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There’s a warm, wonderful glow emanating from the otherwise dark night, as thousands of lights illuminate Woodside’s Filoli Historic House and Garden this holiday season.
The estate, part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, always does it up right for the holidays — but this year, they’ve gone bigger, bolder and even more historic with their holiday celebrations, which run from Nov. 23 through Dec. 30.
The twinkle-lit strings and glowing globes may be modern, but the decor inside the house is distinctly Golden Age. And staff and docents are on hand with stories about the two families who lived here and their holiday celebrations.
“Filoli is truly a magical place,” says Filoli’s CEO Kara Newport, “especially during the holidays, and we are excited this year to offer even more opportunities to visit.”
The 1917 estate, which includes 654 acres of land, was originally built as a private residence for the Bourn family, and later owned by the Roths. It’s considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century, with a 54,000-square foot Georgian Revival mansion, 16 acres of English renaissance gardens and a 6.8-acre “Gentlemen’s Orchard.” Plus a nature preserve with 7 miles of hiking trails.
But at this time of year, it’s all about the lights — 156,000 of them — plus holiday teas, Decadence Nights, Santa Saturdays and more. The country estate has extended its holiday season with daily and Thursday-Sunday nighttime visits through the end of the year, allowing an estimated 35,000 visitors to enjoy the festive home and bedazzled grounds.
It’s a spectacle — one that takes a staff of 250 people to pull off. Decorating the mansion interior alone takes 20 days to complete. Outside, workers spend 53 days installing lights, wreaths and decorations on the grounds. Here’s a peek behind the scenes — and the lowdown on what awaits, inside and out.
By the numbers
- 860 — number of man hours spent on indoor decorating
- 1,500 — man hours spent decorating the grounds
- 1,000 feet of indoor garlands
- 3,600 strands of lights that stretch more than 15 miles
- 159,600 individual light bulbs
- 45 color splashers
- 45 hollow light spheres
- 50 crab lights
- 30 garden orbs
- 10 color beams
- 41 indoor wreaths and 30 outdoor
- 22 indoor Christmas trees
- 35,000 guests are expected
- 80 paid staff, 450 volunteers and 100 entertainers will work through the season
- Mrs. Claus will read at least 90 stories to children over the three “Santa Saturdays”
- Santa is expected to ho-ho-ho at least 300 times
- More than 60 carol sing-alongs with children and families
- 1,350 people will be served tea
- More than 5,000 finger sandwiches will be daintily eaten
- More than 2,500 ounces of clotted cream will be dished out, along with more than 4,000 ounces of Filoli Clock Tower Shop jam during the holiday teas
On display
- Look for several ornaments that are nearly 100 years old.
- The cookbook of Alma Johnson, a longtime cook at Filoli, will be on display in the kitchen. Johnson, one of the many immigrants who worked at the mansion, was the Swedish cook for Filoli’s original owners, William and Agnes Bourn. The 100-year-old cookbook gives some insight on Christmas dinners, including a recipe for plum pudding.
- Kerns Jewelers has decorated the dining room with a complete service of Baccarat crystal.
- In the butler’s pantry, look for a gingerbread house replica of the estate’s garden house.
Special Filoli-only items for sale
- 900 bottles (750ml) of Filoli Hard Cider, made from more than 50 varieties of estate-grown apples, along with pint glasses, bottle openers and coasters with new logo
- 23,000 flower bulbs including 7 varieties of tulips, 3 of daffodils and paperwhites, and 4 other small bulb species
- 1,000 jars of honey
Holiday schedule
The Woodside estate — at 86 Cañada Road — is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)
- Adults tickets are $25; $12 for members
- Children (5-17), $12; $6 for members
- Children younger than 5, free
Evenings, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays
- Adults, $35; $20 for members
- Children (5-17), $18; $10 for members
- Children younger than 5, free
Decadence Nights: For the estate’s first-ever Decadence Nights, Filoli is partnering with See’s Candies for wine and chocolate pairings, plus music, DIY crafts and holiday drink specials. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 5, 12 and 19
Holiday Artisan Market: This holiday market, which features handmade goods and locally sourced products, runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 23-24, 29-30, and Dec 1.
Holiday teas: Tea service includes finger sandwiches, scones and holiday treats served with jam and clotted cream, and of course, tea. The $75 ticket price includes admission to the estate. 1:30 p.m., Nov. 26; 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Dec. 3, 8,10, 15 and 17
Santa Saturdays: This family-friendly event includes festively attired ponies in front of the house and DIY crafting in the visitor center, plus dancing and sing-along holiday tunes in the ballroom. Every half hour, Mrs. Claus will read stories to the children in the reception room, and Santa will be in the garden house listening to holiday wish lists. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 7, 14 and 21
Winter solstice: This adult-focused celebration honors the magic of the shortest day of the year with fire ceremonies, a stilt-walker tree, sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble will perform traditional songs from the Balkans, Caucasus and Slavic lands. The ticket price ($70) includes general admission to the grounds. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 18
Holiday adult classes:
Filoli’s year-round education program takes a holiday twist with classes on nuno felting, needle felting and stained-glass construction, as well as garland and wreath making. Find details at www.filoli.org/classes.
Holiday portrait sessions:
Filoli’s gardens always offer a dramatic backdrop for portraits, and the holidays provide even more inspiration for family pictures and holiday cards. A limited number of 90-minute portrait sessions ($75, plus cost of admission) are available each day. Find details at www.filoli.org/photography-policy.