Sure, the holidays are supposed to be joyful, but when you’re bogged down with to-do lists, gift buying, and decorating on top of all your everyday stuff, that’s a recipe for dampening your holiday spirits. So here’s an idea— why not slow down and recapture that joy during a weekend away that celebrates a classic small-town Christmas like those Hallmark movies? Create a new holiday tradition by heading to Christmas in Cape May, where this Victorian-era village lights up with jolly decor, holiday-filled happenings, Santa sightings, tasty food, and, of course, lots of old-fashioned charm. And with off-season rates at hotels, this is that family escape you’ve been dreaming of—without blowing your holiday budget. Read on to make this the merriest time for your family this season, which all kicks off with Santa and his elves on November 21, 2026 at the Physick Estate and the tree lighting at Rotary Park will be on December 4, 2026. If summer in Cape May is more your cup of cocoa, check out NJMOM’s guide to kid-friendly things to do in Cape May. (feature photo credit: Congress Hall Cape May)
Christmas In Cape May
Things to do to celebrate Christmas in Cape May
A Christmas steeped in history with MAC
Before you plan your Christmas in Cape May, check out the Cape May MAC calendar, which is the definitive guide to all things Christmas in Cape May—you’ll find an overview of everything festive to do, including kid-centric activities, tours of Victorian-decorated inns, trolley tours, a recreated-Dickens village exhibit and the inside scoop for where to see the big guy in the red suit. A good start is the Emlen Physick Estate, a decorated former Victorian home now a museum, which features whimsical and fun holiday displays all around.
All That Glitters Trolley Tour
What better way to see Cape May in its holiday best than on an old-fashioned trolley ride? Kids will be in awe of the twinkling lights and festive decor on homes and inns in the historic district. Expect it to feel like 1899 as the Victorians ring in the new year during the trolley tour.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit
This free exhibit is the kind of thing your kids will talk about for days. The stunning scene will wow them—model trains whiz alongside the charming, miniature Dickens Village beneath a giant, glowing Christmas tree. The kiddos can even drop off their Santa letters here.
Breakfast with Santa
If seeing Santa tops your list, why not combine a visit with a delicious meal? Santa will be on the breakfast circuit this season, stopping on select dates at The Inn of Cape May starting November 28, 2026. But be sure to book those spots now—reservations fill up fast and do sell out.
Cape May Carriage Tours
No Christmas movie experience would be complete without a historic horse and carriage ride—and with the lights on the candy-colored houses twinkling, it captures the magic of the holidays perfectly. You can take a ride in a classic horse-drawn carriage or a wagonette ride. For a storybook feel, book the Cinderella Pumpkin ride, a beautiful, lit-up carriage fit for a princess or prince. Be sure to bundle up, but if you catch a chill, there are blankets in the carriages to keep you warm.
Cape May Convention Hall
This event space has incredible views (it’s located on the beach) and hosts holiday festivities, including their Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show on November 28, 2026. The popular fair features pottery, jewelry, home accessories, and more from local artists and makers, making it a perfect spot to find those one-of-a-kind gifts.
Cape May County Zoo
What’s one of the best things about this zoo? It’s open year-round, and it’s FREE. Plan to check out the camels, giraffes, otters, birds, reptiles, and the festive decor as you walk along the path. You can also take an 80-minute guided tour or give your kids a huge thrill by booking an animal encounter, the zoo’s signature experience that lets you meet animals and learn how they are cared for behind the scenes.
Christmas Candlelight House Tour
Step back in time to a Victorian Holiday, where you can learn how Victorian residents celebrated Christmas long ago. At nighttime, the self-guided candlelight tour visits more than a dozen homes, churches, and inns that show off how Victorian and more modern interiors are beautifully decorated for the holidays. There is also a Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour option where you can take your time on the self-guided tour.
Holiday Inn Tour and Dinner
Tour Cape May’s Bed & Breakfast Inns and private homes as they are decorated just in time for the holidays. This tour is self-guided and trolley service is available. And new for 2026, you can combine your tour with a dinner package at The Washington Inn for a full night out.
Santa’s Trolley Rides
Hop on a trolley with Mrs. Claus, who’s visiting from the North Pole, as she tells stories and plays festive music on a ride through the historic Victorian homes and streets, showing off the beautiful light displays. The ride begins and ends at the Physick Estate, and free parking is available.
Willow Creek Farm and Winery
Take a break from the holiday happenings and head to this vineyard, the only winery on Cape May Island, surrounded by the ocean and the bay. With a microclimate reminiscent of France’s renowned Bordeaux region, this winery offers rich reds and crisp whites for tasting, as well as a menu for lunch and dinner, if you’d like to stay awhile. They also host several holiday shopping events on weekends in November and December.
Winter Wonderland At Congress Hall
With candy cane-striped tents filled with gorgeous gifts and a 30-foot-lit tree, the Winter Wonderland is a magical experience the whole family will love. Littles hop on a train ride, ride the carousel, and sip cocoa while you shop for whimsical gifts and festive decor in the vendor village. Each weekend until Christmas, there are family-friendly activities to delight both little ones and adults. The tree officially is lit on the evening of December 4, 2026 in a rousing front lawn ceremony filled with live music, a holiday sing-along, and a countdown for the big reveal.
Hotels to stay in for Christmas in Cape May
Congress Hall
This picture-perfect, historic hotel is what Christmas in Cape May dreams are made of—the seaside resort transforms into a winter wonderland complete with a carousel, train, Santa, and an enchanted shopping village where candy cane-striped tents offer unique gift shopping and hot cocoa. Inside, the entire resort is decorated with a traditional yuletide touch from top to bottom, with fresh greens, giant nutcrackers, and a magnificent lit tree that makes you feel like you’ve landed in a classic Christmas movie. Opt for one of their holiday packages for a festive treat.
200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204
Lokal Hotel
This boutique beach hotel is a fresh modern design twist in a sea of Victorian-style bed and breakfast inns. The fam will feel right at home here— each room features a cozy living room, a full-service, stocked kitchen with plenty of dining space (so you can have meals in with littles), marble bathrooms, and comfy beds, including some with kid-friendly bunks. Feeling like you need to unwind? Schedule a massage while the kids play board games provided by the hotel. Lokal Hotels’ smaller size and attention to detail give you a sense of calm as soon as you step through the doors—a welcome relief to all the holiday hustle and bustle happening outside.
5 Stockton Place, Cape May, NJ 08204
The Grand Hotel
You can’t beat the oceanfront location, huge-sized rooms and suites with kitchenettes, the onsite family-friendly restaurant Hemingway’s, and an indoor pool at this full-service resort. Kids will have a ball splashing around in the pool and playing arcade games in the game room while you sweat it out in the fitness center. Each morning, Hemingway’s Restaurant offers an ample breakfast menu filled with Belgian waffles and omelets. Since lunch and dinner menus feature locally sourced seafood and mouthwatering steaks, there’s no need to leave the hotel (which is so key when you’ve got littles that go to bed early). Check out Hemingway’s Bar if you can carve out adult time (and swing a sitter).
1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
The Sandpiper Beach Club
If you are looking for space at the shore, The Sandpiper Beach Club has one and two-bedroom condominium suites with all the amenities of a full-scale resort. Cook in your own fully equipped kitchen, let the kids spread out in the spacious living room, and enjoy some privacy in separate bedrooms with your own private balconies. Did we mention the beautiful water views? Additionally, while you are there, you will have access to the fitness center, and you are just steps away from Congress Hall, as well as the best shopping, restaurants, and landmarks in Cape May. Don’t miss their holiday special offers, such as A Cape May Christmas and the Glitter Ball New Year’s Eve Celebration, to truly enhance your holiday trip.
11 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
The Virginia Hotel
Okay, this one is not kid-friendly, but it’s worth mentioning if you can sneak away for a romantic weekend to this beautiful manor, which has privileges with Congress Hall and Sandpiper Beach Club (hello, fitness room and spa). The gorgeous, charming decor makes you feel like you’re in a friend’s fantastic country house—each room boasts luxe Belgian linens and plush furnishings done up in crisp whites and soft blues, while the cozy living room downstairs has a roaring fireplace and comfy leather chairs. A continental breakfast is included with each room, and for dinner, you won’t want to go any further than the famed Ebbitt Room— they source the cuisine from their very own Beach Plum Farm, and there’s a jazzy piano player on weekends. Guests with children are invited to stay in their private Virginia Cottages.
25 Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
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