Christmas in Cape May NJ runs from late November through New Year’s, built around Victorian-style house tours, trolley rides and tree lightings. For 2026, Cape May MAC has announced its Physick Estate tree lighting for November 21 and Christmas Candlelight House Tours on Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. In addition, Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland runs November 27 to December 31, 2026, and the West Cape May Christmas Parade is held on the first Saturday of December.
Key Takeaways
- Season start: the Emlen Physick Estate tree lighting is scheduled for November 21, 2026, and admission is free.
- Candlelight House Tours: December 5, 12 and 19, 2026, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., a tradition that began in 1974.
- 2025 ticket prices for the Candlelight tour were $45 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 to 12.
- Congress Hall Winter Wonderland: November 27 to December 31, 2026, with a tree lighting on December 4.
- West Cape May Christmas Parade: always the first Saturday in December, which falls on December 5 in 2026.
- Trolleys and house tours from Cape May MAC run on select dates all season, and availability is limited, especially on weekends.
- Book early and confirm times with Cape May MAC, since schedules can change.
Event details checked against Cape May MAC, Congress Hall (Cape Resorts), the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May and local news in September 2026. Dates and prices can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go.
Why Christmas in Cape May NJ Feels Different
Cape May is known for its Victorian architecture, and the holidays play to that strength. Painted inns, gaslit streets and decorated churches set the tone. As a result, many visitors come for the self-guided house tours, where they step inside homes and inns that are usually closed to the public.
Most of Christmas in Cape May NJ is organized by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), the nonprofit that runs the Emlen Physick Estate and the Cape May Lighthouse. Hotels, the Washington Street Mall merchants and the neighboring borough of West Cape May add their own tree lightings, markets and a parade.
Christmas in Cape May NJ 2026: Announced Dates
| Event | 2026 date | Where | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony | November 21 | Emlen Physick Estate | Cape May MAC |
| Winter Wonderland | November 27 to December 31 | Congress Hall | Congress Hall |
| Congress Hall Tree Lighting | December 4 | Congress Hall lawn | Congress Hall |
| West Cape May Christmas Parade | First Saturday of December (December 5) | West Cape May to Cape May | West Cape May community |
| Christmas Candlelight House Tours | December 5, 12 and 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Historic District | Cape May MAC |
| Candlelight Tour dinner packages | December 12 and 19 | The Washington Inn | Cape May MAC |
For comparison, the 2025 season followed the same pattern. The Physick Estate tree lighting took place on November 22, 2025, the Candlelight tours ran on December 6, 13 and 20, and the Congress Hall tree lighting was held on December 5.
Christmas Candlelight House Tours
The Christmas Candlelight House Tour is the signature event of Christmas in Cape May NJ. It is a self-guided evening walk through homes, inns, bed and breakfasts, churches and hotels decorated for the holidays. Musicians and carolers perform along the route, and the tour is Cape May MAC’s main annual fundraiser.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19 |
| Hours | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
| 2025 prices | $45 adults, $30 children ages 3 to 12 |
| Check-in | Map and wristband at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, the day before or day of the tour |
| Area covered | About three-quarters of a square mile of the Historic District |
| Number of stops | 12 to 20 properties on average in past years |
| Getting around | Walking is recommended; an express shuttle links the Physick Estate with the farthest stops |
Most properties sit within a 20-minute walk of each other, and in past years most guests saw about half of the stops in one evening. Therefore, wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers and bring a small flashlight. Groups of 20 or more have received a discounted rate.
Parking fills quickly. In 2025, Cape May MAC noted that the free lot at the Physick Estate usually filled by 5 p.m. and pointed visitors to other lots and street parking.
Emlen Physick Estate: The Hub of Christmas in Cape May NJ
The Emlen Physick Estate is an 18-room mansion built in 1879 and designed by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. Cape May MAC calls it one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. At Christmas, the house is decorated in Victorian style, and it becomes the hub for most holiday tours.
- Emlen Physick Estate House Tour: a guided daytime tour of the first and second floors, decorated for Christmas.
- Evening Yuletide House Tour: a first-person living history tour of the first-floor rooms, led by a guide playing a Physick family member.
- “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” exhibit: in the Carroll Gallery of the Carriage House, with a Department 56 Dickens Village collection, model trains, a large tree and a spot to drop off letters to Santa.
Standard Physick Estate admission is listed at $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and on-site parking is free. However, special holiday tours are priced separately, so check the Cape May MAC ticket site.
Christmas in Cape May NJ by Trolley and on Foot
Cape May MAC runs several holiday trolley and walking tours, each on select dates. The table below summarizes the options listed for the season.
| Tour | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Lights Trolley Ride | About 30 minutes on an open-air trolley with Christmas music and history of holiday traditions | Guests who cannot walk far |
| Santa’s Trolley Ride | Mrs. Claus leads songs and stories, with a visit to Santa at the Physick Estate gazebo | Young children |
| Spirited Cape May Christmas Trolley Ride | Evening ride with Christmas tales and reported ghostly stories of the Physick House | Adults and older kids |
| All That Glitters Trolley Tour | Late Victorian holiday social life, New Year’s customs and superstitions | History fans |
| Holiday Inns Tour | Self-guided afternoon visit to three or more decorated inns and homes | Daytime visitors |
| Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour | Self-guided evening walk, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., ending at the Christmas exhibit | Visitors who miss the Candlelight dates |
| Caroling in Victorian Cape May | Walking tour with caroling | Groups and families |
Santa’s Trolley Rides begin and end at 1048 Washington Street, where parking is free. In addition, Cape May MAC offers a Breakfast with Santa at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, with limited seats and advance purchase required.
Congress Hall Winter Wonderland
Congress Hall adds a family-friendly outdoor market to Christmas in Cape May NJ.
Congress Hall, the historic hotel near the beach, turns its lawn into a Winter Wonderland each year. In 2026, it runs from November 27 to December 31. Listed hours are Thursday 3 to 8 p.m., Friday 2 to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special hours on select dates.
- A carousel and a train ride through Congress Hall’s “North Pole,” both weather dependent.
- An Enchanted Vendor Village with handmade gifts and holiday treats.
- Spiced cider, hot chocolate, seasonal cocktails, cookies and roasted chestnuts.
- A tree lighting on December 4, 2026, with live music from the Festival Choir.
- Breakfast with Santa and a Christmas Day buffet in the ballroom.
In 2025, the hotel’s tree was a 35-foot Norway spruce donated by a family from Nutley, according to local radio station WFPG.
Washington Street Mall and the Christmas Parade
The Washington Street Mall is Cape May’s pedestrian shopping street, and it is lined with lights and greenery in December. Merchants hold customer appreciation days, and many shops keep extended hours closer to Christmas.
The West Cape May Christmas Parade is always held on the first Saturday in December. It steps off at 5 p.m. from the West Cape May Fire Hall and travels via Perry Street and Carpenters Lane toward the mall area. Santa rides on a fire truck, and WHYY reported that the parade draws more than 10,000 visitors a year. In 2025, it was held on December 6 with no rain date.
In 2026, the parade and the first Candlelight House Tour are both expected on Saturday, December 5. Therefore, plan extra time for traffic and parking if you want to see both.
Cape May Lighthouse During Christmas in Cape May NJ
The Cape May Lighthouse, built in 1859, stands 157 feet 6 inches tall in Cape May Point State Park at 215 Lighthouse Avenue. Visitors climb 199 steps on the original cast-iron spiral stairway for views of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
| Lighthouse admission | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $12 |
| Children ages 3 to 12 | $8 |
| Veterans | $8 |
| Active military and Cape May MAC members | Free |
Climbing hours change with the season, and the tower can close for lightning or severe weather. As a result, check the Cape May MAC lighthouse calendar before a December visit.
Tips for Planning Christmas in Cape May NJ
- Buy tickets early. House tours, trolleys and Santa breakfasts have limited capacity.
- Pick weeknights for trolleys. Cape May MAC notes that availability is tightest on weekends.
- Call restaurants ahead. Many close on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Look for year-round lodging. Many hotels and inns stay open for the season, but not all.
- Stay after Christmas. Decorations remain up into the new year, and some tours continue through late December.
More Jersey Shore and Holiday Guides
For year-round ideas, see our guide to things to do in Cape May NJ. If you want to skate while you are out, check our list of ice skating rinks in NJ, and plan a wider trip with our things to do in NJ roundup. Find more in our Jersey Shore section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Cape May NJ
When is the Cape May Christmas Candlelight House Tour in 2026?
Cape May MAC lists the 2026 tours on Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
How much does the Cape May Candlelight House Tour cost?
In 2025, tickets were $45 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 to 12. Check Cape May MAC for 2026 prices.
When is the Physick Estate tree lighting in 2026?
The Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony at the Emlen Physick Estate is scheduled for November 21, 2026, and it is free.
When is the Cape May Christmas parade?
The West Cape May Christmas Parade is always held on the first Saturday in December, which is December 5 in 2026. It steps off at 5 p.m.
When is Congress Hall Winter Wonderland open?
Congress Hall lists Winter Wonderland from November 27 to December 31, 2026, with a tree lighting on December 4.
Is there a trolley tour of Christmas lights in Cape May?
Yes. Cape May MAC runs a Holiday Lights Trolley Ride of about 30 minutes on select dates, plus Santa and history-themed holiday trolleys.
Can you climb the Cape May Lighthouse in winter?
Climbing hours vary by season and the tower can close for severe weather, so check the Cape May MAC lighthouse calendar before you go.
Are Cape May restaurants open on Christmas Day?
Many restaurants close on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so call ahead. Congress Hall offers a Christmas Day buffet.
Planning Your Visit
Christmas in Cape May NJ centers on Victorian house tours, trolley rides and tree lightings, and the 2026 calendar is largely set. Mark November 21 for the Physick Estate tree lighting, December 5, 12 and 19 for the Candlelight House Tours and the first Saturday of December for the parade. Book tours early and confirm final details with Cape May MAC and Congress Hall before you travel.
