Holiday Tradition Takes Visitors Back to Christmas Eve, 1876
Mystic Seaport will open the 33rd season of its Lantern Light Tours on Saturday, December 1, 2012.
A New England holiday tradition, Lantern Light Tours is a 70-minute progressive play that takes its audience back to Christmas Eve, 1876. A cast of almost 70 people, including actors from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, tells the story of lost love, temptation, and Christmas miracles.
The Lantern Light Tour story is changed every year and the writing and production planning begin in February.
This year’s story draws inspiration from the legend of St. Nicholas as the Patron Saint of sailors, thieves, and young women looking to marry. The plot contains several exciting and humorous elements, including a bank robbery on Christmas Eve and the return of a sailor thought lost at sea. As in years past, this year’s production will include a dance, a sweet treat, a scene on one of our historic vessels, a horse-and-carriage ride, and a visit from St. Nicholas.
Visitors join a group of 16 to tour the Museum’s 19th-century village on foot, stopping at designated points to take in the next chapter in the story.
Performances are December 1, 7-8, 14-16, 21-23, and 26-27. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes.
For the first time, two tours on Saturday December 8 have been set aside for deaf and hearing impaired visitors. A sign language interpreter will be accompanying each tour for the duration. The tours are at 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. To purchase tickets for these tours please call the Museum’s Central Reservations line 860.572.5331 (tickets for these tours are not available for purchase online). Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended for all Lantern Light Tours. Tickets are $28 for adults ($26 for members) and $21 for children ages 4-17 ($19 for youth members). Walk-in tickets the day of the performance are $30 for adults ($28 for members) and $23 for children ($21 for youth members). Lantern Light Tours are not recommended for children under 4 years old.
Tickets can be purchased online at mysticseaport.org/lanternlighttours or by calling 860.572.5331, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The tour route covers uneven terrain and tour-goers will walk or stand for the entire production and are advised to wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Visitors are asked to indicate the need for a handicap-accessible tour at the time of reservation.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, it is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial vessel still afloat. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.
