Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour

Photograph by Joy Kennedy

The Friends of Fourth Ward association hosts its 36th Holiday Home Tour, this year a three-day event showcasing the neighborhood's elegant Victorians, urban condominiums, cultural institutions and historic places – all dressed in their holiday finery, as well as many free special events, including tastings, appetizers at local restaurants, carriage rides and previews of "The Nutcracker" by the NC Dance Theatre.

Tickets include entrance to luxurious private residences and historic locations, including 8 private uptown homes, (4 beautifully restored Victorians, 2 townhomes & 2 condominiums) along with the North Carolina Dance Theatre, and special holiday surprises at the 7th Street Public Market.

2013 Tour Dates & Times

• Friday, December 6th: 5 – 9 pm
• Saturday, December 7th: 5 – 9 pm
• Sunday, December 8th: 1 – 5 pm

All weekend, choirs and hand bell ensembles will play seasonal music on the porches of neighborhood homes. Tour-goers also will receive complimentary horse and carriage rides through the neighborhood and to the 7th Street Public Market, plus samples of beer, wine and food samples (while they last).

Photograph by Joy Kennedy

Vendors providing complimentary refreshments and tastings within homes or at official stops along the tour route include: 

• Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 
• Mert’s Heart & Soul, 
• Cowbell Burger & Bar, 
• Mortimer’s Café & Pub, 
• Local Loaf, 
• Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, 
• Fourth Ward Bread Co., 
• Allen Tate Realtors and 
• 7th Street Public Market. 

Center City restaurants offering selected free appetizers to tour ticket holders who visit during tour hours include: 

• Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 
• Delta’s Restaurant, 
• Dillinger’s Taproom and 
• Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza. 

Tour-goers must present their tour guidebooks to receive complimentary appetizers.

Photograph by
Virginia Dunn

North Carolina Dance Theatre

For the first two hours of the tour each day, NCDT invites tour-goers to preview live Nutcracker rehearsals, tour the studios and costume shop, and enjoy complimentary food and beer. Nutcracker tickets will be on sale for up to 50% off. Visit the NCDT website for more info.

7th Street Public Market

The Market, an official stop on the tour, will be open during all tour hours, offering complimentary cider & cookies, live seasonal music, wine and cheese specials, plus tastings, samplings and great options for holiday shopping. At 6 pm on Friday, 7SPM will unveil “Nutcrackers on Parade.” Tour-goers will receive free horse-drawn carriage rides between the Market and the heart of Historic Fourth Ward. Visit 7thstreetpublicmarket.com for more info.

The McNinch House Restaurant & Victorian Home

On Sunday only, tour-goers can visit the historic McNinch House restaurant and Victorian home, including a tour of the newly renovated and never-before-seen private residence upstairs.

Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour Tickets

Tour tickets are $25, and are good for all 3 days. They may be purchased in advance online at www.fofw.org or at these retail outlets:

Photograph by
Joy Kennedy

• Alexander Michael’s Restaurant & Tavern, 
• Park Road Books, 
• Blis Uptown Gift Boutique, 
• 7th Street Public Market, and 
• all Charlotte-area Brixx Pizzas, Dean & Delucas and FastFrames. 

During tour hours, ticket-holders redeem their tickets for tour guidebooks at the tour ticket booth at the corner of 9th & Poplar Streets in Fourth Ward, or at the 7th Street Public Market. Same day tickets are also available at the Ticket Booth and Market. Additional tour information and group rates is available at www.fofw.org. 

Parking

Photograph by
Virginia Dunn

All tour stops are within walking distance of one another. Limited free on-street parking is available throughout the neighborhood. Additional flat fee ($5) parking is available in the surface lot adjacent to the 7th Street Public Market at 224 E. 7th Street. Free horse-drawn carriages will transport tour-goers between the Market and the Holiday Home Tour.

The Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour is presented by Allen Tate Realtors. Supporting sponsors include North Carolina Dance Theatre, 102.9 The Lake, 7th Street Public Market and Charlotte Center City Partners. Tour proceeds benefit the non-profit Friends of Fourth Ward neighborhood organization.