Last Updated: December 19, 2025
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm transforms into a winter wonderland this December, offering families an authentic Christmas experience just outside Ottawa.
If you’re searching for a genuine holiday adventure that goes beyond the usual Christmas market fare, Stanley’s Christmas Village in Edwards, Ontario delivers the magic. Open select weekends from December 6 through 23, 2025, this family-run farm creates an immersive Christmas experience complete with horse-drawn sleigh rides, visits with Santa, and enough festive charm to make even the Grinch smile. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa, it’s become a beloved tradition for families seeking that perfect blend of rural charm and holiday spirit. Whether you’re bundling up the kids for their first sleigh ride or looking for a romantic winter date, Stanley’s offers something special.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Stanley’s Christmas Village runs weekends Dec 6-23, 2025 at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm in Edwards. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, Santa visits, farm shop treats, and old-fashioned Christmas fun. Perfect for families seeking an authentic holiday experience outside Ottawa.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | December 6-7, 13-14, 20-23, 2025 |
| 📍 Location | 1973 Carp Road, Edwards, ON K0A 1K0 |
| 🎟️ Cost | Sleigh rides $12-15/person, Santa photos extra |
| ⏰ Time | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (weekends only) |
| 🚗 Drive Time | 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa |
What Makes Stanley’s Christmas Village Special
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm has been a fixture in the Ottawa Valley for decades, but their Christmas Village transforms this working farm into something extraordinary. Unlike commercial Christmas attractions, Stanley’s maintains that authentic rural character while delivering all the holiday magic families crave.
The experience centres around the farm’s historic property, where century-old barns and rustic buildings create an instantly nostalgic atmosphere. String lights twinkle against weathered wood, wood smoke curls from chimneys, and the sound of sleigh bells actually means something here. This isn’t a parking lot carnival—it’s a genuine farm that happens to throw an incredible Christmas party.
What sets Stanley’s apart is the attention to authentic experiences. The horses pulling your sleigh aren’t seasonal rentals but working farm animals who know these trails intimately. The Santa in the workshop isn’t reading from a script—he’s genuinely interested in what your kids want for Christmas. The baked goods in the farm shop? Made right there, often that morning.
Families return year after year because Stanley’s manages to feel both organized and spontaneous. Yes, there’s structure to the day, but there’s also room to wander, explore, and discover your own perfect moments. Check out our guide to Ottawa Christmas markets for more holiday options around the city.
The Sleigh Ride Experience
The crown jewel of Stanley’s Christmas Village is undoubtedly the horse-drawn sleigh rides through their snow-covered property. These aren’t quick loops around a parking lot—you’re looking at 20-30 minute journeys through actual forest trails and farm fields.
Depending on snow conditions, you’ll ride in either an authentic wooden sleigh or a wagon fitted with wheels. Both are pulled by magnificent draft horses, often Clydesdales or Percherons, who seem to enjoy the work as much as visitors enjoy the ride. Drivers share stories about the farm, point out wildlife, and answer kids’ endless questions about the horses.
Dress warmly—the rides venture deep into the property where tree cover provides windbreak but also holds the cold. Bring blankets if you have them, though Stanley’s usually provides some. The farm recommends arriving early on popular days, as sleigh rides can sell out by early afternoon on peak weekends like December 20-23.
Tickets typically run $12-15 per person, with children under 2 often riding free on a parent’s lap. You can purchase tickets at the farm shop upon arrival—they don’t take advance reservations, so it’s first-come, first-served. Weekday openings (when they occur) tend to be quieter than Saturday afternoons, which draw the biggest crowds.
For families with very young children or anyone with mobility concerns, the wagon rides offer easier boarding than the higher-sided sleighs. Don’t hesitate to ask staff for assistance—the Stanley family and their team genuinely want everyone to have a great experience.
Meeting Santa and Holiday Activities
Santa’s workshop at Stanley’s feels refreshingly authentic. Set up in one of the farm’s historic buildings, complete with crackling fireplace and handmade decorations, it’s where kids meet the big guy himself. Unlike mall Santas rushing through appointments, Stanley’s Santa takes time with each child.
Photo opportunities are built into the experience, and while professional photographers may be available on certain days, families are always welcome to take their own pictures. Santa visits are included with admission, though professional photo packages cost extra—typically around $15-25 depending on the package.
Beyond Santa, the farm offers various activities that change based on weather and crowd size. Ornament-making stations let kids create take-home memories. The farm shop stocks handmade crafts, local maple syrup products (this is a maple farm, after all), baked goods, and seasonal treats. Hot chocolate and cookies are usually available, and the smell of cinnamon and pine throughout the buildings is worth the admission alone.
Live music occasionally fills the main barn, and carolers sometimes wander the property on busier weekends. The schedule varies, so part of the fun is discovering what’s happening during your visit. For more winter family activities, explore our Gatineau Park winter guide just across the river.
Planning Your Visit: Tips and Practical Advice
Timing makes a huge difference at Stanley’s Christmas Village. Here’s what years of visitor experience suggest:
Best times to visit: Sunday mornings around 10:30 AM or Friday/Monday openings (when available) offer smaller crowds. Saturday afternoons, especially the weekend before Christmas, bring the biggest rushes. The December 20-23 period will be packed—if you’re visiting then, arrive right at opening.
What to bring: Dress in full winter gear as you’ll spend significant time outdoors. Waterproof boots are essential—this is a working farm with mud, snow, and ice. Hand warmers for kids’ mittens, extra hats, and scarves make the experience more comfortable. Bring a camera, but also put it away sometimes to just enjoy the moment.
Parking and arrival: The farm provides ample parking in adjacent fields, but it’s grassy/muddy parking, not paved lots. Arrive prepared for a short walk from your car. Carpooling is encouraged on peak days. The address is 1973 Carp Road in Edwards, easily accessible from Highway 417 west.
Food and facilities: The farm shop offers snacks and hot drinks, but it’s not a full restaurant. Many families bring thermoses of hot chocolate or coffee. Facilities are available but rustic—this is a farm, not a resort. Set expectations accordingly, especially with young children.
Weather considerations: Events run snow or shine, but extreme weather may cause cancellations. Check Stanley’s Facebook page the morning of your visit for updates. If there’s insufficient snow for sleighs, wagon rides run instead—equally charming in their own way.
The farm operates on a cash-preferred basis, though they usually accept cards now. Bringing cash speeds up transactions at the busy farm shop. Budget around $60-80 for a family of four including sleigh rides and treats.
Beyond the Farm: Making a Day of It
Edwards and the surrounding area offer other attractions worth combining with your Stanley’s visit. The small village of Carp, just minutes away, features local shops and cafes perfect for lunch before or after the farm.
Nearby Saunders Farm offers a complementary Christmas experience with their Forest Light Walk and Holiday Light Stroll—combining both farms makes for an ambitious but magical day. If you’re interested in more traditional winter activities, our guide to free outdoor skating in Ottawa lists nearby rinks.
The drive itself is part of the experience. The route from Ottawa takes you through classic rural Ottawa Valley landscape—rolling hills, farm country, and small communities that feel a world away from city life. Leave a bit early and enjoy the journey rather than rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stanley’s Christmas Village accessible for strollers and wheelchairs?
The property is a working farm with natural terrain, so accessibility is limited. Pathways between buildings can be uneven or muddy. Sleigh boarding requires climbing up, though staff assists. Wagons offer easier access. Call ahead to discuss specific needs—the Stanley family tries to accommodate everyone.
Can we bring our dog to Stanley’s Christmas Village?
Service animals are welcome. Pet dogs are generally not permitted due to the working farm animals, horses, and crowds of children. It’s best to leave family pets at home for this outing to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
Do we need to buy tickets in advance?
No advance tickets—everything is purchased on-site the day of your visit. Sleigh rides are first-come, first-served and can sell out on busy afternoons, so arriving early is recommended, especially on peak weekends in late December.
What happens if it doesn’t snow?
The Christmas Village operates regardless of snow levels. If there’s insufficient snow for sleighs, horse-drawn wagon rides run instead through the same beautiful trails. All other activities continue as normal—Santa doesn’t need snow to appear.
How long should we plan to spend at Stanley’s?
Most families spend 2-3 hours enjoying the sleigh rides, Santa visit, farm shop browsing, and activities. Budget at least two hours to avoid feeling rushed, especially if you want to do everything. The relaxed pace is part of the charm.
Final Thoughts
Stanley’s Christmas Village represents everything special about holiday traditions in rural Ontario. It’s not the biggest Christmas attraction or the most polished, and that’s exactly why it works. The authenticity, the genuine warmth of the Stanley family and their staff, and the real farm atmosphere create memories that commercial attractions struggle to match.
For Ottawa families tired of crowded malls and overpriced holiday events, Stanley’s offers a refreshing alternative. It’s cold, it’s rustic, and your kids might get muddy—and they’ll remember it forever. The sleigh rides through snow-covered forest, the warmth of the farm shop after being outside, and that moment when your child’s face lights up meeting Santa in his cozy workshop—these are the experiences that define childhood Christmases.
At $12-15 per person for the core experience, Stanley’s Christmas Village delivers exceptional value alongside genuine holiday magic. Book a weekend morning, bundle up the family, and discover why this Edwards farm has become an Ottawa-area Christmas tradition.
Source: Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
