Chester Township · New Jersey
Alstede Farms — Chester
Reserve a Douglas-fir field outing, compare a broader retail tree selection, or book Santa brunch at the separate Harvest Hall address.
At a glance
Plan your visit.
- Booked cut-your-own Douglas fir · 5–7 feet
- $124.99 per tree
- Tree season
- Booked field days November 21–December 13; Santa brunch December 12–13
- Find the farm
- 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
- General Alstede Farms visitor enquiries908-879-7189
Reserve an announced field date; retail trees and brunch add-on pricing are separate
All tree prices ↓Hours: Field days 10am–3pm; brunch seatings at 10am or noon
Dates & hours ↓
Trees & prices.
Official prices ↗| Selection & size | Price |
|---|---|
| Booked cut-your-own Douglas fir · 5–7 feet | $124.99 per tree Reserve an announced field date; retail trees and brunch add-on pricing are separate |
Dates & hours.
Official visit information ↗Tree season: Booked field days November 21–December 13; Santa brunch December 12–13
| Announced tree outing and Santa brunch dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Cut-your-own · November 21–22 and 27–29 | 10am–3pm; reserve the chosen date |
| Cut-your-own · December 5–6 and 12–13 | 10am–3pm; reserve the chosen date |
| Santa brunch · December 12–13 | 10am or noon; 90 minutes; arrive 15 minutes early |
Santa brunch and its parking are at Harvest Hall, 100 Route 24. Retail shopping has separate opening and stock.
Choose your Christmas tree.
The booked cut-your-own outing offers Douglas fir only, around 5–7 feet, at $124.99 for each tree. A haywagon takes visitors to the tree barn. The event includes a complimentary cup of cocoa or cider by the fire, photo opportunities and help wrapping and loading the tree. Choose one of the announced dates below and check the exact ticket conditions before buying.
Retail trees are a separate selection: Douglas, concolor, balsam, Fraser and noble fir, including taller choices. Ask about current heights, individual prices, delivery and setup. Retail varieties and sizes do not describe the Douglas-only cut-your-own field.
Tree species
- Douglas fir
- Concolor fir
- Balsam fir
- Fraser fir
- Noble fir
The farm visit.
Compare the retail firs
The farm’s retail guide describes these practical differences; choose from the actual trees available.
| Tree | Useful differences |
|---|---|
| Douglas fir | Dense, soft light-green or yellowish needles; branches suit lighter ornaments. |
| Concolor fir | Blue-green foliage with a citrus scent. |
| Balsam fir | Short dark-green needles and a fragrant evergreen aroma. |
| Fraser fir | Blue-green needles with silvery undersides, stiff branches and good needle retention. |
| Noble fir | Short blue-green needles and stiff branches for heavier ornaments, with good needle retention. |
Wreaths and the country market
Decorated or plain wreaths range from 6–48 inches and can be customized to your colors. Grave blankets, pillows and crosses, white-pine roping and centerpieces provide other decorating choices. The farm market has baked goods, cider and groceries as separate purchases.
The farm has previously run free-admission Country Christmas weekends. Confirm whether a general program is returning; the listed tree outing and Santa brunch require their own purchases. The market generally lists 9am–6pm opening, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter closures; confirm holiday shopping hours.
Santa brunch is at Harvest Hall
Book a table for December 12 or 13, choosing the 10am or noon seating. Brunch is indoors at Harvest Hall, 100 Route 24 in Chester, with parking at that address. Use those event directions rather than the ordinary 1 Alstede Farms Lane entrance. The buffet and Santa meeting are included; bring your own camera.
Each seating lasts a strict 90 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes early; arriving late leaves only the remaining seating time. The posted prices below are for entire tables, and any checkout taxes or fees should be checked before paying.
An optional Douglas-fir cut-your-own add-on is described for trees around 5–7 feet, with saws and guidance supplied. It is separate from the brunch table; confirm its price and collection arrangements when booking.
| Booking | Posted price | Essential conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Table for 4 | $259.99 | Whole-table booking; 90-minute seating. |
| Table for 6 | $379.99 | Whole-table booking; 90-minute seating. |
| Table for 8 | $489.99 | Whole-table booking; 90-minute seating. |
| Listed additional seat | $64.99 | Requires a base table. The description also calls tables fixed; confirm whether your table can add a seat. |
| High chair for a child under 2 | Free listing | The description also says age 2 and younger are free. Confirm age-two pricing and seating before booking. |
Food stops with separate hours
The dining guide lists burgers, veggie burgers and empanadas at the Hen House, with ice cream and coffee drinks elsewhere on the farm. These are separate purchases, beyond the cup included with the field-tree ticket or the booked brunch buffet.
The guide’s counter hours are 11am–3pm weekdays and 10am–4pm weekends, with the ice-cream store listed 9am–6pm. Confirm holiday operation before relying on a particular counter.
Event conditions and field access
The current tree and brunch tickets are final sale, with no weather refunds. Attractions may depend on weather, and the tree event is smoke-free. Check the selected date’s conditions before paying.
The farm’s linked general pick-your-own policy excludes pets and other animals from its fields. Confirm any tree-event-specific access arrangements with the farm before bringing an animal.
Arrange professional farm photography
Professional photography or film work requires prior arrangement, with its own access fees. The Next Level package provides a private guide for a family of up to five plus their own photographer; the photographer’s services are not supplied by the farm. After Hours offers the same group access after 6pm, subject to arrangement and seasonal availability. Confirm winter times and current rates.
Contact 908-528-8823 for professional photography or film-location arrangements. Film work and catering can be discussed by quote; these are separate from ordinary tree shopping or the included event photo opportunities. The operator states that its staff may take publicity photographs of visitors and treats presence on the farm as agreement to that stated policy.
| Package | Posted access fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Next Level | $100 per hour | Private guide; family up to five plus their own photographer. |
| After Hours | $149 per hour | Same group access after 6pm; confirm seasonal scheduling and approval. |
Other farms to compare.
- Anne Ellen Christmas Tree FarmManalapan Township, New Jersey
Walk mixed fir, spruce and pine fields, or choose a pre-cut tree under the lights; the shops and separately ticketed Village offer different ways to extend the visit.
- Conover’s FarmWall Township, New Jersey
Select and tag a field tree for staff cutting, with heights from four feet to more than twelve and a separate reservation-and-pickup routine.
- Keris Tree Farm & Christmas ShopUpper Freehold Township, New Jersey
Compare field-grown fir, spruce and pine with pre-cut noble and Fraser fir, then browse a Christmas shop with handmade bells, ornaments and fresh greenery.