| From fall festivals and a vintage market to live music, there will be a variety of free and low-cost special events in the Historic Triangle this week.
Midtown Row's 3rd annual Williamsburg Fall Festival will return on Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. The family-friendly celebration, which is free and open to the public, will feature a petting zoo, mechanical bull, inflatables and games.
The Fuzz Band will perform live, and food and craft beers will be available for purchase.
The Mariners Museum and Park will also host its annual Fall Festival on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will feature pumpkin decorating, music, the Teeny Tiny Farm, food trucks and beer and cider tastings. Entrance to the festival is $2 per person. Children 3 and under are admitted free.
York County's popular Vintage Market will be back at the McReynolds Athletic Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to browse collectibles, antiques, art and unique home decor.
A classic car display will add to the atmosphere, and food trucks will be on site. Acoustical hits will be performed by local musician Phil Poteat.
This weekend also brings a special event just for cat lovers. The Virginia Cat Festival - a celebration of all things feline - will be held at the Williamsburg Lodge on Nov. 1 - 2.
Sponsored by the City of Williamsburg, the event features cat-themed activities, vendors, special guests, informative workshops and - of course - adoptable cats.
Other highlights this week include a free performance by York River Concert Band at Williamsburg Library Theatre, a Halloween night Lighting of the Cressets at Colonial Williamsburg, the final Haunted Trail event of the season at Historic Endview and a free drive-through rabies vaccination clinic for pets.
Also, a quick note to thank those of you who checked in with concern amid my unexpected recent absence. I just wrapped up moving and then ended up getting sick, so our regular newsletters did not go out last week. I'm happy to be back as we gear up for what's sure to be a busy fall and holiday season.
See below for our curated guide to things to do around the Historic Triangle, Oct. 30 - Nov. 2. |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK |
| Each week, we scour event calendars from across the region and send readers a list of local events and activities worthy of their time. For additional event details, click on the bolded, hyperlinked titles. |
Thursday, Oct. 30 |
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| The York River Concert Band will perform at the Williamsburg Library Theatre on Oct. 30. (Photo via York River Concert Band) |
| SEASONAL |
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Unseen Creatures: A Collector's Tales | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | This immersive theatrical walking tour blends history, folklore and eerie mystery. Attendees will explore the collection that led to tales of Virginia's Folklore Creatures. For ages 10+. A food truck by The Wandering Sausage will be on site during this event. Tickets are $10 for children 5 and under, $20 for youth (6+) and adults. 6:30 - 8 pm.
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| FILM |
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Throwback Thursday: "My Favorite Wife" | Williamsburg Library Theatre | The Throwback Thursday film series screens a variety of classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience. This week's feature is "My Favorite Wife" (1940, NR), featuring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott. 1hr 28min. Free. 2 - 4:30 pm.
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| KIDS & TEENS |
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| PUBLIC MEETING |
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Grove Community Meeting | Little Zion Baptist Church | James City County citizens are invited to attend a meeting hosted by Board of Supervisors Vice Chair John McGlennon. Topics will include the Grove park, Grove Convenience Center, the trash and recycling program, the Route 60 project, drainage projects and a check-in with local officers regarding any crime concerns. 6 - 8 pm. |
| LIVE MUSIC |
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Friday, Oct. 31 |
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| Lighting of the Cressets returns to Colonial Williamsburg on Oct. 31. (Photo via Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) |
| SEASONAL |
| Trick-or-treating will take place in York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg on Oct. 31, from 6 - 8 p.m. Households that do not want to participate are asked to turn off their porch lights. |
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Haunted Trail | Historic Endview | Spend Halloween night at Historic Endview's Haunted Trail. Guests will be accompanied by a guide through a spooky landscape experience. The trail is 1/2 mile long, winds through the woods and involves special effects. Tickets are timed, and groups depart every 10 minutes. The trail's terrain is uneven in some areas. $10 if purchased here in advance, $15 at the door. 7 - 10 pm.
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Halloween Costume Party | Tradition Brewing | Head over to Tradition Brewing for a fun and frightful Halloween night. There will be a costume contest, board games, a DJ, a food truck and a new beer release with draft specials. Free admission. 6 - 10 pm.
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Saturday, Nov. 1 |
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| Mariners Museum and Park will host its annual Fall Festival on Nov. 1. (Photo via Mariners Museum) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Queens Lake Arts & Crafts Show | 234 E Queens Dr. | Williamsburg | The 16th annual Queens Lake Community Arts & Crafts show will be held on Nov. 1. The event highlights the work of local artisans and makers and will feature needlecrafts, jewelry, local authors, holiday decor, gifts, photography and concessions. Free admission. 9 am - 3 pm.
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Peace Hill Farm Fall Festival '25 | 18401 The Glebe Lane | Charles City | Historic Peace Hill Farm will present its annual family-friendly fall festival on Nov. 1. The event will feature live music, games for all ages and animals. Food trucks and more than 40 local vendors will be present. Vendor booths will offer trick or treating, and Halloween costumes are welcome. Free admission. 10 am - 4 pm.
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3rd Annual Williamsburg Fall Festival | Midtown Row | This family-friendly, dog-friendly event features a petting zoo, inflatable slide, bounce house and games, a mechanical bull and more. The Fuzz Band will perform live music, and craft beers and food will be available for purchase. Free admission. 12 - 4 pm.
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York County Vintage Market | McReynolds Athletic Complex | Shop for collectibles, antiques, unique home decor and accessories at this vintage market. There will be a classic car display, food trucks and live acoustic music by Phil Poteat. Free admission. 9 am - 3 pm.
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The Mariners' Park Fall Festival | Mariners' Museum and Park | Enjoy a day filled with fall fun, including pumpkin decorating, family-friendly activities, Teeny Tiny Farm, live music and food trucks. Festival admission is $2 per person (free for children 3 and under). Tasting tickets are $45 in advance and available here. 1 - 5 pm.
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| PETS |
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Drive-Through Rabies Vaccination Clinic for Pets | James City County Law Enforcement Center | James City County is hosting a free rabies vaccination clinic for pets on Nov. 1. All dogs should be leashed, and cats should be in carriers. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old. You do not need to be a James City County resident to attend. Pre-register here. Free. 9 am - 12 pm. |
| LIVE MUSIC |
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| MARKETS |
- Williamsburg Farmers Market | 345 W Duke of Gloucester St. | Shop from the finest Virginia-grown and Virginia-made produce, plants and products. This farmers market features over 40 vendors, live music and children's programming. Rain or shine. Free admission. 8 am - 12 pm.
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- Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop from various vendors selling their finest products. Located on the Village Green near Hohl. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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- Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village's weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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Sunday, Nov. 2 |
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| A free history lecture will be held at York Hall on Nov. 2. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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An Indigenous History of Bacon's Rebellion | Kimball Theatre | Learn about recent archaeological work conducted by Dr. Julie King, who has researched the Dragon Swamp on the border of Middlesex County. King will discuss the impact of Bacon's Rebellion (1676 - 77) on Indigenous Tribes in the Middle Peninsula. Register here. There is a $10 non-member fee collected at the door once you are registered. Seating begins at 1:30 pm. General admission. |
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Virginia Militia Commanders at Yorktown | York Hall | Dr. Sean Heuvel, director of Graduate and Professional Enrollment at Christopher Newport University, will host a discussion about the leadership of the Virginia Militia forces who were involved in the Battle of Yorktown. A book signing will follow the lecture. Free and open to the public. 2 pm. |
| KIDS |
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Multi-Day |
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| The Virginia Cat Festival returns to Williamsburg Nov. 1 - 2. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Cat Festival via Facebook) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Virginia Cat Festival | Williamsburg Lodge | The Virginia Cat Festival is a celebration of all things cat - for cat people. Event programming includes a Marcatplace featuring a variety of merchandise for purchase, hands-on workshops with cat experts and advocates, cat adoptions through Critters 4 U Rescue, games and meet-and-greets with entertainers. A Halloween-themed ball inspired by CATS musical will be held from 8 - 10 pm on Saturday, and a Catvideofest will take place from 8 - 9:30 pm at Williamsburg Library Theatre. Tickets are available here. Nov. 1 - 2.
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DANCEVENT | PBK Memorial Hall, Glenn Close Theatre | Enjoy a concert of original works created by W&M dance faculty and performed by faculty, guest artists and members of the Orchesis Modern Dance Company. Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 2, 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 - $20.
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| THEATRE |
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Rehearsal for Murder | 200 Hubbard Lane | The Williamsburg Players returns with Rehearsal for Murder, a thrilling theatrical mystery in which the theater becomes the set for the play. Tickets, available here, are $12 for students and children, $22 for adults. Oct. 31 - Nov. 16
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| SEASONAL |
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Howl-O-Scream | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Howl-O-Scream runs through Nov. 2. There will be five haunted houses, six terror-tories, four sinister shows and more. Parental discretion is advised after 6 pm, as this year's event contains amplified scares that are not recommended for children.
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| This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! |
