Enjoy a hike along the beautiful trails at Gillette Castle State Park as part of the national First Day Hikes initiative!

Are you curious about the history of the trails you will traverse? Check out the Hiking & History Map created by the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, which provides information layered on top of the recently updated DEEP map!

The Visitor’s Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special events New Years Day (weather-dependent)

Self guided hikes - all day - Print the Hiking & History map at home, and bring more insight to your hike! Printed maps are also available at the welcome table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a $1 donation for the map is appreciated to defray printing costs.

Hot cider and trail maps - from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  Welcome table with trail maps that explain the route of William Gillette's trail system, and hot cider to keep everyone warm and toasty.

Guided hikes: departing the Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. (departing every half hour between 10:30am and 1pm, except there is no hike at noon)

Participate in guided hikes of the route followed by William Gillette's narrow-gauge train system. The hikes are each approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long, and they cover gentle and flat trails that have some brief climbs. Guided hikes will be limited to 20 visitors each, and REQUIRE advance registration at the links below.  Sturdy shoes and warm clothing is recommended. We hope to see you there! If a guided hike is cancelled, everyone who signed up will get an email. Deadline for advance registration is December 31st at noon.

Registration for guided hikes:

Register here for the 2025 First Day Hikes

Join the Gillette Castle holiday helpers!

Volunteers are needed in both set-up, and during, the treasured Holiday program at Gillette Castle. Make a contribution to your community and have a great time doing it!

Join us at our decorating events!

All events start at 10 a.m. and finish when we are done (generally around 1 p.m.). Show up for the whole time or drop by for an hour.

A sign on the Visitor Center door will provide location information.

Sun. Nov. 3: Tree assembly and fluffing

Sat. Nov. 16: Castle interior (sorry but children under 12 cannot be accommodated at this event).

Sat. Nov. 23: Exterior decorations and cider station

Sun. Nov 24: Visitor Center and rain date for exterior decorations

Join the Gillette Castle holiday helpers!

Volunteers are needed in both set-up, and during, the treasured Holiday program at Gillette Castle. Make a contribution to your community and have a great time doing it!

Join us at our decorating events!

All events start at 10 a.m. and finish when we are done (generally around 1 p.m.). Show up for the whole time or drop by for an hour.

A sign on the Visitor Center door will provide location information.

Sun. Nov. 3: Tree assembly and fluffing

Sat. Nov. 16: Castle interior (sorry but children under 12 cannot be accommodated at this event).

Sat. Nov. 23: Exterior decorations and cider station

Sun. Nov 24: Visitor Center and rain date for exterior decorations

Join the Gillette Castle holiday helpers!

Volunteers are needed in both set-up, and during, the treasured Holiday program at Gillette Castle. Make a contribution to your community and have a great time doing it!

Join us at our decorating events!

All events start at 10 a.m. and finish when we are done (generally around 1 p.m.). Show up for the whole time or drop by for an hour.

A sign on the Visitor Center door will provide location information.

Sun. Nov. 3: Tree assembly and fluffing

Sat. Nov. 16: Castle interior (sorry but children under 12 cannot be accommodated at this event).

Sat. Nov. 23: Exterior decorations and cider station

Sun. Nov 24: Visitor Center and rain date for exterior decorations

Join the Gillette Castle holiday helpers!

Volunteers are needed in both set-up, and during, the treasured Holiday program at Gillette Castle. Make a contribution to your community and have a great time doing it!

Join us at our decorating events!

All events start at 10 a.m. and finish when we are done (generally around 1 p.m.). Show up for the whole time or drop by for an hour.

A sign on the Visitor Center door will provide location information.

Sun. Nov. 3: Tree assembly and fluffing

Sat. Nov. 16: Castle interior (sorry but children under 12 cannot be accommodated at this event).

Sat. Nov. 23: Exterior decorations and cider station

Sun. Nov 24: Visitor Center and rain date for exterior decorations

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.

Enjoy live theater in the home of one of America's theatrical giants, William Gillette. Attendees to all performances will be treated to a reception with light refreshments on the terrace of the Castle, where they can chat with the actors and producer after the show.

• October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

• Friday and Saturday night performances at 7 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

This New England premiere production, “William and James – A Ghost Story,” will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle. This 90-minute performance depicts an imagined conversation between two giants of the Victorian Broadway stage, on the opening night of Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” The players are James O’Neill, the boisterous Shakespearean, and William Gillette, who has changed American theatre forever with his naturalistic approach.  The gentlemen banter about their acting styles, their commitment to the stage, and their personal lives… yet as they toast their success, they are haunted…by people, what ifs, regrets, loss and love.

The souvenir shop within the Visitor Center will also be open, to allow guests to purchase a remembrance of their visit.  Playwright Gina Tracy will be on hand to sign copies of the script, which will be available for $5.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The venue for the performance, the great room of Gillette Castle, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot.  Visitors will be asked to check in at the Visitor Center before the show and use the facilities there since there are no public bathrooms inside the Castle. We recommend planning to arrive at least a half hour before the show begins.