Timetable of Cape May’s Upcoming Victorian Christmas

Cape May is busy preparing for six weeks of special holiday tours and events as it kicks off its Victorian  Cape May Christmas celebration on Friday, Nov 22nd.

Cape May at Christmas is a beautiful place to get in the holiday spirit with family and friends.

The fun includes trolley rides, holiday lights, home tours, inns and B&Bs beautifully decorated for the holiday, breakfast with Santa and more.

Here's a timetable of five highlights of Cape May's Victorian Christmas celebration.

Holiday Preview Weekend:

Get a head start on the Holiday season Friday- Sunday, Nov. 22- 24.

Enjoy a holiday tour of the holiday lights and trimmings at Physick Estate on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5 pm. Santa arrives to flip the switch at 7 pm for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

For kids, there are Santa’s Trolley Rides and a chance to visit with Santa.

Adults can take a tour on a Cape May Christmas Trolley. Advanced reservations are a good idea, these sell out quickly. Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.

Evening Yuletide House Tours:

Take a guided, first-person living history holiday tour of the first-floor rooms of the 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style for Christmas.

The tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery to see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit, featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept. 56 Dickens Village Collection. Tours held on Nov. 29, Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 26, 27, 30

Santa’s Trolley Rides:

Mrs. Claus leads this tour, tells stories, and leads holiday songs on a holiday trolley ride through town. Tours begin and end at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. with free parking available. At various times, reservations are suggested.Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23

Holiday Inns Tours:

The Holiday Inns Tour lets you step inside several Cape May properties decorated for the holidays. You can get a map at the Washington Street Mall information booth.

A trolley shuttle makes a continuous loop during this self-guided afternoon tour. Dec. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 19

51st Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours

A highlight of the Christmas season in Victorian Cape May. Stroll along gaslit streets and visit homes, inns, B&Bs, churches, and hotels, most within walking distance of each other, to see lovely interiors decorated for the holidays.

The popular Candlelight House Tour is Cape May’s longest-running Christmas tour and Cape May MAC’s largest annual fund-raiser.  After buying a ticket, you can get a map and wristband the day before or the day of the tour at the Physick Estate.

This self-guided walking tour covers over a 3/4-square-mile area of the Historic District. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.

Trolley shuttles will not be offered in 2024 as in years past, but all homes and attractions are within a 20-minute walk.

Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org for information and reservations. Dec. 7, 14, 21