Holiday Visits with the Reindeer: A Shortsville Barnside Celebration of Music, Sleighs and Hands-On Encounters

SHORTSVILLE EVENTS FIELD GUIDE

Holiday Visits with the Reindeer: A Shortsville Barnside Celebration of Music, Sleighs and Hands-On Encounters

A one-hour seasonal program (Nov. 29–Jan. 4) featuring a short interactive barn presentation, chances to meet and feed reindeer, festive photo ops and a small gift shop of local products.

Holiday Visits with the Reindeer: A Shortsville Barnside Celebration of Music, Sleighs and Hands-On Encounters.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Shortsville
Operator
Shortsville Reindeer Farm
Category
Events
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

At Shortsville Reindeer Farm the holiday season is distilled into an intimate, barnside hour: a short interactive presentation about reindeer, an up-close meeting with a reindeer, and time in the pasture to pet and feed the herd amid Christmas music and traditional sleigh decorations. The setting is deliberately domestic and festive—staff help with photos, and a small gift shop offers locally made maple syrup, raw honey and antler jewelry—making the visit a straightforward, family-oriented holiday outing.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

Interactive Barn Presentation and Close Encounters
THE PROGRAM

Interactive Barn Presentation and Close Encounters

Each visit begins in the main barn with a short, interactive presentation about reindeer, followed by an opportunity to meet a reindeer up close and ask questions of the staff.

Pasture Time: Petting and Feeding
THE HERD

Pasture Time: Petting and Feeding

After the presentation guests join the rest of the reindeer in the pasture to pet them and, when the animals are hungry, feed them treats under staff supervision.

Festive Setting and Local Goods
THE MOOD

Festive Setting and Local Goods

The visit is set to Christmas music with festive decor including traditional sleighs for photos; a very small gift shop sells Shortsville Reindeer Farm maple syrup and raw honey, antler jewelry, toys and ornaments.

What the day feels like

What the Visit Feels Like

Over the course of an hour you move from the main barn’s short, interactive presentation to a hands-on meeting with a reindeer, then out to the pasture to pet and possibly feed the herd. The pace is deliberate and family-friendly, punctuated by holiday music and decorated sleighs that invite photos; staff assist with pictures and the small gift shop caps the visit with locally made souvenirs.

Interactive Barn Presentation and Close Encounters

THE PROGRAM

Interactive Barn Presentation and Close Encounters

Each visit begins in the main barn with a short, interactive presentation about reindeer, followed by an opportunity to meet a reindeer up close and ask questions of the staff.

Pasture Time: Petting and Feeding

THE HERD

Pasture Time: Petting and Feeding

After the presentation guests join the rest of the reindeer in the pasture to pet them and, when the animals are hungry, feed them treats under staff supervision.

Festive Setting and Local Goods

THE MOOD

Festive Setting and Local Goods

The visit is set to Christmas music with festive decor including traditional sleighs for photos; a very small gift shop sells Shortsville Reindeer Farm maple syrup and raw honey, antler jewelry, toys and ornaments.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this visit suits — and what ticketing and age rules mean for planning.

1
Families with young childrenWell suited: children 4 and under are admitted free and do not need to register, making it straightforward for families with toddlers.
2
Budget-minded visitorsClear upfront pricing helps planning: admission is $10 per person for ages 5 and up.
3
Visitors who need flexible plansTickets are not transferable and have a refund policy—contact the operator at least 24 hours before your visit for a refund; refunds within 24 hours are not provided.
4
Groups and gift shoppersAppropriate for small groups; note the operator’s ticketing rules and the farm’s very small gift shop when planning purchases.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to Bring

Bring your own camera for photos; members of the staff will be happy to help you take pictures.

Photography

Guests are encouraged to take pictures with their own cameras; staff assistance with photos is available.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

When does the Holiday Visits program run?

The visits run from November 29 through January 4.

How long is the visit?

Each visit lasts one hour.

How much is admission and are children free?

Admission is $10 per person for ages 5 and up. Children 4 and under are free and do not need to register.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

If you need to cancel, contact the operator at least 24 hours prior to your visit for a refund. Refunds within 24 hours of the scheduled time are not provided. Text Mike at 585 282 9892 to cancel.

Are tickets transferable or resellable?

Tickets are not transferable. The operator cautions that attempts to sell tickets claiming the holder can't use them are likely scams.

What happens in bad weather?

The event is held rain or shine; if it rains, activities and interactions move inside the farm’s two barns.