With Christmas teas, cozy cocktails, artisan markets, and more, this winter can be fun for everyone when you spend it with the Trustees.
Looking for ways to celebrate the arrival of winter? With Christmas teas, cozy cocktails, artisan markets, and more, this winter can be fun for everyone when you spend it with the Trustees.
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s festival of color. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated with a different vibrant color scheme. Sensory-friendly hours will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.
Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop during your visit.
Timed entry will limit the number of guests for the comfort and safety of guests and staff. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Ipswich residents: apply discount code “IPSWICH” for resident rate and show resident beach sticker or other identification at gate. Children ages 4 and under are admitted free; ages 5-14 receive the discounted child rate.
Castle Hill
Shop for unique holiday gifts while supporting the mission of The Trustees properties from across the state. The Castle Hill Gift Shop will host a Holiday Sip & Shop, featuring popular products from multiple Trustees property shops, including Castle Hill, Crane Beach, Appleton Farms, deCordova, The Fruitlands Museum, and Naumkeag.
Admission is free and no advance reservation is required.
Take a respite from the holiday rush and have tea in the Great House at Castle Hill. Enjoy teas, savories, and sweets with friends or family. You’ll be served by costumed staff as if the Crane family were here in 1929. Tour the Great House festively decorated for the holidays first and then sit down for tea. Tables seat 4 people.
Christmas TeaStep back in time and explore The Old Manse, decorated for the holiday season, and learn how its residents created new traditions and ways to celebrate Christmas.
Tickets coming soon.
Old Manse Tickets
More information coming soon.
Get into the holiday spirit at Powisset Farm as we celebrate the season with our annual holiday lighting! (formerly known as Holiday Haybale Tree Lighting)
At this delightful family-friendly event, gather around a fire pit, enjoy the Story Walk, make a craft, nosh on farm-fresh food, and sip on hot toddies, hot chocolate or craft beer. We’ll count down for the lighting once the sun sets. This event is rain, snow, or shine, so please dress warmly.
Pig Wagon LightingJoin us for the Annual Fruitlands Museum Holiday Open House and Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8. At this festive holiday market, shop for your family and friends while supporting local artisans.
Find vendors spread through the museum shop building and wayside gallery, shop high quality handmade local crafts: Jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber arts, photography, mixed media, and much more!
Fruitlands Market
Join us in celebration of the holiday season for a festive and cozy night- market, featuring food and beverage vendors, curated gifts, organic winter vegetables, & fresh baked goods from our own Farm Store along with a selection of local gifts from area artisans and crafters. There is no better way to knock some holiday to-do’s off your list with unique and memorable gifts, while simultaneously supporting small local businesses – and having a fun festive time while doing it!
This is a free event, no tickets necessary.
Holiday Market
Join us for Sensory-Friendly Photos with Santa at Long Hill! Enjoy the beauty of December at Long Hill by meeting Santa Claus, having your photo taken with him, and exploring our wintery grounds with fun holiday-inspired activities.
During this program, we’ll have a photographer on hand with experience working with neurodivergent children. One digital photography download per family is included with the program.
Photos With Santa