I love holiday house tours…touring nice houses, admiring their decor and getting ideas for projects I may or may not ever end up doing at my own house! I love these tours so much that in 2018, almost two years since we moved in to our house, I signed up to have our house be on a charity house tour in Princeton. TRUST ME, this is not the best way to accomplish a goal, I now know. The charitable organization that was to benefit from the ticket sales was called Hearts for Heat, and they provided home heating oil to people in need. Nice. I signed us up to be on the tour, in large part, because I needed a kick in the butt to finally unpack and go through everything we moved in here at the end of 2016, but were in varying stages of unpacking.
We spent about 2 months prepping for this house tour–unpacking, putting things free on the side of the road, to the recycle center, etc…then there were the small projects, repairs, painting, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Toward the end, as the months to ‘get ready’ shortened in to weeks, days and down to the last few hours, we made a few ‘OFF LIMITS’ signs and called it a day. The benefiting organization encouraged us to find our own volunteers to be in various parts of the house, and they also provided additional volunteers, if needed. A few of my friends from Westminster and Princeton signed up, and it was fun. Fun to finally be done with the prep work. About 85 people came through the house, having paid $30 or so to visit 8 houses in town. Some came specifically to tour our new accessory apartment, which I wrote about in another story, that you can read here: Considering Multi-Generational Living, an In-law or Accessory Apartment?
As my luck would have it (you know I can’t make this stuff up), near the end of the tour, when I was officially exhausted, I had a text and call from our credit card company stating that there was someone actively potentially hijacking our credit card. Our youngest son Adam was on a 2,000 mile bicycle trip, and that credit card was his backup funding source, so it was possible that it was him, on the other side of the world in New Zealand. It wasn’t him, it was actually someone in Georgia trying to do an in-store pickup and they needed me to stay on the other end of the line as they questioned this woman. It was fraud, so I’m glad I picked up the call, but that really did me in for the day.
So THIS YEAR, I’m going to GO TO some holiday house tours! Message me if you know of others, and I’ll be happy to add them on! I’d love to hear your plans and feedback.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
46th Annual Christmas in Salem
“Held annually on the first weekend of December, the Christmas in SalemTM house tour inaugurates the holiday season. Every year, tour homeowners invite thousands of visitors, new and returning, into their elaborately decorated historic houses to see Salem, Massachusetts from a different angle. With a different neighborhood and theme organized each year, the Christmas in Salem house tour is an enjoyable activity for lifelong residents and out-of-state visitors alike.” Find out more and buy tickets here. (Source: Historic Salem Inc.)
Concord Museum’s 15th Annual Holiday House Tour
“Join the Guild of Volunteers for the 15th Annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 6th! A beloved annual tradition, the Holiday House Tour invites ticket-holders to visit six festively-decorated homes throughout Concord, each with their own unique charm and character. Every year, this popular holiday event sells over 1,000 tickets and provides critical support for the Museum’s vital educational initiatives which serve over 15,000 K-12 students annually. The Holiday House Tour is presented by the Concord Museum’s Guild of Volunteers as a benefit for the Museum’s education initiatives.” Buy tickets here.
Holiday Tour of Homes 2025
“In a traditional year, 600 participants take a self-guided tour of beautifully decorated homes and locations in town. You decide your route- homes can be toured in any order! The Tour of Homes Committee loves to see generations of families and friends attend this fundraiser to help provide scholarship support to local kids and teens. During the tour you will be inspired with decorating ideas, learn about the homeowners and their traditions, and you will be filled with joy as you embrace the magic of the holiday season.” Find out more and buy tickets here. (Source: Boys and Girls Club West Springfield, Give Lively ticket website)
Sippican Woman’s Club Annual Holiday House Tour
“Step inside five beautifully decorated homes in our charming town by the sea during this year’s Holiday by the Sea House Tour. Begin this magical day at the historic Handy’s Tavern, while exploring these festive homes, enjoy a cozy Sugarplum Tea at Tabor Academy and cap off the day with a warm and lively after hours gathering at the Beverly Yacht Club — a perfect celebration of the season and our community spirit. All profits from the tour support scholarships for Marion students and local organizations that enrich and strengthen our community. “ Find out more and buy tickets here. (Source: Sippican Woman’s Club)
Sunday, December 7, 2025
46th Annual Christmas in Salem
“Held annually on the first weekend of December, the Christmas in SalemTM house tour inaugurates the holiday season. Every year, tour homeowners invite thousands of visitors, new and returning, into their elaborately decorated historic houses to see Salem, Massachusetts from a different angle. With a different neighborhood and theme organized each year, the Christmas in Salem house tour is an enjoyable activity for lifelong residents and out-of-state visitors alike.” Find out more and buy tickets here. (Source: Historic Salem Inc.)
New Bedford Preservation Society Historic Holiday Tour
“The 30th Annual New Bedford Preservation Society Holiday House Tour will take place on December 8th from 1pm-5pm. The tour headquarters are at the James Arnold Mansion, 427 County Street. This annual tour is a great opportunity to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends and family while enjoying the community spirit of the holidays Visitors are invited to discover the unique historical character of New Bedford homes and explore the interiors that reflect the creative individual taste of the owners. These spaces are lived in and loved!” (Source: New Bedford Preservation Society)
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Burlington MA Holiday Home Tour 2025
“Come tour the inside of Burlington homes decorated beautifully for the holidays to raise money for Burlington WeeCare. It’s time for our 4th Annual Holiday Home Tour in Burlington, Massachusetts! Tour the inside of specially selected homes around town decorated beautifully for the holidays, then head to our office at Kadilak Realty Group for appetizers, beer & wine, and purchase raffle tickets to raise money for the Burlington WeeCare, a local non-profit.” Find out more and buy your tickets here. (Source: Kadilak Realty Group, Eventbrite ticket website)
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Christmas in Toy Town at The Murdock Whitney Mansion
“Join us at the Winchendon History & Cultural Center for a magical weekend of holiday cheer! One ticket gives you access to everything: Tour the festively decorated Murdock Whitney Mansion and Isaac Morse House. Snap photos at our fan-favorite holiday selfie spots in the Carriage House — don’t miss the decked-out vintage fire truck! Get inspired by the stunning holiday table settings on display at the historic Old Center Church.” Buy tickets here. (Source: The Winchendon History & Cultural Center)
Newburyport Holiday House Tour
“Join us for this year’s Holiday House Tour on Saturday December 13th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. You will enjoy a rare glimpse into greater Newburyport’s finest private residences and unique spaces. Your self- guide tour will lead you through each of our homes all decked out both inside and out in holiday style reflecting the homeowner’s individual celebrations and traditions of the season. Come and experience a day full of holiday magic and surprise! Note: This tour is appropriate for children ages 12 and up. We will also be hosting our Holiday Market located at the Newburyport Senior Community Center, 331 High Street, sponsored by United Family Medical Center. It will features over a dozen artisan crafters, holiday greenery and epicurean treats from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Click here to view vendors.” — Find out more and buy your tickets here. (Source: Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association ticket website)
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Christmas in Toy Town at The Murdock Whitney Mansion
“Join us at the Winchendon History & Cultural Center for a magical weekend of holiday cheer! One ticket gives you access to everything: Tour the festively decorated Murdock Whitney Mansion and Isaac Morse House. Snap photos at our fan-favorite holiday selfie spots in the Carriage House — don’t miss the decked-out vintage fire truck! Get inspired by the stunning holiday table settings on display at the historic Old Center Church.” Buy tickets here. (Source: The Winchendon History & Cultural Center)
