Holiday Home Tours and Events in New England

By Lynda Simonton

I feel a bit guilty writing about holiday house tours and events when the Thanksgiving dishes haven’t even been washed …

Nevertheless, I wanted you to be able to put some events on your calendar before it is full of other holiday celebrations and obligations. Here is a small sampling of New England holiday house tours and events that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Indulge in the beauty of the holiday season by touring three of Newport’s historic mansions bedecked for Christmas. The Breakers, the Elms, and Marble House will be decorated for the holidays, including a display of twenty-four Christmas trees.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions begins on November 22, 2014 and runs through January 4, 2015. The Preservation Society of Newport County, (401) 847-1000, newportmansions.org. The Breakers opens daily at 9 a.m., the Elms and Marble House open at 10 a.m. The last tour admission at all three houses is at 4 p.m., and the houses and grounds close at 5 p.m. Admission to all three houses, $28 adults, $9 children ages 6–17; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Newport Mansions

Antiquarius 2014 in Greenwich, Connecticut launches with a “Sugarplums and Snowflakes: A Nutcracker Holiday Gala” on Friday, December 5 followed by a series of festive holiday events culminating in a Holiday House Tour on December 10. The tour will feature five spectacular homes dressed-up for the holidays. Proceeds benefit the Greenwich Historical Society. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance, (203) 869-6899, greenwichhistory.org

On Saturday, December 6, get excited for the season and gather ideas for inspiring holiday home decor at the Concord Museum’s annual Holiday House Tour. The tour will feature eight of Concord’s most beautiful private homes, all professionally decorated by local designers in different holiday themes. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Concord Museum’s many educational initiatives. Concord, Mass., 10 a.m – 4 p.m.. $40 for members and $45 for non-members. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (978) 369-9763, or visit concordmuseum.org

Design By Katie Rosenfeld

Maritime heritage and holiday cheer collide in the 21^st  Custom House Maritime Museum Holiday House Tour on December 13, 2014. The tour will let you take a peek into private residences in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Tickets can be purchased at a discounted $25 in advance, or they can be obtained the day of the show for $30 at the Custom House Maritime Museum, Newburyport, Mass., (978) 462-8681, customhousemaritimemuseum.org

In celebration of Littleton’s 300th year, the Littleton Country Gardeners will be holding the town’s first Holiday House Tour. The tour will feature seven unique homes—ranging from historic to new construction—all decked out for the holidays. December 14, 1 p.m. -4 p.m., Littleton, Mass., tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or $25 on the day of the tour. Visit the Littleton Country Gardeners website for details.

Portland’s Victoria Mansion will open its doors from November 29 through January 3, 2015 so visitors can enjoy the historic home in its entire holiday splendor. This year the mansion is decorated with the theme One Hundred Years Past.  You can also enjoy this holiday décor at the annual Victoria Mansion Christmas Gala on December 3, 2014.  Open to the public on Monday, open at 11 a.m. with last admission at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, open at 11 a.m. , last admission at 4:30 p.m., (207) 772 4841, victoriamansion.org

Victoria Mansion

If you would like some luxurious holiday inspiration we recommend a visit to Neiman Marcus in Boston to check out their Home for the Holidays display. The holiday mini-showhouse comprises three rooms featuring the work of three different interior design firms: Gerald Pomeroy Interiors, Eric Roseff Designs, and Daher Interior Design. The designers have created holiday-themed rooms inspired by royal residences including Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Versailles in France, and the Winter Palace in Russia. Home for the Holidays can be viewed during regular store hours through January 31, 2015. Neiman Marcus, Copley Place, Boston, (617) 536-3660