Celebrate Christmas Early in Cape May Nov. 21-23

CAPE MAY — Christmas arrives early in Victorian Cape May, when the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., is beautifully decorated with thousands of lights for Cape May’s Holiday Preview Weekend, Nov. 21-23, presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Start celebrating the holidays early with a long weekend of festive tours, activities and food and wine events that are sure to get you into the 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. 22 at 7 p.m. Join MAC representatives, public officials and carolers at the gazebo, led by the Cape Harmonaires and a joint choir from the Church of the Advent and the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, for festive events from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 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 will be available in the Carriage House. Visitors are invited to bring extra canned goods and non-perishable food items to donate to the Cape May Community Food Bank and to stop by the Toys for Tots table to help support this worthy cause. Step back in time on a free, self-guided tour of the authentically decorated 1879 Physick Estate from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the Physick Estate Christmas Tour. Enjoy a Dickensian-style Christmas on this self-guided tour of Cape May’s only Victorian house museum. A free Trolley Shuttle will operate on Nov. 22, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. between Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street and the Emlen Physick Estate.
The wonders of the season are all on display in the exhibit “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years” at the Carroll Gallery located in the Carriage House at 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, vintage Christmas family photos, toys and much more. Stand beneath the boughs of a giant Christmas tree! Enjoy the images and traditions of the holidays and reminisce. During Holiday Preview weekend, hours are Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit opens Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 3. Admission is free.
Holiday Preview Weekend is the perfect time to gather with loved ones over a delicious meal and indulge in some special food and wine events in Cape May.
Get the holiday season off to a delicious start with the Mad Batter Wine Dinner – “Autumn’s Flavors—Blind Tasting.” The dinner is held at the famous Mad Batter restaurant, 19 Jackson St., on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Kick-off the holiday season with a five-course menu inspired by autumn’s flavors as you enjoy some special wine pairings and guess the varietal and country of origin of each wine! Dinner is limited to 60 and admission is $75 (tax and gratuity included).
The Winery Cellar Tour and Tasting on Nov. 22 gives you the special opportunity to spend an afternoon touring the vineyard at the award-winning Cape May Winery, 711 Town Bank Rd., Tour the vineyard to see how the grapes are grown, get an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and enjoy a barrel tasting with cheese, fruit, and a sampling of five to six kinds of wine. Admission is $20. Offered at 3 p.m. Nov. 22. Purchase tickets in advance at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.
If you’d rather taste, sip and swirl at your own pace, then you’ll love the Self-guided Wine Trail. Spend the afternoon touring some of the wineries of Cape May County. Visit Natali Vineyards and Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, and taste wines at each. Admission is $10 and includes a map with the wineries listed. Offered 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
What’s brewing in Cape May? Some great spirits, as you’ll find out on this tour of three area wineries, Natali Vineyards, Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery plus the Cape May Brewing Company, during the Self-guided Wine & Brewery Tour. Admission is $13 and includes a map with directions. Offered 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Take a tour at each stop and sample some of their products.
C’mon girls … this is all about you! Grab your best girlfriends for Brunch, Bingo & Lace and enjoy time away from the holiday to-do list on Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. Play a little bingo, enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton Company and win some great prizes at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., all while enjoying a delicious brunch, This fun event is a great way to relax with your gal pals. Admission is $25.
Holiday Preview Weekend features a variety of holiday-themed tours in Cape May:
Physick Family Christmas House Tours are offered daily. Take a guided, daytime, living history tour of the magnificent 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style for Christmas, presented through the eyes of a member of the Physick family in the early 1900s. The tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate where you can see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit. Adults $12 children (3-12) $7. Tours are offered Nov. 21 at 2:15 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 11:45 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 1:15 p.m.
Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Cape May’s Historic District, followed by a guided tour of Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., decorated in true Victorian style for Christmas and presented through the eyes of a member of the Physick family in the early 1900s, during the Combination Trolley/Physick Family Christmas House Tours. $20 for adults, $12 for children (ages 3-12). Tours are offered Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 12:30 p.m.
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. 22 at 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 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 $12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12). Trolleys depart from the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. on Nov. 22. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
The best way to see Cape May’s Christmas lights is on board 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. 22 at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8 p.m. Trolleys depart from the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. on Nov. 22.
Mrs. Claus has made a special trip to the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., to host Santa’s Trolley Rides on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 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.
If you love history, you’ll enjoy the Historic District Trolley tour, offered on Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 12:30 p.m. Get acquainted with Cape May on this popular trolley tour as knowledgeable guides present entertaining and educational stories about the nation’s oldest seashore resort. Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12).
The Ocean Victorian, 25 Ocean St., opens its doors to the public as this year’s Cape May Designer Show House, through June 14, 2015, with the theme “Celebrating Holidays.” A dozen design spaces show the creativity of local and regional designers with rooms celebrating Chinese New Year to Christmas. During Holiday Preview Weekend, self-guided tours are offered Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; guided tours are offered on Nov. 21 and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Each visitor receives a full-color program book with information about the designers, products and vendors. Admission is $20.
Combine a tour of the Cape May Designer Show House “Celebrating Holidays” with dinner at select Cape May restaurants, with the Designer Show House Dinner Packages. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. is followed by a Show House Guided Tour at 7 p.m. During Holiday Preview Weekend, enjoy this delightful combination on Nov. 21 (Union Park or Aleathea’s) and Nov. 23 (The Merion Inn or Tisha’s). Make reservations by calling 609-884-5404, ext. 115 or at the Carriage House Visitors Center at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Each visitor receives a full-color program book with information about the designers, products and vendors. Admission is $50.
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 Museum 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 Museum Shop is open Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cape May Lighthouse Museum Shop is open Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, 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.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508. For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at www.capemaylodging.com.