The holiday season is a great time to support the historic sites and institutions we value through our attendance at their events, our purchases at their shops, and our show of support for what they do all year.
Here are 10 great historic sites and events where you can make this holiday historic, and if you have ones we should add, please post a comment below.
Night of Lights in St. Augustine, Florida
November 19, 2016 - January 31, 2017
This year, St. Augustine, the oldest city in the nation, will open its doors once again to hundreds of thousands of visitors with their annual Nights of Lights. Witness the spectacle as the city glows with more than 3 million brilliant white lights, many illuminating historic landmarks, including the waters of Matanzas Bay, Bridge of Lions, The Plaza de la Constitucion and the crowd favorite, Lightner Museum. Ride a trolley, book a group tour, or enjoy the sights aboard a boat. This dazzling holiday lights display can be enjoyed in many different ways.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Christmas at the Newport Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island
November 19, 2016 - January 2, 2017
Featuring the three National Historic Landmarks and icons of the Gilded Age in America - The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House. Each house is filled with dazzling lights, poinsettias and a total of 28 Christmas trees. Keep an eye out for the 15 foot tall poinsettia tree and model trains at the Breakers, the Gilded Age-inspired streetscape at The Elm and the fireplace mantels of the Marble House.
All three houses are open daily starting from November 19, Saturday until January 2, Monday. Tours start at 9am and close at 5pm.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, Texas
December 9-10, 2016
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of Dickens on The Strand, an annual holiday street festival that is inspired by Victorian London during the 19th-century. This event features non-stop entertainment such as parades, strolling carolers, wandering musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and many more. Come in your petticoats and prepare your bowler hats because Victorian-inspired costumes are admitted at half the price!
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Farolito Walk: Christmas in Santa Fe, New Mexico
December 24, 2016
A beloved holiday tradition in Santa Fe, The Farolito Walk in Canyon Road warms the heart of anyone who joins this famous promenade on Christmas Eve. Farolitos (or the Spanish term for paper lantern), luminaries and thousands of fairy lights illuminate the historic neighborhood streets and adobe walls. Carolers then gather and sing around small bonfires as they warm themselves from the cold night.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston, South Carolina
December 3-31, 2016
For the month of December, the City of Charleston has organized a full-packed calendar to capture the spirit of the season for everyone in the community. Marion Square is the site of the city’s Holiday tree featuring a 60-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, a Chanukah Menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinara, all beautifully decorated. Other highlights include the Holiday Parade, Student Performance Day, Parade of Boats and the Holiday Market. The month-long festivities will be capped off by greeting the New Year in a high-energy arts celebration. Activities include comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and so much more.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Creole Christmas Holiday Home Tour in Jackson Square, New Orleans
December 27-29, 2016, 10am-4pm
Take a step in five of the French Quarter’s historic properties dressed up in traditional Creole Christmas finery: The Louisiana State Museum’s 1850 House, Gallier House, Beauregard-Keyes House, Spring Fiesta House and the Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Residence. While in the Spring Fiesta House, witness an entertaining presentation of Reveillon traditions and their Creole origins and feast on a variety of delectable refreshments.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Liberty’s Ice Pavilion in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Now open until February 20, 2017
A perfect activity for the whole family. Liberty’s Ice Pavilion features a large ice skating rink adorned with magical festive lights accompanied by your favorite classic Christmas tunes from the 1940’s up to the 60’s. Refreshments like coffee, hot chocolate, tea and cider, cookies, warm pretzels, popcorn, nachos and a variety of snacks are also available for purchase.
Apart from skating, you can enjoy walking tours, carriage rides and experience how Christmas was celebrated in the past.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Model Train Festival at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma
December 17, 2016 - January 1, 2017
An event perfect for railroad buffs and model train enthusiasts. Participate in the 21st annual exhibition of the Model Train Festival, showcasing the most detailed railroad recreations in the Pacific Northwest. Learn how the railroad industry influenced the growth and development of the west and rediscover the stories behind the rich culture and history of Washington State.
Come with the whole family on December 21-23 between 11am and 3pm and get a chance to take a picture with Santa Claus. Legos are also available in the activity room where kids can create their own Lego train creations.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
49th Annual Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley, California
Friday Nights, Nov. 25 - Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2016, 6-9pm
Relive the spirit of Christmas past by celebrating a Cornish Christmas. Stroll the streets of Mill and Main West for the sights and sounds of Christmas traditions - carolers in period costumes, jugglers, musicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers, and of course, Santa Claus. Your favorite holiday dishes, handmade arts and crafts, and more.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin, Tennessee
December 10-11, 2016
The largest Christmas festival in Middle Tennessee, Dickens of a Christmas relives the time of Charles Dickens with Franklin’s Victorian architecture as the backdrop. The 32nd annual street fair will be headlined by 200 musicians, dancers and your favorite characters from the stories of Charles Dickens including Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit with his parents from A Christmas Carol and Fagin from Oliver Twist.
Good food, horse-drawn carriages, free arts and crafts activities for kids, a petting zoo and live artisan demonstrations await you in this Christmas festival. Gather the whole family and come join the fun.
You’ll find more details on the event page.
Do you have ones we should add? If so, please post a comment below. And if you're looking for a special gift for a history lover on your list, check out our store, which is what funds the operation and expansion of The History List. You'll find shirts and stickers with our original design, special commemorative shirts, and signed books by noted historians.
