The History of the Annual Candlelight Tour

The Annual Candlelight Tour “Candlelight” began in December of 1963 when 365 members of The Heritage Society and their friends gathered to celebrate the first tour in Sam Houston Park at 1100 Bagby Street.   The early tours featured the historic Kellum-Noble House and the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House, the only two houses in the park that time.

In 1964, Candlelight was underwritten by the Garden Club of Houston and River Oaks Garden Club. The Garden Club of Houston furnished the materials and decorations for the Kellum-Noble House, and the River Oaks Garden Club supplied materials and decorations for the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House. The research committee made authentic Christmas tree decorations for the trees for the tours. Over 1,000 people visited the two houses during the two nights. The event was such a success that the board later expanded the tour from two nights to four nights.

From this modest beginning, Candlelight has grown to become a tradition shared by thousands of Houstonians who come to visit Sam Houston Park to savor the spirit of 19th-century holiday celebrations each holiday season.  Tours featured peering into a window to see a family baking in the kitchen, Christmas carolers, choirs at the Bandstand, and strolling re-enactors telling stories about their town lives.  Many visitors as well dressed up in period clothing from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Our most recent large-scale Candlelight was the reopening of Bagby Street in 2021 when we shared the history of Bagby Street and Sam Houston Park in conjunction with the Mayor’s and Downtown District’s Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street event with a kid’s zone in Sam Houston Park, strolling street performers, and a million dollar 100,000 light installations up and down Bagby Street.  To join their celebration, we had El Tiempo pop-up restaurant on our patio, an AO Art Show Gallery with artists from around the world, free flan from La Reina Desserts, a Latin concession stand, a concert in the museum gallery, a Haak Vineyards & Winery saloon in the museum, history orators in the plaza, and two free Candlelight historic house tours with re-enactors to the public. 

In 2023, a Mini Candlelight Tour will be offered on Saturday, December 2 and Saturday, December 9 in addition to a museum gallery champagne reception offering with performances by Houston Heartstrings.  The guided tours will feature re-enactors, children’s choirs, and symphony performances.  For tickets and more information, please visit https://www.heritagesociety.org/annual-candlelight-tour. This will be our 58th year spreading the spirit of the holidays.

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