Cape May, NJ · Holiday Guide · 2026
Cape May Candlelight House Tour 2026
Three December evenings open the doors to decorated homes, inns, churches and hotels across Cape May’s Historic District. This guide answers when to go, what tickets cost and how to plan the walk.
Start with the date
When is the 2026 Candlelight House Tour?
The 2026 Cape May Candlelight House Tour runs on Saturday, December 5, December 12 and December 19. Each tour is open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Each date has a different list of participating properties. The official 2026 roster includes Victorian inns, private residences, churches, hotels and the Emlen Physick Estate. Review the current property list before choosing a night if one building matters to you.
The event is self-guided. You decide the order and pace. That freedom is useful because the most popular properties can develop lines at the same time.
| Date | Time | Adult | Child 3–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | $45 | $30 |
| Saturday, Dec. 12 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | $45 | $30 |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | $45 | $30 |
Before tour night
What do tickets cost and where do you get them?
Current live ticket prices are $45 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 through 12. Cape May MAC recommends buying in advance because the three Saturday tours can sell out.
A digital receipt is not the final tour credential. Ticket holders must collect a map and wristband at Hill House on the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street.
Pickup is available Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also available Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Collecting the packet before late afternoon removes a task from the busiest part of the evening.
Check live Cape May MAC tickets and availability before making nonrefundable plans.
Prices, property lists and availability can change. The live Cape May MAC ticket page is the final authority.
A realistic route
How does the self-guided tour work?
The tour covers a roughly three-quarter-square-mile area of Cape May’s Historic District. Most properties are within a 20-minute walk of one another. Cape May MAC also operates an express shuttle to one or two distant stops.
Do not try to visit the properties in numerical order. Start with two or three priorities, then choose nearby houses as time allows. Cape May MAC has advised that most visitors see about half of the total properties in one evening.
Public rooms are generally open for viewing. Some locations may offer additional rooms. Volunteers and property hosts help move guests through the buildings and answer questions.
For more context before the evening begins, follow the site’s Cape May Historic District walking tour in daylight.
Arrive with time
Where should you park?
Park once and walk whenever possible. The tour is concentrated in the Historic District, while wristband pickup happens at the Emlen Physick Estate.
Some Cape May meters remain active in December. The city’s yellow and red parking zones operate through December 31. Current rates are $3 per hour in yellow zones and $2 per hour in red zones, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The City Hall lot also operates through December 31 at posted times. Street signs and the meter display remain the final authority because rates and restrictions can change.
Leave enough time for the walk from the car, packet pickup and an early dinner. The site’s Cape May parking guide explains the city zones in more detail.
Dress for the route
What should you wear and bring?
Wear warm layers and shoes built for several hours of walking. Cape May’s December wind can feel colder near the ocean, while historic interiors may be warm.
Bring a charged phone, but do not rely on it as your only map. Keep the paper tour map accessible. A small umbrella is more useful than a large one on busy sidewalks.
Food and drink are not permitted inside participating houses or on shuttles. Photography and video may also be restricted. Follow the host’s instructions at every property.
Access varies among historic properties. Contact Cape May MAC before buying tickets if anyone in your party needs step-free access or another accommodation.
Make a full evening
What should you do before and after the tour?
Eat early, collect your wristband and begin with a short list of priorities. A 4 p.m. dinner leaves more room than a reservation close to the 5:30 p.m. start.
Cape May MAC currently lists Washington Inn dinner packages for December 12 and 19. Those packages begin at 4 p.m. and include the evening tour. Confirm price and availability on the official ticket page.
If you are staying overnight, use daylight for shopping and architecture. The complete Christmas in Cape May guide can help build the rest of the weekend. The Cape May events calendar can surface other programs on your date.
Useful answers
Questions people actually ask
When is the Cape May Candlelight House Tour in 2026?
The tours are Saturday, December 5, December 12 and December 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
How much are Candlelight House Tour tickets?
Current live prices are $45 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 through 12.
Where do I pick up the map and wristband?
Pick them up at Hill House on the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street.
Is the tour guided?
No. It is self-guided, and you may visit participating properties in any practical order.
Can I see every house in one evening?
Probably not. Cape May MAC says most visitors manage about half of the participating properties.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Check Cape May MAC’s live event notices on tour day. Coastal weather can affect travel and walking conditions.
Help keep this guide accurate
See something out of date?
Dates and prices change. Tell us and we’ll check it.
Last verified: November 1, 2026 · Sources: Cape May MAC live ticketing, Cape May MAC event guide, City of Cape May parking information