John Womeldorf is Mr. Williamsburg, sharing his thoughts, real estate expertise, and “all things Williamsburg” in an effort to spread the word that Williamsburg, Virginia is the greatest place on earth to live!

Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg VA has invited the media to the park for a special announcement today. Most are speculating that they will announce that the park will open for Christmas as the Busch Gardens in Tampa does. No clue yet if they will attempt to do it this year or 2009.  Seems very late to attempt an opening in 2008 but who knows.

The website Theme Park Insider reported Tuesday that Busch will make a major announcement on Thursday, and speculating that the news is “probably the long rumored Christmas festival.” Busch has invited media to the park for an announcement it says will show the park “in a whole new light.”

In any case look for the Christmas operating season to be announced. I’ve heard that they plan major decorations of the park and some rides will be open (including Griffon) but not all

My guess is some type of Christmas Light show and Christmas Festival as well as an opportunity to purchase a  season pass that is valid for a year/2 years. I would assume the Christmas festival will last during the month of December until after Christmas thru Jan 1. The season passes could be bought as gifts for Christmas. 

Whoops, Busch Gardens slipped. Listed under the Job Responsibilities for the Theatrical Services Operations Supervisor on Busch’s talent search site was the following bullet:

installs/strikes, HOS and Christmas Events.

  http://www.talentsearchbgw.com/theatricalservicesopsup.html  They have since edited the site….

Will update as soon as I know any further. Although the whole world will know for sure after the announcement !

So here’s the update:  

From the official press release:

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Dec. 4, 2008) – Officials today announced plans for an all-new holiday event coming to the Virginia theme park in 2009. “Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration” will create the anticipation of the season and fill visitors’ senses with all things Christmas. The park will transform into a winter wonderland filled with holiday traditions, new surprises and park favorites that make everyone say, “Now this is Christmas.”

 

For the first time in the park’s 34 year history, visitors will experience all-new attractions, shows and shopping that will fill them with holiday spirit. Guests can look forward to an immersive experience amid more than a million twinkling lights while they explore the best holiday traditions from around the world. Santa Claus will visit the park each evening to hear Christmas wishes from the young and young at heart.

 

“We’ll kick off a season-long celebration for family and friends to gather for Christmas fun,” said John Reilly, Busch Gardens’ general manager and executive vice president. “Featuring live entertainment, great food and unique shopping experiences all under the glow of a million Christmas lights, Christmas Town will add a unique holiday tradition to Virginia.”

 

Christmas Town opens at Busch Gardens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 – 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 27, 2009. The park will open each evening Dec. 18-27, 2009, excluding Christmas Day. Some sections of the park will remain closed for the season. Some rides and attractions are weather dependent.

 

Christmas Town admission tickets will be available for $19.95 beginning January 2009. Guests with active one-year and two-year Busch Gardens’ passes save 50 percent on Christmas Town tickets as well as free parking and in-park discounts.

 

 

 PLANNED EXPERIENCES at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town

 Each section of the park will be themed in Christmas décor native to each country or hamlet, and will feature all new attractions, shows and shopping that will immerse guests into the Christmas season. Think of it as a European Christmas with an American flair. Christmas Town will feature:(weather dependent) , Corkscrew Hill and Curse of DarKastle

Special holiday-themed dining opportunities

Unique shopping experiences

Evening Santa Claus visits

Children’s shows

Strolling carolers

Tree-lighting ceremonies

Select rides, including *Griffon 

 ADMISSION

General admission price for non-pass holders: $19.95

Platinum, 2-Park and 1-Park Pass member prices: $9:95 + free parking and in-park savings on food and merchandise

Tickets go on sale in January and can be purchased at the gate or online at 

www.christmastown.com

.OPERATING SCHEDULE

Open evenings 4-9 p.m.

 

  

 

Each year, one of the highlights of the Christmas season in Williamsburg is the annual Christmas concert at the Williamsburg Community Chapel. They graciously welcome all in the community to attend. Even if you don’t attend church there. Although admission is free you do need tickets to attend. The tickets normally go quickly. The concert isunder the direction of Minister of Worship, Ted Cornell, more than 100 voices combine with orchestra for a memorable night of music. Tickets are free; the concert is their gift to the community during the Christmas season. 

Five Concerts: Thursday, December 11, 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 12, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 4:00 p.m.  the Chapel Student Ministry Worship Room

Questions ? All should be answered in the FAQ you can read here : wccchapelchristmas

Or explore the website for the Williamsburg Community Chapel here

How do I get tickets?

Two Days, Two Convenient Ways:

1. Online: www.wcchapel.org , beginning Friday,

November 21, 6:00 a.m., while supplies last.

2. In-person: Saturday, November 22, 9:00

a.m. – Noon, in the Chapel’s Student Ministry

Worship Room, while supplies last.

Address: Williamsburg Community Chapel
3899 John Tyler Highway
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185

Phone: 757-229-7152
A community update brought to you by Mr Williamsburg.com

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If you are looking for something to do to get you in the Christmas Spirit in the Hampton Roads area of Va try attending the 24th annual Grand Illumination Parade in Norfolk, Va. Scheduled for Novemebr 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm

 

The Grand Illumination Parade begins when 100,000 spectators join in a synchronized community countdown, signaling the illumination of more than 12 miles of lights outlining the downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines. The illumination signals the start of the parade, filled with festive lighted floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons, horses, dancers, and of course ‘Ole Saint Nick’ himself. The theme for this year’s parade is “Celebrate the Season” recognizing our nautical heritage.

The parade begins at the corner of St. Paul’s Boulevard and Waterside Drive, continues down Waterside Drive and turns right onto Plume Street, and then left onto Granby Street. The parade ends at the corner of Granby Street and Virginia Beach Boulevard.

The parade route is available to here:  download.

 

Pre-Parade Activities

From 6 – 7pm, carolers, mascots and other strolling performers will provide pre-parade entertainment along the parade route and vendors will be on hand serving up tasty treats.

KinderVision - Bring your child to the 2nd Floor of Dillard’s inside MacArthur Center between 3 – 6pm and take home a free video featuring your child and a special safety message. It’s all part of KinderVision, an educational video program which provides valuable safety information to families.

Selden Arcade - Join the Selden Arcade from 3 – 5pm for pre-parade activities. Get out of the cold and browse through the Selden’s galleries. On display in the Arcade are canstructures from CANstruction, the area’s most creative canned food drive, where canned goods are transformed into dynamic structures. Upstairs in the Selden Gallery, The Art of Anna Freeman and Brett LaGue will be on display. Or take a more interactive approach to art and come see how art is made with the d’ART demos by the artists of d’ART Center. d’Art Center’s Holiday Gift Shop and the City of Norfolk’s Tourist and Information Center Gift Shop will also be open for early Christmas shopping.

MacArthur On Ice - There’s only one place to skate outdoors during the holidays. At MacArthur Center, where you’ll always find something special. Bring the family, bring your friends and enjoy the best skating extravaganza Norfolk’s ever seen. With public skating, figure skating exhibitions, lessons, skating with the Norfolk Admirals and more, MacArthur Center’s the place to be this holiday season.

 

Early Bird Parking

Come early, get a great viewing location and take advantage of Early Bird Parking, provided by the City of Norfolk Division of Parking, for only $1, from 3 – 5pm in all city owned, attendant operated parking facilities in downtown Norfolk. At 5pm, all facilities will change to special event “collect-on entry” rates ($5 or $4 depending on location) . Early Bird Parking rates do not apply at the following facilities: Scope Garage, St. Paul’s and Brambleton Lots. Also, all Harbor Park Lots and the Harrison Opera House Lot will be closed to the public for the entire day. Regular weekend rates ($1 before 6pm and $2 after 6pm) will be collected upon entry at both of the MacArthur Center Garages.
More Parking information is available for download.

If you are interested in supporting the parade as a Volunteer send an email with your contact information to HIC@DowntownNorfolk.org or download a Volunteer application.

This update courtesy of Mr Williamsburg…..