This Georgia Farm Is Hosting A Two-Night Christmas Festival With Glowing Hayrides And Holiday Treats

A farmhouse built in 1912 still stands on this land, and people still live in it. Now its fields fill with Christmas lights for two nights only.

The farm began as a 45-acre wedding gift to a young couple. Four generations later, the same family runs it.

They now grow Christmas trees and pecans instead of cotton and cane syrup.

I love that this holiday festival grows out of real farm roots in Georgia. The plan includes a nighttime hayride, magic shows, and a kids’ area.

Hand-dipped corndogs and caramel apples join the party too.

I can’t imagine a cozier way to kick off the season. Hot cocoa in one hand and twinkling trees rolling past?

That sounds like a holiday card you can actually climb inside.

Two Nights Only Means You Should Mark Your Calendar Now

Blink and you could miss it. Skipper Family Farms, Est. 1912 is hosting its Spirit of Christmas Festival on the Farm for just two nights in 2026.

The dates are November 13th and 14th. The farm calls it a Hallmark event to remember, which feels like a bold promise to make in public.

This festival grew out of the farm’s Christmas tree lighting. Earlier, it was a one-night celebration that helped kick off the holiday season in Middle Georgia.

Now the family has stretched it into a two-night event. That gives more families a chance to join the fun without squeezing into a single evening.

Parking costs a per-car fee, and you can pay with cash or card. That’s a friendly setup for a carload of cousins or a whole crew of neighbors.

My advice is simple. Pick a night, gather your people, and dress warm enough to enjoy every glowing minute outside.

Hop On A Hayride That Glows Like A Runway For Reindeer

Lots and lots of lights. That’s how the farm describes its nighttime hayride, and honestly, that phrase does all the selling.

During the festival, the hayride rolls through the farm after dark. Rows of trees and twinkling displays turn ordinary fields into something straight out of a holiday movie.

Daytime hayrides at Skipper Family Farms follow a lovely route too. They pass the pecan orchard, the horse pasture, and fields full of Christmas trees.

The family designed the ride so nobody gets left behind. The trailer and ramp are wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly, which shows real care for every guest.

That detail matters more than people think. Grandparents, toddlers, and friends with mobility needs can all share the same seat and the same view.

Bundle up before you climb aboard. A Georgia November night can turn chilly, and a blanket on your lap makes the lights look even brighter.

Grab a hot drink first if you can. Cocoa and a slow ride under glowing branches is about as close to holiday perfection as a farm can get.

Your Snack Plan Should Start With A Hand-Dipped Corndog

Hand-dipped corndogs lead the lineup, and they’ve got good company. Caramel apples, kettle corn, and cotton candy are all part of the festival treats.

Southern snack fans will spot boiled peanuts on the list too. In Georgia, that’s practically a love letter to everyone who grew up with them.

Cold fingers need something warm. Hot cocoa and hot cider are both on hand to keep everyone toasty during the evening.

Here’s a smart strategy for families. Split a few treats so everyone can taste more without filling up before the hayride.

The caramel apple is a classic for a reason. It feels like fall and Christmas holding hands, and it photographs nicely too.

Kettle corn makes a great traveling snack. Carry a bag while you wander and munch between magic tricks and light displays.

Save cotton candy for last if you have little ones. A sugar rush right before bedtime is a gamble every parent knows well.

Bring napkins, maybe a few wipes. Sticky caramel and powdery kettle corn have a talent for finding gloves and coat sleeves.

Magic Shows And A Kids Area Keep Little Ones Busy

Kids get their own corner of the fun at this festival. A dedicated kids’ area and live magic shows are both part of the plan.

Magic is a smart pick for a holiday crowd. Few things freeze a wiggly six-year-old in place like a card trick that seems impossible.

The farm has a long habit of thinking about families first. Its seasonal events lean wholesome, with a focus on making memories and starting traditions.

The owners have said they want to stay family friendly and down to earth. That approach shows in the activities they choose year after year.

Plan your evening around the little ones’ energy. Hit the kids’ area early, then catch a magic show while everyone is still fresh.

Pick a meeting spot when you arrive. Festival nights get busy, and having a landmark makes regrouping much easier for everyone.

Older kids may want to roam a bit. A quick check-in plan keeps that freedom fun instead of stressful.

By the end of the night, expect tired smiles. The good kind that fall asleep before you leave the driveway.

A Wedding Gift In 1912 Started Everything You See Here

John Franklin Skipper and Annie Ruth received 45 acres as a wedding gift in 1912. Talk about a present that keeps on giving.

The couple later bought another 45 acres. Those 90 acres became the foundation for Skipper Family Farms, Est. 1912.

The farm has stayed in the same family for four generations. It’s the oldest working farm in Bibb County and a certified Centennial farm in Georgia.

Life here once looked very different. The family grew cotton, corn, wheat, and vegetables, and made cane syrup with a mule-drawn mill.

Today the focus has shifted to Christmas trees and pecans. Still, the original 1912 farmhouse stands and remains a home to this day.

Annie Ruth’s name lives on in a sweet way. The farm sells a coffee blend named after her, and it’s a top seller.

I love knowing that history before visiting. Every light and every hayride sits on land that one couple started as newlyweds over a century ago.

That kind of story makes a festival feel deeper. You’re joining a family tradition, not just attending an event.

Bring A Saw Home Mentality Because The Trees Are Calling

Missed the festival? The trees aren’t going anywhere, at least not until someone picks them.

Choose-and-cut season at Skipper Family Farms opens November 23rd in 2026. Families can wander the fields and claim their own tree.

The variety list is impressive. Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Silver Smoke, Naylor Blue, and Deodar Cedars all grow here.

Staff hand you a saw and help with the heavy lifting. Workers haul trees up, shake them, bale them, and help load them onto your vehicle.

Trees are also drilled to fit a stand. That small step saves a lot of grumbling in the living room later.

Measure your ceiling before you go. Field trees look smaller outside, and a surprise ceiling scrape is nobody’s favorite holiday moment.

Wear boots and gloves for the hunt. Fields can be uneven, and sap sticks around longer than most guests would like.

Take a family photo with your pick before it’s cut. Years later, those pictures become a fun record of every tree that ever stood in your home.

Santa, The Grinch, And Giant Elves Make The Season Busy

Santa Claus visits the farm on select dates during the season. Professional photo opportunities are often available, which saves you from blurry phone shots.

The Grinch also shows up. Some kids squeal, some kids hide, and both reactions make great pictures.

Buddy the Elf brings friends for a scavenger hunt. There’s also a Larger than Life Elf on the Shelf Hunt, where families search for elves across the farm.

That hunt is a clever way to explore. Kids stay busy, parents get exercise, and nobody notices the walking.

More themed days pop up on the calendar. A Candy Cane Hunt and a Matching PJ Day add extra reasons to come back.

Matching pajamas in a tree field? That’s a holiday card practically designed itself.

Gingerbread house making is offered for a fee too. It’s a sweet activity for a chilly afternoon, and crooked roofs are completely welcome.

Check the farm’s schedule before you go. Character visits happen on specific dates, so a little planning keeps any surprise disappointments off the table.

Save Room In The Trunk For Pecans And Gift Shop Goodies

Four pecan varieties grow on more than 25 acres here. Cape Fear, Caddo, Ellis, and Pawnee all call this farm home.

Those nuts end up in the gift shop in tasty forms. You’ll find specialty pecans, pecan jams, jellies, and more.

Fresh wreaths and seasonal decor fill the shelves too. Georgia Grown and locally crafted items make it easy to shop for teachers, neighbors, and picky aunts.

The pantry section goes deep. Homemade hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee, gourmet oils, honey, syrups, spices, and rubs are all available.

Coffee fans should look for the Annie Ruth blend. Naming a coffee after the farm’s founder is a lovely touch of family pride.

Shop before your hayride if you can. That way you’re not juggling bags while climbing onto the trailer.

An online store runs year-round as well. Forget something during the festival, and you can still grab it later.

Pecans also make thoughtful hostess gifts. They travel well, they last, and they carry a real Georgia story inside every bag.

An Easy Drive For Middle Georgia Makes This A Simple Yes

South Bibb County is where you’ll find this farm. The full address is 4164 Jones Rd, Macon, GA 31216.

Skipper Family Farms serves a wide circle of nearby towns. Warner Robins, Perry, Forsyth, Milledgeville, Byron, and Gray are all a short drive away.

That convenience matters in December. Nobody wants a three-hour trip with a tree on the roof and kids asking for snacks.

A bonfire adds a cozy finish during the season. Guests gather around and make s’mores, especially on Black Friday and weekends.

Free hayrides also run on Black Friday and each Saturday and Sunday of the Christmas season. Pair one with a tree purchase for an easy afternoon plan.

Gooey marshmallows and crackling flames feel like the right ending. Sticky fingers are basically a requirement.

The farm stays busy beyond winter too. Pumpkin patches, U-pick flowers, fall festivals, and vendor markets fill other seasons.

Start with the festival, then come back for trees. By next year, this Georgia farm might be your family’s favorite holiday habit.