Five things you need to know about Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read
Stan Hywet Hall is aglow with lights for Deck the Hall over the holidays.
Stan Hywet Hall is aglow with lights for Deck the Hall over the holidays.

Akron's Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is already a pretty cool place to visit.

But when you throw some 1.2 million Christmas lights and dozens of decorated trees into the mix, it's little wonder why the historic estate's Deck the Hall holiday event is one of the region's top tourist destinations this time of year.

The annual festive event at the home of one of Goodyear's founders runs select dates between Nov. 25 and Dec. 30 this season.

Akron holiday tradition:Akron Zoo's Wild Lights celebration: Everything you need to know

This year's theme for decorations in the Manor House is Gracious Gatherings with just about every nook and cranny of what is Ohio's largest historic home open for tours.

Here are a few things you need to know before visiting this holiday season.

Why is Christmas special at Stan Hywet?

The message of "Peace on Earth" over the grand entrance of Stan Hywet dates back to the Seiberlings.
The message of "Peace on Earth" over the grand entrance of Stan Hywet dates back to the Seiberlings.

Christmas has always been a big deal at Stan Hywet.

And with some 64,500 square feet of space inside the Tudor estate — the sixth-largest historic home in the country — there's a lot of space to fill with decorations.

Goodyear founder Frank “F.A.” Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude, moved into the then-new home at Christmas in 1915, so the holidays were always were near and dear to their hearts.

They hosted many holiday gatherings in the ensuing years, and much of the furnishings are original to the historic home that became a public museum in 1957.

The family kept practically everything, including old Christmas cards received and sent over the years that planners for the Deck the Hall event now use as inspiration for coming up with each year's theme.

When can I visit Stan Hywet over the holidays?

Guests can view traditional holiday store window displays at Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
Guests can view traditional holiday store window displays at Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

Stan Hywet is only welcoming visitors this year during Deck the Hall hours.

There are no daytime tours, but the estate has extended the hours of this traditionally nighttime event to open at 3 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. The last guests are allowed to enter the grounds at 8 p.m.

The event is open the following dates: Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-23 and Dec. 26-30.

Downtown Akron Christmas:Lock 3 construction forces Akron to move its downtown ice rink for WinterBlast

How can I get tickets for Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet?

No tickets for Deck the Hall will be sold at the gate this season. All tickets must be purchased online ahead of time at stanhywet.org.

Ticket prices vary by day. The costs are: Monday through Thursday, $20 adults and $9 youth; and Friday through Sunday, $24 adults and $11 youth. Children ages 2 and younger are free, and college students with a valid ID are admitted at the youth rate.

Santa Claus is coming to town:Santa Claus set to arrive at Summit Mall in Fairlawn this week

What do the decorations look like inside of Stan Hywet?

The Music Room of the historic Stan Hywet is decorated for the holidays.
The Music Room of the historic Stan Hywet is decorated for the holidays.

In keeping with theme of Gracious Gatherings, the Manor House is mix of traditional Christmas décor with a bit of whimsy.

The grand Music Room is decorated in red, green and gold to honor Gertrude Seiberling's love of music. A collection of her holiday dresses, along with festive garments from other members of the Seiberling family, also are on display in the room.

The West Porch of the Manor House is filled with animals in tuxes, along with some gnomes taking a bubble bath.

There are 30 Christmas trees and 19 rooms decorated inside of the home this year.

What outside decorations are at Stan Hywet?

Gingerbread lane is a popular destination for families at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens over the holidays.
Gingerbread lane is a popular destination for families at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens over the holidays.

There's plenty to see and do outside of the historic Manor House.

The lawn and gardens are aglow with thousands and thousands of lights at night, and there's Dazzle night show set to music in the Grand Garden.

The Carriage House Courtyard is home to a large Christmas tree, along with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, who call Rudolph's Corral home.

The Courtyard is also home to two animated, old-fashioned window displays, including one that depicts 1920s Akron. The Gingerbread Hut and its famous warm gingerbread cookies, along with the Salty Reindeer, offers snacks and other refreshments for guests.

Gingerbread Land is a popular outdoor destination for kids and those seeking to take pictures.

The Corbin Conservatory offers a place to warm up and look over its collection of plants and take a photo in front of its poinsettia tree.

Craig Webb, who never misses the chance to have one of Stan Hywet's warm gingerbread cookies, can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron's Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens comes to life at Christmas