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WILLIAMSBURG — About 90 years ago, Colonial Williamsburg residents began putting candles in their windows on December evenings to recreate an 18th-century atmosphere.

Now, the practice has become a festival of three weekends of fireworks and festivities across the Historic Area called the Grand Illumination.

This year’s nationally recognized fireworks extravaganza will take place on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area at 7 p.m. at the Capitol and the Governor’s Palace. The day’s events are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. with a holiday proclamation at the courthouse, followed by illuminations of the Wythe House and Raleigh Tavern.

At 6 p.m. prior to the fireworks, a variety of musical programs are scheduled at the Capi

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