Mount Vernon by Candlelight

Meet 18th-century residents of Mount Vernon in a 45-minute candlelit tour of the Mount Vernon estate.

Arrive at the Ford Orientation Center 15 minutes before your ticket time to view themed Christmas trees and warm up with light concessions.

Walk through history with Mount Vernon as we celebrate the build-up to the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

• Greet Aladdin, the Christmas camel, on the 12-acre field.
• Participate in 18th-century dancing in the greenhouse.
• Listen to music and caroling while enjoying complimentary ginger cookies and spiced cider in the Education Center Lobby.

Learn about holiday traditions of 18th-century Virginia, and hear stories of Christmases past from costumed character actors portraying Washington’s family, friends, and enslaved or hired staff.

Stroll through the lantern-lit historic area, stopping at the slave quarters, outbuildings, and inside Washington’s Mansion. Some rooms in the Mansion will be off-view due to our preservation work.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight is an interior Mansion tour and outdoor walking tour at night. 

Please dress for the weather conditions. Be prepared for low temperatures, varying levels of light, and uneven walkways. The 12-acre field has no paved paths and some uneven ground.

The first floor of the Mansion is accessible by wheelchair.

Please note, while we enjoy our four-legged friends during the daytime, pets are not allowed on the grounds for evening events.