Prepare for a Season of Lights!

By Kalynn Osburn • November 22, 2023

Are you ready to celebrate winter in a picturesque outdoor village? Yuletide Village 2023 starts this Friday, bringing an array of delights that are perfect for your family festivities. This glowing lights display expands across Renaissance Park, the same place as the famous Ohio Renaissance Festival, and gives folks the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a rustic rural village decorated for the holidays. Every Friday and Saturday from November 24th through December 16th, you can bring your family and friends out to enjoy an evening of shimmering lights, delicious hot treats, and specialty one-of-a-kind gifts in our traditional open-air holiday market.

Skip the lines and join the holiday magic when you get your tickets now!

Walk About Encounters

Whether you like to make your holidays merry or scary, Yuletide Village has what you’re looking for. You can find our very own Woodland Santa at St. Peter’s Chapel where you can meet the man himself amid a beautiful backdrop of decorated pine for your family photo. Pay a visit to the 3 Fools Pub and catch Mrs. Claus in her very own show. And of course, classic characters like Frosty & Rudolph wandering through the park to shake hands with you.

If you like your holidays with a side of rowdy rumpus, you can wander the dominion of Krampus across from the Rose & Crown where you can get your picture taken with the titular bad boy of the Christmas season. Keep an eye out for The Rat King from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballad along with the Ghost of Christmas Future (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol) and the Vikings to celebrate the winter solstice and Yule.

Cookies & Cocoa

From the wicked winter spirits to beings of good fortune and generosity, learn more about all of the fascinating holiday characters as you explore the village with a cup of pipping hot cocoa. Meet up at the Fairy Tree every hour from 6 pm onward if you want to hear stories of traditions and folklore from cultures across the world. Be sure to get yourself a Campfire Collectors Mug for $1 refills throughout the park.

Traditional Holiday Marketplace

This year, don’t waste your time fighting shoppers for the same gift of the shelves. Peruse the shops far and wide for the perfect gift to give your loved ones! There is something for everyone here, whether you’re shopping for family or just grabbing yourself a little something, our Yuletide Village Holiday Marketplace sports hand-crafted, artisan goods from over 50 vendors that you won’t find at the local department store. Select from fine leatherwork, beautiful garb, real weaponry, original artwork, stained glass, chainmail, literature, and more. Be sure to visit the Yuletide Market Pavillion behind the Aleing Knight for work from local artisans.

Hot Food & Drink

If you’re tired of Thanksgiving leftovers, there’s more to keep your belly warm when you get your hands on some of our delicious eats and treats during Yuletide Village. Visit the Rose & Crown for Belgian waffles, French Toast sticks, and cinnamon rolls before meeting Krampus. Stop by the Aleing Knight for a Holiday Chicken Sandwich, a Bourbon pecan pie, or our Christmas Ale selection. The 1572 Roadhouse will be adding Shepard’s Pie to their menu for a delicious cold-weather meal as well as their apple and peach cobblers. You can take a break by the New World Knoll and pick up a Schnitzel Sandwich, a hot chocolate refill, or pineapple upside-down cake. Every corner has something special to celebrate the festivities, so don’t miss out.

Yuletide Express

All aboard for the Yuletide Express, a fun way to see the village lit up for the holidays! Start on Jingle Bell Ln. at the Train Deport before taking a ride through Santa Lane, Candy Cane Row, Krampus Way, and Jingle Bell Lane for just $5, or free for children 3 and under. It’s a great way to relax and explore before deciding which of the seasonal delights you’d like to visit first.

Support Local Charities

Want to give back this holiday season? Yuletide Village will be donating proceeds from Photos with Santa to the Found By Faith Food Pantry, as well as proceeds from the sale of Ugly Christmas Sweaters found at the Treasures of the Realm Souvenir Shop by the front gate. Photos with Krampus proceeds with go to the Massie Township Fire Department, along with proceeds from the gift wrapping table at the Yuletide Market Pavilion.

Holiday Entertainment

From the Jingle Bellas (The Sirens) to the Willy-Nilly Ding-Dongs, there is no shortage of entertainment to be had. Pay a visit to five different stages for a dose of holiday cheer as you sing along to traditional and modern musical favorites. Enjoy the acrobatics of Circa Yuletide (Circa Brava) and the whimsy of the PB&J Circus. Get up close and personal with nocturnal predators at the Birds of Prey: Owl Encounter. Remember to share your experience with the #yuletidevillage on social media so we can see your adventures!