Five reasons to attend the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour
The Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour, which runs Dec. 4-6, started with neighbors stopping by each others’ homes for holiday cheer, which included singing carols, ohhhing and ahhing over holiday décor and enjoying meals together. In 1979 the event opened to the public and has been a great way to welcome the holiday season.
The tour (which usually sells out each year) welcomes hundreds of guests each season. Here’s why you should be one of them:
(1) The homes are beautiful.
During the self-guided tour you will have access to eight private uptown homes — from elegant Victorians to urban condominiums that are impeccably decorated for the holidays.
One year one of the volunteers dressed up as an elf and greeted guests at one of the homes, too — so expect the unexpected. Also — on Sunday only you will have a chance to visit the McNinch House Restaurant including the rarely seen private residence.
Each home will have appetizers or drinks from local partners including Rock Bottom Brewery, Mert’s Heart & Soul, Muddy River Distillery and The Wooden Vine.
(2) You get to hear carolers.
If you can’t get into the holiday spirit listening to handbell ensembles ringing and carolers singing tunes like “Jingle Bells” then I don’t know what to tell you.
(3) You can take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Throughout the weekend, tour-goers can hop on one of the Charlotte Center City Carriage Tours for free and be taken to the next featured home or 7th Street Public Market, where many local treats await.
(4) There’s a chance to pick up gifts.
7th Street Public Market will be open during tour hours so you can pick up gifts for those on your list. As a special treat, the market will also have live seasonal music, conduct tastings and serve complimentary snacks. Be sure to check out life-sized “Nutcrackers on Parade” decorated by Trinity Episcopal School, too.
(5) You will support the neighborhood.
All tour proceeds benefit important neighborhood projects such as neighborhood beautification, preservation of historic landmarks and public art, social and safety programs.
Want to go?
The tour takes place Dec. 4 from 5-9 p.m., Dec. 5 from 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.fofw.org. During the tour weekend, the ticket booth and 7th Street Public Market will be the only locations for ticket purchases.
Tickets are good for all three days. During tour hours, ticket-holders must redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the tour ticket booth at the corner of Ninth and Poplar streets in Fourth Ward, or at the 7th Street Public Market.
Find additional tour information and group rates at www.fofw.org.
Photos: Austin Caine
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 9:14 PM with the headline "Five reasons to attend the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour."