Delaware's holiday house tours rev up Dec. 1 and peak the next weekend

The holiday house tour season revs into overdrive this weekend with events at the governor's mansion in Dover, a tour of homes in Lewes and the annual candlelight house tour in Chadds Ford, among others.

It continues the next week with three big events sponsored by the Delaware Art Museum, the Women's Club of Milton and the Spirit of Christmas in Old New Castle.

Here's what's on tap:

Woodburn, the governor's house

Woodburn, the governor's house in Dover, will hold its annual open house on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The house, at 151 Kings Highway SW, will be decorated for the holidays and offering treats to guests. The governor and first lady are not expected to be in attendance this year.

Annual Lewes tour

The 45th annual Christmas Tour of Lewes set for Saturday, Dec. 1, includes nine properties and a greens sale will be held at Freddie’s Barn. Advance tickets are $30 and day-of tickets are $35. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. The self-guided tour, presented by the Lewes Historical Society, will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. HistoricLewes.org.  

Chadds Ford Candlelight Christmas

The Chadds Ford (Pennsylvania) Historical Society will hose its traditional Candlelight Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Visitors Center.

Hale Byrnes annual open house

The historic Hale Byrnes House at 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Stanton will hold its annual Holiday Open House from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. $5 at the door includes coffee and dessert. Well-behaved children always welcomed. The two-story, five bay brick house was built in 1750. 

Rockwood's rocking open house

The 17th Annual Rockwood Park Holiday Open House takes place at the Wilmington park Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The traditional Christmas Tree Lighting will be Friday at 6:15 p.m. County Executive Matt Meyer will read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Rockwood Mansion Drawing Room, where books will be given to all children in attendance.

The light display in the gardens surrounding the Mansion and Carriage House will remain illuminated for visitors nightly through the holiday season. Tours of Rockwood Mansion are free throughout December and special Candlelight Tours are offered Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rockwood Park & Museum is at 4651 Washington Street Extension. www.nccde.org/specialevents.

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DAM Holiday House Tour

The Delaware Art Museum's 31st Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 8 will take guests to six spectacular homes. The self-guided tour includes an updated elegant Highlands Classic, a surprise Prairie Style home and a modern tranquil retreat, with homes in both Delaware and Chester County. 

Tickets are $35 if you pick them up at the museum or buy at a retail outlet; or $39 if mailed to you. Tourgoers also can buy a separate $25 ticket for lunch at Greenville Country Club.

The museum also is hosting its Winter Arts festival, an artisan show featuring 15 craftspeople from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

 www.delartholidayhousetour.org 

Milton Holiday House Tour

The Women’s Club of Milton has eight homes and three public venues set for touring on its  Dec. 8 Annual Milton Holiday House Tour. They include a Cape Cod style home with a personal airplane hangar on the property, complete with airplanes decorated for Christmas; the mid-20th Century Milton Post Office recently repurposed into an artist’s home and studio; a classic 1901 renovated Queen Anne style home; Milton’s newest Bed and Breakfast at one of Sussex County’s oldest homesteads; and the unique historic home of Libby Zando and Bob Zando Blayney. The tour is rain or shine, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. At the same time: Milton’s Annual Holly Festival (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Milton Fire Hall). Tickets are $20 pre-tour tickets; $25 same-day. Call 302-329-9738 to reserve a ticket. For more information, call 302-354-8470.

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Old New Castle

The annual holiday house tour that's part of The Spirit of Christmas celebration in Historic New Castle will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. Admission is free. The town-wide celebration, sponsored by the New Castle Presbyterian Church, offers private homes and churches decorated for the season, and musical events throughout the day. Rain or shine.  From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, admission will be free at the Amstel House (decorated for a traditional colonial holiday) and the Dutch House (featuring a celebration of St. Nicholas' Eve). For more information, call 302-328-3279.

And in a faraway stable

Christiana Presbyterian Church will have more than 100 nativity scenes on display from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 15. Admission is free at the 280-year-old church at 15 N. Old Baltimore Pike. The display includes traditional and modern crèches. Includes free hot chocolate and sweets. For more information, call 302-738-0915. Will be followed by the Annual Community Christmas Carole Sing Along.