Dundurn Castle is one of Hamilton's most famous landmarks.

In Hamilton, dreams of sugarplum fairies, mistletoed manors and candlelit castles are made real. "Our city is a portal to Christmases past," says Ted Flett of Tourism Hamilton, adding that families can relive the holidays as celebrated in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, re-created in enchanting detail at most of the steel city's historic sites.

The city's horticultural masterpiece, the Royal Botanical Gardens (inspired by Britain's Kew Gardens), is awash in Yuletide hues and aromas designed to stir the imagination -- and stimulate decorating ideas.

On dazzling display are poinsettias and holiday plants, indoor tropical plants, Mediterranean plants, orchids, cacti and succulents (in bloom through December), and spring-flowering bulbs, Mediterranean plants, orchids, cacti and succulents.

Always a tourist hub, Dundurn Castle is Hamilton's homage to its storied past. Overlooking Lake Ontario, Hamilton's most famous landmark offers an insightful chronicle of Canadian military history at the adjacent Military Museum, as well as delectable meals in the on-site Coach House Restaurant.

Built by Sir Allan Napier MacNab, premier of the United Canadas in 1854, the Italianate mansion was modelled and named after his family home in Perthshire, Scotland. He called the mansion Dundurn Castle, aptly translated as 'fort on the water.'

Interpreters in period dress delight today's guests in a Victorian Christmas celebration (continuing to Jan. 2, from noon to 4 p.m.).

"It's a page right out of our history, intended for families to experience the magic and charm of an Ontario Christmas a century ago," says Ken Heanan, acting curator of the national historic site.

Traditional Victorian decorations of cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers suffusing Dundurn are the artistry of The Garden Club of Hamilton. Watch out for the kissing ball!

Dundurn Castle is decked out for visitors by candlelight, accompanied by carol singing in the front hall, and samples of Victorian recipe treats, including sugar biscuits, lemon turnovers, and fresh-baked bread served in the historic kitchen. Tours run through Dec. 30 (Thursday through Sunday). Be sure to book early, these tours sell out fast, $19.

Costumed staffers decorate the dining room of Dundurn Castle.

Close to the downtown core, the Whitehern Historic Home and Garden is also clad in its best Christmas finery. The splendidly restored Georgian home built in 1852 by the McQuesten family, who developed the first iron foundry in Hamilton and established the Royal Botanical Gardens, affords visitors a glimpse into the Christmas festivities of a moneyed mogul.

Whitehern holds a Family Christmas (Dec. 11 and 19, 1-4 p.m.) with live music, refreshments and children's activities.

"Cross the threshold of our 200-year-old homestead to experience the sights, smells and sounds of an early 19th century Christmas," says Susan Ramsay, curator of Stoney Creek's Battlefield House Museum

The estate, built in 1796, is now refurbished to its 1830s condition. It played a significant role in the War of 1812 (hence its name), and was the colonial home of the well-heeled Gage family. According to Ramsay, a typical Christmas meal presented by Mrs. Gage would include corn soup, stuffed turkey or goose, gravy, a candied sweet potato dish, green beans, turnip and apples, black walnut cake, Marlborough pudding and after-dinner mints along with hot mulled cider.

Historical interpreters in Regency-style garb relive a time when tallow candles provided the only light and evergreen boughs, golden yarrow and shiny rosehips bedecked mantles.

On Dec. 11, for two sittings (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.), Battlefield House is filled with children for a gingerbread house workshop.

Kids can decorate their own gingerbread house to take home. It's followed by a tour of the museum, and a visit with St. Nicholas. $20 per child, pre-registration is required.

"In our city, we don't just celebrate the Holiday spirit, we embrace it," says Flett.

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BOTTOM LINE

TOURISM HAMILTON: 34 James St. S., Hamilton, ON L8P 2X8, 905-546-2666 or 800-263-8590 or hamiltonundiscovered.com.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS: 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington, 905-527-1158, 905-825-5040 or rbg.ca.

DUNDURN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: 610 York Blvd., 905-546-2872 or hamilton.ca.

WHITEHERN HISTORIC HOUSE: 41 Jackson St. W., 905-546-2018 or hamilton.ca.

BATTLEFIELD HOUSE: 77 King St. W., Stoney Creek, 905-662-8458 or hamilton.ca.