The holiday season brings many things to Essex County: tree lightings, holiday pop-up markets + bars, festive decorations, the list goes on. One holiday event locals should add to their calendars is the annual Essex County Holiday House Tour — a festive tour of 12 historical homes and sites all decked out for the holidays. This year's tour will take place on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th in various Essex County towns including Montclair, Cedar Grove, Nutley, Bloomfield, Verona, and beyond. Read on for the details about the 2024 Essex County Holiday House Tour in New Jersey this December.

The Details

For one weekend each year, Essex County opens up its most historically important homes, sites, and structures to the public. Families attend with their children, societies meet up to share information with the public, and locals come together to celebrate the season and peek into beloved locations. This is the Essex County Holiday House Tour that locals know and love.

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Residents and visitors can take part in this year's holiday house tour on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th — times vary by location. Twelve different spots around Essex County will be dressed for the holiday season, providing entertainment, refreshments, and educational opportunities. The tour is hosted by the Essex County Division of Cultural + Historic Affairs and Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

The towns included in this year's tour include Montclair, Cedar Grove, Nutley, Bloomfield, Verona, Upper Montclair, Livingston, West Orange, Caldwell, Newark, and South Orange. See below for details about each stop on the tour and when you can visit each.

The Gypsy Farmhouse | 106 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove

Open 1PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Kingsland Manor | 3 Kingsland Street, Nutley

Open 1PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Van Tassel Funeral Home | 337 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield

Open 12PM-4PM on 12/8.

Canfield-Morgan House + Museum | 903 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove

Open 1PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Montclair Historical Society Property, Historic YWCA | 110 Orange Road, Montclair

Open 12PM-3PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Essex County Kip’s Castle Park | 22 Crestmont Road, Verona

Open 12PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens | 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair

Open 12PM-3PM on 12/8.

The Livingston Historical Society, The Old Force Homestead | 366 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston

Open 2PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

Glenmont at Thomas Edison National Historical Park | 211 Main Street, West Orange

The Laboratory Visitor Center will be open from 10AM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

The Grover House | 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell

Open 12PM-4PM on 12/7 and 12/8.

The Ballantine House | 49 Washington Street, Newark

Open 11AM-5PM on 12/7 and 12/8; Thursday to Sunday until the end of December.

The Blanchard Estate | 100 Blanchard Road, South Orange

Open 12PM-4PM on 12/7 and 1PM-5PM on 12/8.

Specific details about visiting each house or site and ticket information for certain stops on the tour can be found on the Essex County Parks website. Some sites are free to enter, while others require a small fee.

"The County of Essex is rich in history and architecture. Take a break from the hustle and bustle this December and visit historic homes that have decked the halls in holiday extravagance for one spectacular weekend. Tour historic Essex with your friends and family and delight in the elegance of the season," Executive DiVincenzo said in the 2024 event brochure.

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