Eden Gardens Christmas Candlelight Open House is a Beautiful Tradition

The Friends of Eden Gardens State Park invite the public to the annual Eden Gardens State Park Christmas Candeach year in December for one night.

It's a fabulous tradition with an evening walk among the luminaries through the Park to the Historic Wesley House where you'll be greeted by carolers on the wide southern porch. Take a guided tour through the house and admire the beautifully decorated rooms. Guests can even vote on their favorite room. After the tour is complete, the Friends of Eden will be providing refreshments in the pavilion.  

Eden Gardens Christmas Candlight Open House is truly a sight to behold. It's a South Walton holiday tradition enjoyed by many friends and neighbors, visitors and locals every holiday season on the Saturday night before Christmas! Dozens of volunteers from local businesses and organizations volunteer their time and talents decorating assigned rooms of the Wesley mansion.  

Make plans to bring your friends and family to share a beautiful experience at Eden Gardens. Admission fees to the park are waived for the event. Donations to the Friends of Eden are welcome. Eden Gardens State Park is located in historic Point Washington, north of Hwy 98. There is ample parking available within the park. For further information call 267-8320. 
 

Many volunteers gathered during November to transform the Wesley House into a Christmas wonderland. Here are some of the highlights of people and themes from the past:

Jacque Wright and Angela Atkinson of Jacque Wright Designs decorated the downstairs entry way, upstairs hallway, and the staircase with the theme of "Deck the Halls".

Anna Lisa Daniel of Clay nursery will "Make a Joyful Song this Christmas" on the Sun porch.

Members of Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach "Invite you to a Christmas Garden Party" in the Parlor.

Russ Barley and Tim Ard of Emerald Coast Flowers and Gifts will be bringing "Christmas Elegance" to the Dining room.

Members of the Pt. Washington Historical Society will be having "A Victorian Christmas Tea" in the Library.

The upstairs Sun porch is "Frozen in Time" by the Seagrove Garden Club.

Ali Weil has decorated the Blue Bedroom with "Winter Blooms".

Tara Stacey has created "A Child's Christmas Dream" In the Pink Bedroom.

The children of South Walton Montessori Academy decorated the children's bedroom with the theme of "A Children's Christmas".

Park Specialist Lynda Smith has created a "Victorian Red" in the Red Bedroom.
 

Many thanks to Friends of Eden Gardens State Park, volunteers, decorators, and many others from throughout the SoWal community for contributing your time and resources and making this Christmas holiday tradition so magical.

Members from the Point Washington Historical Society place hundreds illuminations lining the drive into the park and around the mansion. This group of merry men and women comes together at Eden Gardens year after year, creating lighted pathways in and around the park. Supplies for the luminaries are made possible with the generous support of local businesses and patrons.
 

Eden Gardens State Park consists of approximately 163 acres of land that was part of the historic Wesley homestead. The focal point of the park is the Wesley house, a beautifully renovated, two-story house with elegant white columns and wraparound porch complete with rocking chairs. Surrounded by moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens, the Wesley house inspires visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry.

Eden Gardens State Park is located on Hwy 395 North just north of Seagrove Beach, across highway 98 in Point Washington, along the shores of Tucker Bayou and the Choctawhatchee Bay. Gracing Eden are gardens everywhere, the beautiful legacy of the many gardeners and master gardeners who belong to the Friends of Eden Gardens State Park, and give lovingly of their time and labor.
 

Wesley House Guided Tours at Eden Gardens State Park are select days during the year. Tour the Park grounds any day between 8am and sundown, 365 days per year! Enjoy a guided tour of a Greek-Revival style home and the second largest collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States, in addition to other antiques of the Lois Maxon estate collection. Miss Maxon was a writer and publisher in the early to mid-1900s.

Read more about Eden Gardens State Park and history at SoWal Parks Guide.