12 Ways to Explore Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan

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This week on the blog, we have the PERFECT spot to celebrate all things Christmas every day of the year: Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The world’s (self proclaimed) largest Christmas store has over two acres of retail space alone, with plenty of festive outdoor displays and even a recreated chapel, on its 27 acre campus. Wally and Irene Bronner founded the Christmas decor business in the early 1940 and later expanded the store to its current location in 1977.

posing with an ornament at Bronner's in Frankenmuth, MI

On a recent summer stay in Frankenmuth (definitely worth a visit!), we got into the Christmas spirit a little early with a trip to Bronner’s. We walked through the equivalent of almost two football fields of displays filled with over 50,000 items for sale, including more than 8,000 styles of ornaments (every conceivable interest, hobby, sports team, food), many of which are exclusive to the company, and all of which can be personalized on site while you shop! Bronner’s also has over 300 Christmas trees (prelit, decorated, and bare), light sets, train sets, over 550 different Nativity scenes, and thousands of gifts available for purchase. 

tree display celebrating the 250th birthday of America at Bronner's in Frankenmuth, MI

Travel Tips:

  • Bronner’s is open 361 days a year (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Day)- check here for up to date information on hours for the store and various activities.
  • There are two entrances to the main retail space: West Entrance, closest for Parcel Pick-Up, and ornaments, trees, and lights; and South Entrance, closest to the Silent Night Chapel, Program Center, and Santa. Both entrances have check out options, restrooms, and lobbies.
  • If you’re traveling from a distance, Bronner’s offers a flat rate shipping of all items purchased directly to your home- more info here. 
  • The entire store is handicap accessible; we definitely recommend bringing the stroller for the toddler crew and keeping an eye on little children. Strollers and wheel chairs are available for loan. 
  • Restrooms are available near both entrances (West and South)
  • Season’s Eatings, located inside the store with cafeteria style seating, offers a variety of lunch options, snacks, bakery items, sweet treats, and hot and cold drinks. For a dining guide for the city of Frankenmuth, check this index.
  • There are several special events and programs throughout the year- check out the calendar here. 
  • Use this guide to help navigate your way through the store (paper copies available at the store and the recommended path is well marked.  Plan on an hour just to walk through the store using the recommended path, and stop in the Program Center. 
outside shot of Bronner's in Frankenmuth, MI

12 Ways to Explore Bronner’s:

  1. Drive through the half mile long Christmas Lane throughout the 27 acre complex at night and see 100,000+ lights on display, as well as festive holiday decor (you can’t miss the 17 foot tall Santa!) lit up- year round.
  2. Visit the Silent Night Chapel: Built in 1992 and modeled after the original chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, built on the site of the St. Nicholas Church where the hymn Silent Night was first sung in 1818. The Memorial Chapel was recreated with permission from the city of Oberndorf and is open every day for quiet mediation and prayer. 
  3. Read the lyric displays of verses of Silent Night in hundreds of languages, everything from French and German to and and Sign Language and Braille, that line the path around the Chapel. 
  4. Pick up a drawing contest for kids and a scavenger hunt to complete as a family. Winners are drawn each month and receive a gift certificate to Bronner’s. 
  5. Take photos inside and outside the store; highlights include the Christmas Countdown sign, Wally’s Woods of trees, the 17 foot tall Santa, Santa’s mail slot, Nutcrackers, and Department 56 Lighted Houses. 
  6. Visit with Santa, who makes daily visits to Bronner’s during the Christmas season. Santa’s pal the Easter Bunny also makes visits in the spring.

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  1. Read the display honoring the history of Bronner’s and its founder Wally Bronner.
  2. Choose an ornament celebrating your favorite hobby, pet, sports team, location, movie character, literary character, historical figure, or holiday and have it personalized on site while you explore the rest of the store. 
  3. Choose a special Advent calendar, Advent candles, and religious creches in a wide variety of themes and interests.
  4. Walk through the Bronners’ collection of over 1,000 MI Hummel figurines– Note: these items are not for sale
  5. Count the display of 600+ Precious Moments figurines from 1978-2003, the first 25 years of production, including several from 1978, the first year of production.  Note: these items are not for sale.
  6. Watch a movie in the Program Center, offered every hour with various themes and topics.

creche display at Bronner's in Frankenmuth, MI

Looking for other adventures in Frankenuth? Check out our full City Guide and our feature of the Bavarian Inn. And if you’re in the great state of Michigan, see our full index of posts here.  

posing in front of a sign at Bronner's in Frankenmuth, MI

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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