Tour the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park During ‘A Very Philly Christmas’
Laurel Hill Mansion. Photo by Lauren Schwarz
It’s the 45th year for the holiday house tours in Fairmount Park and the six historic homes known as the “Park Charms” are all decked out and ready for visitors. They open Thursday, December 1st, with new events tied to this year’s theme, “A Very Philly Christmas,” taking place over two weekends.
Saturday, December 3rd, is Sounds of the Season day, with Philly musicians playing in different houses throughout the day, including the Mummers All Stars in Lemon Hill Mansion and Cedar Grove, the Clef Club in Mount Pleasant, the Quiet Storm doo-wop group in Laurel Hill Mansion, Opera Philadelphia Victorian carolers in Woodford, and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra string quartet in Strawberry Mansion. The roving beer garden Parks On Tap will be popping outside of Strawberry Mansion.
Mount Pleasant. Photo by R Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Family Day is Sunday, December 4th, with visits from Santa, performances by Spiral Q Puppet Theatre, Revolution Shakespeare and Walnut Street Theatre, and other kid-friendly activities.
Next weekend, Neighbors Day is Saturday, December 10th, and Flavors of the Season is the following day, with samples from old-timey candy store Shane Confectionery, old-timey restaurant City Tavern, Yards Brewery, Philly Pretzel Factory, and other local spots.
Admission is $8 per house, with kids 12 and under free.
In addition to the two weekends of programming, the six homes host Christmas open houses all through December ($8 admission, kids free). Trolley tours run Thursday, December 15th to Sunday, December 18th.
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