Make a Reservation
Please note: the mansion will be closed October 5-19 for the deinstallation of the summer exhibition. During this time, admission includes viewing the gardens only.
October 6–19
Admission includes viewing the gardens only.
Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
$7 Adult
$4 Youth
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
Please note: the mansion will be closed October 5-19 for the deinstallation of the summer exhibition.
October 20–November 19
Admission includes viewing the mansion and gardens.
Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
$12 Adult
$7 Youth
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
Nutcracker in the Castle
November 20, 2026 – January 4, 2027
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker
Children enjoy free admission to self-guided tours with a paid adult admission
November 20–25
10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Reservations required
Children ages 17 and under enjoy free admission to self-guided tours of Nutcracker in the Castle November 20-25 with a paid adult admission, courtesy of Verve, a Credit Union. Verve will also collect donations to Toys for Tots under the giant Christmas tree.
$18 Adult
Free for Paine Members
Free for children ages 4 and under
Limit of five (5) free children per one adult admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Self-guided tours
Featuring 20 decorated settings and 70 Christmas trees in the historic Paine mansion
November 27, 2026–January 4, 2027
Monday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Reservations recommended
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
On self-guided tours, journey through more than 20 rooms and spaces elaborately decorated as the fantastic scenes of the Nutcracker story. On the first floor, each setting features a large storybook with illustrations that reveal a portion of the fairy tale. On the second floor, the rooms portray the home and lifestyle of the Stahlbaum family, as well as the workshop of Godfather Drosselmeyer and a wide variety of finely crafted wooden Nutcrackers. Throughout both floors, more than 60 mischievous mice are hidden within the settings.
$18 Adult
$13 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for Paine Members
Free for ages 4 and under
Reservations are especially recommended for Saturdays, and between Christmas and New Year’s. Reservations are admitted first, and walk-ins are only admitted if space allows.
Candlelight tours
Featuring the decorated settings illuminated by Christmas trees in the evening
November 27, 2026–January 4, 2027
Sundays | Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Mondays | Dec. 14 & 21 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Monday | Dec. 28 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Tuesdays | Dec. 15, 22, & 29 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Wednesdays | Dec. 23 & 30 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Thursdays | Dec. 3, 10, & 17 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Fridays | Nov. 27 & Dec. 4 | 4:30–8:00 PM
Reservations required
Candlelight tours offer guests an especially enchanting way to take a self-guided tour of the Nutcracker display in the evening. The lights of the “castle” are dimmed and the settings are illuminated by the glow of more than 70 Christmas trees. Guests receive electric candles to carry as while wandering through the glowing rooms.
$22 Adult
$16 Youth (ages 5–17)
Paine Members
$11 Adult
$8 Youth (ages 5–17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Guided tours
Featuring live musical, acting, and dance performances
November 28, 2026–January 3, 2027
Fridays | 5:00–8:00 PM*
Saturdays | 5:00–8:00 PM
Sundays | 12:00–3:30 PM
Tours begin every 30 minutes and last about an hour.
Reservations required
A guided tour of Nutcracker in the Castle brings the characters and scenes of the fairy tale to life. The tour begins with a festive party in the “Ballroom” and live performances by a string quartet. Guests enjoy punch and cookies while Godfather Drosselmeyer tells the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.
Afterwards, he leads guests through the elaborately decorated rooms of the mansion. The story culminates in the “Lands of Afar” where youth and professional dancers perform selections from the Nutcracker ballet. Guests then tour the second-floor rooms, which are fancifully decorated as Clara’s family home and Drosselmeyer’s workshop.
$40 Adult
$32 Youth (ages 5-17)
Paine Members
$30 Adult
$24 Youth (ages 5-17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Youth dancers from Valley Academy for the Arts perform November 28-29, December 5-6, and January 2-3. Professional dancers from the Minnesota Ballet perform December 12-13, 19-20, and 26-28. *Guided tours are not available on Friday, Dec. 4 or on Friday, Jan. 1.
Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café
Located in the Conservatory at the back of the Paine property
November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027
Thursdays & Fridays | 5:00–8:00 PM
Saturdays | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sundays | 12:30 PM–8:00 PM*
Closed on holidays
No reservations necessary
Kids Free Days at the Nutcracker hours
Nov. 20 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Nov. 21-22 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Nov. 23-25 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Additional holiday week hours
Dec. 14–15 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Dec. 21–23 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Dec. 28 | 12:30 PM–8:00 PM
Dec. 29-30 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Visit the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cupcake Café for a scrumptious treat before or after tours of Nutcracker in the Castle! There, you’ll meet a fairy from the Land of the Sugar Plums as you enjoy cupcakes and hot cocoa in a fairyland setting within the Paine’s Conservatory.
$9 includes a cupcake and endless pour of hot cocoa, milk or coffee.
*Sunday, Jan. 3 | 12:30–3:30 PM The Cupcake Café can accommodate some dietary restrictions (such as gluten-free). To inquire about this in advance, contact the events team at 920-235-6903 x145.