BATH — Spend a day of holiday gladness with the annual Christmas open house at Historic Bath, North Carolina’s first town. Festivities are Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Candlelight Delights, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All events are free, but donations are appreciated.

Start your day at the 1751 Palmer-Marsh house, with a harpsicord, woodwinds and vocal performance of the Ad Hoc Players, featuring Lorraine Hale and Don Shiffler. The evening continues with Lorraine Hale on harpsicord at the Palmer-Marsh House, with period interpretations of holiday favorites.

Other activities include:

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Bath Regatta prep and cruising Bath and Back Creeks

6 -7:50 p.m.

Candlelight tour of historic homes.

8 – 8:05 p.m.

Lighting the Christmas tree and singing “O Christmas Tree” (words provided)

8:05 – 8:30 p.m.

Performance by River Road Ringers

8:50-8:58 p.m.

Reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”

8:58-9 p.m.

“Silent Night” sing-a-long

For additional information on the site and programs, please visit

www.bath.nchistoricsites.org, follow on Facebook @historicbath or call 252-923-3971. Historic Bath is located at 207 Carteret St., Bath, NC 27808 and part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.