AKRON, Ohio — Stan Hywet’s annual Deck the Hall event opened over Thanksgiving weekend to a sold-out crowd, with families bundled up against the cold to enjoy the former Seiberling family estate decked out in the lights and sounds of the holidays.

“I think people are looking for a little bit of magic this year,” said Stan Hywet Communications Manager Donna Spiegler.

What You Need To Know

  • Stan Hywet’s annual Deck the Hall event opened over Thanksgiving weekend to a sold-out crowd

  • Deck the Hall’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Christmas!” featuring décor representing Christmas movie classics and family favorites

  • The Manor House tour begins in the Reception Hall, which serves as the theater lobby and features a red carpet walk

  • Stan Hywet’s gardens and grounds are lit by more than 1 million lights and feature the choreographed Dazzle light show

Spiegler said she began promoting the event via social media in October, and the response was robust.

“It seems like people are just eager to be out celebrating the holidays this year,” she said.

This year’s Deck the Hall theme is “Lights, Camera, Christmas!” featuring décor representing Christmas movie classics and family favorites in 21 rooms and areas inside the Manor House and featuring 25 decorated trees.

 

 

 

The Manor House tour begins in the Reception Hall, which serves as the theater lobby and is decorated with ticket stubs, candy and popcorn. The hall features a red carpet walk down the Linenfold Hallway, which is decorated with walk-of-fame stars and film reels, organizers said.

Unique displays in several rooms, such as “The Nutcracker” in the Music Room, “Elf” in the Dining Room and “Harry Potter” in the Great Hall, were inspired and/or installed by local organizations, including Cleveland Ballet, Akron MakerSpace and Lego group, NEOLUG.

Outside, Stan Hywet’s gardens and grounds are lit by more than 1 million lights, with the choreographed, musical light show “Dazzle” in the Great Garden as the centerpiece.

Visitors can take family photos in Gingerbread Land and at the poinsettia tree in the Corbin Conservatory, where poinsettias in a variety of colors can be purchased.

In the Courtyard, kids can meet with Santa while adults peruse the animated displays in Molly’s Shop windows, which depict downtown Akron during the holidays in the 1920s, and a Gingerbread Bakeshop.

Deck the Hall runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night:

  • Thursday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec 5
  • Thursday, Dec. 9 through Thursday, Dec. 23
  • Sunday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Dec. 30

Organizers said masks are required in all indoor areas. 

Tickets are available on the Stan Hywet website.

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