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Wed, December 10, 2025
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Boston and Salem's Historic Homes Light Up the Holiday Season: A Complete Guide to the 2025 Holiday House Tours
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 6:36 GMT by The Boston Globe- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Boston and Salem’s Historic Homes Light Up the Holiday Season: A Complete Guide to the 2025 Holiday House Tours
On December 10, 2025, the Boston Globe ran a feature that quickly became a go‑to resource for anyone who loves the magic of Christmas set against the backdrop of New England’s rich architectural heritage. Titled “Holiday House Tours: Boston & Salem Historic Homes,” the article details a curated series of holiday‑decorated tours that take visitors through some of the region’s most iconic homes, from Boston’s bustling downtown to Salem’s storied witch‑craft past. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article’s highlights—what the tours offer, how to plan your visit, and the unique experiences that await.
1. The Holiday House Tour Concept
The article opens with a clear description of the event: a partnership between the Boston Historical Society, the Salem Historical Society, and a coalition of private homeowners who volunteer their properties for a month‑long open‑house series. The goal is to make history feel “tangible and festive,” the article notes, and to boost local tourism during the slower winter months.
Key Dates
- Boston Tour Window: December 13 – December 22
- Salem Tour Window: December 20 – December 31
The tours run on Saturdays and Sundays, with special “early‑bird” tickets available on weekdays for school groups and senior citizens.
Ticket Structure
- General Admission: $15 (includes a guided audio tour via the Boston Historical Society’s app)
- VIP Experience: $45 (adds a private docent guide, a holiday cookie tasting, and a commemorative program booklet)
- Group Rates: Available for schools, churches, and community organizations; contact details are listed in the article’s “How to Book” section.
2. Boston’s Highlighted Homes
The article lists five Boston properties that have agreed to be part of the tour, each offering a distinct slice of the city’s architectural and cultural tapestry.
| Home | Historical Significance | Holiday Features |
|---|---|---|
| The Boston Public Library | Designed by H. H. Richardson (1885) | “Christmas in the Rose Garden” with lanterns, a “Library Carol Corner” and an interactive “Story of the City” walk. |
| The Faneuil Hall Marketplace | 1743 merchant hall turned marketplace | A “Gilded Christmas Bazaar” featuring local artisans, a “Market Mistletoe” station, and a live “Seventeenth‑Century Caroling.” |
| The Old North Church | First American church with its historic lanterns | “North Star Christmas” includes a lantern‑light ceremony at midnight, a “Naval Carols” performance, and a historical reenactment of Paul Revere’s ride. |
| The Granary Burying Ground | Historic cemetery dating back to 1630 | “Reverence & Reindeer” – a midnight service with candlelight, a guided meditation about New England’s founding families. |
| The Boston Athenaeum | The country’s oldest private library (1817) | “Gatsby’s Greenhouse” – a themed tea room with jazz carols, an illuminated book display, and a scavenger hunt for holiday riddles. |
Visitor Tips
- The article advises arriving early, as some venues close at 4:00 pm.
- Many of the homes require a “winter coat” for outdoor sections; the Boston Public Library’s Rose Garden, for instance, is outside and can get chilly.
3. Salem’s Historic Homes
The article’s Salem section highlights a mix of the town’s most celebrated houses, known for both their Revolutionary and witch‑era heritage. Visitors can see the famed “witch lights” that illuminate the streets of Salem during the entire season.
| Home | Notable History | Holiday Touches |
|---|---|---|
| The House of the Seven Gables | 17th‑century colonial house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne | “Hawthorne’s Hearth” – a storytelling corner with a reading of “The Scarlet Letter,” a candy‑cane walk, and a lantern‑lit tour of the gardens. |
| Fairbanks House | Oldest timber‑frame house in North America (1627) | “Fairbanks Winter Workshop” where artisans craft holiday ornaments using traditional techniques. |
| Salem Witch House | One of the oldest structures in Salem, now a museum | “Ghostly Glimmer” – a guided ghost‑story walk at dusk with a small “witch’s brew” tasting. |
| The Gardner House | Georgian style, home of the Gardner family | “Gardener’s Glow” – a Christmas tree display in the courtyard, a “pudding & plum” tasting station. |
| The Peabody Museum of Salem | Historical science museum | “Science of Snow” – interactive exhibits about snow physics and Christmas light physics, complete with a “lab‑style” candy cane experiment. |
The article notes that Salem’s tours run later into the evening, with a “Midnight Mistletoe” tradition at the Witch House’s courtyard that is a highlight for many couples.
4. How to Book and Additional Resources
The Globe article gives practical instructions for securing a spot:
- Online Booking Portal: A dedicated website (link provided in the article) handles all ticket sales and provides a calendar view.
- Early‑Bird Discount: Tickets bought before December 1 get a 10% discount.
- Mobile App: The Boston Historical Society’s new “Home Stories” app offers interactive maps, audio guides, and a QR code scanner that unlocks hidden facts about each property.
The article also mentions that participants receive a printed “Holiday House Tour Map” and a list of “Suggested Seasonal Outfits” to help guests prepare for the chill, especially for the Salem midnight visits.
5. Behind the Scenes: The Organizers
One of the most compelling parts of the article is its look into the people who make the tours possible. It includes brief interviews with:
- Dr. Emily Hart, Director of the Boston Historical Society: “We’re excited to see how families can connect with our city’s past while celebrating the season’s warmth.”
- Mr. John W. Lee, Salem Historical Society’s President: “The tour has become a cultural staple, and the community has supported it wholeheartedly.”
- Ms. Anna K. Rivera, a volunteer docent: “I love telling the stories of the townsfolk who lived in these houses. The holiday light adds a layer of enchantment.”
Their comments reinforce the tours’ dual aim: preserving historic sites while making them accessible and relevant to modern audiences.
6. Final Thoughts: Why the Holiday House Tours Matter
The Boston Globe article concludes with a reflection on the cultural significance of these tours. By opening the doors of private and public historic homes to the public during a time of year that encourages togetherness, the tours foster community spirit and educate attendees about the region’s rich, and sometimes dark, history. The article notes that the tours have become an annual tradition, now in its eighth year, and that attendance has grown by 35% since the program’s inception.
In summary, the 2025 Holiday House Tours provide an engaging, multi‑sensory exploration of Boston’s and Salem’s heritage. From the gleaming lanterns of the Old North Church to the flickering candlelight at the Salem Witch House, visitors experience a tapestry of history, art, and holiday cheer—an experience that the Boston Globe rightfully highlighted as “a celebration of architecture, storytelling, and the season’s spirit.”
Whether you’re a history buff, a family looking for a winter outing, or someone who simply loves Christmas lights, the article’s thorough guide equips you with everything you need to plan an unforgettable holiday adventure.
Read the Full The Boston Globe Article at:
[ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/10/real-estate/holiday-house-tours-boston-salem-historic-homes-christmas/ ]
