HOLIDAY GUIDE - Houses & Tours

Sunday, Nov. 23

DOWNTOWN CULPEPER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND TREE LIGHTING. Noon-5 p.m., tree lighting 5:30 p.m. www.culpeperdowntown.com or (540) 825-4416.

Friday, Nov. 28

MAYMONT HOUSE MUSEUM HOLIDAY TOURS. Noon-5 p.m., 1700 Hampton St. Tuesdays-Sundays through Jan. 6, (last tour at 4:30 p.m.). Closed Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1. Lavish tree trimmings and other spectacular décor bring the wonders of an upper-class Victorian Christmas to life. Tours available every half-hour. $5 suggested donation. 358-7166, ext. 329.

Saturday, Nov. 29

CIRCA 1932: A COLONIAL-REVIVAL CHRISTMAS. Today-Jan. 6, TuesdayFriday 1-4:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:304:30 p.m. Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road. Last tour begins at 3:45 p.m. View trends in holiday decorating from the early 20th century. $10 adults; $6 students. 282-5936.

Sunday, Nov. 30

SOUTH BOSTON-HALIFAX COUNTY MUSEUM CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE. 2-4 p.m., South Boston. Visit with Santa and have your photo taken, enjoy Christmas music and food. Open house: $4 adults; $2 children 3-12; ages 2 and younger are free.

WILTON HOUSE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. 1-4 p.m., 215 S. Wilton Road. Enjoy family-friendly outdoor colonial games and indoor crafts, while relaxing with a cup of warmed spiced cider. Free performances of "Nutcracker Suite" at 1:15 p.m. by the Concert Ballet of Virginia; City Singers’ Children’s Choir at 2:15 p.m.; and a Barefoot Puppets production at 3:15 p.m. Free; donations encouraged. . Friday, Dec. 5

LIGHTING OF THE STATE HOLIDAY TREE/OPEN HOUSE. 5 p.m., South Portico of the state Capitol. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and first lady Anne Holton will light the holiday tree. The choir from St. Elizabeth’s Church will perform. The governor and first lady will host an open house at the Executive Mansion from 5:30-7 p.m. Free.

Saturday, Dec. 6

BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER OF VIRGINIA HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. Noon-4 p.m., 00 Clay St. Children’s crafts, light refreshments and visit with Santa. Free. 780-9093.

MAGGIE L. WALKER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., park’s visitor center, 600 N. Second St. Performances of Christmas music by local choirs. Children can make an ornament to take home. Free. 771-2017, ext. 24. CENTRE HILL MANSION HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., today and Dec. 7. Scavenger hunts, paper-doll crafts, activities for children ages 6-11. At 3 p.m. on both days, Limelight Talent will perform "The Velveteen Rabbit." Free. 733-2401. CHRISTMAS AT OAKLEIGH, MATHEWS. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 756 Hesse Farm Road, Cobbs Creek. This manor house on Hill’s Bay will be festively decorated for the holiday season. Desserts, custom-made wreaths, arrangements and ornaments will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15. 725-5747. FAMILY GINGERBREAD TEA. 10 a.m.-noon, Virginia House, 4301 Sulgrave Road. A guided tour of Virginia House followed by a look at holiday traditions from other countries. Your family will enjoy cider and cookies while you make a gingerbread house. Admission is $14 per family for Virginia Historical Society members and $16 per family for nonmembers. Reservations are required. 353-4251 or . HOLIDAY LANTERN TOURS AT MEADOW FARM. 6-8 p.m., Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Through guided lantern tours, experience holiday traditions of Christmas in 1860. Free. 501-5520. EXECUTIVE MANSION HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. 1-4 p.m., Capitol Square. Free. MAGNOLIA GRANGE HOLIDAY PROGRAMS. 1-4 p.m., Chesterfield, 10020 Iron Bridge Road. Free. Enjoy refreshments as you view the holiday decorations and visit with Santa Claus. The gift shop will be open, and will offer an Elf Shop where children can purchase small gift items. 796-1479 or www.chesterfieldhistory.com. SCOTCHTOWN CANDLELIGHT TOUR. 6:30-9 p.m. today and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7. Scotchtown, 16120 Chiswell Lane, Beaverdam. Watch the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Dancers dancing to 18th-century music provided by Doug Marshall & Co. $5. 227-3500. TUCKAHOE PLANTATION CHRISTMAS TOUR. 3-7 p.m., today, Dec. 7, 13 and 14. Boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson all decked out for the holidays. www.tuckahoeplantation.com. WALKERTON HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. 1-6 p.m., Walkerton Tavern, 2892 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Wander the halls of this 19th-century tavern enjoying music, dance, and refreshments. Free. 261-6898. Sunday, Dec. 7

AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT MAYMONT. Noon-5 p.m., 1700 Hampton St. Listen to the music of the season, take a horse-drawn carriage ride and enjoy a special tour of the Dooleys’ home, decorated in Victorian splendor. St. Nick and his helpers host several afternoon Christmas parties with stories, games and surprises for the whole family. Details on registration and fees, 358-7166, ext. 310, or www.maymont.org.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT HISTORIC TREDEGAR. 1-5 p.m., 490 Tredegar St. Reduced admission fees. Refreshments, children’s activities and tree decorating. Period musicians will perform. 780-1865, ext. 10 or visit www.tredegar.org. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT MEADOWVIEW. 2-6 p.m., Armour House, 4001 Clarendon Road, Henrico. Fireplace mantels and stairway banisters are adorned with decorations of the season. Free. 343-3506. WOODLAND HEIGHTS HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR. 1-6 p.m. Tour homes on Semmes, West 33rd Street, New Kent and Springhill avenues. Concert at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 31st Street and Springhill Avenue, 5-6 p.m. Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 day of tour.; $10 each for a block of 10 tickets. 342-8091. Tuesday, Dec. 9

DECORATING FOR A WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTMAS. 1:30 p.m., today-Dec. 12 and Dec. 15-19 at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Learn how to make a wreath, swag or other traditional Williamsburg holiday decorations using fresh greens and fruit. Free reservation in addition to museum admission. (800) HISTORY.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

MAGNOLIA GRANGE CHRISTMAS TEA. 2 p.m., 10020 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield. Tickets are $25. Call 796-1479 to make a reservation. www.chesterfieldhistory.com.

Thursday, Dec. 11

HOLIDAY TEA AND TOUR. 3-5 p.m. today and Dec. 12, Virginia House, 4301 Sulgrave Road. A guided tour of Virginia House followed by a special presentation and tea on the terrace. Admission is $22.50 for Virginia Historical Society members and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. 353-4251 or .

Friday, Dec. 12

MAYMONT BY MOONLIGHT. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Hampton Street entrance. Tour Maymont by moonlight. Horse-drawn carriages transport guests down the luminary-lit lane to Maymont House where Victorian ladies and gentlemen host special visits through the home. The evening continues in Maymont’s Peacock Alley with living history, holiday shopping, carol singing and refreshments. $25 per person; $20 for members. Registration required; 358-7166, ext. 329.

Saturday, Dec. 13

46th ANNUAL FAN HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR. 1-5 p.m. today and Dec. 14. Ten historic Fan homes decorated for the holidays. Walk or ride the complimentary trolleys. Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 on tour days. Tickets available at www.fandistrict.org and at various locations in the area. 254-2550.

CHRISTMAS ON COCKRELL’S CREEK. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow, Reedville Fishermen’s Museum, 504 Main St., Reedville. Six homes, including four in Reedville connected by boat shuttle, plus Athena Vineyards and Winery and two waterfront homes on the Great Wicomico River. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 tour day. 453-6529 or www.rfmuseum.org. CLARKE-PALMORE HOUSE MUSEUM HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. 2-6 p.m. Clarke-Palmore House Museum, 904 McCoul St., Henrico. Enjoy hot cider and sweet treats while listening to holiday tunes from the 1930s. Free. 501-5125. RIPARIAN WOMAN’S CLUB OF EMPORIA HOME TOUR. 5:30-8:30 p.m. today and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 14. Six homes - three in Emporia and three in Jarratt - plus a restored tobacco barn that will be shown as a stable in Sussex County. Tickets: $12. (434) 535-8056. WISHING YOU A MAYMONT CHRISTMAS. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1700 Hampton St. A special tour designed for the entire family describing the traditions and decorations that made Maymont House the most dazzling home in Richmond during the holidays of 1893. $7. Registration recommended; 358-7166, ext. 329. Sunday, Dec. 14

22nd ANNUAL COURT END CHRISTMAS. Noon-5 p.m., 1015 E. Clay St. Nine historic sites will be open. Music, tours, living history, children’s activities, carriage rides, refreshments, re-enactments and puppet show. Complimentary shuttle from site to site. Free. 649-0711, ext. 301.

HOPEWELL CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES. 1-5 p.m. Five decorated homes and First Presbyterian Church will be open for the tour. Refreshments will be served in the church fellowship hall. Tickets: $10 for a block ticket; $4 for a single site. 458-6060 or . CHURCH HILL HOUSE TOUR. Noon-5 p.m. Visit 14 houses and historic buildings decorated for the holidays. Free carriage rides and roving carolers. There also will be a shuttle to and from the Court End Christmas event at the Valentine History Center. Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 tour day. 200-8020 or www.churchhillrichmond.com. HISTORIC PETERSBURG FOUNDATION’S CHRISTMAS HOMES TOUR. 1-5 p.m., Westover Avenue, Petersburg. Tour seven decorated homes. Music and refreshments at Christ & Grace Episcopal Church. $25. 732-2096. Friday, Dec. 26

HOLIDAY GLITTER: MONUMENT AVENUE AFTER-DARK WALKING TOUR. 6-7:30 p.m. today and Dec. 27, meet the guide at the Lee Monument at Allen and Monument avenues. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight. Tickets: $10 day of tour; $9 in advance; $5 members. Reservations required: 649-0711, ext. 301.