Seasons of Giving: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration

A Candlelight Christmas Celebration

This famed North Carolina tradition returns to Tryon Palace in 2018 with beautiful, new decorations and heartwarming holiday vignettes illuminated by the magical glow of candlelight.

Make your holiday historic this year at Tryon Palace’s 39th annual “Candlelight Christmas Celebration.” Visit with historic characters in period clothing, witness holiday vignettes spanning two centuries, and experience black powder fireworks on the South Lawn. Explore the grounds and buildings of Tryon Palace to travel from 1771 through 1835, and see how New Bern residents from different times and backgrounds celebrated the holidays.

Candlelight is a site wide event for Tryon Palace that includes tours of the Governor’s Palace, Stanly House, Dixon House, Commission House, and numerous activities on the grounds.

Governor’s Palace – 1771 – Experience the beauty, joy, and magic of the holidays as Governor and Mrs. Josiah Martin invite you to their new home for “Masquerade: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration.” To celebrate their first holiday season at Tryon Palace, the Martins are throwing a masquerade ball and guests have come from far and wide to experience a bit of fun and culture with elegant costumes and beautiful decorations based off of the four elements.

Stanly House – 1800-1801 – John and Elizabeth Stanly have recently moved into the impressive house John’s parents built. It’s time for Elizabeth to put her stamp on the house, but there’s pressure on her to meet New Bern society’s expectations and live up to the Stanly name. Tour her home and see how she meets this challenge.

Dixon House – 1835 – The Dixon House wasn’t just home to the Dixon family, but also to Mr. Dixon’s apprentices. These boys and young men learned the arts and mysteries of tailoring from New Bern’s resident expert. Take a look at a lost part of Christmas told through the apprentices’ views.

At the Commission House, enjoy a visit with Santa, listen to Christmas music, write a Christmas card to New Bern’s first responders, and create your very own Masquerade mask!

Food will be available to purchase from food trucks located outside the Palace gates. You can then stop by The Plucked Peacock Tavern to grab a seat and enjoy beer, wine, and delicious baked goods in a festive holiday setting. Also, warm up with hot cider and cookies from Mack’s Cider House in the Trades Building. Don’t forget to end your enchanted evening with a show of black powder fireworks on the Tryon Palace South Lawn!

Candlelight is a rain or shine event, but fireworks may be cancelled during extreme weather conditions. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. To ensure a more historically accurate experience and fully immerse you in the joy, mystery, and magic of Candlelight, we request no photography or videography within the historic buildings. Tripods, lights, and drones are not allowed on Tryon Palace grounds at any time.