From tree lightings to candlelight house tours, Cape May’s Victorian Christmas runs from Nov. 21 through the end of December. Here’s where to stay.
When the summer crowds leave, Cape May trades beach days for a Victorian Christmas. This year, the season kicks off with the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Emlen Physick Estate, where Santa arrives and a craft market opens.
From there, gas-lit streets, gingerbread trim, and pine garland set the scene for weeks of tree lightings, a parade, and candlelight house tours. The whole town asks the question: what if Santa moved his headquarters to the beach?
If you want to experience it yourself, the inns near the festivities are the place to stay. Here are five historic ones to consider, and when to book them.
A Victorian Christmas
Cape May’s Victorian Christmas officially kicks off on Saturday, November 21—running through the end of December. The weekend of December 4 is usually the busiest, with two tree lightings, the West Cape May parade, and the first Candlelight House tour.
Here are the dates you should plan your trip around.
| Date | Event | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, with Santa’s arrival, a craft market, and free first-floor estate tours | Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. | Tree lighting at 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 27 to Dec. 31 | Winter Wonderland: outdoor holiday shopping village, carousel, and lawn events | Congress Hall | Check daily hours |
| Friday, Dec. 4 | Cape May City Tree Lighting, followed by Congress Hall’s tree lighting | Rotary Park, then Congress Hall’s Grand Lawn | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | West Cape May Community Christmas Parade | Starts at the firehouse and travels down Broadway | 5 to 8 p.m. |
| Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19 | Christmas Candlelight House Tours: self-guided walking and trolley tours of decorated private homes, inns, and churches | Historic district; run by Cape May MAC | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
Dates and times from event organizers. Confirm before you go.
Where to Stay During the Holidays in Cape May
If you’re considering a Cape May getaway this holiday season—especially during one of the event weekends in December—it’s highly recommended to book as soon as possible, as rooms frequently sell out a month in advance. Weekday bookings can be a bit more lenient, but getting the trip plans finalized now is still best practice.
The five inns below are all located in the heart of the festivities, or close by. Here’s where to stay.
Congress Hall
America’s first seaside resort is also an ideal home base for a Christmas vacation in Cape May. The grand Victorian resort doubles as the epicenter of Cape May’s holiday calendar, with a Winter Wonderland display on the hotel lawn, vendor cabins, outdoor fire pits, and plenty of festive decorations.
The Winter Wonderland display debuts for the season on November 27. This is Cape May’s most recognizable name, and rooms fill up as such. Book here.
The Virginia Hotel & Cottages
No kids? This adults-only boutique property is the Christmas stay for you. The circa-1879 inn bursts with Victorian appeal, and that only intensifies during the holidays. Intimate rooms, refined holiday decor in every corner, and farm-to-table dining at the historic Ebbitt Room, to name some of the appeal. True dining aficionados will want to book the Richmond Room—limited to just 18 seats a night, the dinner explores Executive Chef Jason Hanin’s culinary ethos, rooted in seasonal, local cooking, and highlighting the best wines and spirits available. Plus: with a central location, you’re never far from any of Cape May’s Christmas gatherings
Hotel info and bookings can be found here. Richmond Room Dinner Series reservations here.
The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast
Three 1880s homes and an 1876 gambling parlor make up the bones of The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast, which offers authentic Victorian luxury and a window into Cape May’s historic roots. The B&B specializes in period-accurate holiday decorations: handcrafted mantels, afternoon tea service, parlor fireplaces, and wreaths on every door. The central location—one block from both the beach and Washington Street Mall makes it a perfect, centralized stay for exploring Cape May during Christmas.
You can find more information and booking here.
The Chalfonte Hotel
Built in 1876, The Chalfonte is Cape May’s oldest continuously operating hotel. During the holidays, the wrap-around porches lined with seasonal greenery and the hotel’s restaurant, the Magnolia Room, serve up its famous Southern-style hospitality. The building—draped in late 19th-century architecture and adornments—makes for a fitting stay for any history buff. Two blocks from the beach and a short walk to downtown means you’re never far from the Christmas festivities.
The Chalfonte Hotel offers several different styles of rooms, each one steeped in history. See what’s available here.
The Mason Cottage
Hot cider service, roaring fireplaces, and a two-course gourmet breakfast, The Mason Cottage offers a lot to look forward to this holiday season. The 1871 Victorian inn is located in the heart of historic downtown Cape May, meaning you’re never far from a Christmas tour, shopping, or any of the excellent dining options in town. Two intricately decorated Christmas trees become the focal point of the B&B each year, and thoughtfully designed decor fills the gaps. It’s a holiday tradition for repeat guests for a reason.
More info, rooms, and holiday offerings are available on their website.
Book Your Cape May Christmas
The Candlelight House Tours run on just three Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19, so it pays to make your reservations now.
Cape May books up fast during Christmas for a reason—the North Pole sets up shop at the southernmost tip of New Jersey each year. It might just become your newest holiday tradition.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
