CapeMay.com - Cape May New Jersey Visitor Information Vacation Planning

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all

Written in 1963 by Eddie Pola and George Wyle. It was recorded and released that year by pop singer Andy Williams for his first Christmas album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album.

We cling to our old-fashioned traditions here in Cape May, especially during the holiday season, so locals and visitors alike will be pleased as punch to note the comeback of the Christmas Tree Lighting in Rotary Park Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. During construction of the Washington Street Mall, the City of Cape May temporarily abandoned the event. A twist on the old tradition will be that the lighting will take place the night before the West Cape May Christmas parade, instead of on a Sunday night. So when you mark your calendars for the Dec. 5 parade, make sure you include an arrival that insures you will be on hand for the tree lighting. Abbey B&B owner Jay Schatz will resume his post in the Gazebo to read a selection from Clement C. Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas.

This year’s 44^th Annual West Cape May Christmas Parade committee has been working extra hard to make sure the Island continues this fine tradition – one begun by Parade Lady Charlotte Daily. Charlotte is nearly 90 and this year, for the first time, has allowed Borough officials and parade lovers to help her, so make sure you do your part and get a front row seat somewhere along the parade route – which starts around 5 p.m. on Broadway by Duckie’s Farm Market, continues up West Perry Street winding around to Perry and concluding at Carpenters Lane and Ocean Street, right behind the Washington Street Mall, usually finishing up around 7:30 p.m.

Speaking of the Mall, it has never looked prettier. Find the time to take an evening stroll and enjoy the new decorations, compliments of the newly formed Washington Street Mall Management Company, Inc, which recently formed a Business Improvement District (BID) on the Mall. If you can’t make it for the tree lighting or the parade, Hospitality Night, Dec.10 and 11 from 7-9 p.m. is a great chance to have some libation, exchange salutations with the shopkeepers and stimulate the economy by buying local. And for you crooners – meet at the Towne Crier in the 400 block of the Mall at 7 p.m. and join in the caroling.

While you are tooling about, don’t forget to stroll on down Columbia Avenue to see the beautiful array of lights on the B&Bs and Victorian homes and to visit the Physick Estate at 1048 Washington Street operated by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). MAC never shines better than at the holidays and offers visitors and locals alike a plethora of tours and activities, among them the Dickens’ Christmas Extravaganza, Sunday, December 6 through Tuesday, December 8.

Dickens, social satirist, critic, author and creator of characters like David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and Ebenezer Scrooge, is possibly the most revered writer of the Victorian Era. His life and legacy are celebrated during Cape May’s Dickens Christmas Extravaganza, sponsored by MAC.

Cape May is literally transformed into a Victorian Christmas Village during the holiday season, making it the perfect place to celebrate Charles Dickens. The celebration includes lectures and discussions with a Dickens scholar, readings of his work, live performances, tours and a gala, with guests encouraged to dress in Victorian garb or as their favorite Dickens character.

On Sunday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. come meet your fellow Dickensians at the Merion Inn, 106 Decatur St., and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and the music of George Mesterhazy, followed by a three-course dinner. The Welcome Dinner is only available as part of the full Dickens Extravaganza package.

That evening at 8:30 p.m., the East Lynne Theater Company presents the World Premiere of Christmas in Black and White. The American Christmas experience from the viewpoint of freed slaves to newly arrived immigrants is brought to life by two master storytellers, Stephanie Garrett and Gayle Stahlhuth. Performances take place at The First Presbyterian Church, Decatur and Hughes streets.

On Monday, Dec. 7 at 9:45 a.m. at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., Dr. Jay Friedlin, president emeritus of the Philadelphia Dickens Fellowship, leads a discussion on Dickens’ Martin Chuzzlewit. Friedlin shares his love and knowledge of Dickens and his times.  At 11 a.m. at the Inn of Cape May, participate in a living history presentation as you join in the Holiday Meeting of the Cape May Literary Society. Step back in time as the East Lynne Company’s Gayle Stahlhuth appears as a character from Cape May’s past to read and discuss excerpts from beloved holiday literature.

At 12 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, enjoy a relaxing lunch on your own. Consider dining at the Carriage House Tearoom and Café, located at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. It will be open for lunch serving a prix fixe traditional tea lunch including tea sandwiches, salads, soups, breads, pastries and beverages as well as heartier fare with a selection of entrée salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps. Reservations are required. To place reservations please call 609-884-5111.

Tour Cape May’s Designer Show House at Christmas and discover the charming Carpenter Cottage at 511 Franklin St. decorated for the holiday season on Monday, Dec. 7 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Historical integrity and coastal charm meet modern design and seashore style at this year’s mid-nineteenth century Carpenter-gothic style home. Each visitor will receive a full-color program book with information about the designers, products and vendors. Admission is part of the full Dickens package or $15 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-12).

On the evening of Monday, Dec. 7, get in the Christmas spirit as you tour Victorian Cape May on your own. See Cape May aboard one of MAC’s heated trolleys. There are three evening tours to choose from. You can purchase tickets at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington and Ocean streets. Trolleys depart from Ocean Street across from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Cape May’s all aglow for the Christmas season and the best way to see all the great decorations is on the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7. You’ll enjoy a cozy ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see inns and homes decked out in their holiday finery as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs and play Christmas music. Rides last about 30 minutes and cost $8 per seat. Your ticket is also good for admission to the Carriage House Gallery exhibit “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years.”

At 7 p.m. on Monday evening, the holidays of yesteryear come alive on the Spirit of Christmas Tour. First enjoy an entertaining account of Victorian Christmas traditions on an evening trolley ride through Cape May’s festive streets. Then, visit the authentically decorated Emlen Physick Estate for a living history holiday presentation. The tour includes a visit to the Carriage House for holiday refreshments and the Gallery exhibit “An Old-fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years.”

At 7:45 p.m. on Monday evening, members of the East Lynne Theater Company regale you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale on a Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride. Listen to stories as you ride through the flickering gas-lit streets and past the cheerfully decorated inns and homes in Cape May’s Historic District.

On the final day of the Dickens Christmas Extravaganza, Tuesday, Dec. 8, enjoy a series of entertaining lectures at the Inn of Cape May. At 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, delve into 400 Years of Cape May History. Learn about the fascinating history of America’s first seaside resort from the early visits of the Lenni-Lenape Indians, through the Age of Discovery to Cape May’s Victorian reign as Queen of the Seaside Resorts and her 20th century rebirth as a modern resort. At 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, Sousa Rocks the Cultural World. John Philip Sousa was an outspoken supporter of American music and musicians. He believed they were on a par or superior to their European counterparts. In this program, Sousa heartily defends his opinion.

The grand finale of the Extravaganza, the Dickensian Feast will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Dress as your favorite Dickens character or in Victorian garb and enjoy a four-course Victorian Feast. There will be guest appearances by Victorian characters and prizes for best costumes. Feast location and menu are TBA. The Feast is available only with the full Dickens package.

The full Dickens Extravaganza package is $150 per person and includes all the events listed above and a welcome gift. Certain events may be purchased singly. Full packages with accommodations are also available. If you would like accommodations, please call for a listing of the participating inns. To purchase packages, with or without accommodations, please call 609-884-5440 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

And not to worry if you can’t be here for the Dickens’ Extravaganza – MAC offers candlelight tours, trolley tours and house tours and teas at the Physick Estate every weekend throughout the holiday. Just pop over to the information booth at the end of the Mall on Ocean Street and the friendly volunteers will give you all the help you need.

If Dickens isn’t your cup of tea, but a gosh darn mystery is – save the weekend if December 18 for the Looking Glass Mysteries. Join the mystery weekend where poison, blackmail, and bribery are part of the game…and where the killers actually hunt the guests! These little adventures are designed by Shadow Stalkers and they’ve had 13 guests murdered in a single night!

Sound like fun? It is… if you survive! The Carroll Villa Hotel will be our Mystery Head Quarters, with the Bedford Inn, Bacchus Inn, and John Wesley Inn also fielding teams of detectives. The case of Arsenic and Plum Pudding will be presented December 18 and 19. Call 609-884-5404 for reservations.

For more traditional theater going, walk over to Cape May Stage at Lafayette and Bank streets and see their production of An O. Henry Christmas. Experience the magic and joy of the holiday season with two heart-warming one-act musicals that capture the true spirit of giving, “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Last Leaf.” Based on the classic O.Henry stories, this holiday favorite transports you to turn-of-the-century New York City and will have you leaving the theatre with feelings of love, giving, and hope. Please visit www.capemaystage.com for more information.

There are several art exhibitions continuing through the month of December. Among them – “Two Friends,” a two woman watercolor exhibit featuring paintings by local artists, Laurie Schiffelbein and Anna Marie Zabielski, is on display now through December 5th at A Ca Mia Restaurant, 524 Washington Street in Cape May. All artwork is for sale. Open Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays noon to 3.

Additional work will be available at the Designer Show House, 511 Franklin Street, through January 2. Call 609-884-6661 for more information. Artist Toni Lee Vosika’s oil paintings and photography is on exhibit at the Gail Pierson Gallery, 658 Washington Street, from December 3 until December 30. A holiday party and reception will be held December 5 from 7-10 p.m.

And for heaven’s sake, live on the wild side and venture off the island at least once. For example the very lovely and very quaint Historic Cold Spring Village is having a Wassail Day Saturday, December 5, 2009, from 1-4 p.m. You’ll get done just in time to warm up for the West Cape May Christmas Parade. Bonus both are free admission! Take a merry step back in time at Historic Cold Spring Village’s Wassail Day. The Village will be adorned in holiday wreaths and foliage, and select buildings will be open serving fireside treats and hot beverages. Enjoy live, traditional holiday choir music as well as a special holiday gift selection in the Country Store.

For something different and especially if you are wine connoisseur or even you’re just a plain garden variety wino remember Friday Nites at Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery

Every Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. they host a romantic evening of wine and tapas, or a fun night out with wine and jazz. If it’s the wine & tapas that interest you – enjoy a three-course tapas style dinner presented by select Cape May restaurants. Each course is paired with a Hawk Haven Wine, $48 per person. Reservations required. Call 609-846-7347. Wine and gratuity included, service begins promptly at 7 pm. BUT, if it’s the wine & jazz that tickles your fancy – relax at our wine bar while listening to jazz and enjoying a cheese plate presented by Seaside Cheese. Wines available by the glass $5-10 and by the bottle $14-32.  No reservations required. No cover charge. Combine both for a romantic and fun night out! For more information, call 609-846-7347 or visit hawkhavenvineyard.com.

Finally, if you are en route, Saturday, December 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Natali Vineyards on Route 47 in Dennisville is offering Holiday Cheer Party at Natali Vineyards. Their Holiday Cheer Festival features special guest “Ravioli Shanker” performing live at the vineyard along with great music and award winning wine and gift vendors. Free admission. Please visit Natalivineyards.com for more information.

Hold on there – let’s not forget New Year’s Eve. You have two choices well three. Congress Hall is hosting their annual Glitter Ball in, appropriately enough, the Ballroom. Details are sketchy but the price of admission is $165.00 per person. For details or reservations contact them at www.congresshall.com or call 888-944-1816.

For the first time in nine years, Aleathea’s at the Inn of Cape May is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner featuring open bar from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., hors d’oeuvres, dinner and music provided by a d.j. For price and details call 1-800-582-5933, 884-5555, or visit them at www.innofcapemay.com.

Wow! I’m tired. I need a glass of vino or champagne myself just looking at the calendar. Come on down and have some fun. Think of Cape May as a Norman Rockwell-like small town with a twist. The twist being the beach of course. What were you thinking? Ok Gotta go. Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. See ya next year.