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Everyone who comes to Cape May likes Christmas a lot…
Only those who have never been here would say they did not!
Who can resist a nice Christmas parade?
Pom poms, and angels and a caroler’s serenade?
Tree-lighting and songs. Oh isn’t that sweet?
This slice of small town life…
Would make even a nasty ol’ Grinch break down and weep.
This is a Cape Island
Christmas must. The December 3, 40th Annual WCM Community Christmas Parade
begins at 5 PM starting at the WCM Firehouse, proceeds south on
Broadway, winds east on Perry and ends on Carpenter Lane in Cape May. Call
609-884-8382 for further details or rain dates. Although, we’ll try to keep
changes posted on this website as well.
December 11
Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Caroling
7 PM Victorian Bandstand, Rotary Park at Bank & Lafayette Street. Please
contact 609-884-9565 for further details.
And oh what a fare of
good things we have in store…
Cookies and treats, cheeses and fruit,
Wine and champagne and so much more.
A Dickens Feast complete with roast beast…
A cooking course on holiday meals, and last but not least…
Afternoon tea with Mrs. Claus.
Now hold that applause ‘cause nothing can beat Hospitality Night
When merchants’ open their doors and turn up their lights.
The fun begins the first
week in December with the Dickens Christmas Extravaganza which kicks off
Sunday Dec. 4th and runs through Tuesday Dec. 6th
Participants will be treated to the sights and sounds, tastes and scents of the
Dickens’ era. A day of lectures, performances, and tours throughout Cape May
culminates with a Dickensian Feast at the Washington Inn. Complete activities
package is $150. Individual lectures are available for $10. Individual
performances are $20. For tickets and information, call 609-884-5404 or
800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org. Sponsored by the
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts in association with the Philadelphia Chapter of
the Dickens World Fellowship.
What Christmas would be
complete without the Annual Great Cookie Exchange Dec. 5th at
6 p.m. in the Cape May Elementary School Cafeteria? This is the 11th
Cookie Exchange and it just doesn’t get any cuter than this. For further
information call the Center for Community Arts at 884-7525.
 On Thursday and Friday
nights, December 8-9 Candlelight Hospitality Night will take place on the
Washington Street Mall & Square from 7-9 p.m. Merchants open their doors for
this festive event. Many serve punch and goodies. Contact 609-884-9565
for further details.
December 9th
is also the afternoon Taste of Christmas Tour as well as Evening with
the Chef. Both events take place at the Mad Batter. Take a walking
tour of Cape May’s Historic District and then enjoy lunch at the world-renowned
Mad Batter Restaurant on Historic Jackson Street. 10 a.m. Friday, December 9.
$20 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3-12). Tours begin and tickets are
available at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Evening with the
Chef at the Mad Batter - You too can learn about Mediterranean cooking from
Tunis to Turkey and lots of stops in between. Chef Jon Davies describes
each course and talks about Mediterranean ingredients and preparation. The
dinner/lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes a complimentary glass of
champagne. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and hosted by
the Mad Batter. For more information or to make reservations, call 609-884-5404
or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org.
The following afternoon,
December 10th, Chef Davies will conduct Cape May Cooking School.
This 3-course lunch (1 p.m.) includes a lecture on holiday entertaining.
Editor’s Note: Sorry this event is sold out.
Or, spend the afternoon
at the award-winning Cape May Winery. The December 10th Winery Cellar Tour
and Tasting will include a tour of the vineyard to see how the grapes are
grown and then visit the winery where you'll be introduced to the winemaker's
art. Enjoy a barrel tasting accompanied by cheese and fruit. Each guest receives
a complimentary tasting glass. 3 p.m. Saturday. $20 per person. For more
information or to purchase tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org.
Shhh…don’t
tell anyone but Mrs. Claus (wife of Santa) will be at the Twinings
Tearoom December 11 & 18 for an afternoon of Christmas stories, music, tea
luncheon and more. It’s strictly on the QT. She doesn’t want Mr. Claus to find
out she’s out of town. Mrs. Claus will accept letters to Santa and every good
child receives a treat provided by the Cape May Teddy Bear Co. 12:30 p.m. and 2
p.m. Sunday, December 11. $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3 to 12). The
Twinings Tearoom is at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St For more
information or to make reservations call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org.
The
whole Christmas season, now please don’t ask why, our Victorian décor is really
quite pleasing.
And
we’re really quite helpful with showing you how…to make your home look special
so people say WoW!
December 1 – 3, the
Nature Center of Cape May will be conducting Holiday and Garland
Workshops. Pre-registration is a must. Cost is $12 for members, $16 for
nonmembers. December 1, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. is
 special family night with parent
and child can come for one price. For more information call the Nature Center at
(609) 898-8848.
Fresh evergreens of Douglas fir, spruce, pine, cedar, and other natural
materials, which will be provided, will be used in creating a handcrafted wreath
or garland. Later on in the month (Dec. 17th from 10a.m. to noon)
the Nature Center will also hold a workshop on Holiday Centerpieces,
again using natural materials. That same day (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), a Kids Can
Create workshop will focus on holiday crafts and gifts. Kids can create
everything from ornaments to hot chocolate mixes and take them home.
The Nature Center is also
sponsoring a workshop on Holiday Gift Wrap and Gift Bags Dec. 7th,
10:00 a.m. to noon; evening workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $16/workshop
for members, $20/workshop for nonmembers. Again, pre-registration is a must do.
This workshop is for the serious crafter. “These are not toilet paper tube
creations.” So there.
At the Center for
Community Arts, Sculpture Inspired by the Sea with Jody Swope workshops
will be held from December 1 – 15. You can create a hand sewn soft
hanging sculpture embellished with beads, shells and natural found objects from
the beach. Thursdays, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, 8, 15, from 1 – 3 p.m. Workshops require
advance registration, with fees of $40 per four-session series, $25 for seniors,
and $5 off for CCA members. For a detailed brochure and registration
information, please call 884-7525 or see
www.centerforcommunityarts.org.
December 10th Reindeer
Games
For children ages
6 thru 9 years old. The kids will be making crafts and holiday gifts and
decorating the Eco-Tree. But it’s not all work. Plenty of time will be set aside
to play games, sing and dance. Sign up for both sessions and lunch is on the
Nature Center. Cost is $15 per session for members, $20 per session for
nonmembers. Morning session 9:00 a.m. to noon; afternoon session noon to 3:00
p.m. Contact the Nature Center at (609) 898-8848.
Now – next year, after
you’ve learned all these things you can set up a table and sell your crafts at
the Crafts at Christmas Show. This year, the Craft Show will be held Dec.
3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Convention Hall. Call 609-884-9565 for details.
Theater abounds even
if it is off season. Cape May Stage and East Lynne Theater are the reason… A
madcap romp on holiday traditions…Santa Claus and how his idea of toys came to
fruition …
December 1 - December
23 Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Cape May Stage's madcap romp through all the holiday traditions we can remember,
and a few we'd like to forget returns with a vengeance! After a sold out run in
2003 and 2004, this hilarious hit is back and funnier than ever, and updated for
the new year! Learn the origins of Fruitcake! See Christmas traditions around
the world! Sing every Christmas carol ever sung! This is a surefire good time
for the whole family. Come chase away the winter blues with a little holiday
cheer that will warm the hearts of even the coldest Scrooge! Thursday through
Saturday 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. For more information, visit
www.capemaystage.com
December 4 East Lynne
Theater Company presents a staged reading of L. Frank Baum’s "The Life and
Adventures of Santa Claus"
In 1902, two years after his "Wizard of Oz," Baum chronicled the story of Santa
Claus, explaining such things as Claus's early years in the Forest of Burzee,
how he came to create his first toy, how he can distribute toys in one night,
and how he became immortal. Performance time is 8:30pm. ELTC performs in
residence at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., Cape
May, NJ. Ticket price is $10, and children 12 and under are free. Information
and reservations: 609-884-5898 or on the web at
 eastlynnetheater.org
December 3 Mondrian
Ensemble to Perform For Access to Art’s Sam Maitin Music Festival In Cape May
Access to Art
will present the Mondrian Ensemble, the second concert in its year long series
to honor Philadelphia artist, Sam Maitin. Access to Art, Inc. has renamed their
concert series after the well-known Philadelphia artist who actively mentored
them, chose their programming, and did art for their music festival. The concert
will be held in the sanctuary of the Cape May United Methodist Church, 635
Washington St., Cape May across from the Victorian Towers. It will be performed
by artists dear to Sam Maitin, since it was he who put them together as an
ensemble for Access to Art, Inc. in l998, and it was they who performed at his
final In Memoriam at the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania
attended by over 700 people. Refreshments of desserts, cake, hot cider, coffee
and tea will be offered in the church annex from 8 p.m. to 8:30 for concert
attendees who can purchase tickets there. The concert will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets for the concert are $l5. adults; $l2. seniors and students. Call Barbara
Beitel at (609) 465-3963
And oh the tours, tours, tours, tours…
That’s one thing we’ve a plenty so plan your day.
Let’s see…There’s a wassail tour, holly tour, lamplighter tour and candlelight
tour;
Whew! Save time for sitting, that‘s all I can say…
Because you still need to go visit the sea and the bay.
December 1,2, 4, 5,
7-9, 11-13, 15,16, 18-23, 26-31 - Evening Wassail Tour
Trolley ride to see Cape May’s magnificent holiday decorations followed by a
visit to the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Inside the
authentically decorated mansion, guides will discuss Victorian Christmas
traditions. Warm wassail punch and traditional cookies await each tourgoer.
Times vary. $15 for adults, $7.50 for children (ages 3-12). Advance reservations
strongly recommended. Tours begin at the Washington Street Mall Information
Booth.
Wednesday December 14th
is the Christmas Community Wassail Party. Refreshments will be served in
the Twinings Tearoom from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
A donation of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Community Food
Bank of Cape May. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For
more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org
December 1,2, 4,5, 7-9, 11-16, 18-23, 26-31 - Holly Trolley Ride
Ride the trolley through Cape May’s picturesque streets, festively decorated for
the holidays, while guides tell you about Victorian Christmas traditions.
December 4-5, times vary. $6 per person. Advance reservations strongly
recommended. Tours begin at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.
Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information or
to make reservations, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org
December 2, 9
,16, 27-29 - Lamplighter Christmas Tour
Celebrate the holiday season by taking this self-guided evening tour of five of
Cape May’s finest bed and breakfast inns. The tour includes a visit to the
Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., where
you can see the current exhibit “Dr. Physick and His World” while enjoying warm
refreshments and home baked goodies. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 9. $15 for
adults, $7.50 for children (ages 3-12). Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for
the Arts (MAC). For more information or to make reservations, call 609-884-5404
or 800-275-4278 or visit
www.capemaymac.org
December 3, 10
, 17 - 32nd Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours
Christmas in
Victorian Cape May is a “Top 100 Event in North America,” according to the
American Bus Association. Find out why during the 32nd Annual Christmas
Candlelight House Tours, Cape May’s longest–running holiday event. More than 20
bed and breakfast inns, guesthouses, hotels and churches open their festively
decorated doors to reveal the charm, holiday cheer and Victorian interiors that
make Christmas in Cape May a truly special time. These self-guided tours are
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Admission is $22 for adults
and $11 for children (ages 3-12). Advance reservations strongly recommended.
Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information,
call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit MAC’s Web site at
www.capemaymac.org
 Well that’s about all
except for the New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball at Congress Hall…
December 31
The Glitter Ball at Congress Hall
The tradition continues. Enjoy a 5-course dinner, live entertainment with the
JDR Dance Band, champagne toast, party favors and an open bar. Tickets are $150
and are available at Congress Hall, or by calling 888.944.1816 or visit
www.congresshall.com
Now don’t you think you should come here and stay?
You can go on a tour, go to dinner and a play
Come join us for Christmas in Cape May
‘Cause those who have come here before liked Christmas a lot
You will too if you just give us a shot.
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