MOUNT VERNON, VA – Celebrate the holiday season at George Washington’s Mount Vernon! Start a new family tradition at Mount Vernon’s Christmas Illuminations event. Watch as a dazzling display of fireworks are launched over the Potomac River. Lady Washington welcomes you to her home during Mount Vernon’s annual Candlelight tours. George Washington’s handwritten Thanksgiving proclamation will be on view through January 6, 2016. George Washington’s estate is open every day of the year! For more information about Mount Vernon’s holiday activities, please visit mountvernon.org/Christmas.
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
December 18 & 19, 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Join Mount Vernon for an evening of family-friendly fun and fireworks choreographed to holiday music. Take a stroll through the estate while being serenaded by local choirs, visit with re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment in winter encampment, and learn 18th-century dance moves from costumed guides in the Greenhouse. “George and Martha Washington” will also be on site to share their holiday cheer with guests.
Watch as colonial artisans demonstrate the 18th-century process of creating chocolate. Keep toasty by warming up by a bonfire, visiting the blacksmith shop, or enjoying some hot chocolate or cider. $30 adult, $20 youth.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
November 27 & 28, December 4 & 5, and December 20, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
During Mount Vernon by Candlelight, enjoy character-guided tours of the first and second floors of the Mansion, 18th-century dancing and fireside caroling. On the final stop of the Mansion tour, guests will hear about Washingtons’ holiday cooking and see a reproduction of Martha’s Great Cake. “Mrs. Washington” and Aladdin the Christmas camel will also be on site. $22 adult, $15 youth.
Christmas at Mount Vernon
November 27 – January 6, 2016, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visit George Washington’s estate and see Aladdin the camel on the grounds, in honor of the camel that Washington paid to visit Mount Vernon in 1787. Stroll through Mount Vernon’s modern buildings and view sparkling holiday decorations, featuring 12 dazzling Christmas trees, and historical chocolate-making demonstrations.
Experience Christmas how the Washington’s would have celebrated it on a tour of the Mansion. Go behind-the-scenes and tour the rarely-open third floor of the Mansion. Included in general admission.
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Daily through January 6, 2016
On October 3, 1789, Washington issued his Thanksgiving proclamation, designating for “the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving.” George Washington’s signed Thanksgiving Proclamation was drafted after a contentious 1789 debate in Congress calling upon the President to “recommend to the people of the United State a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed.” On view in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, this historically significant document marks the first national celebration of Thanksgiving for November 26, 1789. Included in general admission.
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