News

Pastoral Estate with Festive Lights and Décor Provides Respite for San Francisco Bay  Area Residents and Visitors During Hectic Holiday Season  

WOODSIDE, Calif., September 30, 2019 — Filoli Historic House and Garden, a  site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the last country estates  reminiscent of the Gilded Age, today presents its comprehensive schedule of special  programs and events for the Holidays at Filoli 2019 season. From November 23 to  December 30, visitors can enjoy family-friendly events with Santa sightings, live music  and performances, unique shopping and dining opportunities, a festively decorated  house with new themes in every room and dazzling displays of lights throughout the  garden. Known for its pastoral setting and unparalleled charm, Filoli provides a welcoming place to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season and build  cherished memories with family and friends. 

“Filoli is truly a magical place, especially during the holidays, and we are excited this  year to offer even more opportunities to visit,” said Kara Newport, Chief Executive  Officer at Filoli. “We are extending the season and staying open on more nights so  visitors can enjoy the expanded lighting display. We will also be open on Mondays this  year—perfect for out-of-town guests looking for things to do in the Bay Area on a 

Monday! For many of our members and visitors, Holidays at Filoli has become an  annual family tradition, offering something new and special for everyone, every year.”  

New displays in the house this year will include:  

• In the dining room, a sparkling dinner setting of Baccarat crystal, provided by Kerns Jewelers 

• In the butler’s pantry, a gingerbread house made to look like the Filoli garden house 

• In the kitchen, a newly discovered cookbook from Alma Johnson, a Swedish cook for original Filoli owners William and Agnes Bourn. 

The cookbook is a true cook’s cookbook—with loose pages, slight stains and no real  instructions beyond the lists of ingredients and occasional notes. Visitors will be able to  page through a working copy of the historic cookbook and read dozens of recipes,  including one for Christmas Plum Pudding from 1928. 

Holidays at Filoli 2019 Schedule 

Filoli will be open for the holiday season from November 23 (the Saturday before  Thanksgiving) through December 30, daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Evening admission will also be available Thursday through Sunday nights from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Filoli will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  

Filoli’s Quail’s Nest Café will remain open during all hours, as will its Clock Tower Shop,  which will offer—among other seasonal and Filoli-inspired items—an expanded line of  wool products from the Muckross House in Ireland, as well as a new collection of Filoli branded items to celebrate the successful, first-ever production of hard cider made from  estate-grown apples. 

Holidays at Filoli General Admission Pricing Information Daytime (10:00am – 4:00pm) 

• Adult: $25 Non-member; $12 Member 

• Children (5-17): $12 Non-member; $6 Member 

• Children under 5: Free 

Evening (4:00pm – 8:00pm) 

• Adult: $35 Non-member; $20 Member 

• Children (5-17): $18 Non-member; $10 Member 

• Children under 5: Free 

Holidays at Filoli Special Events 

Unless otherwise noted, admission to the events below are included with Holidays at  Filoli general admission. 

Opening Night Soirée 

Friday, November 22 

This sold-out event kicks off the holiday season with a three-course dinner in the home’s  2,240-square-foot ballroom. The evening will feature beautiful décor, entertainment  and hand-selected wines. Guests will be among the first take a stroll through the  festively lit garden and enjoy a glass of mulled wine at the cozy terrace bar. Opening  Night Soirée is sponsored by Hood & Strong LLP; wine is provided by Gratus Vineyards. The price, which includes evening general admission to Filoli, is $350 for an individual  ticket; however, please note that this event is sold out. 

Holiday Artisan Market 

November 23, 24, 29, 30 and December 1 (11:00am – 7:00pm) Looking for the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list? Located in the Visitor  Center, the Artisan Market will offer handmade goods and locally sourced products from  a variety of local vendors. Filoli members and volunteers receive a special gift with  purchase.

Holiday Teas 

Tuesday, November 26 (1:30pm) 

Tuesdays, December 3, 10, 17 (11:00am and 1:30pm) 

Sundays, December 8, 15 (11:00am and 1:30pm) 

Tea service is offered seasonally at Filoli, and this holiday season features a traditional  tiered tray at each table with delicious finger sandwiches, freshly made scones and  scrumptious holiday treats served alongside Filoli Clock Tower Shop jam and clotted  cream. Price includes daytime general admission to Filoli: 

• General Seating: $75 Non-member; $65 Member 

• Private Table for Two: $175 

• Private Table for Four: $350 

Decadence Nights 

Thursdays, December 5, 12, 19 (4:00pm – 8:00pm) 

On three special Thursday evenings, Filoli is partnering with See’s Candies to let visitors  enjoy the spectacular holiday lights at night while indulging in special tastings of wine  and chocolate pairings. New to Holidays at Filoli this year, Decadence Nights will also  offer live music, DIY crafting and holiday drink specials. 

Santa Saturdays 

Saturdays, December 7, 14, 21 (10:30am – 3:30pm) 

Back by popular demand, Santa Saturdays are filled with fun for the whole family.  Activities include visiting the festively attired ponies in front of the house and DIY  crafting in the visitor center, as well as dancing and singing along to holiday tunes in the  ballroom. Children can read stories with Mrs. Claus every half-hour in the reception  room and spend time with Santa himself in the garden house. 

Winter Solstice 

Wednesday, December 18 (5:00pm – 8:00pm) 

This adult-focused celebration honors the allure of this magical night on the shortest  day of the year. Guests can take part in fire ceremonies and marvel at the stilt-walker 

tree while enjoying sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Wine, beer and coffee will  be available for purchase. Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble will also return this year to delight guests with a hauntingly beautiful repertoire of traditional songs from the  Balkans, Caucasus and Slavic lands. Price includes evening general admission to Filoli:  $70 Non-member; $60 Member.  

Holiday Adult Classes 

In addition to the special holiday events, Filoli also offers holiday-themed adult classes as part of its year-round education program. This season, classes are offered in nuno felting, needle felting and stained-glass construction, as well as garland and wreath construction. Students can delight friends and family with handmade holiday gifts or  décor. For information and pricing, visit: www.filoli.org/classes.  

Holiday Portrait Sessions 

The gardens at Filoli offer a unique and festive background for family portraits, perfect for holiday cards. A limited number of 90-minute portrait sessions are available per day on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests participating in a portrait session must purchase admission for that day and pay an additional portrait session fee of $75. For  more information, visit: www.filoli.org/photography-policy.  

For complete information on this year’s Holidays at Filoli program and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.filoli.org/events/holidays.  

A curated selection of images of Holidays at Filoli are available for download and use at: www.filoli.org/media/holiday-images/. 

Be sure to share your Filoli experiences on social media using the hashtag  #HolidaysAtFiloli. 

About Filoli 

Located south of San Francisco in Woodside, California, Filoli boasts 654 acres of  beauty nestled along the slopes of California’s coastal range. Originally built as a private  residence in 1917, Filoli was open to the public in 1976 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit  organization and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property is  considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century, featuring a  54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English  Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard and a nature preserve with over  seven miles of hiking trails. Filoli is dedicated to connecting our rich history with a  vibrant future through beauty, nature and shared stories, so that one day all people will  honor nature, value unique experiences and appreciate beauty in everyday life. For more  information about Filoli, visit www.filoli.org. 

Contact: 

Filoli Historic House & Garden 

86 Cañada Road 

Woodside, CA 94062 

(650) 364-8300 

press(at)filoli.org