Cape May’s Holiday Preview Weekend

CAPE MAY- The jolly man in the red suit is on schedule as planned to visit the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., decorated with thousands of beautiful lights in time for Cape May’s Holiday Preview Weekend, Nov. 16-18, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Renew yourself and share in the joy of the holidays with a long weekend of festive tours, activities and food and wine events that are sure to refresh you and inspire your Christmas spirit.
Come to the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by Sturdy Savings Bank, on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Join MAC representatives, public officials and the Cape Harmonaires at the gazebo for a round of Christmas carols. Old Saint Nick arrives at 7 p.m. and flips the switch to light thousands of bulbs on the giant Christmas tree. Children can meet with Santa and bring their letters to the man in the red suit. Warm beverages and cookies are available in the Carriage House. The authentically-decorated Physick Estate will be open for free, self-guided tours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event is free to the public.
The wonders of the season are all on display in the exhibit “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years” at the Carriage House Gallery located on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. This year’s exhibit features holiday traditions through the years that bring to life every child’s Christmas fantasy, complete with model trains, all beneath the boughs of a giant Christmas tree! Enjoy the images and traditions of the holidays and reminisce. The exhibit opens Nov. 16 and runs through Jan. 1. The Gallery is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas); hours vary. Admission is free.
Holiday Preview Weekend is the perfect time to indulge with food and wine events in Cape May. There is something to suit every taste. Get into the holiday spirit with the Mad Batter Wine Dinner – Flavors of Fall. The dinner is held at the famous Mad Batter restaurant, 19 Jackson St., on Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Kick-off the holiday season with a five-course dinner as you learn about growing grapes locally and enjoy some of the wines from local vineyards. Dinner is limited to 60 and admission is $75 (tax and gratuity included).
The Winery Cellar Tour and Tasting on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. is the opportunity to spend an afternoon touring the vineyard at the award-winning Cape May Winery. You will see how the grapes are grown and then visit the winery, where you’ll be introduced to the winemaker’s art and enjoy a barrel tasting accompanied by cheese and fruit. Admission is $20 and includes a complimentary tasting glass.
If you’d rather taste, sip and swirl at your own pace, then you’ll love the new Self-guided Wine Trail. Spend the afternoon touring Natali Vineyards and Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery in Cape May County and taste wines at each. Admission is $8 and includes a map with the wineries listed and a tasting glass. Tours are offered daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What’s brewing in Cape May? Some great spirits, as you’ll find out on this tour of two area wineries, Natali Vineyards and Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery, plus the new Cape May Brewing Company during the new Self-guided Wine & Brewery Tour. Take a tour at each stop and sample some of their products. Admission is $13 and includes map with directions. Offered Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Step back into Christmas of the 1890s on the Physick Estate Christmas Tour, and visit the 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style. Learn about Victorian Christmas decorations and traditions on this guided daytime tour. The tour also includes a visit to the Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate where you can see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit. Admission for adults is $10; children (3-12): $5. Offered daily. Hours vary.
A member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale on the Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides on Nov. 17 at 8:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. Ride through Cape May’s flickering gas-lit streets and admire the decorations in the Historic District as you listen to a Victorian-era ghost story. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12). Trolleys depart from the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
The best way to see Cape May’s Christmas lights is aboard the heated Holiday Lights Trolley Rides. Board a MAC trolley and ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see cheerfully decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music. Rides last about 30 minutes and cost $10 per seat. Tours are offered on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Trolleys depart from the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.
Mrs. Claus has made a special trip to the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., to host Santa’s Trolley Rides on Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Bring the kids to the Physick Estate on Holiday Preview weekend for a ride around Cape May with stories and songs led by Mrs. Claus. After the trolley ride, Santa will greet children with a sweet treat in the Carriage House located on the grounds of the Estate. All seats are $8. All trolleys depart from the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
On Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. Cape May Stage presents “Poe Times Two,” a double-bill of short, one-man plays adapted from two classic stories of mystery and horror, “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Black Cat,” by Edgar Allan Poe. The Robert Shackleton Playhouse is located at the corner of Bank & Lafayette streets. Admission: $35 Adults, $30 Seniors (62+), and $15 Students.
History is featured during the Friends of the World War II Tower Meeting, “Firearms of the World War II Era.” Learn about the weaponry used during World War II and historic firearms by local expert Dr. Thomas Foster. This program will be held at the Cape May Lutheran Church, 509 Pittsburgh Ave. on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. Admission for Friends members is free, and admission is $5 for the general public. Those attending may join the Friends group at this meeting and get free admission to this and other Friends events.
If you’re ready to kick off the holiday shopping season a little early, MAC’s Museum Shops will be open and offer some one-of-a-kind holiday gift ideas like jewelry, teapots, exceptional Harney’s Tea collections, books, and more at the Carriage House Gallery Shop on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. You can also delight the lighthouse lover on your holiday list with a gift from the Cape May Lighthouse Museum Shop, located next to the Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park. Here you’ll find Cape May Diamond jewelry, toys, books, and clothing for fans of the Lighthouse. The Carriage House Gallery Shop is open Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cape May Lighthouse Museum Shop is open Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from both shops benefit MAC’s ongoing preservation and restoration efforts.
Schedules are subject to change. Please visit our website at www.capemaymac.org for the most current schedule.