123 Farm Christmas Festival: 7 Dazzling Reasons to Visit
Why should you attend Christmas Nights at 123 Farm? Here are 7 reasons why it’s a must-do holiday event in Southern California.
The twinkling lights, the festive spirit, the hot chocolate, and even the cold nipping at my fingertips—it all made me feel the holidays in full swing. When you love something this much, you have to share it.
123 Farm during Christmas transports you back to your childhood. From the moment we arrived, with lights glowing everywhere, I couldn’t help but sing Christmas carols. It felt just as special as a holiday visit to Disneyland but without the steep price tag. You can stroll through the farm, soaking in the holiday spirit without needing to spend extra, though there are fun options if you choose to. With space for kids to run around and plenty of festive treats, it’s a perfect night out for family and friends.
Meet Santa, book a horse carriage ride, enjoy s’mores under the stars, sip holiday cocktails, and shop for unique Christmas gifts. If you’re feeling “Grinchy” or a bit down, a night at 123 Farm will have you singing carols in no time.
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Note: We are not affiliated with or sponsored by 123 Farm. We independently purchased our tickets and are sharing our experience.
Reasons to Visit the 123 Farm Christmas Festival
1. All the Dazzling Lights
123 Farm transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays! The farm is decorated with thousands of lights, creating a magical experience that people of all ages love.
You see the glow from the moment you’re driving up the road, and it makes you wonder how many hours of love and effort went into this setup. It’s well worth it.
It might just have more lights than Main Street at Disneyland! If you’ve been to both, what do you think?
Blankets of lights cover the lavender fields with over 300,000 bulbs. String lights hang from a gorgeous oak tree. A massive Christmas tree glows above a pond, and you can cross a short bridge to get a better view. The olive grove, vineyard, trees, and ponds around the farm are all twinkling with white lights and festive decorations.
2. Holiday Activities & Treats
123 Farm offers a variety of holiday activities and treats for everyone. From private s’mores pits and horse carriage rides to meeting Santa and exploring food vendors, there’s plenty to enjoy. If you plan ahead, you can book experiences like the carriage rides and s’mores pits on their website. Photos with Santa are free at Santa’s Workshop, though he’s only available on certain days, mainly weekends, so be sure to check the schedule.
Don’t miss the holiday maze, which is included in the festivities. For food, you’ll find sourdough pizza, holiday cocktails, and other rotating food vendors near the s’mores pits. If you’re looking for more, the Eatery in the main lobby has options like mac n’ cheese, sourdough bread bowls, fried chicken sandwiches, and more.
FYI: We love supporting small businesses and trying new treats, but be prepared for long lines depending on when you visit—we’ve experienced them ourselves.
3. The Lavender Hot Chocolate
123 Farm’s lavender hot chocolate deserves its own mention because it’s that good. It’s a must-try treat when you visit. The flavor brought back memories of my Abuela’s hot chocolate—sweet and chocolaty, but not overly so. Don’t worry, the lavender is subtle, and you’ll mostly taste the rich hot chocolate.
If lavender is not your thing, you can stick with regular hot chocolate. Both are topped with whipped cream and sprinkles and served in festive to-go cups.
We went the extra mile and splurged on their special Christmas mug, which comes at an additional cost. The mug’s rim was covered in chocolate and sprinkles, topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread man with peppermint candy on the side.
4. Charming Photo Opportunities
Have your cameras or phones ready! The farm is filled with perfect spots for capturing that holiday photo. One of the most popular is the Glistening Willow Tree, an oak tree draped in strings of lights that give it the look of a glowing willow. Plenty of people gather around it (guilty!), but the farm offers many other magical photo spots.
Some of our favorite locations include:
- The 1,000-year-old Oak Tree
- The Olive Grove
- The huge Christmas tree near the Glistening Willow Tree
- The Lavender Fields
5. The Wonderful Aroma Around the Farm
As you walk around the farm, you’re greeted by delightful scents—lavender, pine trees, holiday treats, and the refreshing smell of nature. It’s a sensory experience that’s both soothing and enjoyable. Coming from Los Angeles, fresh air like this is a rarity, and we can’t get enough outside the city.
6. It’s Worth the Value
At $20 per person, 123 Farm offers great value, especially compared to other holiday events in LA, which can get pricey. You’ll leave feeling merry and bright, knowing you’ve gotten a lot out of the experience.
Once inside, you can choose to spend as much or as little as you like. Enjoy the lights, photo opportunities, and quality time with loved ones without feeling pressured to spend. While food and drinks are a bit pricey—similar to Disneyland—it’s entirely up to you whether you indulge.
7. Unique Shopping Opportunities
123 Farm offers several unique shopping opportunities, perfect for picking up a special gift or treating yourself. We loved browsing the lavender products made right on the farm. From creams and essential oils to sleeping aids, the 123 Farm Organic Galleries have plenty of treasures.
You’ll also find local vendors in the cozy cottages, each offering unique items. We came across nuts, dates, chocolate, and handcrafted goods—just to name a few.
We couldn’t resist grabbing a fresh sourdough bread roll at the Sourdough Bread Hall & Black Bench Wines, near the main lobby and Eatery.
Top Tips for Visiting Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
- Book your tickets and parking online: You’ll be turned away if you try to buy parking at the entrance. General parking is convenient inside the farm, even with the added cost. It’s still cheaper than other holiday events in LA.
- Consider street parking: If you find a spot outside the farm, you can park for free, but we found it easier to arrange parking in advance to save time.
- Choose early entry: Arriving early gives you plenty of time to explore. Every turn seemed to reveal something new.
- Use the map: Take advantage of the provided map so you don’t miss any attractions.
- Be prepared for lines: Expect to wait for food, drinks, and activities like meeting Santa—bring your patience.
- Eat before you arrive: If you want to save money on food, have dinner beforehand and save room for the hot chocolate.
- Dress warmly: It gets cold at night, so bundle up. We wore gloves and scarves; if your hands tend to freeze, bring hand warmers.
What You Need to Know
Where is 123 Farm Located?
123 Farm is in Cherry Valley, Beaumont, California—just a short drive from where we go apple picking in Oak Glen.
The address is 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223. You can easily find it on Google Maps.
When does 123 Farm Christmas Nights Festival open?
The festival typically kicks off in early November and runs through the beginning of January. This year, in 2024, it runs until late December.
For 2024, it runs from November 7 to December 23. For more details and to book tickets, visit the 123 Farm website.
How far is 123 Farm from Los Angeles?
123 Farm is roughly 80 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, about a 1 hour and 30-minute drive to Cherry Valley.
Is it worth visiting Christmas Nights at 123 Farm?
YES. 123 Farm is worth visiting. Not only is it great value, but the farm is incredibly festive, and they do an amazing job of creating an atmosphere that’s both magical and fun. The lights, decorations, food, and activities will give you and your family a memorable experience.
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.