It’s here! Once again, Edenton’s downtown streets surge to life with the Christmas spirit and the return of the ultimate annual event: The Christmas Candlelight Tour. Edenton welcomes the 37th year of this home tour with enthusiasm. Each year the Chowan County Tourism Development Authority, Destination Downtown Edenton and the Edenton Historical Commission join forces with local businesses, homeowners and community members to create a holiday destination that showcases the magnificent historic homes in the setting that’s rich with small-town spirit. The tour weekend occurs on Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15. While the Christmas Candlelight Tour itself runs between 4 and 8 p.m., Edenton businesses and attractions offer additional events and activities during the day to keep tour-goers plenty entertained as they wait to begin.
The day’s festivities start any time after 1 p.m. Check in and get your packet at the Penelope Barker House. While you’re there, take time to enjoy the Penelope Barker House Holiday Repast held from 1 to 5 p.m. Admire the decorations of fresh fruit and greenery while sipping eggnog and nibbling on treats.
Next, start stretching your legs for the tour with a stroll around downtown. Make a beeline for the James Iredell House. From 1 to 5 p.m. it’s open to the public and decorated as it was for its Colonial Christmases. The main feature is the Christmas Groaning Board. This dining room table is laden with enough Christmas cookies that it almost groans under the weight. It’s a pretty enticing attraction in spite of the odd name, and an easy way to get your sugar fix.
As tempting as it is, don’t fill up on cookies there, because the next place on your list is Confection Perfection at the Chowan Arts Council Gallery. Not only will you find sweets scattered among the gallery’s products, but the art and hand-crafted products make it an excellent spot for a little gift shopping. This event is also from 1 to 5 p.m.
As you continue your walk, warm up from the cold by stopping at the Cupola House Wassail Bowl. The Cupola House is dressed in traditional Renaissance Christmas decorations to match its Georgian style. Time-appropriate music fills the air as hot wassail and cookies fill your belly.
If you’re participating in the Candlelight Tour on Friday evening, you’re in for an extra treat. The 1767 Chowan County Courthouse opens at 6 p.m. for its annual Caroling in the Courthouse. Instead of gathering and then going out a’caroling to the community, the community comes to the courthouse. Join your voice in song as your favorite Christmas tunes resonate through the historic building.
Work your way through these festive happenings until you’re ready to begin the tour. A wonderful part of this weekend event is that you go through the activities at your own pace. As far as the main event goes, the homes open their doors at 4 p.m. The tour is self-guided, so use your map for the different stops, wander from home to home and take your time to admire each. Marvel as Edenton’s characteristically quiet streets turn into bustling channels of holiday cheer with several hundred – and more than a thousand in recent years – tour-goers.
This year’s tour covers a two-block segment of W. King and Blount streets. It welcomes a number of first-time participants, for both households and homes, in the tour. This presents an opportunity to see new homes and new decorating styles, even for the most dedicated tour-goers.
That said, every home brings its own style of decor and spirit to the scene. Each family decides how they want to present their home on the Candlelight Tour. For some, that means adorning each room with Colonial-style decorations, such as freshly gathered magnolia, holly and pine branches, or displaying the holiday traditions of that household with decorations that evoke family-friendly vibes or favorite sports teams. If you’re looking for ideas for decorating your own home, the tour is a lovely experience for getting holiday inspiration.
The Candlelight Tour is a wonderful way to experience every part of Edenton. Afterward, tuck into a delicious dinner at one of the many Edenton restaurants. You can walk to all of the ones downtown, or drive anywhere farther away that catches your eye.
Get your tickets for the 37th Christmas Candlelight Tour now. They're $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour, and children ages 12 and younger go for free. You can get your tickets from the Penelope Barker House or online.
About the Author Hannah Lee Leidy
Hannah Lee is a fiction and creative nonfiction writer living on the Outer Banks. She graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Traveling is her passion, but nowhere ever feels as much like home as the Outer Banks. When not planning her next trip or adventure, Hannah Lee loves aimless drives down the Beach Road, spending copious amounts of time in coffee shops and reading every short story collection she gets her hands on. 