Sounds of the Season: 10 Williamsburg Ways to Enjoy the Music of the Holidays

The holiday season is drawing near, bringing with it not just the sights, but also the sounds, of Christmastime in Williamsburg. Music is such a lovely part of this season, and here at the Fife and Drum Inn, we love to experience it live with those we love as much as we can! Today we’ve put together our top 10 opportunities to see (and hear) the beauty of Williamsburg through the music of the holidays…

-December 5: Come see Dean Shostak perform “Crystal Carols”, a program on glass armonica, crystal handbells, and glass violin at the Hennage Auditorium. It’s unlike any other sound, and a beautiful way to hearken in the season.

-December 7: The William and Mary Choir, along with the Barksdale Treble Choir and the Botetourt Chamber Singers, present their joint winter choral concert at  Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. It’ll include a new composition by Dominick DiOrio as well as beloved holiday and winter-themed pieces, plus students get a discounted rate!

-December 8: The Grand Illumination is an outstanding Williamsburg tradition that always draws quite the crowd, and with good reason! In addition to the spectacular fireworks, come to the Palace Green early to hear the vintage Christmas tunes of 504 Supreme and the Truetone Honeys, plus a special performance by the Fifes and Drums.

-December 9: Join Thomas Jefferson and James Madison at the Hennage Auditorium for “Music of the Season”, a delightful selection of historical tales and tunes enjoyed by these great founding fathers. Complete with live violin, guitar, cello, and harpsichord, it’s a true taste of the Colonial Christmas.

-December 13: We love some joy during this time, so why not kick it off with “Joy In the Morning” in Colonial Williamsburg, a program dedicated to the spirit and pride of the enslaved African Americans of the 18th century. Check the link for other dates for this hope-filled show!

-December 11, 18, 24: Join in on the fun with Caroling at the Courthouse, a holiday sing-along on the courthouse steps. This one is free and open to the public, and is just a walk from the Fife and Drum Inn!

-December 15, 22: Or, gather around Charlton’s Coffeehouse and go caroling! Because Christmas festivities are always better with a warm beverage. No ticket necessary, just bundle up the scarves and warm up the pipes!

-December 24: If you live near or are visiting the Williamsburg area for Christmas, we highly recommend this pre-dinner concert at the Hennage Auditorium. Timothy Seaman will perform holiday carols from old American and European traditions on the extended-range hammered dulcimer.  “Profound Joy” is a beautiful celebration unlike any other.

-December 29: If you thought the holiday season ended after Christmas day, not so! “A Season Full of Holidays” in Colonial Williamsburg is a fascinating program by four amazing musicians all about the festive season, including pieces from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Epiphany and everything in between. Come revel in the sounds of dulcimer, Celtic harp, violin and viola, guitar, flute, and voice as you learn more about different traditions. So fun!

-Now through the New Year: Of course, we can’t forget about the joyous sounds from Busch Gardens Christmastown! The best of Virginia’s musical talent comes together in 7 different shows across the park, plus roaming carolers. It’s a must-do this season, and we highly recommend seeing some if not all of these beautiful live performances throughout the day.

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While you might not be able to make ALL these amazing performances, why not take a look at your calendar and mark a few of these down? It’s a great opportunity to take a pause during all the hustle and bustle and simply enjoy. We hope your season is all the merrier this year, and hope to see you in Williamsburg soon!

How do you like to sing in the season? Comment below or tag us with the hashtag #fifeanddruminn and let us know!