Each year, Cape May’s historic Congress Hall transforms its property into a festive Winter Wonderland that has become one of the most beloved traditions in town.
During the Christmas season, visitors can stroll throughout the hotel’s Grand Lawn and shop from about 20 local vendors, enjoy s’mores by the fire and take a ride on the train or carousel.
The hotel’s holiday scene is so adored that it made Newsweek’s Travel Editors/Writers Top 15 Christmas Trees in the country, and now, the platform is asking its readers to vote for their top choice. Both recognitions happened organically, according to Billy Scott, general manager at Congress Hall.
“We’ve had some press in the past, but this was a surprise,” Scott said. “[There’s] so many great Christmas spots around the U.S. December’s actually become our highest grossing month here at the property, which is pretty unreal for a beach town.”
Scott has been part of Cape Resorts, the parent company of Congress Hall, for more than 20 years and has served as general manager for about a year and a half. He began his career at Congress Hall as a restaurant host and has worked in nearly every department before returning to lead the property where it all began.
According to its website, Congress Hall was established in 1816 by Cape May businessman Thomas H. Hughes. The hotel launched its Winter Wonderland in 2011, and Scott said the event has continued to grow each year.
The centerpiece of the celebration is a 30-to-40-foot Christmas tree, and the hotel isn’t picky about what kind of tree it is, Scott said.
It takes a crane and a team of workers several days to secure and decorate the tree, which is strung with about 5,000 lights.
The tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for Dec. 6 this year, serves as the official kickoff to Cape May’s Christmas season. The weekend also includes the West Cape May Christmas Parade and the city’s own tree lighting, creating a full weekend of holiday events.
Each year, Congress Hall’s Christmas tree is donated by a family connected to the hotel or the Cape May area. Once a tree is selected, the hotel covers all the costs of transporting and installing it, and the donating family is invited to stay at Congress Hall for the lighting ceremony.
Preparations for the season begin in late October, when staff start moving decorations from storage and transforming the property.
More than a dozen team members work for weeks to install additional Christmas trees and live garland throughout the hotel, a poinsettia tree in the ballroom, a 15-to-20-foot wreath and 20-foot toy soldiers along the building’s columns, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“It certainly takes an army to get it ready,” Scott said.
Throughout December, in addition to the vendor village, carousel and train ride on the hotel’s grand lawn, Congress Hall hosts a variety of family-friendly activities as part of its Winter Wonderland experience, including breakfast with Santa every weekend, outdoor food stands, hot chocolate stations and live entertainment.
