A Complete Guide to Christmas Town at the Tree Farm: Lights, Santa & Wagon Rides

Ever driven past one of those farms all lit up for the holidays and thought, “We should stop there sometime”? Well, this year’s your year. 

Christmas Town at local tree farms has become the thing families actually look forward to now. Forget fighting for parking at the mall—we’re talking real outdoor fun, actual Christmas spirit, and memories your kids won’t forget.

I’m gonna be straight with you. Taking my family to Christmas Town last December was hands-down better than any holiday activity we’d tried before. 

What Exactly Is Christmas Town?

So Christmas Town is basically when tree farms go all out for the holidays. They’re not just selling trees anymore—they’re creating these whole winter wonderlands. We’re talking thousands of twinkling lights, Santa’s workshop setup, wagon rides through decorated paths, hot cocoa stands, the whole nine yards.

Think of it like someone took everything great about the holidays and put it all in one place. You can walk around at your own pace, do whatever activities sound fun, and actually enjoy yourselves without feeling rushed. Most farms open their Christmas Town setup right after Thanksgiving and keep it going until just before Christmas.

The Light Displays That Make It Worth It

How Farms Set Up Their Lights

Here’s where Christmas Town really shines—literally. These farms string up thousands and thousands of lights across their property. We’re not talking basic strings of white lights. They build tunnels you walk through, light up entire trees from bottom to top, create scenes with reindeer and snowmen, the works.

Some farms go absolutely crazy with it. They’ll have synchronized light shows set to music, animated displays that move, and even projection mapping on buildings. It’s like the best neighborhood light display you’ve ever seen, but way bigger and more impressive.

Walking vs Wagon Tours

You can usually experience the lights two ways at Christmas Town. Walking around lets you stop wherever you want, take your time with photos, let kids run ahead and explore. It’s great if your family likes doing their own thing.

But the wagon rides? Man, that’s the move. You’re bundled up with blankets, riding through all the lit-up paths while someone else handles the driving. Kids love it, parents can relax, and you see everything without wearing out your legs. Evening wagon rides through Christmas Town hit different—trust me on this.

Meeting Santa (The Right Way)

Why Farm Santas Are Better

Every Christmas Town worth visiting has Santa set up somewhere special. But here’s what makes it better than those terrible mall experiences—farm Santas actually have time for your kids. No rushing, no stressed-out employees hurrying you along, none of that.

Your kid can sit there and tell Santa their entire wish list. They can ask him questions. They can just talk to him like a regular person. Last time we went, my son spent ten minutes explaining his Lego collection to Santa, and the guy just listened and asked questions. Try getting that at the mall.

Getting Good Santa Photos

The photo situation at Christmas Town is way better, too. Most farms have multiple backdrops set up—sleigh scenes, workshop settings, big Christmas trees. You’re not stuck with one boring chair against a fake fireplace.

Better yet, you can usually take your own photos instead of paying crazy prices for professional packages. Bring your phone, take as many shots as you want. The lighting’s good, Santa’s not rushing you, and kids are actually relaxed, so they smile for real.

Planning Your Christmas Town Visit

Picking the Right Day

Weeknights are your friend if you hate crowds. Way fewer people, shorter lines for everything, easier parking. But weekends have more energy and sometimes special events like carolers or visits from Mrs. Claus.

Early December gives you the full experience without the last-minute Christmas rush. Mid-December hits that sweet spot where everyone’s in the holiday mood but not stressed yet. Late December gets crazy busy, but also feels the most festive.

What You Actually Need

Dress warm but don’t go overboard. You’ll be moving around, so you’ll warm up. Layers work best—you can always take stuff off. Waterproof boots are a must because farm ground gets muddy. Gloves, hats, scarves, the usual winter gear.

Bring cash. Not every stand or vendor at Christmas Town takes cards. Your phone needs to be charged for photos. Maybe pack some hand warmers if you really hate being cold. And snacks for little kids who get hungry at weird times.

Don’t try to do everything in one visit. Pick three or four activities that matter most to your family and really enjoy those. Trying to rush through everything just makes everyone miserable.

Conclusion

Here’s my recommendation—make Christmas Town an annual thing. Take a photo in the same spot every year. Buy one ornament each visit. Write down the date and something funny that happened. These little touches turn a fun outing into a real family tradition.

My parents never did anything like this when I was growing up, so I’m kind of making up for lost time with my kids. But watching them get excited to go back each year, seeing them remember stuff from previous visits—that’s the payoff right there.

Looking for venues that really understand how to create special experiences? Places like Christmas at the Tree Farm bring that same magic to weddings and events year-round. If they can nail Christmas Town, they know what they’re doing for other celebrations, too.

FAQs

How much does Christmas Town usually cost? 

Most farms charge $10-25 per person, with kids under 2 usually free.

What are the best hours to visit? 

Evening visits after dark showcase the lights best, but daytime works great for younger kids.

Is Christmas Town good for toddlers? 

Absolutely—most activities work for all ages, and you can leave whenever you need to.

Do we need to buy a tree if we visit? 

Nope, you can just come for the Christmas Town experience and activities.

How long should we plan to spend there? 

Plan for 2-3 hours minimum to really enjoy everything without rushing.