-extended Restaurant Week features local restaurants with special pricing and menus. Whether starting your day with a refreshing breakfast or indulging in a hearty evening meal, Restaurant Week menus offer a dining experience unlike any other. See the list of restaurants and make reservations.

Winter Blues Jazz Fest

January 17 – 20

The four-day Winter Blues Jazz Fest is back for its 11th year! The festival provides an enriching and entertaining weekend full of music and educational programs with options available to suit all tastes and budgets. The Winter Blues Jazz Fest has a little something for everyone. Most events will take place at The College of William & Mary Alumni House. Check out all the events and reserve your ticket here.

National Parks Fee Free Day

Monday, January 20

National Park Service sites will have free admission for everyone as the first fee free day of the year.

Three Rivers/Three Peoples Hike at York River State Park

January 20 from 10 am – noon

This hik, honors the shared history of African, European, and Native Americans who made their homes along the Mattaponi, Pamunkey, and York Rivers. We will stop at certain points along the trails, in particular those that highlight the  history of Taskinas Plantation (the colonial name for where our park is located) and other areas of historic significance.  Of course, if something unique in the natural world captures our attention, we will share about that as well…More info

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events in the area

Here are some local and regional events being held for Martin Luther King Day on January 20, 2025.

Swiftie Paint Night – IN MY POTTERY ERA at Paint on Pottery

January 25 from 6 – 8 pm

Paint on Pottery will provide various TS stencils, assist with cute designs, and play all your favorite Taylor Swift hits. All ages welcome. $10.00 per ticket to reserve your spot + Pay for the pottery piece of your choice at the event. Registration information here.

Williamsburg Players presents Deathtrap at Williamsburg Players

Opens Jan. 31 at 8 pm

Sidney Bruhl, a once-successful playwright, faces a creative slump and financial woes in his Connecticut home. When he receives a brilliant thriller script from a student, he sees a chance to reclaim his fortune. Teaming up with his wife, Sidney proposes a collaboration, which the eager student accepts. What follows is a suspenseful and darkly humorous tale full of clever twists, keeping audiences riveted until the shocking finale. Don’t miss it at Williamsburg Players, select dates Jan. 31 – Feb. 16, 2025 Tickets and dates.

Busch Gardens Mardi Gras

January 24 – 26 & 31

Busch Gardens Williamsburg will celebrate Mardi Gras! Learn more about this festive event at Busch Gardens! Continues select dates in February. Need discount tickets? Visit here.

Basset Trace Nature Trail

If the weather holds..enjoy the Basset Trace Trail in Colonial Williamsburg. This is a free access trail to visitors and locals a like. Re-opened in the fall of 2019 this trail is beautiful. It has markers along the way to let you know about the different types of trees, shrubs and plants along the trail . Take a snap shot of the Bird Guide poster at the trail head so you can identify what you spot along your walk. Trail is 1.4 miles (2.8 mile round trip). Here is more on the Bassett Trace Nature Trail

Mariners Museum

$1 Admission – This museum took a bold stand two years ago and committed to $1 admission. That is right! Now they also have great films running and those are for an extra fee – so you might still consider purchasing a family membership. But they have great family programming including storytimes. This permanent exhibits in this museum will delight young and old and there is so much there – you can keep visiting over and over. They do have a restaurant but it is limited hours so check before you go. Their gift shop is worth a visit too! Learn more about them here.