Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts

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The holiday season has officially begun, and we celebrated this past weekend with a new-to-us tradition: Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. 

our family outside the sign at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

The largest outdoor living history museum in the Northeast, Old Sturbridge Village recreates life in rural New England in the 1830s. The property has over 40 historic buildings and a working farm spread across 240 acres, once belonging to the Nipmuc people, next to the Wuinebaug River in south central Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston. Opened in 1946 and expanded over the past 80 years, the village includes farms, gardens, water powered mills, and trade shops staffed by costumed interpreters who demonstrate necessary skills needed to run the farm and keep the town developing and growing throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also nature trails to walk, farm animals to visit, permanent and rotating indoor museum exhibits to explore, and seasonal special events, including the popular Christmas by Candlelight.

candlelit window decorated with stars at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

Christmas by Candlelight is a magical event that has become a time honored tradition for many families. The entire village is dotted with lanterns that light the paths and string lights that decorate many of the trees. Warm and inviting costumed interpreters engage visitors with stories, songs, and demonstrations of everything from woodworking, baking, crafting, and pottery. Many of the buildings are heated, there are homemade treats and special souvenirs for kids of all ages, numerous indoor performances and sing alongs are offered multiple times a day, and bonfires on the Village Common invite guests to gather together for warmth.

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

Travel Tips:

  • Christmas by Candlelight begins each year on the day after Christmas and runs on select dates through the end of December; hours are typically 2pm- 8pm with reserved entry offered each hour. Get up to date information on hours and admission fees here. Children ages three and younger receive free admission.
  • Check in is in the Country Bank Visitor Center just past the parking lot.
  • There is plenty of free parking in the lots in front of the main entrance; attendants help direct traffic and keep everyone safe.
  • Plenty of restrooms are available in the Visitor Center, Ox & Yoke Mercantile building, and Bullard Tavern and near the Bixby House in the village. 
  • Bring the stroller for the toddler crowd (although strollers are not allowed in the village buildings); Old Sturbridge Village also has strollers and wagons guests can borrow. Some of the buildings are handicap accessible via ramps. See more information about accessibility here.
  • Dress for the outdoors in the winter and definitely wear sturdy shoes. However, most of the buildings are heated, so there are plenty of opportunities to warm up inside. There are also large (tended to) bonfires in the Common and near the Blacksmith shop. And if you need a little rest indoors, stop by Bullard Tavern or the Center Meetinghouse for a break. The Visitor Center and Mercantile building are also great spots to take a break and warm up.
  • Shopping options during Christmas by Candlelight include the Ox & Yoke Mercantile shop (just inside the main entrance before the Visitor Center), offering a wide variety of souvenirs, gifts made in the village, housewares, apparel, books, and seasonal items; and Miner Grant Store and Bakeshop, offering gifts and candy.
  • Dining options during Christmas by Candlelight include the Ox & Yoke Cafe (quick service sandwiches, soups, sweets, and drinks with cafeteria style seating), Bullard Tavern Cafe (in the Village, offering full meal options), and outdoor concessions near the Blacksmith Shop, Printing Shop, Miner Grant Bakeshop, and Bullard Tavern, offering snacks and homemade sweet treats and hot and cold beverages. See the full menus here.
  • See a daily Christmas by Candlelight schedule here and a complete map here.
Visitor Center at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

20 Can’t Miss Activities During Christmas by Candlelight at OSV:

  1. Vote for your favorite gingerbread house display in the annual contest held in the Kidstory exhibit in the Visitor Center. There are dozens of creative submissions each year-the two Snoopy themed houses are our personal favorites!
  2. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Santa’s Cabin. Be sure to tell Santa what’s on your wish list, take a special photo, and even receive a special craft to take home.
  3. Play on the farm themed playground near Santa’s Cabin- find the hidden slide and ride the replica cow (geared towards kids ages seven and younger).
  4. Watch the model trains go whizzing by in the Holiday Express Model Train Display in the David Wright Community Gallery.
  5. Learn all about the printing of a children’s book (and see a collection of popular holiday children’s books) in the Printing Office. The 1823 press is still in use today and can print 240 sheets of paper each hour, but the ink takes up to 18 hours to dry!
Visiting with Santa at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

printing press demonstration at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

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Christmas book display at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA
  1. See the collection of coins in circulation in the 1830s, receive a chocolate gold coin from the banker, and learn about the religious traditions associated with gold coins in the Thompson Bank.
  2. See a miniature nativity display with over 600 people and pieces of setting in the Friends Meetinghouse and take a keepsake photo by the display outside the meetinghouse.
  3. Sample homemade treats in the Bixby House (gingerbread balls) and Richardson’s House (maples cookies). Learn about open hearth cooking with a tin baker. Note: Samples given out are made in the main kitchens for the dining establishments, following all proper hygiene guidelines.The items made in the village building are for display only.
  4. Celebrate French-Canadian Christmas and learn about special French-Canadian traditions and decorations such as the creche in the Richardson House. Each year, OSV selected a different culture to honor. 
  5. Singalong to carols while taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the village. Jesse and Duke, two thousand pound Belgium horses, bring visitors on a tour of the Village Green. 

horses and the carriage ride at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA
  1. Walk around Mill Pond on the Christmas Tree Trail (count the decorated trees!) to the Wish Bridge and leave a wish on one of the trees. 
  2. Learn how to make an ax head in the Blacksmith Shop, with an oven that can get as hot as 3,000 degrees!
  3. Warm up with a sample of mulled cider, freshly brewed in the Freeman Farmhouse, and learn how it’s made. 
  4. Play a game of Quoits, a British game similar to horseshoes, in the yard near the Blacksmith Shop, and checkers and in the Bullard Tavern. 
  5. See the steps to making a glass ornament in the Asa Knight General Store. Several glass ornaments are on display, and the local merchant will also share the medicinal uses for peppermint (and give out samples of peppermint!) 
in front of the bridge or Wishes at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

Bridge of Wishes at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA
  1. Practice playing with Jacob’s Ladder  and toy oxen in the Cabinetmaking Shop and watch a carpenter whittling new toys. 
  2. See a massive collection of nutcrackers in Fenno House and learn how nutcrackers were used to ward off evil spirits. Bonus: Pick up a coloring set to design your own nutcracker at home.
  3. Relax (and warm up!) in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater inside the Visitor Center and enjoy Upon a Midnight Clear, an acoustic musical performance which includes the stories behind some of the most popular 19th century carols like Hark, the Herald Angel Sings, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, and Joy to the World. Performances are at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm.
  4. Join in the Lighting Ceremony in front of the Center Meetinghouse at 4:30pm. Be sure to grab a (battery operated) candle and a music sheet and sing along to popular songs.
  5. Catch a wide variety of shows: Each day Christmas by Candlelight is open, there are several opportunities to watch:
    1. A magic show by Jonathan Harrington in the Dennison Building
    2. Storytime in the District School
    3. Holiday music in the Center Meetinghouse
    4. A reading of the Nativity Gospel in the Friends Meetinghouse

Lighting Ceremony at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA
our family at Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA

Old Sturbridge Village offers a wide variety of seasonal celebrations and lots of great reasons to make visits throughout the year- see the full calendar here. If you’re in New England, check out some of the other living history museums we’ve explored and follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Disclosure: Our family was given a media pass to explore Christmas by Candlelight. All opinions expressed are my own.

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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8 Comments

  2. This has been on my list of things to do for so long! I used to loved going here when I was younger. Not sure I’ll make it this year for the Christmas by the Candlelight, but maybe next year.

    Reply

  5. This looks absolutely magical! I love experiences that mix history, traditions, and that cozy holiday glow, and Christmas by Candlelight sounds like such a special way to welcome the season. Your description makes me want to visit next year — the lanterns, the crafts, the music… it all feels straight out of a storybook.

    Reply

  6. This looks so fun! And a great way to enjoy the last few days of the Christmas season. I love the small Christmas village vibes and I think I’d be the most excited to see the gingerbread house contest!!

    Reply

  7. Sooo many pictures! I think I’d really enjoy this experience. It’s cute, cozy, and fun for everyone at any age.
    Thanks for sharing, I’d never heard of this before!

    Reply

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