| |
| By Christin Nielsen March 4, 2026 |
| |
| From a dance contest to free concerts to Comicon, this week will bring a diverse lineup of special events to the Historic Triangle.
Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars is set to return for its 17th year on Saturday.
Inspired by the popular television program, "Dancing with the Stars," the annual charity event invites the public to cheer on prominent locals as they perform alongside a professional dance partner.
The 2026 show will feature the theme, "An Evening of Magic," and will be held at Phi Beta Kappa Hall, marking a return to its beginnings on the William & Mary campus.
Proceeds support Literacy for Life and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula.
This year's program will feature 11 dancers, including Ruth Larson, member of James City County's Board of Supervisors, Loren Smith, vice president of hospital operations for Sentara Health and Ty Hardin, a firefighter, DJ and lawn care entrepreneur.
To date, Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars has raised nearly $1 million for its charitable beneficiaries.
Other highlights this week include Williamsburg Comicon, a free sing-along concert presented by Flute Frenzy and the return of the popular Williamsburg Book Festival.
See below for our curated guide to things to do around the Historic Triangle, March 4 - 8. |
| |
EVENTS THIS WEEK |
| Each week, we scour event calendars from across the region and send readers a list of local events and activities worthy of their time. For additional event details, click on the bolded, hyperlinked titles. |
Wednesday, March 4 |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
-
"The Forsytes" Pre-Screening | Williamsburg Library Theatre | "The Forsytes" chronicles the lives, loves, trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian-era stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and self-sacrifice versus personal happiness and the pursuit of love. Attend this advanced screening before the official premiere on March 22. Sponsored by WHRO. Free. 11 am and 6 pm.
|
| WELLNESS |
| |
| DANCE |
-
William & Mary Presents: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble | William & Mary | Enjoy a performance by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, internationally recognized as one of America's foremost modern dance companies. Tickets are $35 for general admission, $30 for military and seniors and $10 for children 12 and under. 7:30 pm.
|
| |
Thursday, March 5 |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
| |
| AUTHOR TALK |
-
How to Make Healthy Living Effortless and Fun | Virtual, hosted by WRL | Jenn Lueke, author of the new cookbook, "Don't Think About Dinner," will discuss a framework for saving time, money and energy with strategic meal planning, grocery lists and kitchen prep. The strategies are designed to improve health, cut down on food waste and spending and reduce the mental load. Register here. Free. 2 pm.
|
| FILM |
-
Throwback Thursday: "The Patriot" | Williamsburg Library Theatre | This film series screens a variety of classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience. In this week's feature, "The Patriot" (R, 2000), Mel Gibson stars as a southern farmer during the Revolution. Costars include Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson and Jason Isaacs. 2hrs 45min. Free admission. 2 - 4:45 pm.
|
| ESTATE PLANNING |
-
Trusts and Estates Seminar | Stryker Center | Presented by Attorney Richard B. Campbell, this series runs on the first Thursday of March, June, August and October. Attendees will receive practical, straightforward guidance for protecting their loved ones, assets and wishes through proper estate planning. Free. 2 - 3 pm.
|
| KIDS & TEENS |
| |
| |
Friday, March 6 |
 |
| The Youth Art Show returns to the Stryker Center on March 6. (Photo courtesy of WRL) |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
| |
| KIDS & FAMILIES |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Saturday, March 7 |
 |
| Flute Frenzy. (Photo courtesy of Sean Awawjo) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
-
Williamsburg Comicon | 4601 Opportunity Way | Attend a celebration of pop culture with a focus on comics, movies, TV shows and video games. This event will be held at the VPCC Historic Triangle Campus. Free. Registration is required. 10 am - 4 pm.
|
| |
-
Williamsburg Book Festival | William & Mary | This family-friendly event brings together authors, poets, speakers, illustrators and publishers from Virginia and beyond. This year's event will be held at the William & Mary School of Education, offering a full day of literary discovery and connection. Free. 10 am - 4 pm.
|
| |
-
Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars | Phi Beta Kappa Hall | Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars returns for its 17th year. Attendees will have the opportunity to cheer on prominent locals who have been paired with a professional dance partner. This event serves as a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Literacy for Life. General admission is $75. Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm.
|
| |
| JOB FAIR |
| |
| RECREATION |
| |
| KIDS |
-
Family Days: Tales of the Dragon | Jamestown Settlement | Families are invited to collaborate to build a community dragon, enjoy dance performances and produce a simple, dragon-themed make-and-take craft. All ages welcome. Included with museum admission. 10 am - 3 pm.
|
| |
| |
| INFORMATIONAL |
| |
| FILM |
| |
| NATURE |
| |
| |
| MARKETS |
- Williamsburg Farmers Market | Downtown Williamsburg | Shop from over 40 vendors offering produce, prepared foods and baked goods, flowers, artisan chocolate, local honey, handmade soaps and more. Live music is performed weekly. Free admission. 8 am - noon.
|
- Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | The Toano Open Air Market returns for the 2026 season on March 7. Find fresh produce, baked goods, artisan-crafted products and more. Free admission. 9 am - noon.
|
- Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village's weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am - noon.
|
| LIVE MUSIC |
-
Joshua Bell | Ferguson Center for the Arts | GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell has performed with every major orchestra in the world. See this renowned soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and conductor perform locally at the Ferguson Center on March 7. Tickets start at $56.50.
|
- Organ Recital: Dr. JanEl Will | Bruton Parish Church | Enjoy a recital of 18th-century music presented by Dr. JanEl Will, organist at Bruton Parish. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 7 - 8 pm.
|
| |
Sunday, March 8 |
 |
| York Hall will host a free history lecture on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
| STREET FAIR |
- 2nd Sundays Williamsburg | Downtown Williamsburg | 2nd Sundays returns for the 2026 season on March 8. This event features more than 180 unique artisans, musicians, street performers, food vendors and a beer/beverage garden along 6 blocks of downtown Williamsburg. Free admission. 11 am - 4 pm.
|
| HISTORY |
- "Miseries and Dangers of Soule and Bodie" | York Hall | Join Dr. Amy Stallings, an adjunct professor at William & Mary and performer with the Colonial Williamsburg historic dance ensemble, for a presentation on indentured servant Anne Fletcher and the religious character of the English Chesapeake in the 1640s. Free & open to the public. Seating is limited. 2 - 3 pm.
|
| MARDI GRAS |
- Mardi Gras Mambo | Column15 Café and Roastery | Celebrate Mardi Gras with live music, a fun competition with prizes and a themed Balloon Arch for selfies and group pictures. Discounted champagne and mimosas will be available for anyone in costume. Free. 2:30 - 6 pm.
|
| LIVE MUSIC |
- VBC Storytellers: Mike Gombas Jr. | Virginia Beer Company | This music series highlights local singer-songwriters with a focus on their original music and the stories behind the songs. This week's featured performer is Mike Gombas Jr. 3 - 6 pm.
|
| |
Multi-Day |
 |
| A display at the "Outlander" Costume Exhibition at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. (Photo courtesy of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) |
| SPECIAL EXHIBITION |
| |
| KIDS & FAMILIES |
| |
| MARDI GRAS |
-
Busch Gardens Mardi Gras | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 30 - March 8 | Enjoy food, entertainment, live music, cocktails and more - Mardi Gras style. See the website to purchase tickets.
|
| EXHIBITS |
-
Black Artist Showcase | Jamestown Settlement | Feb. 1 - March 29 | In honor of Black History Month and beyond, this exhibit strives to connect the past and present through vivid intersections of contemporary art and 17th-century history. Admission is free for residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg with proof of residency.
|
-
Abstract Expressionists: The Women | Muscarelle Museum of Art | Jan. 23 - April 26 | Drawn from the renowned Christian Levett Collection and the Female Artists of the Mougins Museum, this exhibition shines a light on nearly fifty paintings created by thirty-two important women artists between 1936 and 1977. Tickets are $12 for adults 18+ (free for youth, Muscarelle members and W&M students, faculty and staff) and are available here.
|
| TAX ASSISTANCE |
| |
| |
