November 19, 2021 – January 2, 2022
What better place to get into the true spirit of Christmas than Victorian Cape May? This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Featured Events
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT HOUSE TOURS
Cape May’s Christmas Candlelight House Tours have been a beloved annual tradition for nearly half a century! Cape May MAC launched this tour in 1973 and ever since it has been a highlight of the Christmas season in Cape May, America’s only National Historic Landmark City. On three nights in December travel to homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels, stepping across the thresholds to take in interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. This self-guided tour is one of Cape May MAC’s largest fund-raisers. Maps are provided. Wristbands for ticket purchasers are provided in advance or at central locations at the start of the tour and must be presented at each participating location for entry. Tour is limited. Trolley shuttle travels on planned route with limited stops. Walking is encouraged. Advance purchase is highly recommended.
VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT HOUSE TOUR
From the comfort of your home, experience Cape May’s Christmas Candlelight House Tour, a beloved annual tradition for nearly half a century, virtually! Watch this virtual tour with family and friends and bring a bit of Cape May at Christmas into your own home for years to come. Featured are 10 Cape May homes, B&Bs and inns decorated for the holidays including interviews with owners and innkeepers. Participating properties include: The John B. McCreary House (“The Abbey”), Angel of the Sea Bed & Breakfast, The Bedford Inn, The Cherry House, The Emlen Physick Estate, Franklin at 721, The Henry Sawyer Inn, The Mainstay Inn, The Mason Cottage and The Mission Inn.
NEW! ALL THAT GLITTERS TROLLEY TOUR
Victorians ring in a new century!
The year is 1899. A dear friend of the family has volunteered to help with the final preparations for the very important New Year’s Day Celebration. She wants to consolidate a shopping trip for the necessities to avoid making numerous trips. Join her as we travel through town making plans for this important endeavor.
Holiday Tours & Events
SANTA’S TROLLEY RIDES
Mrs. Claus comes direct from the North Pole to lead this tour! She tells stories and leads holiday songs on this jolly holiday trolley ride through town. Santa joins the fun at the Gazebo on the grounds of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Begins and ends at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. (with free parking available).
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Share a delicious breakfast with family and friends and welcome special guest Santa Claus, himself, as he visits Cape May’s Aleathea’s Restaurant, the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. in the weeks leading up to Christmas! He will meet and greet his fans and there will be time for children to visit with Santa, take photos, and share their wish lists with him. Event is limited. Advance purchase required.
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST TROLLEY TOURS
Listen to dramatic tales of Christmas woe featuring Victorian ghosts, told by a member of the East Lynne Theater Company, on this ride along the historic streets of Cape May. You’ll be happy you live now, not then. Begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through Cape May’s historic district.
PHYSICK FAMILY CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOUR
Take this guided living history tour of the magnificent 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style for Christmas. Your guide portrays a member of the Physick family in the early 1900s and shares stories and traditions. The tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery to see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit, a popular annual display featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept. 56 Dickens village collection.
A DR. PHYSICK CHRISTMAS
Join Dr. Emlen Physick for a first-person tour of the 1879 Physick House in this interpretive step back into the Victorian era. Dr. Physick welcomes you into his stately home during the Christmas season as his personal guests for the holidays, and shares family stories and highlights of an authentic Cape May Victorian Christmas. Afterwards, visit the Carriage House and visit “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit in the Carroll Gallery and see this popular annual display featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept 56 Dickens village collection.
NEW! ALL THAT GLITTERS COMBINATION TOUR
Victorians ring in a new century!
The year is 1899. A dear friend of the family has volunteered to help with the final preparations for the very important New Year’s Day Celebration. She wants to consolidate a shopping trip for the necessities to avoid making numerous trips. Join her as we travel through town making plans for this important endeavor, and then we will go to the Physick Estate to meet the family as they prepare the house for the holidays.
Tour tickets for this tour are not available for online purchase. Click the link below to find out where to purchase tickets.
EVENING YULETIDE HOUSE TOUR
Take this guided tour of the first-floor rooms of the 1879 Physick House Museum, authentically decorated for a Victorian Christmas. See and hear how the Physick family might have entertained friends and family and celebrated in traditional Victorian fashion during the holidays. Afterwards, visit the Carriage House and visit “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit in the Carroll Gallery and see this popular annual display featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept 56 Dickens village collection.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS TROLLEY RIDES
Who can resist the twinkle of Cape May’s beautiful Victorian homes decorated for Christmas? This trolley ride through the historic streets of Cape May is a delight. Listen to Christmas music and enjoy hearing about the history of many of the Christmas traditions of today. Victorian Cape May is outstanding at Christmas and this is a ride to share with friends and family to revel in Cape May’s Christmas spirit. Trolleys are open-air. Blankets are recommended. Cape May MAC blankets are available for purchase at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and the Physick Estate. Tour begins and ends at the trolley stop on Ocean Street.
Accessible with advance notice.
THE UNEXPECTED GIFT
HOLIDAY CRAFTS & COLLECTIBLES SHOW
This two day craft & collectibles show in Cape May Convention Hall is the perfect place to stock up on Christmas gifts for friends and family. Featuring a selection of local and regional vendors.
Free Experiences
“AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS” EXHIBIT
Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington St.
November 19 2021 – January 1, 2022
Enter a holiday wonderland and feel like a child again as you see our extensive Dept. 56 Dickens Village collection beneath the boughs of our giant Christmas tree. All this plus old family photos, trains and more. There’s even a place to drop off your letters to Santa! Located at the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House.
WINTER WONDERWALK
November 19 2021 – January 1, 2022
The grounds of Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., have been transformed for the holiday season. Winter Wonderwalk is an exciting new addition to the decorated estate. Walk the grounds and vote for your favorite fun & whimsical display of winters past.