Shady Brook Farm

The holiday shop and a bite to eat

The Farm Market and Greenhouse bring trees, fresh wreaths, greenery, poinsettias, ornaments and gifts together in one stop. Gourmet food gifts and holiday decorations give you plenty to browse after choosing your tree.

Food and drinks are separate purchases. The Farmer’s Kitchen serves sandwiches, salads and farm favorites Sunday–Thursday 11am–6pm and Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm. Santa’s Village has food stands, hot cocoa and s’mores kits. Stone’s Throw Pub is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday 11am–6pm, and Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm. Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens Wednesday–Saturday 11am–10pm and Sunday 11am–6pm.

• Farm pet and service-animal policy ↗

Santa visits and photo packages

Visiting Santa does not require a purchase, but personal photographs are not permitted. The farm offers professional packages instead, with prices, package contents and Santa appearances subject to change. Santa visits are offered on November weekends and daily December 1–23; use the farm’s Santa calendar for the particular day’s appearance.

The Santa calendar lists November 21 and 22, 5–10pm; November 23, 5–9pm; November 28, 5–10pm; November 29, 2–10pm; and November 30, 2–9pm. In December, times are 5–9pm on December 1–4, 8–11 and 15–17; 5–10pm on December 5, 12, 18 and 19; 2–10pm on December 6, 13 and 20–23; and 2–9pm on December 7 and 14. Santa appearances end December 23. These times are separate from tree shopping and light-show hours.

• Santa’s Village and calendar ↗

The Holiday Light Show by wagon or car

The light show follows the same route whether you drive your own vehicle or ride an open-air wagon. Tune the car radio to 90.7 FM for holiday music on the drive-through. Allow about 20–25 minutes in the car on quieter nights and up to 40 minutes at peak times; wagons take roughly 30 minutes, or up to 45 minutes when busy.

Wagon rides run November 22–January 3, with half-hour entry slots Sunday–Thursday 5–8pm and Friday–Saturday 5–9pm. They close on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Dress warmly for the open-air ride; wagons operate only when weather permits. Drive-through tickets list November 21–January 3, followed by selected Fridays and Saturdays January 8–30. Arrival hours are Sunday–Thursday 5–10pm and Friday–Saturday 5–11pm. Driving operates rain or shine unless weather is dangerous; use the date selector for the available arrival slot.

Admission is separate from tree shopping. Regular wagon tickets are per person, drive-through admission is per vehicle and private wagons are priced per wagon. Guests age 24 months and older need wagon/event admission; children 23 months and younger are free. A 5% local amusement tax is added to event ticket orders. Advance tickets are recommended, and private wagons must be reserved ahead. Gate tickets cost $5 more for the drive-through or $3 more per wagon rider. Follow the parking attendant’s directions when arriving for Santa’s Village or a wagon ride; drive-through guests can buy from a food vendor at the route entrance.

• Holiday Light Show and tickets ↗

Drive-through vehicle prices

Choose a date, half-hour arrival slot and vehicle type before buying. Car and minivan prices change by date, while the posted mini-bus or limousine rate is $75 and a bus is $150. The table gives advance vehicle prices; drive-through tickets bought at the gate are $5 more, and event ticket orders carry the 5% amusement tax. These prices cover the light-show drive, rather than a tree or a private campfire.

• Drive-through dates and vehicle tickets ↗

S’mores and private campfires

Santa’s Village and Candy Cane Lane have no entrance charge. Public firepits are first come, first served; buy cocoa and a s’mores kit if you would like something warm while you gather around the fire. The village map also marks a playground near the music stage. Village hours and Santa’s particular appearance times are separate: the light-show information lists village hours Sunday–Thursday 5–10pm and Friday–Saturday 5–9pm, with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

A separately reserved private campfire gives your group a gathering area, pre-lit fire, extra wood, benches and tables. Frosty’s Firepits sit near the Farm Market and hold up to 20 guests; Comet’s Campfires are in the Festival Field and hold up to 40. Choose the date and site in the reservation selector and confirm its session time before making plans. Light-show admission is not included. You may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks, or order farm catering at least 72 hours ahead for delivery to the site. The farm works with guests to reschedule in bad weather.

• Private holiday campfires ↗

Live music on the patio

The Farm Market patio hosts live music on selected holiday evenings. Gather by a fire with a purchased hot cocoa while enjoying the performers; the music schedule below is separate from Santa appearances, tree-shopping hours and light-show entry.

Breakfast with Santa

The separately reserved breakfast brings a buffet, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and one 5×7 Santa photograph per child together at your table. Count every guest when choosing a table, including children who need highchairs. The buffet includes eggs and an omelet station, breakfast meats, potatoes, waffles, French toast, pastries, fruit, juice, milk, coffee, tea and a hot-chocolate bar. Bloody Marys and mimosas are sold separately.

Posted seating times are 9am and 11am on November 30 and December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21. Tables are $140 for four people, $210 for six and $280 for eight. Reservations are non-refundable; unused ticket value can be transferred through the farm’s exchange process. Check the breakfast page for bookable dates before making plans.

• Breakfast with Santa ↗