Sites throughout the Essex National Heritage Area put on their holiday best and shine their brightest during the festive weeks of December. Take advantage of this year's holiday house tours, open houses, celebrations and special events. Some of the season's special events will provide inspiration for setting your own holiday table, and decking your own holiday halls. Others will grant you a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtains of some of the Area's most opulent private homes. Whichever events you choose, we hope that you enjoy the best of the season in the Essex National Heritage Area.
A Victorian Christmas at The House of the Seven Gables
Experience New England's oldest surviving mansion decorated by local garden clubs for the Christmas season.
| DATES: | December 4 - 31 |
| LOCATION: | The House of the Seven Gables, 54 Turner Street, Salem, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | Adults: $10; Seniors: $9; Children 5-12: $6.50; Children under 5: Free. |
| INFORMATION: | The House of the Seven Gables, (978) 744-0991, www.7gables.org |
Christmas at Buttonwoods: A Festival of Trees
A fun-filled four-day event celebrating Christmas past and present. Decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, donated by area businesses, civic groups, and neighbors will be on display and available for viewing throughout the weekend, and then raffled off on Sunday afternoon. So purchase a ticket, take a chance and support one of the Merrimack Valley's most active historic societies. A fabulous Preview Party kicks off the festival filled with holiday fun. All proceeds support the Haverhill Historical Society and its mission to collect, study, preserve, and interpret the history and culture of Haverhill.
| DATES: | December 4 - December 7: Preview party December 4, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Senior Day December 5, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Family Day December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; The Grand Finale December 7, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | Adults: $5; Seniors and Children: $3. |
| INFORMATION: | Haverhill Historical Society, 978-374-4626. |
Christmas in Bloom: Champagne Pre-Party at Castle Hill, Ipswich
Submerge yourself in the glamour and opulence of days gone by in the elegant holiday surroundings of Castle Hill. A special opportunity to preview the mansion's opulent holiday decor before the general public, the evening will include holiday carolers, champagne, mulled cider, passed hours d' oeuvres and a bountiful dessert buffet.
| DATE: | December 5, 6:00-9:00 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | Castle Hill, Argilla Road Ipswich, Massachusetts. |
| ADMISSION: | Ticket purchase is required. Members: $60, Non-members: $75. |
| INFORMATION: | Castle Hill, 978-356-4351 |
Holiday Floral Showcase, Castle Hill, Ipswich
The opulence of Castle Hill is on holiday display with lavishly decorated Christmas trees and professionally decorated rooms featuring the work of some of the area's most renowned professional floral designers. Visit the Holiday Gift Boutique for handcrafted gifts from the area's finest artisans, crafters, and galleries. Mulled hot cider and sugar cookies will be available to warm and energize you.
| DATES: | December 6 - 7, 2003 |
| LOCATION: | Castle Hill, Argilla Road-Ipswich, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | $6 |
| INFORMATION: | Castle Hill, 978-356-4351 |
The Newburyport Maritime Society Holiday House Tour
Celebrate the magic of Newburyport's past and present on this festive tour of beautifully decorated homes and historic sites spanning more than three centuries. Feast the eyes, fuel the imagination and fill the spirit with the warmth from fireplaces lighting antique Colonials, Federal mansions, gracious Victorians and elegant Contemporaries. Join us during the tour for music, refreshments and a merry time at the Custom House Maritime Museum and Lowell's boat Shop.
| DATES: | December 6, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | The tour includes 12 homes in Newburyport, Newbury and Amesbury. |
| ADMISSION: | $23. Tickets bought before December 5 at 9:00 p.m. will be discounted to $18 and $15 for NMS members. Tickets are available through the NMS. |
| INFORMATION: | Newburyport Maritime Society, 978-462-8681 |
Holiday Showcase at Glen Magna, Danvers
The estate house at Glen Magna is decorated for the season with themes stretching from the Victorian era to the present. Choral groups perform in the entrance hall and shoppers search for holiday gifts, ornaments, toys, candies and regional history publications. In the evening, the grounds are illuminated with thousands of lights.
| DATES: | December 6 - 7, 2003; Special Preview Dinner December 4 |
| LOCATION: | Glen Magna Estate- Ingersoll Street, Danvers, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | $6 |
| INFORMATION: | Glen Magna Estate, 978-774-9165 |
Christmas in Salem Historic House Tour
Come to Salem's beautiful McIntire District for the 24th annual Christmas in Salem house tour. Stroll through the elegant neighborhoods and see some of Salem's most opulent mansions festively decorated for the holiday season. This year's McIntire District tour will showcase a dozen magnificent homes and buildings and represent a collection of Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Ann Post Colonial and Colonial Revival houses. In addition, look for entertainment in the homes, lectures and more!
| DATES: | December 6 - 7, 2003 |
| LOCATION: | Salem's historic McIntire District |
| ADMISSION: | $18 for advance tickets, $25 for tickets bought on the day of the tour. |
| INFORMATION: | Historic Salem, Inc., 978-745-0799 or www.historicsalem.org/christmasinsalem |
Holiday Open House at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site
The Derby House and West India Goods Store will be open on the 6th and 7th of December from noon to 4 pm, West India Goods Store will have hot cider on this weekend and the ship will be open on December 7th for free tours and holiday cheer!
| DATES: | December 6 - 7, 2003 |
| LOCATION: | Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | Free |
| INFORMATION: | Salem Maritime National Historic Site, 978-740-1660 |
Children's Holiday Parties at Castle Hill, Ipswich
Have some holiday fun with your little one! This party includes a very entertaining show performed by Jim, from The Jim Show! This high-energy stunt comedy show is sure to please kids and parents alike. After the show kids can meet with Santa (a perfect photo opportunity for parents with camera in hand) who will be handing out a little something to all the kids. Parents and kids will enjoy cookies, cider and juice.
| DATES: | December 9 - 11, 2003, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | Castle Hill, Argilla Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts |
| ADMISSION: | Trustees Members: Child: $15; Parents: Free. Nonmembers: Child: $22; Parents: Free. Recommended for children ages 5 to 9. Advance ticket purchase is required as space is limited. |
| INFORMATION: | The Trustees of Reservations, 978-356-4351, castlehill@ttor.org |