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Manteo residents and guests know that the holiday season officially starts on the first weekend of December, and they await the fun like a kid anticipating Santa. We gather at the waterfront on Friday evening for the festivities preceding the lighting of the giant waterfront Christmas tree, then on Saturday morning we watch the Manteo Christmas Parade with its decorated floats, marching bands, strutting dancers, horseback riders and, of course, Santa bringing the procession to a close.
After a break that includes lunch and shopping, the Manteo Preservation Trust’s Holiday Tour of Homes, the highlight of the weekend, welcomes tour goers to amble around town as they visit beautifully decorated homes and businesses.
“This year’s tour is going to be one of our best yet,” according to Jeanne deCamps, co-chair along with her husband, Bill Husted, of the tour.
The committee has put together a wonderful collection of old, newer and restored tour stops that includes the newly restored Pioneer Theater and one of the “floater cottages” that came here by barge from Hatteras Island.
While the point of the tour is to showcase the island homes and their history, the beautiful decorations, ranging from lavish to coastal simple, inspire all attendees and add an extra level of holiday cheer.The tour area is easily walkable, or you can also hop on one of the free bikes provided by Manteo Cyclery.
This year’s tour begins at the welcoming reception site, 108 Budleigh. College of the Albemarle artisans will be set up there with their creations for sale, giving a perfect opportunity for some early shopping. Holiday Tours of Homes committee members will be on hand beginning at 10 a.m. to start ticket sales for the tour.
New for this year, tickets for the tour are also being sold in advance online (here). While there’s no limit for ticket numbers, advance purchasing means no standing in line to pay on tour day. A quick stop at 108 Budleigh to pick up your brochure (proof of purchase), and you are all set. Manteo Preservation Trust will also have a tent during the Manteo Holiday Market on November 17 where you can purchase tickets.
Tour hours are from 1 to 6 p.m., and because you can go to each site in any order, there’s usually not a crowd at each place. Many past attendees will agree that the tour stops are particularly enchanting once the sun goes down and the candlelight shines.
Get into the holiday spirit with us and celebrate the beauty and history of this small, waterfront town.
Holiday Tour of Homes
Saturday, December 2nd, 1-6 p.m.
Visit event page for more info
About the Author Beth P. Storie
Beth Storie first came to the Outer Banks for the summer of 1976. She fell in love with the area and returned for good three years later. She and her husband published the national guidebook series, The Insiders' Guides, for more than 20 years and now are building OneBoat guides into another national brand. After spending time in many dozens of cities around the country, she absolutely believes that her hometown of Manteo is the best place on earth, especially when her two children, six cats and one dog are there too.
