Yuletide at Wheatland
Visitors take a guided tour through both floors of the historic Wheatland mansion to discover holiday traditions popular during James Buchanan's residency from 1848 to 1868. Guides share stories of mid-19th-century celebrations ranging from tabletop trees to festive holiday meals. Admission also includes self-guided access to the museum exhibitions at the LancasterHistory Museum & Research Center.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
LancasterHistory members: free. Adults 18+: $20 per person. Seniors 65+: $18 per person. Students 11–17 or with College ID: $10 per person. Children 10 and under: free with the admission of a paying adult. Tickets include the guided Yuletide at Wheatland tour and admission to the self-guided museum exhibitions. Group tours for organized groups of at least 15 are available at a discounted rate NARM members receive the member admission rate. Lancaster County Family Museum passes are accepted for a tour, but cannot be used to book in advance and may only be redeemable at the door.
Hours
Tours are offered on the half hour, from 10:30am (first tour of the day) through 3:30pm (last tour of the day).
Ages
All ages
Parking
Use the North President Avenue entrance; the Wheatland driveway off Marietta Avenue is closed to cars.
Accessibility
Tours involve standing for up to an hour and navigating stairs, with alternative accommodations available upon request.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Buy tickets in advance, because Yuletide tours do sell out and walk-in tickets aren't guaranteed.
- Ignore any GPS route through the Wheatland driveway on Marietta Avenue and use the North President Avenue entrance instead.
- Check in at Visitor Services in the museum building first, then walk over to the mansion when your tour time comes.
- Allow at least two hours so you can see the self-guided museum exhibitions included with your ticket, before or after the tour.
- Wear comfortable shoes, because the tour covers both floors by stairs and keeps you on your feet for up to an hour.
Special Events & Promotions
- New this year: LancasterHistory members visit Yuletide at Wheatland free
- Lancaster County Family Museum passes are accepted this year, at the door only
- NARM members get the member rate (phone booking only) plus a Museum Store discount
- Group tours for 15 or more at a discounted rate, booked at least 4 weeks ahead
- Year-round discounts apply to Yuletide tours this year
Links & Contact
Run by LancasterHistory
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 will we see on the tour?
A guide takes you through both floors of Buchanan's Wheatland mansion. They share Christmas traditions that caught on in the mid-19th century, from the Christmas turkey to the tabletop tree, and how Buchanan spent Christmases at home and abroad.
How long should we allow?
The guided tour runs about an hour. With the self-guided museum exhibitions you can see before or after, allow at least two hours.
Where do we check in?
At Visitor Services in the LancasterHistory Museum & Research Center, the modern brick building with the sloped roof. At your tour time, you walk over to the mansion to meet your guide.
Is the tour accessible?
The tour involves stairs and up to an hour of standing. Alternative accommodations are available if you let Visitor Services know ahead of time or when you arrive.
Can I take photos?
Yes, noncommercial still photography is allowed unless a sign says otherwise. Flash, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and video aren't permitted.
Browse Christmas in Lancaster
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.