Colonial Williamsburg is set to welcome a rather macabre dinner guest on Oct. 30, 2026: Edgar Allan Poe. A one-night-only Candlelight Dinner with Edgar Allan Poe event will bring candlelit tables, a period-inspired menu and an actor portraying the famed author to Shields Tavern on Oct. 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
According to wavy.com, the event is billed as a live, in-person dining experience where guests dine by candlelight while encountering the actor playing Poe. The idea, per the same report, is to blend history, literature, period food and the atmosphere of an 18th-century tavern into a single evening.
What's on the Menu
Organizers describe a three-course dinner inspired by historic Virginian dining, the station's report notes. The meal includes artisan bread served with herb butter, historic-style fried chicken and potato pudding, followed by strawberry mousse for dessert, with coffee, tea and wine rounding out the selection.
Shields Tavern itself is no stranger to hosting gatherings. The venue offers interactive dining experiences for corporate and celebratory events, according to Colonial Williamsburg Resorts, which touts the tavern's historic ambience as part of its appeal for groups looking to rent the space.
Tickets and Timing
Tickets for the Poe dinner start at around $129.89 and can be purchased through Eventbrite, per the same account. Because seating is limited, advance purchase is recommended for anyone hoping to share a table with the literary legend for the night.
