Oakland, CA - City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation invites you to step back in time and experience a turn-of-the-century Holiday Tradition at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate. There, you can tour the magnificent 16,224 square foot, 37-room mansion thatvolunteers have put in more than 5,000 hours to transform into a breathtaking masterpiece of an Edwardian holiday. Each room is decorated with elegant holiday trees, garlands, antique furnishings and festive decorations to provide you with ideas for your own home decorations. Your family and friends will enjoy quality moment together as you stroll the lovely turn of the century 50-acre estate in the breathtaking Oakland Hills.
Additionally, you can indulge in the adult or children's holiday teas, ride the romantic horse-drawn carriage, sip some hot chocolate while being entertained by holiday performers. Enjoy a light snack in the Winter Café and fill your holiday shopping list by purchasing from the mansion gift shop or the Carriage House Crafters. Children will enjoy the Kid's Zone with horseback riding, holiday face painting, crafts and Breakfast with Santa. On opening day - December 3rd, join in on the biggest Holiday Sing-Along on the Great Meadow that the Holiday Tradition has celebrated over the last 41 years.
This year's program has been expanded to include:
Sunday, December 11, you can start with Breakfast with Santa while you enjoy the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees; followed by the special guest appearance of Oakland Ballet's "The Nutcracker Suite" at 1pm; and immediately followed by the Scottish Dancers at 2pm. Bring the children and entire family...!
Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR) Director Audree V. Jones-Taylor sums it up when she said, "Holiday traditions help us create memories and have lasting impacts on our children. So we invite everyone to 'Come Out and Play the OPR Way' and have a great time at the Annual Holiday Tradition activities."
Events start December 3rd through 18th (Saturdays and Sundays only) from 11:00am - 5:00pm. The Estate is located at 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, off 106th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605.
The Mansion is open on Fridays for tour groups. For more information, or to schedule a holiday tour please call 925-866-9559; or visit http://www.dunsmuir-hellman.com/
