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Virginia

Colonial Christmas at Williamsburg & the James River Plantations

Program No. 22934RJ

Sing Colonial carols, design historical decorations and enjoy a holiday dinner with period personalities on this time-travel deep-dive into the history of Christmas in America.

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6 days

5 nights

13 meals

5B 3L 5D

Registration, Orientation, Dinner, Williamsburg History

Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg, History, Decorations and Performance

Williamsburg

Governor’s Palace, Free time

Williamsburg

Antebellum Homes, Civil War, Free Time, Tales and Songs

Williamsburg

Plantations, Lydia, Farewell Dinner, Wassail

Williamsburg

Colonial Visitor, Program Concludes

Williamsburg

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At a Glance

Travel back in time to Colonial Williamsburg as reenactors make history come to life for Christmas. Explore the historical and cultural significance of Christmas in the 18th and 19th centuries and find out how music, traditions, festivities and food have evolved from early America to what we know and love at Christmastime today. Observe and then make historical decorations, sing music of the era with costumed singers and learn about religious customs of both free and enslaved people. And at the end of your week of celebration, sit down with period personalities for a festive meal in a Colonial tavern!

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Considerable amounts of walking and long periods of standing.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Enjoy a private organ concert in the College of William & Mary’s historic chapel, sing along with well-known musicians and meet African American and Colonial interpreters.
Visit seasonally decorated homes spanning four centuries of history from Colonial Williamsburg to the James River plantations.
Create your own Colonial decoration using traditional techniques and savor a festive farewell dinner in a Colonial tavern.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Stephen Christoff

Stephen Christoff has been a musical fixture at Colonial Williamsburg for more than 15 years. Since 2006, he has performed his one-man show called "Seller of Songs" at the Hennage Theater in Colonial Williamsburg to sell-out audiences and rave reviews. In 2007, Stephen was a member of a collaborative performance team that played over 100 performances of "American Musicworks," a signature show designed for the Dewitt Wallace Galleries folk art exhibition. He also performed for the Jamestown Godspeed Sail and Landing Party Festival.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Stephen Christoff View biography

Tom Marshall View biography

Tom Marshall has been an instructor in the music department at the College of William and Mary and a harpsichordist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for more than 20 years. Not only is he featured playing original instruments in many of Williamsburg’s historical recordings but he has made seven study explorations in Europe to examine and play many surviving keyboard instruments from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

Anne Conkling View biography

A native of Pennsylvania with family roots deep in that state, Anne Conkling attended American University before finally settling in Williamsburg, Va. She has a passion for anything historical, particularly from the period 1500-1875. Her interests include colonial Virginia, the role of the Anglican Church in colonization, royal charters, political life cycles, and the roles of women of all races. Anne has written for various newspapers and publications, is a historical interpreter at Bruton Parish Church, and a teacher of historical interpreters at Jamestown Island.

Bunny Rich View biography

Bunny Rich has worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for more than 40 years. Among her many interests, she has concentrated on Colonial family life, cooking, and clothing, often interpreting at the Powell House. Bunny also has served as a leader for VIP guests ranging from Bill Clinton to David Brinkley. A native of York County, Bunny can trace her roots on the Virginia Peninsula back to the 1630s.

Christi Pancoast View biography

Christi Pancoast is originally from Ohio and has been a teacher in Richmond, Virginia for over two decades. She is a self-proclaimed travel junkie, lifelong learner, and people enthusiast. In her free time, she enjoys Zumba, yoga, and being with her friends.

Mary Alie View biography

Mary had a 34-year career in education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. Since retiring in 2001, Mary has worked as a schools and groups Interpreter for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She has also served as an instructor for the Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Institute. Mary also serves as a costumed interpreter in Colonial Williamsburg’s original and restored homes and public buildings, such as the Governor’s Palace and the Colonial Capitol.

Teri Toepke View biography

Teri Toepke has been an educator for her entire adult life. She graduated from The College of William & Mary with a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Special Education, and advanced course work in administration. She taught at Eastern State Hospital, public and private schools, and Hampton University Department of Education. Moving into museum education, she provided educational programs for children and adults. In 2006, she returned to the College as director of Learning Odysseys. Teri is a Civil War historian and reenactor.

Debbie Downs View biography

Debbie Downs has worked on Road Scholar programs since 2005. She has worked with Colonial Williamsburg as school group interpreter, educational specialist, and an African-American history interpreter. She currently works as an instructor for Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute and Evening Programs. She also serves as a program manager for the Shadows of the Past, telling ghost stories. Debbie has a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University and is employed by Newport News Public Schools as a pre-kindergarten teacher.

Valarie Holmes View biography

Valarie Holmes, as part of the Colonial Williamsburg's Teachers Institute, has traveled the United States demonstrating how to accurately teach the history of enslavement. She has written and performed several productions which focus on the contributions of enslaved and free African American women in America. She also wrote and performed a production highlighting Clara Byrd Baker and the USO at Bruton Heights. Other notable accomplishments include her participation in the yearlong "1619 Commemoration" held at Historic Jamestown.

Heather Pfeifer View biography

Heather Pfeifer, after obtaining a degree in history from Frostburg State University, used her passion to work at Fort Frederick State Park before coming to Virginia and Colonial Williamsburg. She has been a historical interpreter, storyteller, and character interpreter for over a decade. Heather is currently researching women’s rights in the colonial era as well as partnering with her husband, Michael, to research Virginia’s first openly Catholic family. In her free time, she likes to make craft items for friends and family.

Leigh Jameson View biography

Leigh Jameson is a Virginia native and local to the D.C. area for most of her life. She has over thirty-five years' experience as an actor and storyteller, and has served as a group leader throughout the East Coast. Over the past fifteen years, Leigh has worked with some of the most prestigious museums in the country, including the Smithsonian's American History Museum, Mount Vernon, and Colonial Williamsburg, and has two published guidebooks focused on this history.

Colonial Christmas at Williamsburg & the James River Plantations

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

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