There is something special about seeing an old Texas house dressed for Christmas. The decorations are lovely, but the real reward is getting a glimpse of the lives and stories held within its walls.

That is what draws visitors to Jefferson, an East Texas town known for its historic buildings and riverport past.

The 44th Annual Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes returns December 3–5 and December 10–12, 2026. Four historic properties will welcome visitors for a holiday tradition that combines seasonal decorations, period architecture and stories shared by volunteer guides.

The event also raises money for the Historic Jefferson Foundation, so the ticket purchase helps support local preservation.

For anyone planning a holiday outing, there is an important deadline. Adult tickets cost $26.25 when purchased through Thanksgiving, November 26. The regular adult price afterward is $35.

Here is how to plan your visit, choose your tour date and make the most of a December trip to Jefferson.

When is the 2026 Candlelight Tour?

The tour takes place over two consecutive weekends in December, with six dates in all.

First weekend

• Thursday, December 3: 3–7 p.m.

• Friday, December 4: 4–8 p.m.

• Saturday, December 5: 4–8 p.m.

Second weekend

• Thursday, December 10: 3–7 p.m.

• Friday, December 11: 4–8 p.m.

• Saturday, December 12: 4–8 p.m.

All times are Central Standard Time.

The Thursday schedule starts earlier, which may appeal to visitors who prefer more daylight when arriving and finding their way around town.

Friday and Saturday tours run later into the evening, giving guests more time to enjoy the holiday lights after dark.

You do not have to visit the homes in a particular order. The organizers also allow ticket holders to use their admission across the scheduled tour dates.

That flexibility is useful if you want to spread your visit over more than one day.

How much do tickets cost?

The Historic Jefferson Foundation lists the following 2026 prices:

• Advance adult admission: $26.25 through Thanksgiving, November 26

• Regular adult admission: $35 after Thanksgiving

• Children 12 and younger: Free, no ticket required

An adult purchasing before the deadline saves $8.75 compared with the regular ticket price.

Tickets include entry to all four featured homes, and you may visit them in whatever order suits your plans.

The organizers state that tickets are nonrefundable under all circumstances. Before buying, make sure your travel plans are reasonably settled.

The official website provides an online ticket-purchase option.

One important detail: online purchases do not result in tickets being mailed to you. Save the purchase receipt on your phone or print it. You'll need to show it at a tour property or the event headquarters to receive printed admission tickets.

If you prefer to buy tickets during the event, the organizers also offer sales at headquarters, the Excelsior House Hotel and participating homes. Purchases made directly at a tour home require cash.

The four historic homes on the 2026 tour

Each featured property has a distinct story. The tour is an opportunity to see how these buildings have changed and how owners have cared for them over generations.

Dotson-King House, 312 N. Walnut Street

The Dotson-King House tells a story of ordinary family life alongside Jefferson's larger history.

The property dates to the Civil War era. After James B. Dotson died in 1863, his wife Lucy supported herself and their daughter through sewing.

Later, the King family expanded the original small house. It eventually served as a boarding house, with rooms rented to people working in the area.

The organizers describe surviving historic features and household details that reveal how the home was used across different periods.

It is a reminder that preserving a house means more than saving its exterior. Small everyday features often tell as much about the past as grand furnishings.

Beard House, 212 Vale Street

Built around 1860, the Beard House is a Greek Revival residence linked to Jefferson's steamboat-era prosperity.

Its original builder, Noble A. Birge, was involved in local business and transportation.

The home later passed through several families, including the Beard and DeWare families. Its restoration history stretches across generations.

Visitors can expect to learn about period furnishings, architectural details and the people who preserved the property.

The building also helps explain why Jefferson has such a strong identity as a historic East Texas town.

Schluter House, 602 E. Taylor Street

The Schluter House was built between 1850 and 1856 for Frederick Augustus Schluter, one of Jefferson's early settlers.

Its three-story design and prominent setting make it a notable local landmark.

The family chose elevated ground for the property, helping protect the residence from flooding.

According to the organizer's historical account, the house retains original doors, windows and longleaf pine flooring, along with distinctive fireplaces and pocket doors.

The property received National Register of Historic Places recognition in 1971.

This stop offers an opportunity to appreciate architecture that has survived more than a century and a half.

Old Mulberry Inn, 209 E. Jefferson Street

Old Mulberry Inn offers a different view of historic living in Jefferson.

The Greek Revival-inspired main house sits on wooded grounds and includes broad porches, heart-pine flooring and a central lantern-style architectural feature.

The property includes a large historic residence, two older cottages and mature trees.

Its namesake mulberry tree is described by the organizers as more than 200 years old, although a claim that it might be Texas's oldest has not been independently established.

For visitors interested in historic homes and landscapes, the property adds another perspective to the tour.

Together, the four houses reveal different aspects of Jefferson's history, from early settlement and commerce to family life, boarding houses and restoration.

Where do you start the tour?

You have two options.

You can go to Candlelight Headquarters at Port Jefferson Outpost, 220 N. Polk Street, or you can begin at any participating tour home.

The organizers confirm there is no required starting point.

If you already bought a ticket online, bring the printed or saved receipt. Present it at headquarters or a tour home to receive your printed admission ticket.

Headquarters opens two hours before the scheduled tour begins.

The published event sales hours are:

• Thursdays: 1–6 p.m.

• Fridays and Saturdays: 2–7 p.m.

There is an important distinction at the headquarters location. Ticket sales are handled by Candlelight staff, not the regular Port Jefferson Outpost employees.

You can also buy tickets at the Excelsior House Hotel, 211 W. Austin Street, or directly at tour homes, where cash is required.

How long will it take to see all four homes?

The event organizers recommend allowing approximately 30 minutes at each house, plus around 15 minutes of travel between homes.

For four houses, that works out to roughly three hours when including typical travel between stops.

However, that is only a planning estimate.

On busy Saturday nights, the organizers warn that lines to enter an individual home can last 15–30 minutes.

That makes the tour worth approaching at a comfortable pace rather than as a race through four addresses.

If you're visiting for just one evening, arrive near the beginning of the scheduled hours and keep an eye on the time.

If you're staying overnight, you can divide the tour between days and spend more time enjoying each property.

Because the event takes place inside historic residences, visitors are guided in smaller groups by volunteers. Allow time for those groups to move through each house.

Parking and getting around Jefferson

The organizer identifies additional parking near the corner of Polk and Henderson streets, close to headquarters.

The four homes are located at different addresses around Jefferson's historic district. Use the official tour map to plan your route.

A few practical suggestions can make the visit easier.

First, save all four house addresses before leaving home.

Second, pay attention to the difference between headquarters parking and parking near individual properties. One parking location may not be convenient for every stop.

Third, leave extra time if you are touring on a Saturday evening, when the event can draw larger crowds.

Do not assume private residential driveways or unmarked spaces are available for visitor parking. Follow posted restrictions and any instructions from organizers.

The official information reviewed does not establish a dedicated shuttle covering all four homes or guarantee parking at each property. Plan your own transportation unless the organizer announces additional arrangements.

Is the tour accessible for visitors with mobility needs?

Accessibility deserves attention before purchasing tickets.

The organizers explain that some historic homes are more accessible than others. They do not promise that every property is wheelchair-accessible.

Older houses may have steps, narrow doorways or other features that make access difficult.

If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, walker or another mobility aid, contact the organizers before buying tickets to confirm which properties can accommodate the visit.

The tour is also not the sort of outing where every attraction can be assumed to have the same entrance arrangements.

Knowing those details ahead of time is especially important because tickets are nonrefundable.

Don't overlook the free Enchanted Forest

Families who want another Christmas experience in Jefferson should know about the Enchanted Forest at Lions Park, 502 E. Jefferson Street.

The official Candlelight website advertises 115 decorated and lighted Christmas trees, created by individuals, families, businesses and community groups in support of the Jefferson Lions Club.

Admission to the Enchanted Forest is free.

It is a separate experience from touring the historic houses and offers a holiday outing for families who are not purchasing home-tour tickets.

For tour ticket holders, it is an appealing addition to the evening.

The trees reflect the involvement of local neighbors and organizations, bringing the town's holiday celebration outdoors.

Check the current display information before visiting for details about lighting hours and any special programming.

Why this tour is different from a typical Christmas attraction

Many holiday events are built around large light displays or ticketed entertainment.

Jefferson's Candlelight Tour has another purpose.

The homes themselves are the attraction, and each tells a story about the town.

The buildings reflect the years when Jefferson was an important riverport and commercial center. Their architecture, furnishings and later changes reveal how families lived and how the community developed.

Some properties have remained in the care of connected families. Others have been restored by new owners who recognized the value of preserving them.

The tour also depends on volunteers who help visitors understand those histories.

The Historic Jefferson Foundation organizes the event as a fundraiser to support local historic preservation.

That is the connection worth remembering: visitors are enjoying a Christmas tradition while contributing to the care of the town's historic character.

Is Jefferson worth an overnight holiday trip?

For travelers coming from Longview, Marshall, Tyler, Texarkana or other nearby East Texas communities, a single evening may be practical.

Visitors from Dallas-Fort Worth or farther parts of Texas may prefer to make the trip into an overnight getaway.

Jefferson has historic lodging, antique shops, restaurants and other attractions that can turn a Candlelight visit into a full weekend.

Keep in mind that the home's tour hours do not necessarily match the opening hours of shops, museums or restaurants.

If you are booking lodging, confirm the property location and arrival hours, particularly if your tour ends at 8 p.m.

You might also plan the free Enchanted Forest as part of your stay or explore downtown during daylight hours.

The aim is not to pack every available attraction into a few hours. Jefferson is the kind of town where slowing down is part of the experience.

A few tips before you go

Buy before Thanksgiving if your plans are firm. The adult ticket discount ends after November 26, and purchases are nonrefundable.

Save your receipt. Online tickets are not mailed, and the receipt is needed to obtain printed admission.

Bring cash if buying at a home. Direct home-site ticket sales are cash only.

Allow extra time on Saturdays. Lines of 15–30 minutes are possible at individual houses.

Dress for the weather. The experience includes moving between properties, and East Texas evenings can be cool or wet in December.

Ask about accessibility in advance. Historic-home access varies from property to property.

Respect the homes. These are historic properties, and many are privately owned. Follow docent instructions, stay on designated routes and ask before taking interior photographs.

And if you are traveling with young children, remember that they enter free, but the tour is focused on home interiors and local history. The Enchanted Forest may be an especially good addition for families who want a more open-ended holiday experience.

Why preserving Jefferson's history matters

Jefferson's buildings help tell a wider Texas story.

They show what life looked like when steamboats, merchants and river trade helped shape East Texas towns. They also show how families adapted their homes over time and how later generations worked to preserve them.

The Candlelight Tour gives visitors access to places they might otherwise only see from the street.

It also makes preservation something people can participate in rather than simply admire from a distance.

That is a good reason to visit during Christmas. The decorations bring warmth to the season, but the stories are what make the experience last.

And when the evening is over, those houses remain part of Jefferson's living history.

Quick Facts: Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes 2026

• Event: 44th Annual Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes

• Organizer: Historic Jefferson Foundation

• Tour dates: December 3–5 and December 10–12, 2026

• Thursday hours: 3–7 p.m.

• Friday and Saturday hours: 4–8 p.m.

• Advance adult ticket: $26.25 through Thanksgiving, November 26

• Regular adult ticket: $35 after Thanksgiving

• Children 12 and younger: Free, no ticket required

• Ticket validity: Access to all four featured homes on any scheduled tour date

• Refund policy: No refunds

• Online purchases: Save or print the receipt for ticket exchange; tickets are not mailed

• Headquarters: Port Jefferson Outpost, 220 N. Polk Street, Jefferson, TX 75657

• Additional parking: Near Polk and Henderson streets

• Headquarters ticket sales: Thursdays 1–6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 2–7 p.m.

• Additional sales: Excelsior House Hotel, 211 W. Austin Street, and participating tour homes

• Home-site ticket payment: Cash only

• Dotson-King House: 312 N. Walnut Street

• Beard House: 212 Vale Street

• Schluter House: 602 E. Taylor Street

• Old Mulberry Inn: 209 E. Jefferson Street

• Suggested time: Approximately 30 minutes per home plus travel and possible waiting

• Tour order: Any order

• Accessibility: Varies; verify specific properties before purchasing

• Enchanted Forest: Free display at Lions Park, 502 E. Jefferson Street

• Freshness: Recheck event instructions, available tickets, parking and access before traveling

Sources and Further Information

• Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes: Official 2026 Event Information

• Jefferson Candlelight Tour: Official Ticket Information

• Jefferson Candlelight Tour: Official Tour Homes and Histories

• Jefferson Candlelight Tour: Frequently Asked Questions

• Texas Highways: Jefferson Events Calendar

Editorial freshness note: Details verified November 11, 2026. Check the official organizer website again before publication and before attending, especially for ticket availability, accessibility, parking and changes to tour arrangements.