Discover the history behind the Christmas traditions that continue today. Join in caroling around the illuminated 19th-century Village, with visiting performers from local schools and churches. Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas with an enchanted evening of gingergbread, roasted chestnuts, music, dance, and a sleigh ride (weather permitting). Meet Father Christmas (right) and chat with Santa Claus (bring your camera!). How did fruitcake and roasted chestnuts become associated with Christmas? Are there plums in plum pudding? What's a Yule log (left) and what's the story behind it? Discover the history of Christmas cards, exchanging gifts, hanging stockings, Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, and candy canes. You'll learn about these traditions and more! You'll also have an opportunity to taste samples of several foods long associated with the holiday. 

Tickets are available for purchase at the door this evening.   For more information, scroll down. 

On each of these six evenings:

• Meet Father Christmas in the Bullard Tavern
• Listen to a reading of Clement Moore's classic poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas (5:30, 6:15, 7:00, 7:45)
• Join a Christmas Carol Sing-along (6:00, 7:00)
• Holiday Magic (5:30 & 7:30) and Puppets (6:30) with Robert Olson
• Visit with Santa Claus in the Visitor Center (right)

Following is a preliminary listing of additional performers and programs for each of the dates:

Friday, December 12
5:30 Full Gael Celtic Christmas
6:30 Old Sturbridge Village Social Dancers
8:00 Old Sturbridge Village Social Dancers
Other programs detailed above.

Saturday, December 13
5:00 Sounds of Concord
5:30 Westerly (RI) High School Select Choir
6:00 Elm Street Congregational Church Belles and Beaus
6:30 Leicester High School Choir
6:30, 8:00 Learn a dance from A Christmas Carol
7:00 Shepherd Hill Chamber Singers
7:30 Sturbridge Federated Church Chancel Choir

Sunday, December 14
5:00 Jaques Ave Five
6:00 Worcester State Chorale
6:30, 8:00 Old Sturbridge Village Singers
6:30 Learn a dance from A Christmas Carol
7:00 Quintebrass 
8:00 Learn a dance from A Christmas Carol

Friday, December 19 
Please note this evening's program is cancelled due to weather.  Tickets will be honored for Saturday or Sunday evenings.  THINK SLEIGH RIDE!

Special concerns?  Please contact us.

Saturday, December 20
5:00 Worcester Men of Song
5:00, 7:00 Circuit Riders
6:00 Oxford High School Choir
7:00 Quintebrass

Sunday, December 21
5:00 Members of the Seven Hills Symphony at UMass Medical School
5:30  A reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
5:30  19th-century Magic Show with Robert Olson
6:00  Christmas Carol Sing-along
6:00 Full Gael Celtic Christmas
6:15  A reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
6:30  19th-century puppet show
7:00  Christmas Carol Sing-along
7:00  A reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
7:00 Boston Jazz Voices
7:30  19th-century Magic Show with Robert Olson
7:45  A reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"

Experience Dinner by Candlelight at the Bullard Tavern on the Common in the historical Village (fee for dinner in addition to event admission).

Old Sturbridge Village is grateful to the good folks at Southbridge Savings Bank for their generous support of Christmas by Candlelight.


OSV is grateful also for support for this program from TD Banknorth,
Fallon Community Health Plan, and Hometown Bank.