Each year during the winter holiday season, Whitehall's first floor is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with historically accurate greenery, trimmings, and ribbons. The focal point is a 16-foot-tall Christmas Tree in the Grand Hall, adorned with colored electrical "fairy" lights and traditional Gilded Age-style ornaments. The home's exterior as well as the historic front gate are also decorated with festive wreaths, ribbons, and greenery.
Holiday decorations are on display from late November through early January.
Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities
December 4, 2022
12 to 5 pm
Free with Museum admission
The holiday season begins at Whitehall with a gathering on the first Sunday of December to light the Grand Hall Christmas Tree. The day will be filled with holiday cheer. Festive music will be played on the Odell organ and Steinway piano, there will be a special choir performance, refreshments will be served, and Santa Claus willl make an appearance! Henry Flagler's youngest descendants will light the Museum's 16-foot tall Grand Hall Christmas Tree and the Museum Store will be open for holiday shopping.
Special Holiday Lecture
By Gary Hoover, Author and Journalist
Animal Crackers and the National Busicuit Company: A Forgotten Christmas Tradition
2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2022
$15 per ticket for Members
$40 per ticket for non-members
Includes Museum Admission and Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities.
The origins of many of our beloved American Christmas traditions can be traced back to the Gilded Age. This year’s Christmas at Whitehall program will feature a Special Holiday Lecture on the history of the National Biscuit Company and how Animal Crackers became Christmas tree ornaments.
Click here to learn more about Visiting the Museum and to purchase General Admission tickets.
Holiday Evening Tours
December 19-22, 2022
Tours begin at 6:30 pm
$50 for Adults
$30 for Children ages 17 and under
Advance purchase required
Free for Legacy and Visionary level (2 tickets) and Whitehall Society Members (2 tickets)
plus 2 children
Visitors will discover the wonder and magic of a Gilded Age Christmas while touring Whitehall at night. The property will be aglow for these holiday-themed, Docent-led group tours, lit by the original 1902 light fixtures inside Whitehall and sparkly fairy lights. Carolers will perform holiday favorites and each guest will receive a traditional Christmas Cracker as a parting gift.
Holiday Shopping at the Museum Store
Member Appreciation Days, November 27 - December 4
Museum Members, who already receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store and free admission to the Museum year-round, saved an additional 10% during the Museum's annual 'Member Appreciation Days." Starting on Black Friday, November 27th, Museum Members were invited to join the "shop small" and "shop local" movements, enjoying a total discount of 20% by shopping in-person at the Museum Store through Friday, December 4th.
Located in the spacious West Room, the Museum Store was a treasure trove for all holiday shoppers seeking unique gifts or decor to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. Three Flagler-tastic holiday decorating themes were presented for sale: "Under the Sea" featured whimsical sea creatures and fish ornaments in shades of blue, green and coral; "Florida Tropical" included exotic birds and animals with deep purples, dark fuchsias and tropical greens; and "Chinoiserie" harkened to the popular Gilded Age decorating scheme with a blue and white color palette and Far East-inspired ornaments. Fully decorated Christmas trees were available for purchase! Beautiful menorahs and other Judaica products inspired those celebrating the Jewish "festival of lights."
From ornaments to hostess gifts, and children's toys to special souvenirs, the Museum Store had something for everyone. Whitehall's exclusive product lines, from tea sets to scarves to delicious gourmet foods were also available for purchase. Corporate gifts featuring Whitehall Special Blend Tea and Made in Florida fare were sold by special order.
