‘Tis the season to be merry! Trust us, The Christmas Experience at Ancient City Farmstead isn’t anything like you’ve ever experienced in Jacksonville before. All of the festive magic in one place makes it easy for us moms to create new holiday memories with our families. This brand-new experience is giving North Pole vibes with a 45-foot Christmas tree, the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in Northeast Florida, Reindeer Games, Santa’s Workshop, and so much more. For this inaugural season, we’re giving you all the insight into what you need to know before you go!
What We Loved
The Christmas Experience is magical and felt like a North Pole movie set. The standout feature is their Rockefeller Tree, which is the largest Christmas tree in our area and is stunningly beautiful. Every detail of The Christmas Experience leaves you in awe and captures that festive magic all of us are searching for this time of year. The Christmas Experience is a family-owned affair with all hands on deck from the kids to adults to bring this to life. They have worked so hard to bring Jacksonville families a new holiday experience that is unforgettable, and they are excited for you to enjoy it.
Things to Do
Outdoor Ice Skating
Prepare for a winter wonderland with Northeast Florida’s first outdoor ice-skating rink! Skating is not included in the ticket price but can be purchased as an add-on at checkout for an additional $15 per person or onsite when you visit. Each skate session is good for 20 minutes per person and includes skates.
Christmas Tree Farm
There is nothing like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree to get you in the holiday spirit! Choose from one of 2,000 special blue spruce Christmas trees harvested just for The Christmas Experience. Trees may be purchased onsite and are not included in the cost of admission.
Rockefeller Tree
The team at Ancient City Farmstead visited upstate New York to bring the state’s largest live Rockefeller Tree down south so you can have a taste of the Big Apple’s Christmas on the First Coast. You will not want to miss the daily lighting ceremonies to celebrate this 50-foot tree — just like the one at Rockefeller Center!
Santa’s Workshop
Visit with the big man himself in Santa’s Workshop, located in a quaint green log cabin on the property. Families will get to enjoy hot chocolate, behind-the-scenes magic, and photos with Santa. Conveniently located next to Santa’s Workshop is a bounce house so the kiddos can burn off that energy and excitement after seeing Santa!
Reindeer Games
Enjoy some family-friendly competition with holiday carnival games like the Snowman Shootout, Reindeer Ringtoss, Elf on a Shelf, and much more!
Food Purchase Options
There is a variety of food trucks to choose from once you work up an appetite after all the fun activities.
Location and Parking
Located in historic St. Augustine, The Christmas Experience is hosted by Ancient City Farmstead. This charming wedding and event venue sits on 1,500 acres and has been transformed for the season to create a magical holiday experience. Parking is easy and free!
Tickets
The Christmas Experience is open Fridays, 5 p.m.–9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m.–9 p.m., from November 29 through December 22.
Tickets are redeemable on any date and are available here. Prices are $25 for adults aged 16-65, $15 for children aged 3-15, and $20 for seniors + military.
Skating is not included in the ticket price but can be purchased as an add-on at checkout for an additional $15 per person. Each skate session is good for 20 minutes per person.
We hope you enjoy The Christmas Experience at Ancient City Farmstead as much as we have!
