EAST GWILLIMBURY EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Experience the True Magic of Christmas at East Gwillimbury’s Secret Gnome Village
A ticketed, outdoor holiday experience at Niemi Family Farm that combines a Christmas train ride, Santa’s workshop, a Scandinavian market with up to 50 local vendors, farm animals and bonfires—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
Experience the True Magic of Christmas at East Gwillimbury’s Secret Gnome Village.
On the outskirts of East Gwillimbury, Niemi Family Farm transforms into a winter microcosm: a secret Gnome Village threaded with lights, the Christmas Land Express weaving past bonfires and animal pens, and a Scandinavian market of local makers spilling warm scents of wood smoke, stone‑baked pizza and hot chocolate. It’s a ticketed, outdoor holiday experience designed around family activities—gingerbread decorating, playground games and visits with Santa in his workshop—that invites slow exploration and seasonal shopping.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Christmas Land Express
A festive ride through the farm’s holiday display is central to the event: the Christmas Land Express provides a scenic, family‑friendly way to take in lights and seasonal scenes inside the ticketed True Christmas Magic area.
Scandinavian Christmas Market — up to 50 vendors
A market of local makers and food purveyors runs alongside the farm experience, offering everything from fresh breads, fudge and specialty coffees to ornaments, wreaths and handmade soaps; the market area itself has no admission fee.
Santa’s Workshop, Bonfires and Family Activities
Visitors can visit Santa in his workshop, decorate gingerbread in Mrs. Claus’s Bakery, warm up by bonfires, and encounter farm animals and playground games—simple, tactile experiences that anchor the evening in hands‑on holiday ritual.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The event reads as a stitched sequence of small holiday scenes: a ticketed lane of Gnome Village light displays and rideable train passages, pockets of vendor stalls serving hot cider and stone‑baked pizza, activity stations where children color pages or make gingerbread, and communal bonfires that pull visitors out of the cold for a pause. Santa sits in his workshop for visits and letters, while farm animals and food stalls lend the experience the tangible textures of a working farm in winter.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is an outdoor farm event—dress for the weather (warm layers, waterproof footwear and a hat recommended).
The event is operated by Niemi Family Farm; meetings and departures take place at Niemi Family Farm.
The Scandinavian market area is free to enter; the central True Christmas Magic area is ticketed.
Expect on‑site offerings such as hot chocolate, apple cider, specialty coffees, stone‑baked pizza, fresh breads, smores kits and food trucks, plus bonfires to warm up by.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do I meet for the event?
All meetups and departures are at Niemi Family Farm, the operator and physical meeting location for the experience.
Is the Scandinavian market free to enter?
Yes — there is no fee for the market area; however the central True Christmas Magic area is ticketed.
Will Santa be available to visit?
Yes; Santa will be in his workshop waiting for visitors and their letters.
Is this event indoors or outdoors?
The farm operates outdoors — visitors are asked to dress for the weather.
Are there food and drink options on site?
Yes — offerings include hot chocolate, apple cider, specialty coffees, stone‑baked pizza, fresh breads, smores kits and food trucks among others.
How many vendors are in the Scandinavian market?
The market features up to 50 local vendors.
Are there child‑friendly activities?
Yes — activities include decorating gingerbread cookies in Mrs. Claus’s Bakery, playgrounds and games for children.