Christmas Town will return November 24, 2023
Located at the Kern County Fairgrounds!
Santa will be back!!
Walk Thru and Drive Thru will be open through December 31, 2023
1142 P St, Bakersfield, CA 93307
Welcome to Christmas Town!
Dear Visitor,
By way of introduction, my name is Santa Claus. I am a toy maker by trade and a lover of all things Christmas. I live at the North Pole for most of the year, where my elves and I make the toys you see on store shelves and underneath your Christmas tree on December 25th.
Many of you have never seen me, although I know each of you by name. I would like to change that, so I've been searching for the perfect place to meet in person.
After searching high and low, Mrs. Claus and I discovered a place in California called Bakersfield Christmas Town, and we knew we had to learn more! We traveled from the North Pole to meet the creators of this magical town and were surprised to find our distant relatives hard at work! Ho-Ho-Ho! We were delighted to see what our cousins have planned, including activities for my elves, munchies for my reindeer, a holiday hayride, and a giant Christmas tree surrounded by a fantastical light show. They even made ME a cozy house with a roaring fire just so I can meet each of you.
I am nearly finished with my work here at the North Pole and plan to return to Christmas Town the day after Thanksgiving. I would love if you would stop by and give me a hug, write a Christmas letter, take a turn on the skating rink, or go sledding down the giant snow hill. I'll be at Christmas Town as you drive through the mile long winter wonderland of lights and displays or walk thru and enjoy the interactive light shows. I'll be waiting for you!!
Sincerely,
Santa
Hours & Prices
Admission Prices
Walk Thru/Activities
Admission includes all activities
Non Peak Day Admission
November 28-30, December 5-8,
December 12-15, & 26-29
$20 per person
Children 2 and under are free everyday!
Thursday, Dec 1 - Closed to the General Public for a Private Event
Peak Day Admission
Weekends & Dec 19-22
General Admission
$30 per person
Seniors & Children
$25 per person
Walk Thru is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Drive Thru Admission
Monday thru Thursday
$25 per regular vehicle
Friday thru Sunday
$30 per regular vehicle
Drive Thru is OPEN on Christmas and Christmas Eve
Passenger Vehicles only. No RV, Buses, or Limos
All occupants must have a seatbelt.
Ticket includes ONE time through the Drive Thru
Drive Thru is closed Dec 1 for a Private Event.
Hours of Operation
Open Every Day November 24 - December 31, 2023*
Ticket booth opens every day at 5:30 PM
Sun-Thur
5:30 - 9:00 PM
Fri-Sat
5:30 - 10:00 PM
(9:00 PM on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
* Walk Thru is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Drive Thru is OPEN on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Reservations NOT required
Thursday, Dec 1 - Both Walk Thru and Drive Thru are closed to the General Public for a Private Event
The Sights and Sounds
St. Nick's Lighting Spectacular
Is it the North Pole? Maybe! Step into a different time and place when you move beneath the glittering canopy of lights surrounding our 40-foot lit Christmas tree! The crisp winter air will sparkle to life as holiday lights twinkle to warm and familiar Christmas music, creating a backdrop to a whimsical holiday light show. Come enjoy the magical beauty of Christmas as you drive around and under the captivating display of wonder.
Holly Jolly Train Ride
Wear your scarves and warm winter hats for your holiday tour of Christmas Town! Music will fill the air as guests board specially decorated Christmas trailers for a spectacular train ride through our poinsettia forest, the snowflake arches, a Victorian village and Toyland. You will delight in the kaleidoscope of lights, our twinkling penguin family, Frosty and his family, and the 12 Days of Christmas.
Jingle Bell Sledding Hill
Ready for a snow day?! Pull on your snow boots (or tennis shoes) and climb our wintry sledding hill! See the lights twinkling all across Christmas Town from your perch 40 feet in the air, and slide down the 100-foot snow hill as you go tubing the old fashioned way! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! This sledding treat will become one of your family's favorite holiday traditions!
Under the Mistletoe Skating Rink
What's a Christmas Town experience without a turn on the skating rink? Lace up your ice skates (that we provide with admission), grab your sweetheart's hand and glide across our artificial skating rink. The center of the rink boasts a 12-foot tree with 18 poles of lights, all synchronized to music the entire family will enjoy. Skating, mittens, laughter and memories for a lifetime.
Santa Claus' Cozy Cottage
Ho-Ho-Ho! Santa has a little house in Bakersfield, Calif.! Children will love visiting with Santa Claus (and occasionally Mrs. Claus, too!) in his cozy cottage in Christmas Town. With his reindeer nearby, Santa can relax and spend time with each child who visits him. It may be cold outside, but it's always warm and toasty by Santa's roaring fireplace. Stop by and say Hi! Santa is so excited to see you!
And so much more!
This is exactly what Central California has been missing -- a complete Christmas experience for all ages! Christmas Town has transformed our location into a twinkling Elf Hamlet with specially decorated houses, including special houses for Santa's friends! Children can send letters to Santa at our Candy Cane Post Office, frolick in Frosty's Play Area for kids, help Buddy the Elf save Christmas in our Laser Tag Arena, and ride our Sugar Plum Christmas Train!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I purchase tickets?
Online tickets are available for purchase HERE Reservations NOT required. Online tickets are valid any day we are open.
Can I purchase a ticket at the gate?
Yes! The ticket booth opens at 5:30 pm.
What does it cost?
General Admission tickets for the Walk Thru on Monday thru Thursday, everyone is one price, $20 per person EXCEPT DEC 19 - 22 Children 2 and under are always free. Friday thru Sunday AND DEC 19-22, admission is $25 for children ages 3-12 and Seniors over 60. General admission on Friday - Sunday is $30 per person. Drive Thru is $25 per vehicle Monday thru Thursdays, $30 on Friday thru Sunday. NO RVs, BUSES, or LIMOS
Do I have to purchase separate tickets to do the drive thru and walk thru?
YES They are separate events although the Holly Jolly Hayride will take you through 95% of the drive thru.
What days are you open?
Seven (7) days a week beginning Nov 25 through Jan 1, INCLUDING Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Drive Thru only on these two days)! We are only closed to the general public on December 1, 2022 for a private event.
What are your hours?
Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-9 pm; Fri.-Sat., 5:30-10 pm. Except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (9:00 PM that night)
Where are you located this year?
Our elves have reconstructed Christmas Town at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, CA . Look for the 40-ft. lighted Christmas tree towering in the sky. The drive thru entrance is separate from the walk thru entrance.
How often is Santa Claus there?
We just received a letter from him saying he is finished making toys for the season, so he is relocating to Christmas Town for the entire month! Bring the kids!
Do you offer refunds?
No, the Burgermeister Meisterburger says no. However, if we close early due to weather conditions, we do offer rain checks to patrons that our present at the time we close.
Are you open if it rains?
It depends on the amount of rain. In the event of rain, please check our Facebook page and website for updates or closures. www.facebook.com/BakersfieldChristmasTown
Do you charge us for photos with Santa?
No, we do not charge for photos with Santa, but you will need to bring your camera to capture that special moment. We do offer pictures printed at Santa's house but there is no obligation to purchase them.
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
We accept all major credit cards at our box office as well as at concessions and the gift shop.
How long is the drive thru experience?
The drive distance from start to finish is a little under one kilometer. The length of time depends upon your vehicle speed however the maximum speed limit is 5 mph.
Can I exit my car during the drive thru experience?
No. All passengers and the driver will have to remain in their vehicle until you have exited the premises.
Can I walk through the drive thru?
NO. The walk thru and drive thru are completely separate for safety reasons. The hayride (which is a part of the walk thru) will take you through 95% of the drive thru. If all you want to do is see lights, we recommend the drive thru or make sure you ride the hayride in the walk thru.
When's the best time to visit?
If you ware trying to avoid long lines, Monday through Thursdays are usually not very busy. Saturday is always our busiest night of the week.
Will I see Santa on the drive thru?
No. Santa can't be in multiple places at once. He will be inside his cozy cottage which is part of the walk thru.
Do you charge for parking?
The parking lot is owned and operated by the Kern County Fairgrounds. They do charge $5 per vehicle.
Location & Directions
1142 P St, Bakersfield, CA 93307
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