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Fireworks display at the Governor's Palace on July 4th for the Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2025.
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Fireworks display at the Governor's Palace on July 4th for the Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2025.
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Fireworks display at the Governor's Palace on July 4th for the Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2025.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation welcomes the world to experience the power of place July 2-5 as the nation honors America’s 250th anniversary on the very grounds where Revolution took flight in 1776. Four days of programming and family friendly activities culminate on July 4 with America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together, a two-hour, televised special broadcasting live from Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area at 8 p.m. on PBS stations across the country. It will also air on CSPAN-2 and stream worldwide on PBS.org.
Fourth of July programs were heavily attended by visitors to the Historic Area on July 4,2025. Nation Builder Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Kurt Smith, reads the Declaration ofIndependence from the balcony at the Capitol. Cash Arehart stands to Smith’s right.
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together represents a collaboration between The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission and PBS. The free event offers a star-filled tribute to America’s Semiquincentennial set in the revolutionary capital of Williamsburg.
The broadcast is designed as both a celebration and a unifying national moment that blends live performance, music, historic interpretation, impactful narration and large-scale visual spectacle to create an inspiring national event that connects the nation’s founding directly to the present day. It offers a heartfelt and powerful reflection that honors the past, engages the present and inspires a season of civic renewal — all from the place where the path to independence truly began. From the first melodic sounds of a violin to the thunderous pyrotechnic finale, this is a program for all Americans to see themselves reflected in the nation’s continuing story. Participants include Ken Burns, Judy Collins, Michael Feinstein, Ryan Speedo Green, Kelli O’Hara, Richard Thomas, Adrienne Warren, Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, Virginia Chorale, the Nation Builders and Fifes & Drums of Colonial Williamsburg and a dramatic fireworks and drone display with a patriotic score recorded by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. Full details from PBS’ press release are available here.
Fourth of July programs were heavily attended by visitors to the Historic Area on July 4, 2025. Nation Builder Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Kurt Smith, and interpreter Cash Arehart (right), march with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums on Duke of Gloucester Street towards the Capitol.
“Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area is the only place in the world where visitors can literally walk in the footsteps of America’s founding generation,” said Carly Fiorina, CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “The power of this place can be seen in every program we produce, in each of the 89 original buildings that line our historic streets and in every artifact we unearth to aid in our understanding of the nation’s revolutionary era. Over the July 4 weekend, we invite the world to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with us, here on the very streets where the call for independence took place.”
Anniversary-themed programming throughout the weekend offers visitors essential context behind the decisions that led to the call for independence, including Jefferson’s thought process as he penned the Declaration of Independence, examining the meaning of freedom from different perspectives and the mindset of Williamsburg residents caught in the middle of America’s debate over the war.
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Colonial Williamsburg Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2025. Program MC Robert Weathers (portraying George Wythe) in Market Square during the program "A Salute to the States."
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Colonial Williamsburg Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2025. Military Programs Interpreters fire a cannon in Market Square during the program "A Salute to theStates."
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Colonial Williamsburg Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2025. Nat Lasley during the program "Here Every Presence is Warlike" with Military Interpreters.
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Colonial Williamsburg Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2025. Nation Builder Nat Lasley speaks with guests during the program "Here Every Presence is Warlike."
The weekend’s full slate of programming is available at colonialwilliamsburg.org, which includes a list of frequently asked questions to help guests plan their visit.
Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission on July 4 in honor of America’s birthday. Beginning with Thomas Jefferson interpreter Kurt Smith’s public reading of the Declaration of Independence, visitors can spend the day exploring the events leading up to the signing of America’s founding document. A spectacular fireworks and drone finale awaits as part of PBS’ national broadcast that evening. For those wishing to take advantage of all four days of activities, Colonial Williamsburg is offering a discounted multi-day ticket. Visit colonialwilliamsburg.org for details.
July 4, 2024 at Colonial Williamsburg.
Below are important reminders to help guests enjoy their visit.
- Sign up for text alerts from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Text alerts provide a direct line of communication from the Foundation’s operations team to individual guests to communicate important operational updates and weather announcements. Text the keyword CWEVENTS to 226787 to receive special event information via text. The opt-in will auto-expire at 11:59 PM on July 4, 2025, and participants can opt out of the messages at any time.
- Review the July 4 FAQ to answer common questions about the July 4 weekend.
- Stay cool and drink plenty of water. Cooling stations will be positioned throughout the Historic Area campus to help with the expected hot and humid conditions during a typical Virginia summer day.
- Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind are prohibited on all Colonial Williamsburg properties, including its private parking lots, restaurants, hotels and historic buildings.
- Parking is available at the Visitor Center, however, capacity is limited. Additional July 4 parking will be available at William & Mary’s Zable Stadium, located at 100 Stadium Dr. off Richmond Rd, and at William & Mary’s Law School, located at 613 Henry St. It is approximately a 15-minute walk to Palace Green from these locations.
- More information about what to expect during Colonial Williamsburg’s July 4 weekend can be found at colonialwilliamsburg.org.
About The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation preserves, restores and operates Virginia’s 18th-century capital of Williamsburg. Innovative and interactive experiences highlight the relevance of the American Revolution to contemporary life and the importance of an informed, active citizenry. The Colonial Williamsburg experience includes more than 600 restored or reconstructed original buildings, renowned museums of decorative arts and folk art, extensive educational outreach programs for students and teachers and 18th-century inspired culinary options from historic taverns situated along historic Duke of Gloucester Street. Colonial Williamsburg Resorts complement the experience, offering guests five unique hotel properties including the iconic Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond Williamsburg Inn, newly renovated Williamsburg Lodge-Autograph Collection, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites, the Griffin Hotel, and authentic 18th-century Colonial Houses. The resort offers a range of events and amenities including four historic taverns, 15 food and beverage outlets providing exquisite culinary experiences from casual to elegant dining, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club featuring 36 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son Rees Jones, a world-class full-service spa and fitness center, pools, meeting and flexible event spaces, and scenic gardens providing the perfect venue for weddings and special events. Merchants Square, built alongside the Historic Area in 1935 as one of the first planned shopping districts in the United States, features more than 40 specialty boutiques with products ranging from apparel to fine jewelry, art, specialty foods and gifts. Philanthropic support and revenue from admissions, products and hospitality operations sustain Colonial Williamsburg’s educational programs and preservation initiatives.
