Annual Candlelight & Carols Tours Celebrates 61 Years of Holiday Tradition at Downtown’s Historic Houses Park
The Heritage Society invites the community to its 61st Annual Candlelight & Carols event on December 7 and 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Sam Houston Park, located at 1100 Bagby Street. This festive occasion promises an enchanting experience filled with music, choirs, history, and holiday cheer.
"This year, the Houston Boy Choir and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will perform throughout the park, showcasing musical talent at our historic houses," said Alison Bell, executive director of The Heritage Society. "Reenactors in full 1900s attire will also share captivating tales of the holidays in Houston."
Guests can look forward to a delightful string ensemble performance by HeartStrings Houston during a wine and dessert reception in the museum gallery. The Bayou City Hangouts Holiday Market will offer unique gifts and art, perfect for holiday shopping.
Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5 to 18, with free admission for kids under 5. Each ticket includes a champagne and dessert bar during a gallery reception by Heartstrings Houston. Parking is complimentary at 212 Dallas Street by the Kellum-Noble House, with discounted parking available at the Heritage Clay Parking Garage at 1200 Bagby Street.
A Look Back at Candlelight's Rich History
The Annual Candlelight Tour began in December 1963, when 365 members of The Heritage Society and their friends gathered to celebrate the inaugural event in Sam Houston Park. Originally featuring only the historic Kellum-Noble House and the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House, the event drew over 1,000 visitors in its first year.
In 1964, the event gained support from the Garden Club of Houston and the River Oaks Garden Club, which provided decorations and materials for the historic homes. The success of the event led to an expansion from two nights to four, allowing even more Houstonians to experience the spirit of 19th-century holiday celebrations.
Today, Candlelight continues to attract thousands of visitors who enjoy immersive experiences, from peeking into historic kitchens to listening to carolers and interacting with period-dressed reenactors sharing stories from Houston's past.
About The Heritage Society
The Heritage Society is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving the diverse history of Houston and Texas through collections, exhibits, and educational programs. Founded in 1954 to rescue the 1847 Kellum-Noble House from demolition, the society has since saved and restored nine additional historic buildings, creating a unique historical space in Sam Houston Park. These buildings house more than 23,000 artifacts that document life in Houston from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s.
