2023 Holiday Celebrations

Longfellow House decorated for the holidays

NPS photo

 

The return of these annual holidays is the signal for bringing friends together, and uniting around the family fireside. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1828

 

19th century game board.

NPS photo

2023 Holiday Open House

Friday, December 15 | 4:00 PM-8:00 PM

Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate children’s joy around the holidays, and to embrace the playful spirit of the season amid the decked historic halls of the Longfellow House.

Enjoy a luminaria display on the grounds and stroll the halls of the Longfellow House, decorated in period style and featuring live harp music and special seasonal objects from the site's museum collection that celebrate childhood and play.

Then, follow the festive front path to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy President’s House at 115 Brattle Street – the other big yellow house – to enjoy Big Smile Entertainment’s Holiday Victorian Carolers and Rosalita’s puppet shows, in addition to parlor games, a festive tree, “take-and-make” crafts, and treats for the whole family. Refreshments, including cookies and hot beverages, will be served.

Free; no reservations required. Event concludes at 8:00 PM; last entrance to the Longfellow house at 7:30 PM. A fun and festive evening for all ages!

Thank you to the Friends of the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy for supporting this annual event!

 

Holiday Tours on Saturday, December 16

11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM
Reserve your spot on a free, 30-minute guided tour of the Longfellow House first floor, decked out for the holidays! Space is limited and reservations are required.

Click here to register. Please register each member of your group individually.

 

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  Holiday Baking Extravaganza

  Watch staff tackle making festive historic foods, and get the recipes to try it yourself!

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  Christmas Bells

  Set to music early on, the poem "Christmas Bells" became part of the Christmas carol canon.

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  Hands on History: Holidays!

  Join our rangers as they try out crafts the Longfellow children would have made for the holidays