Saturday December 5, 2026
On Saturday, December 5th, celebrate the beauty of the season with the Newtown Historic Association’s Holiday Open House Tour. Now in its 63rd year, this tour gives visitors the opportunity to peek into several of Newtown’s unique private residences, all dressed for the holidays.
Besides the private homes, there will be multiple public buildings open for visitors. All sites are within easy walking distance from the town center.
Tour hours are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Early-bird ticket prices are $30 for members or $35 for non-members, available online now. Tickets can also be purchased at Newtown Book & Record Exchange, 102 South State Street (cash or check only). On the day of the tour, December 6, ticket prices will be $40, and can be purchased at the Half-Moon Inn, 105 Court Street, and at the Stocking Works, 301 South State Street, Newtown. Children under the age of 12 are free. Tickets purchased in advance are non-refundable. This is a rain or shine event.
The cost of a tour ticket also includes entry into the Half-moon Inn, home to the Newtown Historic Association. Once inside this beautifully restored 18th century building, tour-goers will enjoy period musical entertainment, hearthside colonial cooking demonstrations and more.
Please, no picture taking or high-heeled shoes permitted in the houses.
2026 Private Homes on the Tour
Private Homes
Amy Neiley and Bill Avayou
115 Washington Ave.
Kim Martin and Peter Korda
204 E. Penn St.
Sue and Tim Markey
15 Liberty St.
Tara and Ed McLaughlin
125 N. Chancellor St.
Tracey and Jordan Osecki
192 N. Chancellor St.
Ellen and Frank Pasquale
203 Washington Ave.
Public Buildings
Anthony Petsis and Associates – c. 1822 :: 401 S. State St.
Newtown Library Company – 1912 :: E. Centre Ave. and Congress St.
Half-Moon Inn – c. 1733 :: Centre Ave and Court St.
Old Presbyterian Church – c. 1769 :: 76 N. Sycamore St.
Newtown Fire Association – c. 1901 :: 14 Liberty St.
Newtown Borough Hall – 1858 :: 23 N. State St.
Dave & Mary Callahan Research Center :: 100 Mercer St.
The Stocking Works – 1889 :: 301 S. State St.
Historical Notes
The original Open House tour was sponsored by the Newtown Civic and Historic Association and was called “Christmas in Colonial Newtown.” It was held on Saturday December 14, 1963 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and the price per person was only $1.50. Seven distinctive homes in Newtown were featured, including the Homestead (1800) at 127 South Sycamore Street; a colonial residence (1740) on South State Street; the Quintin House (1801) at 149 North State Street; the Bird in Hand (1690) at 111 South State Street; the Georgian House (1830) at 111 Court Street; the Schofield House (1837) at 113 Court Street; and a Victorian house (1860) at 219 Washington Avenue. Other buildings included on the tour were the Newtown Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Christmas Alley of the Hanging Lamp on North State Street.
A carol and candlelight parade in costume was featured on Friday night starting at Washington and Chancellor Streets and street caroling on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. at the Bird in Hand. It was noted in the program that the Newtown Civic and Historic Association desired to acquire a historic building and if necessary restore it as a headquarters. The monies derived from the celebration of “Christmas in Colonial Newtown” were to be used toward this goal.
