2016 Guide to New England Holiday Home Tours

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Your definitive guide to holiday home tours throughout New England.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions
November 19–January 2
Indulge in the splendor of the holiday season by touring three of Newport’s historic mansions bedecked for Christmas. The Breakers, the Elms, and Marble House will be decorated for the holidays. Highlights of the tour include gingerbread replicas of the mansions, Christmas trees, and a display of the Vanderbilt family’s New York Central Railroad model train. The Breakers opens daily at 9 a.m., the Elms and Marble House open at 10 a.m. The last tour admission at all three houses is at 4 p.m., and the houses and grounds close at 5 p.m. Admission to all three houses, $29.49 for adults; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas with a 3 p.m. closing on December 24. The Preservation Society of Newport County, (401) 847-1000, newportmansions.org

Portland’s Victoria Mansion
November 25–January 8
Portland’s Victoria Mansion will open its doors so visitors can enjoy the historic home in all its holiday splendor. This year the mansion will be decorated from top to bottom by area designers in the theme A Currier & Ives Christmas. The mansion will also hold a Christmas Gala, November 30. Open daily 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Portland, Maine, (207) 772 4841, ­victoriamansion.org

Holiday Splendor at the Lockwood Mathews Mansion
November 25 – January 8, 2017
Travel back to the Guilded Age at the historic Lockwood Mathews Mansion in Norwalk, CT. The home is decorated for the season with themed vignettes, traditional and designer Christmas trees, historic decorations, and a selection of vintage toys and games. $10 for adults, Wednesday – Sundays, 12 noon – 4 p.m., lockwoodmathewsmansion.com

Nantucket Holiday House Tour
December 2
Nantucket Stroll Weekend kicks off with a tour Nantucket homes professionally decorated for the season. This annual event is now in its 34^th year. $45, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., fonps.org

37^th Annual Christmas in Salem House Tour
December 2 – 4
Homeowners in historic Salem, Massachusetts open their doors to the visitors at this annual tour. The homes are decked in full holiday regalia by professional florists and designers, and are sure to delight and inspire your own holiday décor. Each year the tour focuses on a specific neighborhood, this year’s tour will take place at Salem Commons. $35, Preview Candleight Tour (advanced ticket purchase required) will be held on December 2 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., christmasinsalem.org

Antiquarius
December 2–7
Celebrate the holidays in style with a series of events featuring the Greenwich Winter Antique Show, Holiday House Tour, Holiday Boutique, a design lecture and book signing featuring Alessandra Branca, and other social events. Visit the Greenwich Historical Society website for full details, greenwichhistory.org

Festival of Trees & Traditions
December 2–11
Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut holds its annual holiday event, featuring trees, wreaths, and festive holiday decor. There will be live music and dancing in the galleries. During the festival, a special exhibition, The Thrill of the Chase: The Wagstaff Collection of Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum, will be on view. Hartford, (860) 278-2670, thewadsworth.org

Concord Museum Holiday House Tour
December 3
Get inspired to decorate your home for the holidays at the annual Concord Museum Holiday House Tour. This self-guided tour lets you explore some the historic town’s most interesting homes. Each house is decorated for the season by a professional designer or florist. Advance ticket sales: $40 members, $45 nonmembers, $50 day of the tour. Concord, Mass., 11 a.m.–4 p.m., concordmuseum.org
Westport Historical Society Holiday House Tour
December 4
Enjoy five beautiful Westport homes decked out in festive holiday decor at this annual event. The self-guided tour is sure to put you in the holiday spirit and inspire you to decorate your own home for the season. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Westport, CT, (203) 222-1424, visit westporthistory.org for details.

The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum’s 36th Annual Holiday House Tour
December 4
Enjoy a favorite Connecticut holiday tradition at this annual holiday house tour. Mark Twain’s 19-room home, along with other unique Hartford-area homes, will be decorated for the season. There will be live music at the houses to further enhance the festive atmosphere. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (860) 280-3130, marktwainhouse.org

Custom House Maritime Museum Holiday House Tour
December 10
For more than twenty years, people have kicked off the holiday season at this annual holiday house tour in beautiful Newburyport. Highlights include several homes located in the heart of downtown Newburyport, a countryside retreat, and a shipbuilder’s Colonial residence. Newburyport, Mass., $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Museum members, active military members, and children under 6 are admitted free, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (978) 462-8681, thechmm.org

Woodbury Connecticut Holiday House Tour
December 10
Attendees are invited to tour six homes in Woodbury, Connecticut charmingly decorated for the holiday season. $30, doors open at 9 a.m. and tour is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., womansclubofwoodbury.org

Woodstock Vermont’s Annual Holiday House Tour
December 10
This annual event is one of the favorites of Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend. This self-guided tour takes you through some of Woodstock, Vermont’s most beautiful homes all dressed-up for the holidays. As an extra treat, some of the homes will feature live musicians. $40 for adults and kids under 17 are free, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., pentanglearts.org/event/holiday-house-tour/

Sandwich Holly Days
December 11
Cape Cod’s famed community spirit can be experienced at this annual holiday event. Visitors will be able to tour private homes, a church, and historic inns in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Enjoy Christmas music sung by the Cape Cod Chorale’s Mostly Dickens Carolers Quartet. Take the Holly Trolley so you don’t have to drive! $25, noon – 4 p.m., sandwichhollydays.com