Candlelight Tours

When the Moravians became the first to open a school for Cherokee children in 1801, they enjoyed decorating their buildings and grounds with fresh cut greenery, candles, and written scripture banners. We can speculate that their "love feasts" and "singstundes" were the first Christmas celebrations on the Cherokee Nation. To celebrate, guests can enjoy a self-guided tour through our historic Cherokee Home with live music and hundreds of candles to light your path. Also, tour the Cherokee Farmstead and enjoy warm apple cider and Moravian cookies in our two-story Vann Kitchen Exhibit. Friends of the Vann House volunteers are ready to answer your questions and offer you some Christmas joy.
This event is held rain or shine, please dress for the weather.
Please arrive by 8p.m. to fully tour the house and grounds. Candles will be extinguished at 9p.m.
On these days (Dec 12 & 13 2025), tours of the house will only be held at 10am, 11am, and 12pm in preparation for the evening event.
Admission is $8 per person, children 5 and under are free.
Admission is paid at the door, no reservations necessary.
If you cannot make the event, the decorations will be in place through Christmas and can be seen on a guided tour during regular hours. Regular December hours are Thursday-Saturday, 9-5, with tours on the hour, except on the 12th and 13th of December, 2025.