Historic Columbia Holiday House Tours
Visitors join a guided tour through the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion to view seasonal decorations and discover how 19th-century Columbians celebrated the holidays. The Robert Mills House highlights early 1820s traditions from before Christmas trees became common. Across the street, the Hampton-Preston Mansion displays 1850s Victorian customs, exploring eggnog, poinsettias, the origins of the Christmas tree, Hanukkah, and the New Year.
See more Christmas events near Columbia
Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
HC Member $15; HC Member youth $10; Non-member $20; Non-member youth $16. Military members receive discounts on specialty tours, including Historic Holiday Tours; show military ID at the Welcome Center. Complimentary house tour passes are not accepted.
Hours
Wednesday–Saturday: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.; Sunday: 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. On December 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31: 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. only.
Ages
All ages
Accessibility
Stairs are present in both historic homes, preventing guests with mobility issues from experiencing the full tour, and walking between the properties is required.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Purchase tickets online in advance or at the Welcome Center, where all tours begin.
- Arrive at the Welcome Center 10 minutes before your scheduled start time; tours last approximately 75 minutes.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes because the tour includes an outdoor walk between the adjacent homes.
- Consider the stairs in both homes when planning your visit; guests with mobility issues may not experience the full tours.
- Bring military ID to the Welcome Center to receive an available specialty-tour discount; complimentary house tour passes are not accepted.
Special Events & Promotions
- Youth tickets are offered at a lower price than adult tickets.
- Historic Columbia members receive a lower ticket price.
- Military members receive a discount on the tour; show military ID at the Welcome Center.
- NEW THIS YEAR: Historic Holiday Evenings are offered on December 4, 11, and 18.
- Historic Holiday Evenings are separate evening tours with separate tickets.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the guided tour cover?
It visits both the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion, with guides sharing stories about seasonal traditions, food and décor.
What holiday traditions are featured in the two homes?
The Robert Mills House explores early 1820s customs; the Hampton-Preston Mansion presents 1850s Victorian traditions, including poinsettias, eggnog and the origins of the Christmas tree.
Does the tour include celebrations beyond Christmas?
Yes. The tour also explores Hanukkah and New Year celebrations.
How long should I allow, and when should I arrive for my tour?
The guided tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. Arrive at the Welcome Center 10 minutes before your scheduled tour.
Can visitors with mobility issues experience the full tour?
No. Guests walk between the adjacent homes, and stairs in both exhibits mean visitors with mobility issues cannot experience the full house tours.
Browse Christmas in Columbia
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.