Families and friends can delight in holidays of yesteryear with a blend of today's traditions at Candlelight Christmas at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Meet Santa, make Christmas crafts and hear holiday stories in the warm, modern museum spaces dedicated to telling the revolutionary story of early Virginia.
Enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer in the 18th century strolling through the Continental Army encampment to see how Revolutionary soldiers would have celebrated a holiday evening.
Special event activities are made possible in part by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund.
Join us for more winter events
Fresh Views of the American Revolution
Now on Exhibit • American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
In time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, join us for the “Fresh Views of the American Revolution” special exhibition commemorating America’s 250th through contemporary voices. Discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the American Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and through engaging community art programs. Learn more about this event.
Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown
November 15, 2025 – July 12, 2026 • Jamestown Settlement
The special exhibition explores compelling discoveries that connect the early years of the Jamestown colony and Asia. Featuring Chinese porcelain uncovered during excavations of 1607 James Fort on Jamestown Island and intact objects from global lenders, the exhibition examines who may have owned these evocative pieces, how they may have been acquired, and offers fresh insights into the social life of the early 17th-century Virginia elite. Learn more about this special exhibition.
Winter Lantern Festival
November 13, 2025 - January 4, 2026 • Jamestown Settlement
Taking inspiration from the “Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition, Jamestown Settlement presents a Winter Lantern Festival, on Thursday through Sunday evenings, 5-10 p.m. A dazzling display of light for the whole family. Guests can wander among glowing Chinese lanterns and see live acrobatic performances. (Not included with general admission. Separate ticket required.) Learn more about this event.
Christmastide in Virginia
December 20-31, 2025 • Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Grab your family and friends and join in the revelry during Christmastide in Virginia. Glimpse 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions through festive interpretive programs, fancy cooking, caroling and musical entertainment. Learn more about this event.
About the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days) and located on Route 1020 near the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown.
A commemorative partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of the nation’s founding. Comprehensive indoor exhibits and outdoor living-history areas capture the transformational nature and epic scale of the Revolution and its relevance today.
Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information. Parking at the museum is free.
