Friends is now accepting volunteers and historic home hosts interested in taking part in the 2026 Holiday Historic Home Tour!
WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN ON, the band strikes up, and the hot chocolate is steaming, it’s time for the Holiday Historic Home Tour. Presented by Friends of OCNJ History & Culture and Scarborough Inn, it’s a magical evening to celebrate the holidays, community, and the history of Ocean City.
Every year, sold-out crowds brave the cold for the opportunity to glimpse the architecture and festive decor of some of Ocean City’s most storied homes. But the true heart of the evening comes from something more personal: our neighbors welcoming us into their homes to share the stories and spaces they love.
For hosts—many of whom have multigenerational connections to town—taking part is a way to not only to celebrate tradition with community, but also honor Ocean City’s heritage and history. There are over 1,300 homes in the coastal town that are over 100 years old, but preservation can be a challenge.
“The reason I’ve opened my house is because we see a number of beautiful, beautiful old homes coming down that can be rehabbed,” says Linda Carnuccio, whose 1923 Spanish Revival was featured on the tour last year. “The way the architecture is so different than what they are building today, nothing compares…”
But the true heart of the evening comes from something more personal: our neighbors welcoming us into their homes to share the stories and spaces they love.
For the McCutcheon sisters, Lauren and Betsy, hosting visitors at their 1920s storybook-style home was a wonderful way to honor their mother Nancy, who passed away last year. “She was an avid gardener and loved this home—as do we. She bought it as a place for family and friends to come and gather together after our father passed,” said Lauren.
Renting the cottage now helps keep it in the family, cover its expenses, and protect it from redevelopment. The sisters found that the tour brought welcome attention to their story and their rental, including donations through a GoFundMe campaign and a feature in the Ocean City Sentinel. “The support we received after people heard about this place was wonderful. It helped people understand why this home means so much to us and why we’re committed to preserving it. We’re lucky to be able to continue to share it,” added Lauren.
Tour volunteer and local business owner Donna Kelly brought the cheer last year, greeting visitors in a Santa hat. “I think it’s important to show these old homes, to see that they have souls and they are still beautiful,” she said. “[We should] not tear these old homes down.”
New this year; the Friends of OCNJ Holiday Historic Home Tour is a members-only event. “For the price of a ticket in previous years, folks now have the opportunity to access yearlong membership that shows support of preservation history, and culture in Ocean City, while also joining a great community,” said Friends of OCNJ History & Culture President Sne Avichal. “Memberships are a great way to continue the fun year round,” he added, referring to the Friends events including their annual Historic Home Garden Tour, summerlong Preservation Porch Party series, and outings for homeowners to research their historic homes.
A family from last year’s Historic Home Tour, full of holiday spirit (and cookies).
“For the price of a ticket in previous years, folks now have the opportunity to access yearlong membership that shows support of preservation history, and culture in Ocean City, while also joining a great community.”
Friends is now accepting volunteers and historic home hosts interested in taking part in the 2026 Holiday Historic Home Tour. “This is more than just allowing neighbors a peek into beautiful homes, though that’s a fun part of it,” Sne added. “It’s an invitation from one neighbor to another, and a reminder that preservation lives not only in old walls and woodwork, but in the care people take to keep those places.”
“Friends of OCNJ is so grateful to every host who shares their home and helps make this evening possible year after year,” said Sne, who is again organizing the event, now in its fourth year. “Honestly, it’s a little magical. Historic homes are also living homes, and their spirit really shines on the tour. The event brings people closer to Ocean City’s history and to one another.”
To volunteer or become a host, please contact Friends at sne@friendsocnj.org. To join Friends of OCNJ and get your tickets for the members-only 2026 Holiday Historic Home Tour, visit https://www.friendsocnj.org/membership.
