Step Into Christmas Past: Cape May Unveils Holiday Events Starting Nov. 21

Issue #519

November 18, 2025

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🔔 Step Into Christmas Past: Cape May Unveils Holiday Events Starting Nov. 21

🐎 Sixty Horses Take Over Cape May Streets for Law Enforcement Drill

🦹‍♀️North Wildwood Sues State Over Collapse of $54M Beach Rebuild Plan

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 18

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Step Into Christmas Past: Cape May Unveils Holiday Events Starting Nov. 21

 Cape May is transforming into a holiday wonderland as it prepares to launch six weeks of Victorian-themed Christmas festivities, starting Friday, November 21. The historic seaside town will come alive with twinkling lights, festive trolley rides, decorated inns, and family-friendly events that celebrate the charm of Christmas past.

The annual “Cape May Christmas” celebration draws visitors from across the region, offering something for everyone—from nostalgic walking tours to cozy breakfasts with Santa. Here are five festive highlights from this year’s celebration: 🎁 1. Holiday Preview Weekend (Nov. 21–23)

The season kicks off with a weekend full of early holiday cheer. On Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m., enjoy a guided tour of the Physick Estate, fully decked out in holiday décor. Later that evening at 7 p.m., Santa arrives to light the town Christmas tree in a spirited ceremony.

Other highlights include:

  • Santa’s Trolley Rides for kids

  • Cape May Christmas Trolley Tours for adults
    Advance reservations are strongly encouraged at capemaymac.org or by calling 609-884-5404.

 🕯️ 2. Evening Yuletide House Tours

Step back in time with a guided, living history tour of the 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only authentic Victorian house museum. The home’s first-floor rooms are beautifully decorated in true Victorian holiday style. The tour includes access to the Carroll Gallery, showcasing the popular “Old-Fashioned Christmas” exhibit, with a massive tree, model trains, and a detailed Dept. 56 Dickens Village.
Tour Dates: Nov. 28, Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 26, 27, 30

🎅 3. Santa’s Trolley Rides

Mrs. Claus takes the reins on this 30-minute family trolley ride, featuring storytelling and sing-alongs. It’s a delightful way for children to see the decorated streets of Cape May.
Tours begin and end at: 1048 Washington St., with free parking
Cost: $22 for adults, $15 for children
Dates: Nov. 29, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 20–23
Reservations suggested.

 🏨 4. Holiday Inns Tours

Get a peek inside some of Cape May’s most charming inns and B&Bs, all adorned for the season. This self-guided tour includes trolley shuttle service between properties and begins with a map available at the Washington Street Mall information booth.
Available dates: Dec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18

 🕯️ 5. 52nd Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours (Dec. 6, 13, 20)

A Cape May tradition, the Candlelight House Tour invites guests to stroll gaslit streets and visit festively decorated homes, churches, and inns throughout the Historic District. The self-guided walking tour spans over ¾ of a square mile, and includes a map and wristband, which can be picked up at the Physick Estate.

Tour time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45 for adults, $30 for children (ages 3–12)
Advance purchase strongly recommended.
More information at capemaymac.org or 609-884-5404.

 Cape May’s Victorian Christmas celebration offers a perfect blend of holiday tradition, festive charm, and small-town warmth. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family adventure, the season’s spirit is alive and well in this historic seaside destination.

Sixty Horses Take Over Cape May Streets for Law Enforcement Drill

 Cape May County is hosting a weeklong mounted police training seminar with 60 horses from eight states. The event runs Monday through Friday and includes road transport and live drills across the area. On Thursday, the training shifts into high gear with two groups of about 30 horses each conducting formation rides and drills. One group will ride out from Cape May Point State Park onto the beach, while the other trains at the U.S. Coast Guard Base. The groups are set to swap locations around midday, with activities scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drivers should be on alert for slow-moving trailers and unexpected horse crossings, as the training will involve real-time interaction with public roadways. While the Sheriff’s Office normally encourages public engagement with its mounted units, they’re asking for some understanding this week—these horses are on duty and operating on a tight schedule. So, while a wave might be welcome, don’t expect selfie breaks.

 

North Wildwood Sues State Over Collapse of $54M Beach Rebuild Plan

 North Wildwood has sued the NJDEP after a $54 million beach replenishment project fell apart due to inter-town disputes and lack of state enforcement. The city accuses the agency of abandoning its responsibility to protect the coastline, leaving North Wildwood exposed to storm damage. The project would have used sand from neighboring towns and created a unified dune system, but was canceled after federal deadlines passed and local cooperation failed. Recent storms—including hurricanes and a powerful nor’easter over Columbus Day weekend—have significantly damaged North Wildwood’s beaches, leaving steep dune cliffs and increasing the town's vulnerability to future coastal threats.

 

What modern convenience, uncommon for its time, was featured in every guest room of Cape May's Mount Vernon Hotel during its brief operation in the 1850s?

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Answer to the November 17h Trivia Question

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

A) Cape May Creek
B) Cape May Canal
C) Delaware Bay
D) Atlantic Inlet

Answer: B) Cape May Canal

The Cape May Canal is a 2.9-nautical-mile (3.3 mi; 5.4 km)  waterway connecting Cape May Harbor to the Delaware bay, at the southern tip of Cape May County, New Jersey.

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