Sunday November 2, 2025
11:00am-4:00pm
12602 Harrison Landing Rd.
Charles City VA 23030
(804)829-6018
Festival Admission: Buses- $40.00 Cars- $25.00 Bikes- $10.00
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 2, 2025 as we celebrate this historic event with the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival. The Virginia Thanksgiving Festival is celebrating its 64th 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 a parade led by the Williamsburg Pipes and Drum. Families take part in colonial games, dancing, crafts, petting zoo, and demonstrations. Jonathon Auston will entertain families with his juggling and magic show. The Chickahominy Tribal Dancers perform as well as the Colonial Singers of Williamsburg and Itinerant Band.
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. A silent auction will take place with artwork, gift certificates, and more.
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, hot dogs, BBQ, and Virginia ham biscuits. Concessions are also available with kettle corn, desserts, fry bread, tacos, and more.
At this year’s event, the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival will host a food drive sponsored by Feed More, a non-profit organization supporting families in Central Virginia. Bring in non-perishable food items to help local families in need.
The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the event. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
