Special Events
About
James City County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of large and small-scale special events that provide unique year-round experiences for residents and tourists. Below is a list of annual events – for more specific information about dates of current offerings, please refer to the Special Events section of the Destination Recreation Activity Brochure.
Family Fun Night - TBA
James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road
Join us for a night of family FUN and entertainment. Enjoy gym games, create various craft projects, splash in the pool, dance to some tunes, play racquetball or old-fashioned board games! Preregistration recommended. If preregistering, please register everyone who is attending! Children must be accompanied by an adult! $5 for ages 13+; FREE for 12 and younger.
Summer Camps Fair - TBA
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
James City County Parks & Recreation and Williamsburg Families partner annually on this event! The fair, held outdoors at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, features camps for pre-K through high school. Day camps as well as sleep away camps! Register for camps in person or just gather information. First 200 attendees receive Swag Bags full of great gifts and items! FREE! Info: Kristy Manor at kristy.wf@gmail.com or Olivia Bada at Olivia.wf@gmail.com.
*Weather permitting.
New Town Tunes - TBA
Sullivan Square (behind Legacy Hall) in New Town, 4301 New Town Avenue
Come out and enjoy this concert series right in the heart of New Town. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Co-hosted by New Town and CultureFix. Gates open at 5 p.m. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. FREE!
*Weather permitting.
Fido Fest - TBA
Location TBA
Don’t miss the PAW-ty! Grab your leash and get to the park with your furry friend for a great time! Family and dog-friendly activities, games, contests, fabulous food ($) and more awaits you! Merchandise ($) and community vendors will also be present. Co-sponsor: Heritage Humane Society. Parking: $5 per car.
*Weather permitting
Half Century Senior Games - TBA
Locations TBA
Join us for James City County’s Senior Games! This event caters to adults age 50 or better who enjoy a bit of competition and staying active. Events for 2023 will be announced in December. For event questions, phone 757-259-5355.
*Outdoor events are weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedule.
New Town Tunes - TBA
Sullivan Square (behind Legacy Hall) in New Town, 4301 New Town Avenue
Come out and enjoy this concert series right in the heart of New Town. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Food and beverages available for purchase. Co-hosted by New Town and CultureFix. Gates open at 5 p.m. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. FREE!
*Weather permitting.
Tails on the Trail - June 4, 9-11 a.m.
Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Highway
Are you up for a summer-long trail adventure with your dog? Join James City County Parks & Recreation and the Heritage Humane Society for this kick-off event! This self-guided adventure will start you off at one of the 8 trails for your exploration through the summer. Did you know the first Saturday in June is also National Trails Day? Get active with your pet! Free! For more information, visit heritagehumanesociety.org. Typically held the first Saturday in June from 9-11 a.m. at Greensprings Interpretive Trail.
Capital Color Ride - June 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
You’ve heard of The Color Run™, but how about a color ride? Enjoy this family-friendly biking event along a 15-mile stretch of the Virginia Capital Trail. Venture from Chickahominy Riverfront Park to the James City County Marina and back, while encountering color stops, snacks, water and more at the rest stops. Registration fee ($10 by May 13; $15 after May 13) includes a free shirt and refreshments, while supplies last. Info/register: runsignup.com/capitolcolorride.
Movies Under the Stars - June 17, 8:30 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park! Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m.
Student Art Show - June 17-July 15
Williamsburg Library, 515 Scotland Street (exhibit open during library hours)
Anne Kushnick's oil painting, pastel and acrylic students will display their talents in this annual exhibit. View many unique pieces with some available for purchase. Free! Information: 757-259-5353.
Project FiveFortySeven - June 21
Various Locations (5:47 a.m. - sunset)
It’s the longest day of the year, make time to play! Join Parks & Recreation for the 4th Annual Longest Day of Play program. Enjoy FREE recreational activities from sunrise to sunset. Check out our full program listing online. Be sure to see which programs require registration and which are drop-in. FREE!
*Weather permitting
Family Fun Fest - 2023
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
Enjoy petting animals, hands-on activities, inflatable rides, family entertainment with music and contests too! “Touch-a-Truck” is back for all ages! Stop by the “Good for You Zone” and see why being healthy can lead to loads of fun. Oh, and be sure to participate in the Fun Run! Grab some lunch provided by our food vendors and visit all of our local craft and business vendors!
*Outdoor events are weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedule.
Movies Under the Stars - July 29, 8:30 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park! Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m.
*Weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedule.
Harvest Fest - Sept. 17
Chickahominy Riverfront Park (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Come out for this FUN Fall event for the whole family! Hear great music, play family-friendly games, do arts and crafts, and pet the cutest farm animals at our Harvest Fest petting zoo. You can also make the biggest, the best, and maybe the only scarecrow in your neighborhood at Scarecrow Row. Families must preregister for their scarecrow by Sept. 10. The $20 fee includes all supplies - hay, clothes, paints, brushes and your space on the event field. If you would like to take your scarecrow supplies home with you, you can do that as well. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase at the event! Admission: FREE! Scarecrow Row: $20. Parking :$5
*Weather permitting
Freedom Stories & More - Oct. 1
Freedom Park
Join Williamsburg native Dylan Pritchett, best known as “The Storyteller” along with other Virginia Black Storytellers (VirBS) as they share with you Freedom Stories at Freedom Park! The Free Black Settlement area is the backdrop for this special event. Also featured are unique crafts for kids, music and food available for purchase.
*Weather permitting
Boo Bash at the Beach - Oct. 15
Jamestown Beach Event Park (1-4 p.m.)
Enjoy a day at the beach with a Halloween twist! Costumes welcome. Trick-or-treating onsite for ages 12 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Also enjoy onsite activities, music, games, and more! Pumpkin carving and decorating ($5/pumpkin) available first-come, first-served while supplies last. $5/family
Live Well Expo - Nov. 4
James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road
(8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
Pamper your mind, body and spirit while taking advantage of FREE preventative health screenings during this annual event! Explore a variety of health and leisure services for ages 55+.
Santa Calling - Dec. 6
Available in English and Spanish
James City County Parks & Recreation offers “phone calls from Santa” on Tuesday, Dec. 6, for children ages 9 and younger living in James City County and Williamsburg. Arrangements have been made with the North Pole for Santa and/or Mrs. Claus to personally call each child who completes a registration form by Tuesday, Nov. 29. Santa will attempt to call children between 5:45-8 p.m.; however, specific call times cannot be guaranteed due to Santa’s holiday schedule. Please be available and keep phone lines open during this time. Registration is available at the Recreation Centers, Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Satellite Services in Toano, Freedom Park Interpretive Center and online. FREE!
Breakfast with Santa - Dec. 10
Legacy Hall in New Town, 4301 New Town Avenue
(9-11 a.m.)
You and your family are invited to attend Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and a morning of “holly-day” cheer with Santa. Photo opportunities available. Registration required by Dec.1 or until full. Please register everyone who is attending (adults and children) to ensure their seat – fee includes special gift for each attendee. $13/person for age 3+; FREE for 2 and younger.
Firetruck Fa-La-La - Dec. 14
Select Neighborhoods and Locations (5:30-8 p.m.)
With a little help from the James City County Fire Department, Santa Claus will make a drive-by tour of select neighborhoods across James City County. Riding on the most festive firetruck ever, Santa (and maybe a few special guests) will bring joy to children all along the way. Look for details and route plans in November.
Concessionaires
You are invited to be a community or merchandise concessionaire at our annual events. Events currently accepting applications are listed below.
Please note, community and merchandise concessionaires are accepted on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to be added to the concessionaire list and receive emails about upcoming events accepting applications, contact kelley.herbert@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Community Concessionaire
A community concessionaire is defined as an organization or business wanting to provide information to the general public. This designation does not allow sales of any kind.
Merchandise Concessionaire
A merchandise concessionaire is defined as an organization or business wanting to sell products, to include, but not limited to: jewelry, clothing, custom artwork or crafts, oils, packaged goods, etc.
Food Truck & Table Top Concessionaires
Food trucks or table top concessionaires are also accepted at most events. If interested, please contact Special Events Coordinator, Kelley Herbert, at kelley.herbert@jamescitycountyva.gov, prior to submitting an application.
Upcoming Events
- Boo Bash at the Beach - Oct 16
- Fido Fest - March (typically 3rd weekend)
- Family Fun Fest - May (typically 3rd weekend)
- Harvest Festival - September (typically 3rd weekend)