2023 HOLIDAY HOUSE TOURS

Join us in December as we celebrate the season in the beautiful historic houses of Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park.

DATES: November 30-December 17*, 2023 (*Laurel Hill remains open 12/ 21,12/22,12/23, 12/28, and 12/29; Woodford remains open Wed-Sun, 12/20-12/31)

TIME: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PRICE: $5 (children 12 and under are FREE!)

HOW TO PURCHASE: All houses accept cash and card/PayPal at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased for Lemon Hill here and for Woodford here

DETAILS:

This December, an annual Philadelphia tradition returns with holiday tours of the Fairmount Park Houses. Three of East Fairmount Park's beautiful and historic 18th and 19th century houses will be decorated for the season and open to the public for special tours on the following dates (BOLD indicates days when all houses are open):

  • Lemon Hill Mansion - 1 Lemon Hill Dr. Saturdays & Sundays, 10 am - 4 pm, 12/2, 12/3, 12/9, 12/10, 12/16, and 12/17 (closed for season after December 17)

  • Ormiston Mansion - 2000 Reservoir Dr. Thursday-Sundays, 10 am - 4 pm, 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, and 12/17 (closed for season after December 17)

  • Laurel Hill Mansion - Thursday-Sunday 11/30, 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, and 12/17 - with hostesses in costume to welcome visitors. Also open Dec. 21,22,23, 28, and 29 for tours. Tea served on the weekends.

  • Woodford Mansion - 2300 N 33rd St. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm, 11/29 - 12/31 (closed 12/25 for Christmas Day)

  • Historic Strawberry Mansion - 2450 Strawberry Mansion Dr. Thursday-Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm, 11/30, 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, and 12/17 (closed for season after December 17) - YULETIDE TEA & TREATS!
    On December 9, 16, and 17, in addition to regular tours, the Strawberry Mansion Banquet Room will be open for Christmas Tea & Cookies from 12 to 3pm. Hot tea and cookies will be served to all.


    PLEASE NOTE: Trolley and Bus Tours will not be available this year. The East Fairmount Park Houses are all within a short driving and or biking distance of each other. (Woodford and Historic Strawberry Mansion are across the street from each other. You can park at one and easily walk to the other. Lemon Hill is a 10 minute drive from the others).

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

  • The historic houses have restrooms available (they are not ADA accessible) 

  • Tickets are not timed. Come anytime between 10 am - 4 pm (last tour begins at 3:30 pm) - capacity permitting 

  • If you're planning to visit multiple houses in East Fairmount Park, please check their opening dates on this site as they vary by each house (all hours are 10 am -4 pm)

  •  All of the houses charge a $5 admission fee, which can be purchased through each house's website or at the door (there is no "all house pass"). If this presents a financial hardship, guests may request complimentary admission at the door. 

  • There is no bus transportation this year. The Historic Houses of East Fairmount Park are conveniently located within a short drive of each other or by SEPTA’s Route 32 bus

  • Because of historic features such as staircase entries, the park houses are not wheelchair accessible 

PARKING: there is plenty of parking in the lots and park roads around the mansions. As always, never leave valuables in your car! 

INCLEMENT WEATHER: the holiday house tours are entirely indoors, however, in the case of heavy snow, ice, or other severe weather, the houses will announce closures no later than 9 am on each day and pre-purchased tickets will be honored on a different day. Follow their social media for up to date info: ​​Lemon Hill Mansion, Woodford Mansion, and Historic Strawberry Mansion

LUNCH SUGGESTION: Visit Cosmic Cafe at Lloyd Hall - 1 Boathouse Row, for full menu of homemade breakfast and lunch options. Tell the staff you’re visiting for “Holidays in the Park” and receive a complimentary cup of coffee or tea. 

GROUP TOURS: Please reach out to the Site Manager / Administrator of each house to arrange a tour of a large group tour (10 + )

  • Lemon Hill Mansion: John Sigmund - 215.988.9334 | jsigmund@myphillypark.org

  • Woodford Mansion: Jeff Duncan - 215.229.6115 | woodfordmansion@gmail.com  

  • Historic Strawberry Mansion: Audrey Dubois - 215.228.8364 | strawberrymansion@me.com