Virginia Thanksgiving Festival

Charles City, Virginia In 1619, after a stormy voyage across the Atlantic, the Good Ship Margaret landed at Berkeley Hundred with thirty-six men aboard. In accordance with the instructions given in the charter by the Virginia Company, these settlers observed the first official English Thanksgiving in the New World. Join us at Berkeley Plantation on November 3, 2024 as we celebrate this historic event with the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival. The Virginia Thanksgiving Festival is celebrating its 63rd year commemorating America’s first Thanksgiving with a day dedicated to history, food, and fun.

Festival admission is $25 per car and includes activities for the entire family. The festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. with colonial period re-enactors, encampment, petting zoo, parade, and musicians. Jonathon Austin will entertain families with his juggling and magic show. The Chickahominy Tribal Dancers perform as well as the Colonial Singers of Williamsburg, Itinerant Band, and Williamsburg Pipes and Drum. Families take part in colonial games, dancing, and demonstrations. The re-enactment of the landing, moderated by Bill Bevins, begins at 3:00 p.m. Following the re-enactment, the Chickahominy Tribal Dancers invite everyone to join them in the traditional Friendship Dance which concludes the day.

Food, house tours, and local vendor’s arts, crafts, and jewelry are available for purchase. We welcome back Brock’s Barbeque who will continue the tradition of offering Thanksgiving Dinner in a Glass along with smoked turkey legs, Brunswick stew, BBQ, and Virginia ham biscuits. Concessions are also available with kettle corn, desserts, fry bread, tacos, and more.

The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the event. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Berkeley Plantation is located halfway between Williamsburg and Richmond, off scenic Route 5.

For more information visit www.virginiathanksgivingfestival.net