The Holidays are a magical time in The Historic Village at Allaire and the magic comes alive during our Holiday Lantern Tours. Our popular Holiday Candlelight Lantern Tours offer visitors a glimpse of the Historic Village at night as authentically-clad historic museum interpreters lead groups through the lantern-lit streets of the Village bedecked in Holiday splendor. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the past and enjoy many of the historic buildings through the enchantment of candlelight as costumed interpreters explain the various Holiday customs of the time.

The smells of fresh baked treats and hot mulled cider greet visitors as they enter our Bakery. The sounds of hammer against anvil ring through the night, like hundreds of Christmas Bells, at the Blacksmith's Shop. The Chapel is alive with Holiday music of the period and visitors are welcome visit the home of Howell Works Company Manager James Parshal Smith where costumed interpreters will be demonstrating hearth cooking. 

At the Carpenter's Shoppe, the Village carpenters will be fashioning wooden folks toys that delight the children of today as much as they delighted children of the 1830's. Visitors are encouraged to take a peak inside the home of Howell Works Company Foreman Jacob Johnson and his wife Sarah, decorated simplistically yet tastefully according to the local customs of the time. Don't forget to visit the Carriage House and Stage Depot, our newest Interpretive Site, where our collection of 19th Century carriages and sleighs will be bedecked for the Holidays for that Currier and Ives feeling. Just around the corner is the Gardener's Cottage, where holiday decorations and crafts fashioned from the materials supplied by Mother Nature will be on display.

The culmination of the tour is a stop at the Big house, the home of James P. Allaire and his family. Here visitors will have an opportunity to see how an affluent family celebrated the Holiday Season. James Allaire was, by birth, of Huguenot descent and visitors to his home will also gain an understanding of the holiday traditions of France as they tour the home.

For a unique shopping experience, browse the aisles of our General Store Museum Gift Shop by candle light while looking for that special holiday present. Don't forget to add to your holiday ornaments by picking up one of our collectible Christmas decorations.

The 90 minute Holiday Lantern Tours begin at the Row House Visitors Center where participants will be given an introduction to the Howell Works Company. From there your tour guides will escort you through the Village, as they explain the customs of the time while describing the history of each building and site. Holiday Candlelight Lantern Tours require advance reservations and ticket purchases. Due to the popularity of the 90 minute Lantern Tours, it is recommended reservations be made by contacting the Village Office at (732) 919 - 3500 to ensure ticket availability. Lantern Tours leave the Visitor's Center every 15 minutes. Groups are limited to 30 persons. 

Tickets are limited to 400 per night, so advance purchase is recommended. Tickets are for sale weekdays at the Historic Village Office on the second floor of the Visitor Center. Tickets are also available by phone, call 732-919-3500 to place your order and please have your credit card ready. Phone order tickets can be picked up the night of the event. Due to the popularity of our events, all ticket sales are final.