Your 2020 Can't-Miss Holiday Events At Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Since the pandemic started, George Washington's Mount Vernon has reopened to visitors with a number of safety precautions. That means the holiday season is on at the first president's home.

The holiday season is packed with events at George Washington's estate, from special tours to a visit from Aladdin the camel and winter fireworks. Mount Vernon is open every day, including Christmas Day.

Below is a guide to the top events coming to Mount Vernon from late November through December. Some events require special tickets. See Mount Vernon's website for ticket availability.

Holiday Dinner for the Washingtons Tour

• Nov.27 -Dec. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
• Admission: $10 in addition to general admission

This holiday tour that takes you to the gardens, salt house, smokehouse, slave quarters, greenhouse, and the Mansion’s kitchen and cellar. Learn how the food was grown, preserved, prepared, and served during the holiday season to the Washingtons and others who lived at Mount Vernon. You'll learn about holiday celebrations in the Mansion, what hired and enslaved servants at Mount Vernon ate, and how they observed the holidays.

Mrs. Washington’s Mount Vernon

• Nov. 27 through December at 11 a.m.
• Admission: $10

Martha Washington shares her perspective at Mount Vernon through various activities. This includes a discussion about the day-to-day planning for a busy holiday season, 45-minute tour with Mrs. Washington that includes the first floor of the Mansion, the Kitchen, Gardens, and outbuildings, behind-the-scenes peek at Mrs. Washington's daily duties and her role operating the home, learning about the enslaved community Mrs. Washington oversaw and chance to ask questions.

Camel Talks

• Nov. 27-Dec. 31, Friday to Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Admission: Included with Mount Vernon admission

Aladdin the Camel will be the special guest for the holiday season, but you can learn more in these camel talks on select dates. During this free 30-minute program, James Anderson and other characters tell stories about Washington's interest in exotic animals and share facts about camels. In 1787, George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon for the entertainment and delight of his guests and family. Mount Vernon has continued the tradition, bringing Aladdin the camel to the estate for the holidays since 2008.

Thanksgiving To Go

• Order by Nov. 22

Bring a feast home from Mount Vernon for the Thanksgiving holiday. Orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 and picked up on Nov. 25. The Mount Vernon Inn will be closed on Thanksgiving (Nov. 26).

Each meal includes a prepared turkey with options from two to 10 people, roasted green beans and cranberries with almonds, cornbread salad, candied sweet potato mash, roasted butternut squash spinach salad, dinner loaf, and a dessert (gluten-free carrot cake or pumpkin pie).

Winter Glow

• Nov. 27-29, Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 26-28
• Admission: Members: $25 youth, $40 adult; Non-members: $30 youth, $45 adult

The estate will be illuminated with winter lights and holiday patterns for visitors to enjoy. Activities will include soldiers at an 18th century winter encampment, costumed Christmas carolers, the Blacksmith shop, Aladdin the camel, shopping for artisan-made goods crafted with 18th century techniques, food and holiday drinks from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck and holiday gift shopping at The Shops at Mount Vernon.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

• Dec. 18-19
• Admission: Members: $20 youth, $30 adult; Non-members: $22 youth, $33 adult

These annual winter fireworks over the Potomac River help you get ready for the holidays. Visitors can see a fireworks show choreographed to holiday music, visit with re-enactors throughout the state, see Aladdin the camel, warm up with hot chocolate or cider, visit museum exhibits and shop for holiday gifts at The Shops at Mount Vernon.

SEE ALSO: Your Guide To 2020 Alexandria Holiday Events