Special Events

Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour, May 18-20

Mount Vernon’s Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour celebrates the history of wine in Virginia with candlelit tours of the Mansion, including the rarely-open basement where Washington stored his wine, and live jazz on the east lawn overlooking the scenic Potomac River.  Guests sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries, learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, and meet “George and Martha Washington” on the Mansion's piazza.

Situated on the lawn overlooking the Potomac River, a very limited number of private tables are available.  Perfect for corporate entertaining or a special evening with friends, the private tables seat 12 guests and include admission, a fruit & cheese platter, 3 bottles of Mount Vernon wine, and VIP table service.  Tables are $1000 and may be purchased online.

To accompany the wine tasting, Fruit & Cheese Boxes are available by advance purchase only for $26.  

Outside food and beverage are not allowed.  Tickets are $35 and sales begin April 9 at 10 a.m. at the Ford Orientation Center or online. Concessions by the Mount Vernon Inn are available for purchase on site. This is a popular event; early ticket purchase is suggested.

Individual tickets for Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 are SOLD OUT, but VIP tables are still available.

Click here to purchase tickets for the Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour!

Sunset Celebration, May 25-27

Historic Mount Vernon invites visitors to an unforgettable evening experience! Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon, an event over Memorial Day weekend (May 25 – 27), offers a rare opportunity to visit Mount Vernon after the daytime crowds have departed. Visitors may take evening tours of the Mansion, relax and enjoy wine and desserts available for purchase, and delight in 18th-century music, dancing, games, and wagon rides.

Stroll the lantern-lit grounds from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and immerse yourself in the 18th century as the sun sets on the plantation and costumed residents like the charming Lady Washington and her granddaughter Nelly interact with visitors. Watch as costumed interpreters demonstrate the 18th-century chocolate-making process using an authentic colonial recipe!

Tickets are $18, adults; $12, children ages 6-11; and free for five and under.

Click here to purchase tickets for the Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon!

Coming Soon:

Gentleman Distiller: Dinner and Whiskey Tasting, August 3, 2012
Public Sale: Begins June 1 at 10 a.m.

Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour, October 5-7, 2012
Member Pre-sale: August 20 at 10 a.m. – August 24 at 5 p.m.
Public Sale: Begins August 27 at 10 a.m.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight, November 23-December 16, 2012
Member Pre-sale: October 22 at 10 a.m. – October 26 at 5 p.m.
Public Sale: November 1 at 10 a.m.