Farm And Garden Center Bringing 'Santa's Village Experience' To Bucks

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — A Christmas experience is coming to the Hortulus Farm and Nursery in Wrightstown this holiday season.

Beginning Nov. 25 and 26 and continuing every weekend through Dec. 16 and 17, the public is invited to celebrate "Christmas at Hortulus" with a European Holiday Market and the debut of Santa’s Village Experience.

The market will bring more than 30 vendors to the nursery's heated greenhouses each weekend, with more than 80 vendors participating throughout the month-long holiday shopping experience.

The special weekends will feature imported European furniture by Liza Miller inside the garden center, a Christmas tree sale, food trucks, and seasonal beveages at an on site cafe.

Also making its debut this holiday season will be "Santa's Village Experience," a ticketed event featuring a visit to Santa's North Pole home.

The Village Schoolhouse at Santa's Village Experience.

Youngsters are invited to visit Santa's Post Office where they can write and mail a letter to Santa; Santa's Workshop where they can assemble a toy; the Christmas Village Schoolhouse where they can hear a holiday story; Santa's Bakery where they can enjoy a cookie; and Santa's House where they can share their wishes with Santa.

A visit with the famous Hortulus sheep is included in the experience.

"What makes the Hortulus holiday experience unique is the family-oriented, immersive Santa experience from Santa’s Post Office, Bakery and workshop to a photo with Santa himself, set in the Emerging Botanical Play Garden," said the farm's executive director Jon Kontz.

"Ever since Ariel and I got engaged in France, at Christmastime, we have missed the European Christmas Market experience, bringing the creatives and community together in the most festive and organic way possible," said Kontz. "This event promises to be a destination-worthy trip for the Christmas shopper, and Santa-seeker alike!

Santa at Hortulus Farm. (Contributed)

"Last year, at our first ever European Christmas market, we heard over and over again, 'This is the Christmas I have always imagined and never knew existed.' We have thoughtfully curated this experience to be everything our guests last year loved, and even more for the entire family," said Kontz. "We can’t wait to see you here!"

All aspects of the event are free and do not require ticketed admission with the exception of the Santa’s Village Experience, the proceeds of which benefit the Hortulus Farm Foundation.

The cost is $25 per ticket, which must be purchased in advance. The rain date is the Sunday immediately following your ticketed date.

"Space inside Santa’s Village is limited and the experience is designed to be personal and interactive," said Kontz. "Ticket times start every hour, but we ask that each family take the time they need and enjoy their experience at their own pace, without stress or worry. Guests may arrive anytime within their hour-long allotment."

Writing a letter to Santa. (Courtesy of Hortulus Farm and Nursery)

As the holiday unfolds, guests are invited to indulge in seasonal beverages from Many Hands Coffee Co. cafe, along with food from a rotating variety of local food trucks. There will be many delicious seasonal offerings for children to adults.

Guests can also explore the fully stocked garden center where they will discover a selection of
Christmas treasures, including unique Christmas tree decor, home goods, plants, and other unique seasonal elements.

"It's a shopping experience that will add a touch of Christmas glee to both their home and garden surroundings, complementing the festive atmosphere of Christmas at Hortulus," said Kontz.

For more information and updates on Christmas at Hortulus and other upcoming events, visit www.HortulusFarm.com and follow @Hortulus.Farm on Instagram.

Fast Facts

Festival Dates: Nov. 25 and 26, Dec. 2 and 3, Dec. 9 and 10 and Dec. 16 and 17.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free entry to the garden shop, cafe, food trucks, European Christmas Market and Tree Shop. $25 fee for Santa’s Village Experience, available for purchase at https://www.hortulusfarm.com/c...
Location: 60 Thompson Mill Road, Wrightstown, PA 18940
Phone: 215-598-0550

(Courtesy of Hortulus Farm)