Christmastime and the holidays bring special opportunities to gather and mingle with like-minds during the off-season – when many enjoy recounting stories of years past, and share dreams and hopes for a brighter future.
And there’s no better place to stir up fond memories of yesteryears and Christmas or holiday pasts than in the beach towns and country backroads you grew up visiting, or have always been wanting to explore.
In this guide, you’ll find special “History & Arts” holiday events and activities for exploring:
Information listed here, including hours, dates/ times, features, and services, may vary and are subject to change without notice. Please contact event organizer directly to confirm or inquire. We will update this page as we receive more information.
Avalon and Stone Harbor
Stone Harbor Museum will be hosting an Open House during Island Holiday Weekend in Stone Harbor. Visitors can tour the museum artifacts and learn the history behind the people, businesses, and events that shaped and impacted this beloved beach town. The Museum will be open on Friday and Saturday, November 24 and 25 from 10 am to 1 pm, after which it will be closed until spring 2024.
For history lovers of Avalon, the Avalon Historical Society will be hosting an Open House and Christmas Party on December 2. Discover the history of Avalon through local memorabilia and treasures, and enjoy light refreshments, music, and good company.
You can also stop by the Avalon History Center on December 21 for a special “Holiday Tea Time” to socialize and reconnect with friends while discovering the history of teas.
Cape May
Cape May MAC offers a variety of unique tours, exhibits, and experiences this holiday season for any arts and history lovers. But there’s something extra special happening on November 18, where visitors can take advantage of free admission to the Physick Estate House Museum, Carroll Gallery, and a free holiday concert!
The Carroll Gallery, located inside the Carriage House on the Physick Estate, showcases an extensive Dept. 56 Dickens Village collection, which quietly rests beneath the boughs of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. This nostalgic winter wonderland also features old family photos, trains, and more. The Gallery’s Old Fashioned Christmas Exhibit runs from November 17 to January 1, and is part of Cape May MAC’s Holiday Season Kick-Off with other scheduled events at the Physick Estate on November 18.
On the same day, there is also an Open House at the Physick Estate, offering free self-guided tours from 5 to 7:30 pm where visitors can enjoy strolling about the House Museum and discovering the lives of those who once worked and lived on the Estate of Dr. Emlen Physick. The House is especially decorated in traditional Victorian trimmings this time of year, and something special to see.
For music lovers,… The Atlantic Brass Band, under the baton of Salvatore Scarpa, will be taking the stage on the Estate in a special performance of holiday favorites beginning at 5:30 pm.
Offshore
The Mauricetown Historical Society will be hosting their 34th Christmas Candlelight Tour this year on December 16, from 5 to 9 pm. The $20 tour includes 10 private homes and 6 public buildings in town, and starts from the Mauricetown Fire Hall on Noble Street.
There will also be a special performance by the Millville Women’s Club Chorus at the church, and carolers and live music throughout the village. Shuttle bus service will also be available.
To learn more about this holiday tour, including other scheduled events and more history behind the Historical Society’s museums, please click here or visit MauricetownHistoricalSociety.org.
Want to add something to this list, or submit a correction? Contact us.
