Christmas in Cape May is a festive season filled with lights, decorations, shopping, and Santa. Local homes and businesses pull out all the stops with remarkable holiday displays, and shops stay open late for shoppers. There are lots of special events bringing live music, performances, and seasonal treats. All around town, there are trolleys and carriage rides showing visitors the joyful sights of Christmas.
There are so many things to do in the charming seaside town during the holidays that there’s always something new to see no matter how many times you visit. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.
See the Victorians
The town’s Grand Victorian homes are painted in all the colors of the rainbow. A stroll around the Cape May Historic District is always beautiful but takes on a magical feeling during the winter. In December, the bright facades are often decked out with lights, garlands, and other gleaming things that make them a pleasure to see at night.
Decorations vary yearly, but walking or driving along Columbia Avenue, Jackson Street, Decatur Street, or Ocean Street is usually a good bet to see gorgeous homes and inns.
Catch a Christmas performance
The holidays are the perfect time to catch a theater performance, and the shows at the local venues never disappoint.
This year, Cape May Stage showcases The Gift of the Magi, an adaptation of the short story by O. Henry about a couple spending money on different things at Christmas. It runs November 20 through December 29, 2024. Sunday, December 22 is a pay-what-you-wish performance.
At the East Lynne Theater Company, you’ll find Lennie’s Christmas Extravaganza, a fun, music-filled performance from local favorite Lennie McKenzie. The show is on December 6-7 and 13-14.
Take a holiday tour at the Emlen Estate
Visiting the Emlen Physick Estate is one of the most popular things to do in Cape May any time of the year. The outstanding Victorian house museum was built in 1879 and is an architectural wonder with detailed woodwork and period furniture.
During the holidays, the mansion is decked out with candles, garlands, and multiple trees for Christmas. Daytime and evening yuletide tours, led by guides in 19th-century dress, highlight the home’s Victorian-era architecture and how Victorian residents celebrated Christmas 140 years ago–in fact, the decorations make it look like the family is still there getting ready for the holiday season. The tours begin November 29, 2024.
On Wednesdays and Fridays from November 27 through December 20, visitors can experience a special program called The Christmas Caper, a holiday whodunit. You’re invited to help solve a mystery: who stole the Harrison family’s heirloom necklace in the midst of planning their annual Christmas party? Find the jewels to keep the party from being ruined.
Visit the Old-Fashioned Christmas exhibit
Every year, the Carroll Gallery features “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” exhibit. The free display is packed with ornaments, and a model train winds its way through a miniature Dickens Village. On the walls, there are quotes from A Christmas Carol and classic Christmas scenes and photos.
A visit here is paired with the tour of the Emlen Physick Estate, but it’s also possible to visit on its own. The Old-Fashioned Christmas exhibit is a fun place to bring kids because you can drop off letters to Santa. The exhibit runs November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Take a candlelight house tour
One of the most popular tours around town during the Christmas season is the Candlelight House Tour, which has delighted locals and visitors for over 50 years. The self-guided walking tour includes visits to more than 10 decorated homes and inns, caroling, music, and seasonal treats. It’s guaranteed to get you in a festive mood and is an ideal way to appreciate the beauty of Cape May in December.
The candlelight tour is one of the highlights of the season and is always in demand, so book tickets early for the December 7, 14, and 21 events if you want to attend. In past years, trolleys were available for those needing assistance, but they will not be running in 2024. Most properties are located within about a 20-minute walk, with some only a few minutes apart.
Visit Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall
Congress Hall is a gem at the holidays. Inside, the public spaces of the hotel are fully decked out in ornaments, life-sized Nutcrackers, and garlands sparkling with lights. Outside, the annual Winter Wonderland has food vendors reminiscent of European Christmas markets and artisans selling specialty items. We loved trying the mulled wine and bratwurst around the fire pits and browsing the market stalls. Plus, there are several outdoor bars making seasonally-themed cocktails.
Kids can enjoy the carousel that takes center stage on the lawn of the hotel as well as the Congress Hall Express—a mini-train that makes its way around the grounds. The festivities run from November 29 through December 31, 2024.
Watch the Christmas parade
The West Cape May Community Christmas Parade always kicks off the holiday season in the area. Each year on the first Saturday in December (this year is December 7), members of the WCM Volunteer Firehouse and other civic and commercial groups make their way to Ocean Street. There is dancing, music, decorations, and costumes. The event has been a Christmas tradition for nearly 60 years.
See the best lights in town
Much of the town lights up for Christmas, so it’s easy to find charming displays as you drive around. But where do you find the best ones if you don’t have all season to explore?
When we’re looking for the best lights, we start with the winners of the Light Up Cape May awards. They include private homes, B&Bs, and other businesses that have made their windows or buildings particularly festive. Many of them go along with a theme like “best window” or “best olde-fashioned” decoration. If the winners haven’t been named for the current year, the list of last year’s winners is a great place to start to find some beautiful displays.
Visit with Santa
Seeing Santa is always one of the most fun parts of the Christmas season for kids and plenty of adults, too. Beginning just after Thanksgiving and throughout December, there are lots of opportunities to see Saint Nick at holiday events.
Places where you might spot Mr. and Mrs. Claus include the tree lighting at La Mer resort on November 30 and the West Cape May Christmas Parade. For a more formal opportunity, check out one of the many breakfasts with Santa nearby, including at Congress Hall, The Inn of Cape May, The Pier House, and Hemingway’s Restaurant. It’s a good idea to make reservations well in advance.
For a unique experience, take one of the trolley rides with Mrs. Claus. On the half-hour daytime ride, she leads holiday songs and tells seasonal stories before taking visitors to see Santa in the gazebo at the Physick Estate.
Go to a tree lighting ceremony
Each year, several tree lighting ceremonies take place in late November and early December. There is live music and caroling, and you may even find fire pits and seasonal treats, depending on the location.
Local tree lightings include:
- Emlen Physick House — November 23 at 5pm
- La Mer beachfront resort — November 30 at 5pm
- Congress Hall — December 6 at 6pm
- Rotary Park, official City of Cape May tree lighting — December 6 at 7pm
Shop on the Washington Street Mall
Washington Street Mall is a prime place for shopping year-round, but it’s especially lovely to visit at Christmas when it’s decorated for the season and stores have special lights and window displays.
Certain designated nights throughout the holiday period are Hospitality Nights—stores offer unique discounts and specials for those in search of a perfect gift. Among the merchants here, you’ll find souvenirs, designer outfits, and specialty shops, including artisan chocolates, salt water taffy, and a cheese shop that makes cheese and charcuterie boards with locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss Winterwood Gift & Christmas Shoppe if you’re in the market for decorations and ornaments both traditional and unexpected.