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Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland Named Among Top U.S. Holiday Destinations

Issue #518

November 17, 2025

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🔔 Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland Named Among Top U.S. Holiday Destinations

 🎸 Ocean City's Holiday House Tour Returns to Celebrate Historic Charm

🦹‍♀️Electricity Prices Forecast to Jump Again in 2026, Fueled by Rising Demand

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Cape May Antiques

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 November 17

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Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland Named Among Top U.S. Holiday Destinations

Cape May’s historic Congress Hall has once again captured the holiday spirit, transforming its grounds into a festive Winter Wonderland that has earned national acclaim. Known for its coastal charm, the beachfront hotel has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the top 15 Christmas tree destinations in the country—a distinction that places it alongside some of the most iconic holiday spots in the United States. The publication is now inviting readers to vote for their favorite among the finalists. The tree lighting ceremony, set for December 6 this year, marks the official start of Cape May’s holiday season and coincides with other major events like the West Cape May Christmas Parade and the city’s own tree lighting.

What began in 2011 as a small seasonal attraction has evolved into a beloved local tradition and a significant draw for visitors. The hotel’s Grand Lawn comes alive each December with about 20 vendor booths, a festive carousel and train ride, and plenty of cozy attractions like fire pits for roasting s’mores and outdoor food stands serving hot chocolate and treats. Inside, families can enjoy breakfast with Santa and live entertainment, while the ballroom features a poinsettia tree and other seasonal displays.

The festive month has become Congress Hall’s busiest time of year, a surprising feat for a property in a beach town. With deep community roots and more than a decade of growing holiday magic, Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland continues to charm guests from near and far, solidifying its place as a premier Christmas destination.

 Ocean City's Holiday House Tour Returns to Celebrate Historic Charm

 Ocean City’s architectural history will take center stage on December 6 with the return of the Holiday House Tour, now in its third year. The self-guided, three-hour event invites guests to explore a curated selection of historic homes and businesses, many over a century old.

Running from 5 to 8 p.m., the tour gives participants access to nearly a dozen locations at their own pace. Attendees will begin their evening at the Scarborough Inn, where they'll check in, receive wristbands, and pick up a list of stops along the route.

The event has become one of the most anticipated on the seasonal calendar, quickly selling out the 400 available tickets. Despite interest from nearly 2,000 potential attendees, organizers capped capacity due to space limitations in some of the smaller homes. The goal is to keep the experience intimate and enjoyable—not overcrowded.

The tour wraps up with a cozy reception in the Garden Room at the historic Flanders Hotel, complete with hot chocolate, tea, snacks, and a chance to mingle with fellow fans of local history.

The idea for the tour originated from informal porch gatherings at the Scarborough Inn, hosted by members of a Facebook group dedicated to Ocean City’s historic homes. These meetups eventually evolved into the founding of OCNJ History & Culture, the group now behind the event.

While the full list of participating homes remains under wraps until check-in to maintain the tour’s surprise element, several prominent historic sites are confirmed, including the Scarborough Inn, the Flanders Hotel, Stainton’s in the old Crown Bank building, The Shoppes on Asbury, and the elegant Coastal Chateau Hotel on Sixth Street.

 

Electricity Prices Forecast to Jump Again in 2026, Fueled by Rising Demand

 Electricity prices are projected to rise again in 2026, continuing a multi-year trend, according to a new forecast from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The federal agency’s latest short-term energy outlook, released November 12, predicts an 8.5% increase in the load-weighted average for wholesale electricity prices across 11 U.S. regions—reaching $51 per megawatt hour.

Driving the upward trend is a growing strain on supply from booming electricity demand, particularly from data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. The imbalance between demand and available generation capacity continues to pressure prices.

Coal production is expected to tick up slightly in 2026, due to the reopening of three Appalachian mines. Still, natural gas remains dominant in electricity generation nationwide, projected to account for about 40% of the total. Renewables—primarily solar—are expected to supply 26%, nuclear energy 18%, and coal 16%.

In New Jersey, the electricity mix remains heavily dependent on natural gas and nuclear power. The EIA’s 2023 data shows natural gas providing 49% of the state’s electricity, nuclear at 42%, and renewables at just 8%. Coal has exited the picture entirely, with the last of the state’s coal-fired plants closing in 2022.

Despite its industrial profile, New Jersey remains a net importer of electricity. In 2023, the state brought in between 20% and 25% of its power from outside sources.

 

Cape May is located on a man-made island separated from the mainland by which body of water?

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Answer to the November 16th Trivia Question

What notable historical district in Cape May is famous for its well-preserved Victorian architecture?

A) Washington Street Historic District
B) Cape May Historic District
C) Congress Hall Historic District
D) Ocean City Historic District

Answer: B) Cape May Historic District​

Cape May's historic district was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976, and is a showcase of late-Victorian-era architecture.

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