What happens if it snows or rains?

Old Sturbridge Village rarely closes except for during severe, hazardous weather. Christmas by Candlelight will run in light rain or snow. Any notice of the museum closing due to weather will be posted on the Old Sturbridge Village Facebook page, Instagram, and the main website (on this page and the homepage). Ticket purchasers will also receive an email message. Every attempt will be made to reschedule you for a future date.

Are there any discounts for Christmas by Candlelight?

Discounts that apply to standard daytime admission do NOT apply to Christmas by Candlelight. If you’re looking for discounts, consider the following options:

• Purchase tickets by November 26, 2026, for early-bird savings. Members save even more through November 26!
• Purchase tickets online rather than at the door to save $2-$9 per person (and even more before November 27).
• Take advantage of our Candlelight Thursdays, where everyone gets in for just $12 per person.
• Gather your friends and family for special group rates!

What food options will be available during Christmas by Candlelight?

A variety of snacks, sweet treats, soups, sandwiches, dinners, hot and cold beverages, and more will be available for purchase throughout the Village campus. A menu will be posted at a later date.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available in the main parking lot at Old Sturbridge Village. If using a GPS to get to the Village, please use the address “29 Stallion Hill Road” in Sturbridge, MA.

What if I or a member of my party becomes ill and cannot visit on the day we purchased tickets for?

Please stay home if you, or someone in your party, is ill. If you are unable to visit on the day you purchased your ticket for, you may email [email protected] or call 508-347-0213 to reschedule your ticket. Please note there is a $3.00 rescheduling fee per ticket. Rescheduling is based on availability. Tickets are non-refundable.

What should I wear?

Please dress appropriately for the weather, as Christmas by Candlelight takes place both inside and outside. We also suggest wearing comfortable shoes, as there is plenty of walking.

Is Old Sturbridge Village open during the day?

In order to focus on evening holiday events, Old Sturbridge Village is CLOSED during the day from November 15 through the end of the year.

Are dogs allowed?

While service animals are welcome on Old Sturbridge Village property, pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.

What musical acts are scheduled to perform?

Every night of Christmas by Candlelight includes a variety of live musical performances in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater and the Center Meetinghouse. 

Upon a Midnight Clear: An Acoustic New England Christmas takes place in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater in the Country Bank Visitor Center at designated times every night of Christmas by Candlelight. Other musical acts take place in the Center Meetinghouse. More detailed schedules will be posted closer to the event.

Is there anything else I should know before visiting for the first time?

Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor, living history museum and learning resource that invites all visitors to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration in the exploration of New England’s past. It is a nonprofit, educational museum that is open year-round. The centerpiece of the museum is a re-created rural New England town of the 1830s set on more than 200 acres of historical landscape, encompassing a Center Village, Mills Area, and Countryside.

When you visit Old Sturbridge Village, you will see costumed historians (sometimes called “interpreters”) throughout the Village, working in trade shops, on the farm, or cooking in front of a fire. Even though they wear clothing like people wore in the 1830s, they are just like you, but they know a lot about New England history. They are not acting as a character or pretending to be a person from the past. They speak in the present tense and can help you compare life in the 1800s to life in the 21st century. Don’t be afraid to ask them lots of questions! They will help to enrich your experience of the past.

During Christmas by Candlelight, our costumed historians do things that are very different from the activities they do throughout the rest of the year – but there are still demonstrations of activities like tin work, hearth cooking, pottery, and more. While early 19th-century New Englanders typically did not celebrate Christmas, our costumed historians know a lot about the evolution of Christmas celebrations in this region.

Who should I contact if I have a question not answered here?

Please contact Old Sturbridge Village’s Country Bank Visitor Center at 800-733-1830 or [email protected].