Special Events
About
James City County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of large 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 (In A Box) - February 27
Virtual Activity
Dedicate a night for some quality family time. You provide the space (and family); we package up the FUN! Enjoy good old-fashioned board game, play some cards and get creative with a hands-on activity or craft! We'll also throw in prepackaged popcorn and candy for a sweet treat. All families must preregister by February 23; select custom game package at the time of registration. Families will be contacted to select their pick-up date and time. We invite you to share your experience with us! Take a family photo and email to parks.rec@jamescitycountyva.gov on the event date. Photo submission will enter you into a raffle for a family-fun gift basket - winning family will be announced on March 1!
Virtual Fido Fest - March 15-20
Presented by Peninsula Animal Referral Center
Virtual Contests & Swag Bag Pick-up
Don’t miss the PAW-ty! There's a new twist on this family favorite, furry friend event! The event has gone virtual for 2021! Featured activities include:
Dog Photo Contest* - prizes are awarded for best smile, best costume, precious pup (age 2 & younger) and precious pup (age 3+). One photo entry per email address. Voting takes place March 15-20 on our Facebook page facebook.com/jccparks. Winners announced Monday, March 22.
Best Trick Contest* - 30-second clip maximum. One video entry per email address.
Fido Fashion Show* - dress your pup in their finest St. Patrick's Day gear and show us! All photo entries will receive a special prize and be featured in a video slideshow.
Fido Coloring Raffle - coloring sheets may be picked up from the Recreation Centers and Parks offices or downloaded from our website (coming soon)! All entries are eligible to win a fantastic prize pack.
*All submissions are due by Wednesday, March 10; form link coming soon!
Sign up to receive a FREE dog-friendly "swag bag!" One bag per family. Drive-through pickup dates are March 19 and 20 at Freedom Park, 553 Centerville Road. Select your time by visiting https://tinyurl.com/FidoBag. For more information, please call 757-259-5353.
Fido Fest is presented by the Peninsula Animal Referral Center and sponsored by The Pet Resort at Greensprings, the James City Veterinary Clinic and Muddy Marley's Dog Wash. Hosted by James City County and the Heritage Humane Society.
Summer Camp Fair - Date TBD
Location TBA
Two-day event, typically held on a Friday evening or Saturday morning in late April or early May at the James City County Recreation Center. Still need to sign-up the kids for summer camp? Looking for something new this year? Learn about great camps and register your kids at the same time! Goodie bags for first 200 guests! Camps include:
- Day (full-time and part-time) and overnight camps
- Sports, adventure, scouting
- Dance, music, arts and theater
- Vacation bible schools, special needs
- Academics – science, foreign language, history
- Preschool to high school camps and more!
Offered in partnership with WilliamsburgFamilies.com and The Virginia Gazette.
Family Fun Fest - Date TBD
Location TBA
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!
Movies Under the Stars
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park!
Tails on the Trail - June 5
Typically held the first Saturday in June from 9-11 a.m. at Freedom Park or Greensprings Trail. Are you up for a summer-long trail adventure with your dog? Join 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! For more information, visit heritagehumanesociety.org.
Project FiveFortySeven - June 20
Various Locations (5:47 a.m. - sunset)
It’s the longest day of the year, make time to play! Join Parks & Recreation for the 3rd Annual Longest Day of Play program. Enjoy FREE recreational activities from sunrise to sunset. There will be activities for a variety of ages, abilities and interests in topic areas including arts, outdoors, fitness, sensory, sports and more. Full calendar of programs will be available May 15.
Student Art Show & Exhibit - Date TBD
Typically held mid June –mid July at the Williamsburg Library. Anne Kushnick’s oil painting and pastel students will display their talents in this annual exhibit. View many unique pieces with some available for purchase.
Freedom Stories & More - June 19
Freedom Park (Noon - 3 p.m.)
Typically held the third or fourth Saturday in June from noon-3 p.m. at 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.
Movies Under the Stars
Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park!
Scarecrow Row - Date TBD
Jamestown Beach Event Park (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)NEW! $20/scarecrow
Come out for this social distanced and FUN event making a scarecrow with your family. Make the biggest, the best, and maybe the only scarecrow in your neighborhood! Families must preregister for their scarecrow. Fee includes all supplies (hay, clothes, paints, brushes and your space on the event field). Not able to make the event date/time, or prefer to make your scarecrow at home? No problem! Select the “at home kit” and we’ll package your supplies for pick-up.
Live Well Week - Nov. 2 - 6 (no program Nov. 3)
James City County Recreation Center
Seniors ages 55+, we invite you to join us for Live Well Week! Swing by the James City County Recreation Center any day between 8-10 a.m. to pick-up a "Live Well" bag containing information from local organizations and agencies who specialize in health care, nutrition, leisure services and more! Enter our raffle to win a special "Live Well" gift basket with lots of goodies! Flu shots will also be available on Friday, Nov. 6; however, you must sign up. You can sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/LWWflushot or phone 757-259-5353. During your appointment and throughout your visit at the Recreation Center, facial coverings are required and social distancing measures will be in place.
Bike the Bridge - Nov. 7
Virginia Capital Trail (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)Join James City County in the first annual Bike the Bridge event. The full route will start in James City County, cross the Chickahominy River and enter into Charles City County along the Virginia Capital Trail. Starting location will be mile marker 0 of the Virginia Capital Trail and include various lengths of 15, 25 and 50 mile routes; route information will be available closer to the race date. Light refreshments at rest stops, a T-shirt and lunch are provided with rider registration. Registration closes Friday, Nov. 6 at noon. To register, CLICK HERE! $20 per rider; $25 after Oct. 25.
Santa Calling - Dec. 8
Available in English and SpanishJames City County Parks & Recreation offers “phone calls from Santa” on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 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, Dec. 1. 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 are available at the Recreation Centers, Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Satellite Services in Toano, Freedom Park Interpretive Center and online.
Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa - Dec. 12
James City County Recreation Center
You and your family are invited to attend "Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa." To maintain social distancing, we have limited seating capacities and only families will be seated together. Enjoy a morning of “holly-day” cheer with Santa. Socially distanced photo opportunities available. Registration required by Dec.1. Max 50 people per seating. *Please register everyone who is attending (adults and children) to ensure their seat – fee includes special gift for each attendee.
- Breakfast: 8:30 - 10 a.m.
- Brunch: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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 joy.johnson@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, Joy Johnson, at joy.johnson@jamescitycountyva.gov prior to submitting an application.
Upcoming Events
- Family Fun Fest - May 15, 2021 - Information available January 2021!
- Harvest Festival - September 19, 2020 (Canceled)