Top Things to Do in Williamsburg in May 2024
Top Things to Do in Williamsburg in May 2024
Here are a list of top things to do in Williamsburg with kids, teens or adults on a date night or afternoon out. May is an exciting time of year, the weather is warming up, the thrill of summer approaching is igniting and the beauty of Spring is on full display, this is a great time to get out and explore!
Top Things to Do in Williamsburg, Yorktown and surrounding towns in May 2024. In this big list we actually have a couple of other posts like our “Things to Do on Mother’s Day Weekend in Williamsburg” and our “Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend” that will give you another set of events!
Events are in date order so you can plan your month:
Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens
Thursdays – Sundays in May
Flavors are in full bloom this spring as Busch Gardens’ Food & Wine Festival returns on Thursdays through Sundays from April 25 – June 9, plus Memorial Day. Explore over 150 international flavors at eighteen themed food and beverage locations throughout the park, including NEW menus inspired by Africa and Turkey. With over 85 NEW specialty menu options, and exclusive wine and liquor tastings, every visit offers a new adventure for culinary explorers. Embrace your taste for thrills on the reimagined Loch Ness Monster®.
New Town Tunes – Free Concert Series
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Family and dog friendly. Enjoy food and drink for purchase from local restaurants, food trucks and breweries. Learn more
May 1 – Revelation
May 8 – *Double Header* Billy Joe Daniel Band and Lenny Holmes Hendrix Forever
May 15 – Captain Mike & the Shipwrecked
May 22 – *Double Header* Identity Crisis and Dog Street Boys
May 29 – The English Channel
June 5 – Shades of Gray
June 12 – *Double Header* Skinner Box and Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe
Fantastic Cat – Merchants Square
Friday, May 3 from 6 pm – 8 pm
It’s back and and we mean back…back to the original location and back with an amazing line up! Mark your calendars for the grand inaugural event on Friday, May 3rd, because you will be entertained by the soul-stirring tunes of Fantastic Cat. This concert opens the 2024 Season of the FREE Merchants Square Concert Series! Concerts are on the First Fridays of the Month!! .. See the full list of bands – More Info
Williamsburg Farmers Market
Saturday May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 8 am to noon
Start your Saturday morning at the Williamsburg Farmers Market – it opens at 8 am runs until noon. You can get baked goods, plants, veggies, meat and even that much needed cup of delicious coffee. Bring your friends, your family, and your dog. If you are wondering who the vendors are – and who is playing live… More Info
Indigenous Arts Day – Jamestown Settlement
Saturday, May 4 from 11 am to 5 pm
Bring the family to Indigenous Arts Day. It celebrates the enduring legacies of Indigenous cultures with traditional and contemporary art forms by Indigenous artists, including special outdoor performances of music and dance. Clark Stewart (Chickahominy) will emcee performances on Jamestown Settlement’s mall, where a variety of Indigenous artists and craftspeople will….more info
3rd Annual Community Pickleball Challenge
May 4 & 5
Veterans Park 3793
Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg
3rd Annual Community Pickleball Challenge May 4 & 5, 2024 – 9 am to 5 pm Various Locations: Veterans Park, Colonial Heritage, Ford’s Colony, Governor’s Land, Kingsmill, Williamsburg Landing, Windsor CONTINUE READING
Kentucky Derby Event at the Golden Horseshoe Clubhouse
Golden Horseshoe Clubhouse
Date: May 4, 2024
Time: 4pm-7pm
The Kentucky Derby Will Be Aired at Approximately 6:45pm
Includes Complimentary Hibiscus Mint Lemonade, Two Drink Tickets, and Grazing Dinner
Music By Something Different Duo.
COME DRESSED TO IMPRESS!! For a Chance to Win Prizes for…
Best Big Hat
Most Creative Big Hat
Best Dressed Southern Bell and Gentleman Book your reservations
TMDC presents ONE
Saturday, May 4
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Crosswalk Church
7575 Richmond Road, Williamsburg
Ones emotion may be colored with different shadows, but love, hope and pain in all its different expressions is felt individually and collectively, Emotion is not measured or granted to
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Lighting of the Cressets in Colonial Williamsburg
FREE and open to the public.
- May 4, 11, 18 & 25, and June 1 from 8 pm–10 pm
Head to Colonial Williamsburg at night on the historic Duke of Gloucester Street – they will be Lighting of the Cressets this spring! The 18th-century lighting brings the streets to life at night – so don’t miss the strolling musicians and make sure to take
Sentara Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy
May 10 @ 8:00 am – May 11 @ 5:00 pm
Chickahominy Riverfront Park 1350 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg
Gear up for the 19th annual Sentara Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy, one of the region’s premier cycling events on May 10th and 11th. Explore the scenic Virginia Capital Trail,
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Art on the River – Riverwalk Landing
Sunday, May 5
Riverwalk Landing, Historic Yorktown
10 am to 4 pm
Come to the wonderful 11th Annual Art on River This juried art show at the waterfront features the work of more than 35 local artists. You and your family can stroll down the Riverwalk and check out incredible one-of-a-kind works on display and for sale – including paintings, pottery, jewelry, glass arts, photography, woodwork, metalwork, and much more! Live music and great food will round out the day. More info
Mother’s Day Weekend Tea – Williamsburg Inn
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 9, 10 & 11 from 2 – 3 pm
Treat Mom, friends, and loved ones to the fine tradition of Afternoon Tea at The Williamsburg Inn with an exciting Mother’s Day spring-themed tea. It’s not on Mother’s Day but starts the Thursday leading up to it and then again on Friday & Saturday!. More Info
Vintage Market & Car Show Saturday May 11, 2024
Stroll through our Vintage Market at Riverwalk Landing from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to hunt for upcycled treasures and beautiful collectibles, then head up the hill to Historic Main Street–our showplace for more than a dozen fully restored classic cars.
Burning of the Socks/Canoe & Kayak Season Kick-Off
May 11 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
York River State Park
Begin your canoe and kayak adventure with a rite of Spring on the Chesapeake Bay. Burning socks is a tradition among sailors near Annapolis. We will not need them with CONTINUE READING
ART@W&M – WILLIAM & MARY ART DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 11
11 am – 4 pm
Andrews Hall, William & Mary,
605 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg
On Saturday, May 11, from 11am-4pm, the Department of Art & Art History will host a community open house for families in the greater Williamsburg/Hampton Roads area, featuring a printing
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Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibition
Saturday, May 11 – Dec 1
9 am – 5 pm
Jamestown Settlement 2110 Jamestown Road, Route 31, Williamsburg
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibition A new special exhibition is opening May 11 at Jamestown Settlement, featuring the works of two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. CONTINUE READING
Director’s Series: Ruth Carter
May 11 at 3 pm
Jamestown Settlement
Ruth Carter is a two-time Academy Award-winning American costume designer for film and television, best known for her collaborations with Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler and Steven Spielberg. Her visit coincides with the May 2024 opening of her “Afrofuturism in Costume Design” exhibit at Jamestown Settlement. Get Tickets
Water Country USA opens for the 2024 Season on May 11
Get ready to take on the park’s thrilling slides, refreshing pools, and lazy rivers. The park opens the following weekends May 11th & 12th and 18th & 19th, opens daily starting May 24th! More info
Where to take Mom to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Colonial Williamsburg
Mother’s Day Brunch Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 12 2024
11 am – 2 pm
Mother’s Day Brunch Traditions – Williamsburg Lodge
Sunday, May 12, 2024
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Mother’s Day Brunch at the King’s Arms Tavern
Sunday, May 12, 2024
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Mother’s Day Brunch at the Williamsburg Inn
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Brunch will be served in Rockefeller Room & Terrace Room
2nd Sunday Art & Music Festival
May 12, 2024
400 Prince George Street, Williamsburg (and surrounding streets)
11 am – 5 pm
Shop unique handcrafts with 150+ artisan vendors, enjoy live music, street performances and food trucks, at this fun, family friendly event. Great artist & music lineup planned! There’s something to be enjoyed by all! ADMISSION IS FREE. See who is coming to the Sunday, May 12th Festival HERE
Drummer’s Call Weekend in Colonial Williamsburg
Friday May 17 & Saturday May 18
Several events are schedule see full schedule here
Free event is open to the public to enjoy! Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes & Drums, along with fife and drum units from across the United States, will celebrate the tradition of military music during Drummers Call Weekend. Events in the day and a Military Tattoo at night. These are really cool events – see all three with times and locations here
Yorktown Market Days
May 18 & 25
8 am to 12 pm
Spend a beautiful morning on the York River, around 50 vendors will be selling seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, meats, fresh-cut flowers, handmade soaps and candles, gourmet dog treats, and a work from local artists and artisans. Visit here
Colonial Heritage Model Railroad Display & National Train Day Celebration
- JCC Library – Saturday, May 18, 10 am – 4 pm
- JCC Library – Sunday, May 19, 1 pm – 4 pm
The Colonial Heritage Model Railroad Club is hosting a Train Day celebration with trains running on their 20 module HO display, the Yarmouth Creek and Western Railroad, created by members of the Club. Follow trains around the display, through mountains and towns. A challenge will be to locate 12 hidden objects placed somewhere on the display. For those who find at least 10 items, you’ll receive an Official Inspectors Card. More Info
Jamestown Day – Jamestown Settlement
Saturday, May 18
9 am to 5 pm
On Saturday, May 18, mark the anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown with family friendly programs, military salutes, maritime and interpretive demonstrations at Jamestown Settlement. Visitors can…More Info
Barre under the Moon!
Sunday, May 19
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Frothy Moon Brewhouse
1826 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg
Upcoming Event: Barre under the Moon! Pure Barre Williamsburg Pop-Up at Frothy Moon Brewhouse on May 19th from 2pm – 4pm! Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective full-body workout. You will…
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Bodacious Bazaar – May 24, 25 & 26
Hampton Convention Center
Grab your friends and get ready to shop at over 250 vendors, artists, crafters and several of Virginia’s finest wineries at the Hampton Roads Convention Center – there is something for everyone!
Over 250 vendors with 67 NEW vendors. It’s going to be a great weekend of shopping. More info & tickets
2nd Annual Spring Artisan Market
Sunday, May 26
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Williamsburg Premium Outlets
5715 Richmond Road, Williamsburg
Come join Williamsburg Premium Outlets in welcoming 70+ artists and craftsmen from around our area. Spend the day shopping the outlet stores for name brand deals and the marketplace for CONTINUE READING
Mother’s Day Weekend Events – May 11 – 12, 2024
Here is our BIG list of events going on on Mother’s Day Weekend. And you can also head to our Daily Calendar to find all the events.
Memorial Day Events
In the Historic Triangle there are usually quite a few events going on for Memorial Day weekend also known as the unofficial start to summer. So many that we have a separate post for it. Visit here to see all the events going on for Memorial Day including Colonial Williamsburg offering free admission for veterans and military families, May 24-27, and special programming on Monday, May 27. Visit here
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