Illuminate the Holidays! Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination, Dec. 4

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colonial Williamsburg heralds the start of the holiday season with Grand Illumination, Sunday, Dec. 4.  The tradition of Grand Illumination originated in 1934 with a "White Lighting."  The first re-creation of an 18th-century Christmas in Williamsburg featured single candles in the windows of the Historic Area's restored and reconstructed buildings, as well as garlands and greens on buildings. 

The celebration begins at 5 p.m. when candles are lit in the windows of the Historic Area's public buildings, shops and homes.  At 5:15 p.m., live entertainment begins on four outdoor stages.

For the first time, the public participates in the lighting ceremony at 6:35 p.m. when thousands of guests will be invited to activate glow sticks simultaneously to illuminate the town.

Following the lighting ceremony, Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums signal the beginning of Colonial Williamsburg's holiday season.

At a new time of 7 p.m., fireworks fill the sky over the Historic Area from four locations.

At 7:30 p.m. the Fifes and Drums march down Duke of Gloucester Street, and guests are invited to join in.

Through social networking, Colonial Williamsburg invites everyone to share their photos and video of this beautiful ceremony, as well as their dining, music and weekend fun, online and in real time at Facebook.com/ColonialWilliamsburg, www.twitter.com/colonialwmsburg and YouTube.com/ColonialWilliamsburg.

For more information, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational and cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and presentation of the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia.  This town-sized living history museum tells the inspirational stories of our journey to become Americans through programs in the Historic Area. Purchase of Colonial Williamsburg products and services supports the preservation, research and educational programs of the Foundation.  Philanthropic support by individuals, corporations, and foundations benefits the educational mission of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.   

Williamsburg is located in Virginia's Tidewater region, 20 minutes from Newport News, within an hour's drive of Richmond and Norfolk, and 150 miles south of Washington, D.C. For more information about Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg's website at www.history.org.

SOURCE Colonial Williamsburg Foundation