The Main House at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay, the mansion formerly known as Coe Hall, is being decorated for the holidays with material cut from the estate's own gardens, and the public can walk through it on daily tours from Wednesday, December 9, through Wednesday, December 30. Santa is booked for a two-day festival in the house on December 19 and 20.

Planting Fields describes this year's decor as red, green and gold, built from greenery and flowers such as amaranthus, cypress, pine and hydrangea, with dressed tables and holiday details through the rooms.

Holiday House Tours, December 9 to 30

Self-guided tours run every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. (on opening day, December 9, they end at 1 p.m.). They cover the decorated first floor. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6 to 17, and free under 6.

Guided tours go further. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 12 through December 20, docents lead groups at 10, 11 and noon through the first floor and up to the second-floor bedrooms. Those tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for ages 6 to 17, and free under 6.

All sales are final, museum library passes are not accepted, and anyone under 18 has to come with an adult. A tour can be moved to another time by emailing [email protected] more than 48 hours ahead.

Home for the Holidays, with Santa, December 19 and 20

The family festival fills the Main House on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, in two sessions each day: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Santa is there for wishes and photos, along with crafts while supplies last, hot cocoa, cookies and music. The second floor is closed for this event.

Regular tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for ages 4 to 12; children under 3 are free. Doors open right at the start of each session, and Planting Fields asks guests to arrive no more than 15 minutes early. Strollers, backpacks and oversized bags stay in the car, and outside food and drinks are not allowed in the house.

Other December dates

  • First Fridays: Holiday Magic at the Main House, Friday, December 4, 10 to 11 a.m., a look at how the house is decorated. Details
  • Deck the Halls, Saturday, December 5, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the foundation's benefit evening with cocktails, a silent auction and a raffle. Tickets are $350, and proceeds go to the gardens and the Youth Leaders program. Details
  • Notes in Nature: Fireside Melodies, a violin and harp concert at 7 p.m. on December 18 and 19. The December 19 show is sold out and the 18th has limited seats. Details

Bring a can

From December 9 through December 30, visitors can drop off nonperishable food (canned goods, pasta, cereal, rice) for Nosh Delivers, a local food pantry. Anyone who donates during the festival weekend is entered in a drawing for two tickets to the Camellia Festival in February.

How to go

Sources