Events this week: British Occupation Day, National Farmers Market celebration and more

47 things to do around the Historic Triangle this week: July 28-Aug. 3.

 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

July 28, 2025 Events this week: British Occupation Day, National Farmers Market celebration and more, July 28 - Aug. 3 Historic Yorktown will host British Occupation Day on Aug. 2. (Photo courtesy of York County) A VA250 program, a special farmers market and free outdoor concerts are among this week's upcoming events. British Occupation Day, part of the Commonwealth's programming commemorating America's upcoming 250th anniversary, is slated to be held in Historic Yorktown on Saturday.  The event reflects upon the impacts of the arrival of British forces in Yorktown, which took place on August 2, 1781, and forever altered the course of American History.  Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a living history encampment, view exhibits and enjoy Colonial-era music and games.  Yorktown will also kick off its annual National Farmers Market Week on Saturday at Riverwalk Landing. The celebration highlights the important contributions of America's farmers markets and will feature more than 50 vendors, a cooking demonstration, children's activities and music by local acoustic musician Louis Vangieri. In this week's live music lineup, the Sounds of Summer Concert Series continues in Yorktown with Bon Journey, a Pittsburgh-based band that plays Bon Jovi and Journey hits. Jazz band Phazz II will perform in the Port Warwick Summer Concert Series, and Bruton Parish Church will host a candlelit Woodwind Quintet Chamber Recital. The Merchant's Square 2025 concert series is also set to return this week with a live acoustic blues performance by Cristina Vane.  Other highlights this week include the Colonial Croaker Classic fishing tournament at Riverwalk Landing, the Pop 2000 Tour at Busch Gardens - featuring Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC - and a free screening of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" at Merchants Square. See below for our curated guide to things to do around the Historic Triangle, July 28 - August 3. 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. Monday, July 28 TEENS Teen Anime Movie Night | Tabb Library | Teens are invited to attend a screening of the critically acclaimed anime movie, Castle in the Sky. For grades 6-12. Refreshments and a craft activity will be provided. Free. 5 - 7:30 pm.  Tuesday, July 29 KIDS  Terrific Tuesdays | James City County Library | After puppet storytime, kids will enjoy the summer sun with outdoor games. All ages; weather permitting. Free. 10:30 am - 12 pm.  HISTORY Poetry & Art | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Attend a family-friendly tour where you'll explore galleries, explore the link between objects on exhibit and favorite poems, and participate in a poetry-writing activity. Free and open to the public. 11 - 11:45 am.  Crack the Code | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | Use secret messages to investigate Revolutionary War events and see if you can Crack the Code. Free and open to the public. 1 - 1:50 pm. Works by Black Artists and Artisans | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Attend a guided tour of the exhibit, "'I made this:' Works by Black Artists and Artisans." Free and open to the public. 2 - 2:30 pm.  FILM Art House Café: "The Quilters" and "The Last Repair Shop" | Williamsburg Library | Williamsburg Library Theatre | Enjoy a double feature of two award-winning short documentaries about people giving back to the world. "The Quilters" (2024, PG-13) tells of prison inmates designing and sewing personalized quilts for foster children, while "The Last Repair Shop" (2023, PG) covers a Los Angeles workshop of devoted craftspeople who maintain more than 80,000 instruments for student musicians. Free admission. 2 - 3:20 pm.  YOGA Yoga | James City County Recreation Center | Individuals with disabilities (ages 18+) are invited to participate in this deeply relaxing yoga program, presented in partnership with The Arc of Greater Williamsburg. Free. 7 - 9 pm.  Wednesday, July 30 KIDS & FAMILIES VLM: Nature's Palette @ JCCL | Williamsburg Regional Libraries | Children will discover how different animal species rely on color for survival, communication and camouflage. For ages 6+. Free. This program will be held at James City County Library from 10 am - 11 am and Williamsburg Library from 1 - 2 pm. Free. Toy Making! | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Make a toy inspired by the objects on exhibit. Children must be accompanied by adults. Free and open to the public. 11 - 11:45 am.  Snakespeare | Yorktown Library | Families will turn their favorite literature into a rock friend during this fun outdoor event. A decorative snake will be made from the painted rocks at the end of the program. Free. 4 - 5 pm.  HISTORY  Explore the Declaration of Independence | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Explore the Declaration of Independence through objects on exhibit in this guided tour. Free and open to the public. 2 - 2:45 pm.  LIVE MUSIC Port Warwick Summer Concert Series: Phaz II | William Styron Square | Newport News | The Port Warwick Summer Concert Series runs every Wednesday through Aug. 27. A variety of local food vendors will be on site every week. This week's featured band is Phaz II, a crowd-favorite that performs smooth and funky jazz tunes. Free. 6 - 9 pm.  Thursday, July 31 Bon Journey will perform at the Sounds of Summer Concert Series on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of York County) HEALTH Digital Tools for Brain Health | Stryker Center | Explore digital tools to support habits that will help you stay sharp, like wearable devices, engaging websites and interesting podcasts. Free. 10 - 11 am.  KIDS & FAMILIES Catch-A-Craft | James City County Library | Children are invited to get creative with a new craft each week.  The July 31 theme is "stick families." No registration. Drop in. Free. 10 am - 6 pm.  Sunscreen Painting | Tabb Library | Kids will paint with sunscreen to gain a visual understanding of its benefits. Free. 2 - 3 pm.  FILM Throwback Thursday: "The Best Years of Our Lives" | Williamsburg Library | This film series screens a variety of classic movies for an adult audience. This week's feature is "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). The film highlights three WWII vets who return to their Midwest hometown after the war to find the world they knew has irrevocably changed. Free. 2 - 4:50 pm.  AUTHOR TALK Virtual Author Talk: "On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains" with Pria Anand | Virtual, hosted by WRL | Attend a fascinating online event featuring a conversation with neurologist and author Pria Anand, who will chat about her new book, "The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains." Register here. 2 - 3 pm.  TRIVIA YCPL Trivia Night | Tabb Library | Enjoy an entertaining and illuminating trivia night with categories spanning geography, literature, famous artists, animals and more. For adults only. Snacks provided. Registration recommended. Free. 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  LIVE MUSIC Tech Center Summer Concert Series | Drillfield at Tech Center | Newport News | This new concert series runs through October 2. The July 31 concert will feature acoustic blues artist Cristina Vane. Food trucks will begin serving at 5 pm. Show begins at 6 pm. Free admission. Music By The Bay Summer Concert Series: Fleet Forces Tock Band | Fort Monroe | Enjoy music by some of the region's most talented performers set against the backdrop of summer sunsets by the Chesapeake Bay. This week's featured band is Fleet Forces Rock Band. Free. 7 - 8 pm.  Organ Recital: Stephen Henley | Enjoy a candlelit recital featuring Dr. Stephen Henley, Jr., organist from Richmond. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 8 - 9 pm.  Friday, August 1 Cristina Vane will perform in Merchants Square on Friday. (Photo via Merchants Square) LIVE MUSIC First Fridays Summer Block Party | City Center at Oyster Point | Newport News | Drop by for an evening of music, food, drinks and community at the Summer Block Party Series. There will be local vendors, music, food and spirited drinks. Free admission. 5 - 9 pm.  Merchants Square Concert Series: Cristina Vane | Merchants Square | Enjoy an acoustic blues performance by Cristina Vane - a storyteller whose intricate guitar work, haunting vocals and evocative lyrics transport listeners through time and sound. Free. 6 pm.  Saturday, August 2 A child enjoys Pop's kettle corn during a National Farmers Market Week celebration in Yorktown. (Photo courtesy of York County) SPECIAL EVENTS Yorktown Market Days: National Farmers Market Week Kick-Off | Riverwalk Landing | This annual event celebrates the importance of farmers markets in our nation's food system. There will be games, kids' crafts and live music by Louis Vangieri. Local vendors will sell baked goods, produce, jewelry, woodwork, glassware and much more. Should inclement weather occur, this event will be relocated to the lower level of the Water Street Parking Terrace. Free. 8 am - 12 pm.  British Occupation Day | Historic Main Street | Yorktown | British forces marched into Yorktown on August 2, 1781, changing the course of American history. Step into the past and explore the sights, sounds and stories of this critical moment. This event will feature a living history encampment, Colonial-era music and games and special exhibits. This is a VA250 event. Free. 10 am - 3 pm.  Coffee with a Historian | Paperbacks Ink | Newport News | This series presents a history topic for informal conversation, hosted by a Virginia War Museum historian. August's topic will be the Marquis de Lafayette. Coffee and breakfast items will be available for purchase from the café. Attendees will receive a coupon for $2 off admission to the Virginia War Museum valid through Jan. 1, 2026. Free. 10 am.  Talking History: Alphonso Saville | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Alphonso Saville will discuss his new book, "The Gospel of John Marrant: Conjuring Christianity in the Black Atlantic." Saville's book is the first full-length study of North America's first black ordained minister, the Reverend John Marrant. Included with museum admission. Register online to reserve your seat. 2 pm.  NATURE Friends of York River State Park Volunteer Day | York River State Park | York River State Park is looking for volunteers to help with park cleanup efforts. Participants will pressure wash playground equipment and benches and work on flowerbeds by the main entrance. Those interested should email secretary@yrspfriends.org. 9 am - 2 pm.  Lost Lighthouse Kayak Tour | York River State Park | Kayak with park staff to Croaker Landing and discover the history of two lost lighthouses: Bells Rock and Pages Rock. Solo kayak $16/person, tandem kayak $11/person.  Prepayment required with reservation. 10 am - 12:30 pm.  River Life | York River State Park | Visit live creature displays of fish and shellfish that were captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond. A ranger will discuss their role in the ecosystem. 1 - 3 pm.  CRAFT Pocket Pillows | Abram Frink, Jr. Community Center | Sew a pocket pillow with a handle. Supplies provided; registration required. Free. 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.  KIDS & FAMILIES Storytime & Craft | James City County Library | Kids are invited to listen to stories and make a craft. This week's theme is "affirmation jars." Free. 2 - 3 pm.  Take Your Kid Fishing | Chickahominy Riverfront Park | Bring your child fishing for free at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Participants will learn the fundamentals of this favorite pastime amid the beautiful sunset. For ages 5-12. No registration required; all equipment provided. Free. 5 - 7 pm.  TEENS Teen Plant Identification | Williamsburg Library | Teens will discover how nature and technology can be melded to explore the world around us. For ages 13-18. No registration required. Free. 2 - 3 pm.  MARKETS Williamsburg Farmers Market | Shop from the finest Virginia-grown and Virginia-made produce, plants and products. This farmers market features over 40 vendors, live music and children's programming. Rain or shine. Free admission. 8 am - 12 pm.  Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop from various vendors selling their finest products. Located on the Village Green near Hohl. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.  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 - 12 pm.  HISTORY Create Art! | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Stop by the Goode Education Studio and create art inspired by an object on exhibit. Free and open to the public. 11 - 11:45 am.  LIVE MUSIC Pop 2000 Tour | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Celebrate the golden age of pop with a high-energy throwback to the 2000s hosted by *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick and featuring performances by O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and LFO. Included with park admission. 7 pm.  Woodwind Quintet Chamber Recital | Bruton Parish Church | Attend a candlelit concert featuring Reed Between the Lines, a wind ensemble from Norfolk, Virginia. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 8 - 9 pm.  Sunday, August 3 MOVIE NIGHT Merchants Square Movie Series: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" | Merchants Square | Enjoy outdoor movies every Sunday throughout the summer in Merchants Square. This week's feature is "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (2024).  PG-13. 1hr 45min. Begins 15 minutes after sunset. Free. Multi-Day SPECIAL EVENTS Every Brilliant Thing | Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center | Newport News | July 31 & Aug. 1, 6 pm | Attend a live performance of Every Brilliant Thing — a raw, funny, and moving show that reminds us of all the little things that make life worth living. RSVP here. Free.  Busch Gardens Bier Fest | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Sip and savor seasonal brew offerings and new beer-inspired recipes at Bier Fest. Friday - Sunday + Labor Day, Aug. 1 - Sept. 1.  HISTORY Company of Comedians | In front of Raleigh Tavern | The first theater in British North America was built in Williamsburg. Learn about the historic town's theater and participate in 18th-century entertainment. Free and open to the public. 1 - 1:30 pm  Under Arms: The Spring Gun Affair | Palace Green | Heed the call to arms and join the Williamsburg Independent Company as they investigate the breach of the Powder Magazine by the murderous agents of Lord Dunmore. Free and open to the public. July 28 - 31. 11 - 11:45 am. KIDS Wild Water & Ice Days | Virginia Living Museum | Cool off and splash into summer fun during VLM's Wild Water & Ice Days, featuring water-themed activities for kids and families. Kona Ice Truck will be on site each day. Included with museum admission or membership. July 24 - Aug 3. 9 am - 5 pm.  Regal Summer Movies: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" | 4911 Courthouse Street | Williamsburg | This summer movie series offers $1 family movies every Tuesday and Wednesday through August 6. This week,  "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" will be featured on both days at 10:15 a.m.  Future Events to Note "Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom" | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Attend a presentation on Thomas Jefferson and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. Guests will learn why this statute, which is mentioned at Jefferson's grave site, was so important. August 6, 6:30 pm.  Music In Midtown: Barry Manilow's Wardrobe | Midtown Row | Barry Manilow's Wardrobe will perform New Wave and Alternative 80s music during a free concert at Midtown Row on Thursday, August 14, from 6 - 8 pm.  This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! 📰  Sign up to receive The Triangle's weekly newsletters here. 🖥️ Visit The Triangle's website to read previous newsletters. 📧 To reach out, email christin@thetriangle.news or reply to this email. Sent to: godlyman@alexanderofyork.com Want to change how you receive The Triangle? Update your preferences here or unsubscribe here. The Triangle, P.O Box 7003, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States