Museum · Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg: free entry days, tickets & hours
The restored 18th-century capital of Virginia: 301 acres of historic buildings, working tradespeople, taverns and two art museums.
Independent guide, not the official Colonial Williamsburg website. Official links are under Sources.
Colonial Williamsburg is next free on Saturday, 14 November 2026 (in 2 weeks).
- Centennial Day: free Historic Area admission for everyone on 14 Nov 2026.
- Also free: Veterans Day week: free admission for veterans and military retirees (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026; Veterans Day week: free admission for active-duty military, reservists and National Guard (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026.
- Otherwise: single-day Adult (13+) — $37.50.
- Free tickets must be added to the cart on the official site.
Calendar
Free days at Colonial Williamsburg
For everyone
- SAT14NOVSaturday, 14 November 2026 · in 2 weeks · 10:00–17:00
For veterans
- FRI6NOVFriday, 6 November 2026 · in 9 days
- SAT7NOVSaturday, 7 November 2026 · in 10 days
- SUN8NOVSunday, 8 November 2026 · in 11 days
- MON9NOVMonday, 9 November 2026 · in 12 days
- TUE10NOVTuesday, 10 November 2026 · in 13 days
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 2 weeks
For military members and families
- FRI6NOVFriday, 6 November 2026 · in 9 days
- SAT7NOVSaturday, 7 November 2026 · in 10 days
- SUN8NOVSunday, 8 November 2026 · in 11 days
- MON9NOVMonday, 9 November 2026 · in 12 days
- TUE10NOVTuesday, 10 November 2026 · in 13 days
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 2 weeks
1 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Centennial Day: free Historic Area admission for everyone on 14 Nov 2026: Free tickets must be added to the cart on the official site.
- Veterans and service members: the free ticket is only handed out on site (Lumber House or the Art Museums), so bring the whole party and your DoD ID or DD-214.
- Veterans Day itself (Wed 11 Nov 2026) has a military march honoring veterans from Capitol Circle at 3:30pm, and veterans are invited to take part.
- The free Centennial Day on Sat 14 Nov 2026 needs free online tickets; the Historic Area then closes to visitors on Sun 15 Nov 2026.
- Pay cash or check on site to avoid the 3% card service fee on paid tickets.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free dayVeterans Day week: free admission for veterans and military retirees (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026 | veterans | Free single-day ticket valid 6-11 Nov 2026 only. Pick it up in person at an on-site ticket location (e.g. the Lumber House or the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg); everyone in the party must be present, one ticket per person. Bring a Department of Defense photo ID or DD Form 214 (veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge DD-214). Includes historic trades and sites, the Art Museums, Campbell Archaeology Center, Hennage Auditorium programs and the shuttle. | No |
| Free dayVeterans Day week: free admission for active-duty military, reservists and National Guard (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026 | military members and families | Free single-day ticket valid 6-11 Nov 2026 only. Pick it up in person at an on-site ticket location (e.g. the Lumber House or the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg); everyone in the party must be present, one ticket per person. Bring a Department of Defense photo ID or DD Form 214 (veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge DD-214). Includes historic trades and sites, the Art Museums, Campbell Archaeology Center, Hennage Auditorium programs and the shuttle. If the service member is deployed, dependents can use the offer alone; minors must be with an adult and dependents aged 10+ must show a dependent ID. | No |
| Free dayCentennial Day: free Historic Area admission for everyone on 14 Nov 2026 · 10:00–17:00 | everyone | Add the free Centennial Celebration tickets (13+, 6-12, 0-5) to your cart online. Valid 14 Nov 2026 only. The evening 'Toast to the Next 100' event is ticketed separately. | Yes |
Official prices
Colonial Williamsburg ticket prices
| Single-day Adult (13+) — Youth 6-12 $10. A 3% service fee applies to card payments (pay cash or check on site to avoid it), and the City of Williamsburg adds a 10% admission tax on the first $10. A ticket is needed to enter buildings and programs in the Historic Area. | $37.50 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (single-day adult (13+)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Colonial Williamsburg
Guided tourColonial Williamsburg: Colonial History Guided Walking Tour★★★★★ 4.9 · 119 reviews105 minutesfrom $25
Timed-entry ticketWilliamsburg: Colonial Williamsburg Admission★★★★☆ 4.4 · 22 reviewsfrom $38.79
Guided tourColonial Williamsburg: 18th-Century Christmas Walking Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 15 reviews2 hoursfrom $25
Guided tourColonial Williamsburg: The Original Ghost Walk★★★★★ 4.5 · 14 reviews1 hourfrom $20
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Open 365 days a year. Most historic trades and sites 10am-5pm; the Art Museums 10am-5pm daily (ticketing there 12-4pm). The Lumber House ticket office opens 9:30am. Evening programs are ticketed separately. Exception: the Historic Area, Art Museums and Campbell Archaeology Center close on 15 Nov 2026 for a staff centennial event.
Regional Visitor Center, 101 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
FAQ
Colonial Williamsburg: common questions
Is Colonial Williamsburg free?
Colonial Williamsburg is free for everyone centennial Day: free Historic Area admission for everyone on 14 Nov 2026. Also free: Veterans Day week: free admission for veterans and military retirees (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026; Veterans Day week: free admission for active-duty military, reservists and National Guard (and their immediate dependents), 6-11 Nov 2026. Otherwise the official ticket costs $37.50.
When are the free days at Colonial Williamsburg for veterans?
Upcoming free dates for veterans: Fri 6 Nov, Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov and Mon 9 Nov. Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
When are the free days at Colonial Williamsburg for military members and families?
Upcoming free dates for military members and families: Fri 6 Nov, Sat 7 Nov, Sun 8 Nov and Mon 9 Nov. Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Do I need to book for free entry to Colonial Williamsburg?
Free tickets must be added to the cart on the official site.
How much is a ticket to Colonial Williamsburg?
Single-day Adult (13+) costs $37.50 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Colonial Williamsburg
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Sources
Where this comes from
- colonialwilliamsburg.org/visit/through-the-seasons/veterans-day-weekend/ · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- colonialwilliamsburg.org/visit/through-the-seasons/100-anniversary-celebration/ · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.