Lumagica at Harvest Moon Farm in North Salem, New York

We recently found the perfect event to get us in the holiday- and winter- spirit: Lumagica!! Lumagica is an international holiday light show with exhibits throughout the world (Germany, Austria, Japan, Canada, and here in America). We’re fortunate enough to live less than an hour from the New York exhibit at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, New York (right over the Connecticut border).

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard is a 90+ acre farm open year round. While most well known for their apple orchards and fall apple picking and festivals, the farm also hosts tons of summer classes, a popular CSA, and sells various plants all year long (they’re currently building a new greenhouse). 

This is the second year Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard is hosting the half mile trail that runs through the apple orchards of the farm, which are covered in over half a million LED lights, and looks out over the surrounding farmland. There are six themed spaces: Sparkling Light, Into the Wonderland, Magical Trees, A Great Celebration, Treats and Sweets, and Beyond the Forest and music is piped in throughout each space. There are also three spots to grab a warm drink (coffee, cocoa, cider, and adult beverages) and a spot to rest tired feet and watch a light show set to music. The trail ends with a walk through a magical tunnel that leads to the farm store, tented pavilion, and plenty of chances for more sweets and treats. 

Lumagica runs through the end of December and tickets can be purchased here. This week, we wanted to share five tips for visiting Lumagica, and if you miss out on this year, be sure to mark your calendars for October, when tickets go on sale for November and December 2023.

Five Tips for Exploring Lumagica:

1. Dress appropriately: The entire exhibit is outdoors, so be sure to dress warmly. And definitely wear closed toe sneakers or boots. Guests will be exploring the exhibit in the dark and some parts of the trail are on uneven terrain, so you will definitely want table footing. There is only one spot to stop and sit along the trail- in the glow light show at the top of the orchard hill. 
2. Bring the wagon, not the stroller, for the little ones: The path from the parking field to the main entrance is paved, as is the steep path up and down the orchard, but the rest of the trail is through gravel and some uneven rocky areas. We noticed many traditional strollers getting stuck. Families with the hard and soft side wagons seem to have an easier time on the path (and more room for all the stuff that little kids need). The beginning and end of the trail are also very steep.
3. Grab a snack and drink: The farm offers a wide variety of snacks and drinks. The indoor market has fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, cheese and meats, and snacks. The snack stand sells homemade apple cider donuts, bratwurst, giant Bavarian pretzels, hot dogs, and chicken tenders. And there are three spots to grab a drink (cider, hot cocoa, hard cider): the and two spots along the exhibit path. There are tons of picnic tables both inside the beer tent and outdoors near the snack shack, in addition to chairs around the fire pits. A note about restrooms: The farm has portapotties located by the parking field and near the entrance. However, there are two single indoor bathrooms located in the gift shop, tucked around the back corner. 
4. Leave time to shop: In addition to the produce and homemade goodies, the indoor gift shop has a wide variety of decor and houseware items. There’s also an indoor area selling homemade hard cider, beer, and wine.
5. Charge the camera and phone batteries: You’ll want to take millions of pictures throughout the exhibit.  Check out some of our favorites:

Looking for other holiday festivities in and around New York City? Check this post. And follow our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.