Street Performances

Williamsburg City Council passed an ordinance on Aug. 11, 2022, to establish regulations on street performances in Merchants Square and the Historic Area. The ordinance also modifies the noise ordinance  as it applies to decibel levels — now limited to 65 decibels from a distance of 15 feet from where the sound is being generated between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. —  on the public streets and right-of-ways.

Read Ordinance 22-06 in full.

Merchants Square

Medallions that mark the approved 10'x10' performance areas in Merchants Square can be found in three places. Read Ordinance 22-06 in full.

The Rules

• Performances are allowed between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. year-round.
• Performance areas are first come, first served.
• One performance per performance area is allowed.
• Up to 20 individuals may participate in any performance.
• Performances may not be louder than 65 decibels measured with a decibel meter at 15 feet from the performance, with or without amplification.
• Performances may not take place when a special event permit is in effect for the same location. (Downtown festivals, markets, art shows, etc.)
• Roving performances are not permitted.
• Performers must be fully clothed, including footwear, at all times.
• Prince George Street has no designated performance areas at this time.
• Performances are not permitted to block pedestrian ingress and egress on sidewalks. 
• Performers may use small portable speakers and microphones with stands or music stands, chairs or stools, along with instruments and their cases. A special event permit is required for any large equipment that may be placed on the right-of-way.
• Megaphones are not permitted.
• Merchandise sales are not allowed.

Historic Area

The ordinance The Historic Area includes areas bounded by Henry Street on the west, Lafayette Street on the north, Francis Street on the south, and Capitol Landing Road on the east. Read Ordinance 22-06 in full.

The Rules

• Performances are not permitted to block ingress and egress over the street or rights-of-way by pedestrians, automobiles, carriages, wagons, animals, or any other conveyances.
• Performances may not occur within 50 feet of any church or residence, including those buildings in the Historic Area used as residences or hotels.
• Up to 20 individuals may participate in any performance.
• Performances may not be louder than 65 decibels measured with a decibel meter at 15 feet from the performance, with or without amplification.
• Performances may not take place when a special event permit is in effect for the same location. (Downtown festivals, markets, art shows, etc.)
• Performers shall not disrupt in any way the programming or operations of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
• Performers must be fully clothed, including footwear, at all times. 
• Performers may use small portable speakers and microphones with stands or music stands, chairs or stools, along with instruments and their cases. A special event permit is required for any large equipment that may be placed on the right-of-way.
• Megaphones are not permitted.
• Merchandise sales are not allowed.

Enforcement

The Williamsburg Police Department will handle enforcement of the street performance ordinance. Call 757-220-2331 to report suspected violations.