Mount Vernon Christmas Events 2019: Aladdin The Camel, Fireworks

MOUNT VERNON, VA — There's nothing like Christmas at George Washington's Mount Vernon, where history meets holiday cheer from late November through the end of December. From meeting Aladdin the camel to fireworks and Mount Vernon by Candlelight tours, there's plenty of events to get you in the holiday spirit.

Below is our guide to holiday events at Mount Vernon during November and December. Events are listed by date.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight: Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 22
Admission: $26 adult, $18 children ages 6-11
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with this special lantern-lit tour at Washington's home. Guests will see Christmas trees, Slave Quarters and Blacksmith Shop. Inside the Mansion, Martha Washington and other Mount Vernon residents will welcome you into their home and share stories of past Christmases.

Holiday Cards for the Military: weekdays 12 p.m.-5 p.m., weekends 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Admission: Included with regular admission
Children are invited to make holiday cards to be sent to soldiers overseas.

Camel Talks: Nov. 29-Dec. 29
Admission: Included with regular admission
Meet Aladdin the camel, one of the highlights of the holiday season. The Mount Vernon estate has brought the camel for the holiday season since 2008, following a tradition of George Washington. Join this free 30-minute program at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with James Anderson and other characters telling stories about Washington's interest in exotic animals and facts about camels.

Holiday Dinner for the Washingtons Tour: Nov. 29-Dec. 30
Admission: $10 in addition to regular admission
Celebrate the holidays at Mount Vernon and discover what the Washingtons, enslaved people, and hired workers ate during this season. Learn how food was grown, preserved, prepared, and served during the holiday season during this 60-minute tour daily at 12 p.m.

Chocolate Making Demonstrations: Nov. 29-Dec. 31
Admission: Included with regular admission
This demonstration shows how to use the metate and mano to release cocoa butter from the cacao seeds. Although children did not drink chocolate in the 18th century , young guests can try their hand at shelling cacao seeds while learning about the variety of spices that were incorporated into colonial chocolate. Also discover the history of and preparation of hot chocolate that took place at Mount Vernon during George Washington's lifetime. Demonstrations happen between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. A chocolate toast to Christmas will happen at 3:30 p.m. with American Heritage Historic Chocolate, adapted from an 18th-century recipe.

Holiday Selfie Station: weekends Nov. 30-Dec. 22
Admission: Included with regular admission
Commemorate your holiday visit to Mount Vernon by taking a festive selfie with a character from Mount Vernon with the Washingtons’ home as the backdrop. Four-legged family members are welcome. Please bring your own camera. The selfie station is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holiday Wreath Workshop: Dec. 1
Admission: $105-$125 per person
Craft an elegant holiday wreath using an assortment of evergreens and botanical accents, including Southern magnolia foliage and seed pods collected from Mount Vernon’s historic landscape, to create a one of a kind holiday wreath. Taught by Melanie Welles Creamer, Mount Vernon Greenhouse Manager and longtime floral designer, participants will leave Mount Vernon with a custom creation to adorn your home for the season. The event happens at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Decorate a Dove of Peace Ornament: Dec. 7 and 14
Admission: Included with regular admission
Decorate your own dove of peace, which is copied from the one on the Mansion’s weather vane.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: Dec. 20-21
Admission: $20-$36
Head to Mount Vernon to see fireworks choreographed to holiday music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Before the fireworks begin around 8 p.m., take a stroll through the estate while being serenaded by local choirs and visit with re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment. Watch colonial artisans demonstrate the 18th-century process of creating chocolate and visit with Aladdin the camel on the 12-acre field. Keep toasty by warming up by a bonfire, enjoying some hot chocolate or cider, or visiting the Museum and Education Center. Martha Washington will be there to greet Mount Vernon’s holiday guests.

See other Christmas events on Mount Vernon's website.