Two Anniversaries, One Historic Year
Williamsburg has always been a place where history feels close at hand. In 2026, that feeling intensifies. The United States marks its 250th birthday, the semiquincentennial, and Colonial Williamsburg celebrates its own centennial: 100 years since John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin began the ambitious project of restoring an 18th-century colonial capital into the world's largest living history museum.
The convergence of these two milestones makes 2026 a singular year for Williamsburg. Tourism projections suggest the city could welcome over 2.1 million visitors, up from roughly 1.8 million in 2024. If you are planning a trip, the time to start is now.
Major Events and Programming Throughout 2026
Colonial Williamsburg has organized its 2026 calendar around several anchor events, with special programming running nearly year-round. Here are the highlights worth building a trip around.
Winter and Spring 2026
The year opens with Colonial Williamsburg: 100 Years, a new exhibition at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg exploring the Foundation's origins and evolution. A companion book, 100 Years of Colonial Williamsburg, is also being published. In April, the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center opens, launching a new chapter in Colonial Williamsburg's nearly century-old research program.
Also in the spring, look for the completion of the Powder Magazine restoration, timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Gunpowder Incident, one of the early sparks of revolution in Virginia. And in May, interactive anniversary programming commemorates the 5th Virginia Convention, where delegates made the pivotal decision to instruct Virginia's Continental Congress representatives to propose independence.
Summer 2026
Summer is the marquee season. In June, Colonial Williamsburg honors the 250th anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the document that directly influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights. Juneteenth programming, developed in partnership with the Juneteenth Community Consortium, offers reflection and commemoration.
July 4, 2026, is the centerpiece of the entire year. Colonial Williamsburg will serve as a national focal point for the semiquincentennial. Expect public readings of the Declaration of Independence on Duke of Gloucester Street, patriotic musical performances, and what organizers are calling the most ambitious fireworks display in the city's history, launched over the Governor's Palace on Palace Green. This will be one of the most heavily attended days in Williamsburg's modern history. If July 4th is your target, book lodging months in advance.
Also in summer, Sail 250 Virginia brings together over 60 ships from 20 countries for a landmark maritime festival along Virginia's coast.
Fall 2026
Fall brings the Naturalization Ceremony and Constitution Day in September, a moving annual event where new citizens take the oath in a place where constitutional ideas first took shape. In October, the final installment of the For 2026 conference series, a five-year academic collaboration among Colonial Williamsburg, the Omohundro Institute, and William & Mary, wraps up with sessions open to both scholars and the public.
The Foundation's official 100th anniversary is marked in November, commemorating the 1926 moment when Rockefeller's vision began transforming Williamsburg from a quiet college town into a destination known worldwide.
The Virginia 250 Passport
One practical item worth knowing about: the Virginia 250 Passport. This 64-page commemorative booklet doubles as a travel guide, discount book, and keepsake, featuring 70 participating museums and historic sites across five regions of Virginia. If you are visiting Williamsburg, it is a useful companion for day trips to Jamestown, Yorktown, and sites along the Virginia Capital Trail.
Planning Your 2026 Visit: Timing and Lodging
With significantly higher visitor volumes expected throughout the year, Williamsburg lodging will be at a premium during peak periods. A few practical notes.
Book early for peak dates. July 4th weekend, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and fall weekends near W&M Family Weekend and Homecoming (October) will see the highest demand. Availability across all property types goes quickly in an anniversary year.
Consider shoulder season visits. Late winter and early spring (February through April) offer lighter crowds and comfortable weather for walking the Historic Area. The centennial exhibition and archaeology center will already be open, and you will have a far easier time with parking and restaurant reservations.
Stay close to the Historic Area. Williamsburg's Historic District is best experienced on foot. The independent inns and guest houses along North Henry Street and the surrounding residential blocks put you within a short walk of Duke of Gloucester Street, Merchants Square, and the W&M campus without the need to drive and park each day. These smaller properties, typically occupying restored historic homes with private on-site parking and modern amenities, fill early but reward the effort of booking ahead.
Getting Here
Williamsburg is served by three airports: Richmond International (RIC, about 50 minutes west), Norfolk International (ORF, about 55 minutes southeast), and Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF, about 20 minutes south). Amtrak stops at the Williamsburg Transportation Center on Boundary Street, an easy walk from the Historic Area and most nearby lodging. Interstate 64 connects Williamsburg to Richmond and the Hampton Roads region.
Why 2026 Matters
Anniversary years come and go. This one is different. Williamsburg was not merely adjacent to the American Revolution; it was one of its crucibles. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted here. The decision to propose independence was made here. And for a century, Colonial Williamsburg has worked to make that history accessible and alive. In 2026, that work reaches its fullest expression yet.
We will be updating this post throughout the year as Colonial Williamsburg releases additional programming details. If you are planning a visit, we recommend checking the Colonial Williamsburg events page for the latest schedule.