Christmas by Candlelight

Christmas by Candlelight invites you to a 19th century Christmas at West Overton Village! Take a candlelit tour of the 1838 Overholt Homestead. Enjoy historically accurate decor as you learn about some of our most beloved Christmas traditions and how the Overholts celebrated (or not!) in the 1800s. As you tour room to room, follow the Overholts’ traditions over the century and how they changed over time. Learn about Christmas in southwestern Pennsylvania as far back as 1800, the lore of gift givers like Belsnickel and Santa Claus, and the origins of other customs.

Also taste warm spiced cider and a sweet treat from the Overholts’ 1830s kitchen, visit the carriage house where our historic sleigh will soon be filled with gifts, and stop in the Distillery for samples, bottle sales, and holiday-themed cocktails. The Distillery will be open to the public from 4 - 8 p.m.

In the Museum, partake in holiday traditions like decorating ornaments and making Christmas cards. Explore our award-winning exhibition, Forging Ahead and Falling Behind, about the history of West Overton’s villagers and industries.

Plan your visit

Homestead tours are limited due to capacity in the house, so tickets must be purchased in advance.

Tours will be offered December 14, 15, 21, and 22. Tours will run on the half hour, the first tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the last beginning at 7:00 p.m.

When ordering tickets, the maximum number of tickets you see in one time slot reflects the number of spaces left for that time slot. Please let us know if you have questions. Thank you! 

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Armstrong
• Jack Davis & Mary Carol Aultman