Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet 2016 Season -- Akron, OH

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I was invited to participate in the Media Preview Night for Deck The Hall 2016 at Stan Hywet -- this is not intended to be a comprehensive post, because I absolutely want you to go experience Deck The Hall with your family. This is just a little taste of some of the new displays and decorations. Our preview took place last Friday on November 18, during the beautiful and unseasonable 70° weather that we experienced. You'll notice no snow in any of the photos and might note that I'm not even wearing a jacket. Deck The Hall certainly takes place in more chilly weather conditions, but there are places to duck inside to warm-up, and when the temperature is below freezing outdoor heaters will be placed throughout the grounds.

Deck The Hall features over 850,000 lights with both indoor and outdoor displays. There are local musicians, plenty of places for photo ops, and opportunities for both children and adults to be dazzled by the whimsy of Christmas scenes. Deck The Hall is Stan Hywet's yearly holiday celebration and it takes place on November 25-27 and December 1-4, 8-23, 26-30 from 5-8 pm. Tickets are available online and it's highly encouraged that you purchase them before arriving, although they are also available at Stan Hywet. If  you purchase your ticket in advance, make sure to bring the ticket that is emailed to you.

Our past experience with attending Deck The Hall cautions that it will be packed, if you're able to go on a week night rather than a weekend it would be best. Last year we attended on a Thursday with some friends visiting from out of state, but local schools were already out, so Stan Hywet was busy with families.




After you arrive and check-in, make sure to check out the tree lighting which takes place at 5:30 each night in the Courtyard with Santa.




Brand new this year is the Gingerbread Bake Shop window in the Courtyard -- this scene is fully animated. 




Also new this year is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, you can find him corralled next to Santa's seat. This is a great place for a photo opportunity if you have kids, they can visit with both Santa and Rudolph. 









The theme this year is A Storybook Christmas -- most decorated rooms in the manor house portray a popular and beloved Christmas Story. As in previous years, there will be musical entertainment in the Great Hall nightly.






A taste of the included scenes, don't worry, there is a sign with a synopsis of the book inspiration in each room: 







Other rooms are decorated in full Christmas splendor as well...





We took a walk down the Birch Tree Allee to the Tea Houses, this location holds a special place in my heart, because I'm getting married at this specific Stan Hywet location in the fall. I was excited to see both the Tea Houses and the Birch Tree Allee decorated for Deck the Hall -- it adds another layer of magic when you get to see your wedding ceremony location in a whole new light. 

Dazzle, the outdoor light show, has been reconfigured once again to feature new songs and light patterns. You can catch the show every twenty minutes while visiting Deck The Hall.




Corbin Conservatory is also decorated for Christmas and provides a cozy spot to warm up and take family photos during your visit. The poinsettia "tree" is another great photo spot, there are several thought bubble signs available to use for photos at the location. Just off Corbin Conservatory is Gingerbread Land which is the Playgarden transformed into a sugary gingerbread paradise.


There is always something new at Deck the Hall making it the perfect place to start a new family tradition. Thank you to Stan Hywet for extending an invitation to me for the event. Stan Hywet is one of my favorite Northeast Ohio locations and I am always happy to support their events. I look forward to many more visits to Stan Hywet in the future.
Check out Stan Hywet's website to learn more about Deck The Hall in 2016.

**Aside from the complimentary dinner that my guest and I received at Stan Hywet's Deck The Hall Preview, I was in no way, monetarily or otherwise, compensated for this post. All opinions written above are entirely my own, this post contains no affiliate links, and I am not receiving any monetary gain from this review.

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