Each year the Sunday of the first full week in December marks a special celebration for Colonial Williamsburg—our annual Grand Illumination celebration. In true 18th-century fashion, we kick off the start of the Christmas season with illuminations, fireworks, and the firing of guns.
FIREWORKS…IN THE 18TH CENTURY?
By the 18th century, fireworks had been around more than a thousand years. The most common was a rocket-type, lit at ground level and shot into the sky where it exploded into a shower of sparkling light. More than 250 years later the safety protocols may have changed, but we try to maintain the historical integrity of the display—making it comparable to a military victory or the arrival of a new governor.
On the morning of Grand Illumination, the fireworks company Pyrotecnico begins setting up at 8 a.m. They start at the Magazine, then set up at the Capitol, and end with the Palace. The fireworks are set up by 5:30 p.m. and ready for a 7 p.m. launch.
Just because you can’t join us in person, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Watch a live stream of the fireworks here. The cyber festivities kick off at 6:40 p.m.
WATCHING THE WEATHER
Creating a fireworks display in the winter is unique due to the unpredictability of the weather. In past years it’s been warm enough to wear shorts or cold enough to snow. Just to give you an idea of how crazy the weather can be, the average high last December was 55 degrees and the average low was 36.
But believe it or not, Grand Illumination has never been canceled! We take every measure to proceed as scheduled regardless of rain, snow, or temperature. Wind is the only condition that could force a cancellation—due to safety concerns. Traditionally, wind speeds die down enough once the sun sets to allow the fireworks to be launched safely. As we get closer to December 7, be sure to check our social media channels for daily weather updates as well as any special announcements. We’ll be using #CWGrandIllumination on Twitter and Instagram.
WHERE TO PARK
We recommend parking at the Visitor Center and utilizing the free shuttle service or the pathway to the Revolutionary City. Shuttle buses will operate normally from 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., an express service running from the Visitor Center to the Palace Stop will run from 5:30 p.m.–6:45 p.m., from 6:45 p.m.–9:30 p.m. there will be no service, 9:30 p.m.–10 p.m. regular service to all stops will resume. Other parking options include parking in the Prince George Street parking garage, the first 30 minutes are free and each hour is $1. Parts of Prince George Street, Nassau Street, and Scotland Street allow unlimited free parking between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Free street parking is very limited and spots fill up quickly.
THE “BEST PLACES” TO WATCH
Where is the best place to watch the fireworks? Every year this is the big question. Grand Illumination is special because the Revolutionary City is illuminated in every direction. Firework displays are set up at the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine, and the north and south sides of the Capitol. So really, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you are looking for the least crowded area my suggestion would be the north side of the Capitol. For first time visitors, my personal suggestion would be to view them from Palace Green. There is nothing like seeing the show with the Governor’s Palace in the background—and it makes for some pretty great photos!
HOT DRINKS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
The perk of a winter fireworks display is that the nights are usually clear and crisp. It’s perfect weather to grab hot cider and enjoy the show! Find where to purchase hot cider, hot toddies, and hot cocoa in the list below. You can buy cider and cocoa by the cup, or I personally recommend investing $13 plus tax in a 2015 refillable mug. Then you can enjoy unlimited refills of soda, cider, and cocoa in the winter, and ice cream and slushies in the summer.
CIDER
Roscoe Cole House - 4 –7 p.m.
Cider Stand - 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop - 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Behind Shields Tavern - Serving Hot Toddies, too! 4–7 p.m
Behind Chowning’s Tavern - weather permitting
COCOA
Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop - 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
McKenzie Apothecary - 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Dubois Grocer - 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
WHAT TO BRING
You can also bring lawn chairs—which we highly recommend. Don’t forget to bundle up with scarves, hats, and gloves. And, of course, don’t forget your camera. It’s bound to be a celebration you won’t soon forget. We’ll see you there!
Barb says
Do I need a ticket to come to the Geand Illumination? Or can we just stroll through the historic area and watch the fireworks without entering the buildings?
We would like to bring a small cooler bag with some snacks and drinks for us and kids. Is that permitted?
Janice,
Yes, you can bring a cooler with snacks and drinks.
My favorite part of Grand Illumination has always been the Fifes and Drums march down and up Duke of Gloucester Street after the fireworks. Whatever your location in the historic district,, you will hear the drummer’s call and spot the torchbearers making way for the corps. Marching along with these impressive young musicians drawn from the Williamsburg community is simply stirring and not to be missed!
I agree, Kathy! Are you going to make it this year? We hope to see you there.
Huzzah!
https://flic.kr/p/8Z5Q5v
Chuck, what a wonderful picture!! Do you plan to take some this year too? We’re trying to roundup a gallery to post on the blog Monday. If you’re interested, email me at jross@cwf.org. We’d love to share your work!
Mind sharing some camera settings and tips for those of us that are hopelessly camera challenged?
Vicky, I’ve reached out for advice from the “professionals.” 🙂 Hope this helps! ISO 100, F8, use a shutter release and tripod, set to infinity on manual focus. More info here: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks/
Here’s another, much longer and more in-depth answer from a photographer:
“These fireworks may be “traditional”, but at times (in the past) they can be VERY bright and low to the ground, so it may be hard to keep from “blowing out” the shot with what are more popularly used settings… I will probably be shooting a 17-40 lens tonight, but may go w/ a 24-70. Get there before dark so that you can see what you are doing / your camera can see where it is in relation to the fireworks: odds are you will be using infinity as a distance setting, but you definitely need to take your setting off of auto-focus. Use a tripod and cable release. Turn off image stablization on your lens… ISO preferences vary along w/ aperture, I generally shoot somewhere around 200 and f13. Some general parameters are are around 8-16 @ 100, 11-22 @ 200, 16-22 @ 400. The real trick is getting your shutter speed under control… Hopefully your camera will be lined up in the general vicinity of the apex (if that is what you are shooting)… Don’t panic when your finger cant keep up during the “grande finale”…and don’t leave the shutter open during the whole thing…….it will never work…. If you have a flash, you will probably want to turn it off!”
This is our second trip down for Grand Illumination and bringing our mothers to take in a full weekend of shows, sights, and food. Can’t wait!
Wonderful, Danielle! Be sure to check out our blog post on the events new to 2014 to see if there are any shows you’d like to catch while you’re in town.
My memory fails me: when is the official “lighting of the tree”: Grand Illumination or closer to Christmas?
Clint,
The tree lighting is on Christmas Eve. The tree that is lit is the large tree diagonal from the courthouse, in front of the Greenhow Brick Office.
A “slightly” belated thank you, Ali: missed your reply before, but making note of it for future reference.
We have been visiting CW at least once a year for 10 years now, and this will be our first Grand Illumination. We are very excited and hoping for warmer temps than what we have now here in northwestern PA! I think that will be a given.
Bella,
Grand Illumination is a very special event, we can’t wait to share it with you!
I usually come to Colonial Williamsburg from Pennsylvania the day after Christmas and stay a few days but the Grand Illumination is already on my bucket list for next year ! It looks like such fun ! Thanks for the tips-I will definitely remember them ! Colonial Williamsburg is my favorite happy place on Earth !
Sharon,
Grand Illumination is definitely a bucket list worthy event! We look forward to seeing you soon!
This will be our 29th year as a family. We have our favorite spot behind the magazine where the brick wall used to be. The tradition started with my parents and my brother and has now grown to include our spouses, children and close friends. It is the beginning of our Christmas season.
Valerie - That’s incredible! What a great (and lasting) family tradition!
I attempted to post this a moment ago, but am not certain that it went through: The “Lighting of the Tree” used to be an “occasion” as well, but memory fails me: is it part of Grand Illumination any longer, or is it closer to Christmas? Also, which tree is being used now?
That’s sounds fantastic Valerie. I am giving a special Huzzah from Canada! I can’t wait to visit CW for the 4th time this Christmas. 🙂
Laura, we look forward to see you! Have you seen our blog post listing all of the events NEW to Christmas 2014?