Every year, when the holiday season arrives and we start planning our Christmas activities, my kids start asking when we can go back to Piney Acres Farm in Fortville. Cutting down our own Christmas tree has become one of our favorite traditions, and the excitement begins the moment the weather turns cool. The best part about this Christmas Tree Farm is that there are so many things to do at Piney Acres during the winter Christmas season and during the Fall pumpkin patch season.
The air always smells like Christmas trees. During the holidays, the lights sparkle across the fields, and my kids start buzzing with holiday energy. Piney Acres feels cheerful and welcoming before we even get out of the car.
What makes this place so special is that it offers so much more than Christmas trees. Families can ride a train or a hay ride through glowing lights, skate on a new ice rink, warm up with hot cocoa in the lodge, relax inside decorated igloos, or pick out the perfect Christmas tree. It has everything you need to create real, lasting holiday memories.
The Sparkle of Glimmer Lights
Once the sun goes down, Piney Acres lights up beautifully. Glimmer Lights covers the farm with glowing tunnels, light shows, colorful displays, and sparkling trees. My kids get so excited when they see the first bright archway.
The Glimmer Lights Train Ride is the most popular way to experience everything. The train takes families through fields of twinkling scenes, cheerful music, playful characters, and peaceful winter moments. My kids love pointing out everything they see.
If the train sells out or if your family prefers something different, there is also a hayride through the lights. The hayride is slower and more open, but just as charming. It is important to double-check your ticket when you book online. The train and hayride require different tickets, and families sometimes mix them up.
New This Year: Ice Skating
One of the most exciting new features at Piney Acres is The Pond, a synthetic ice-skating rink. My kids had such a good time trying to glide, spin, and scoot across the surface.
The rink sits under glowing lights, which makes the whole experience feel festive. You can bring your own skates or rent them right at the farm. It adds another layer of fun to the evening and helps burn off energy before or after the lights.
Igloo Rentals for the Coziest Holiday Hangout
The igloo rentals might be my personal favorite addition. These clear domed igloos are warm, calm, and decorated with lights, blankets, garlands, and cozy seating. It feels like your own little holiday hideaway.
We brought Uno and a puzzle, and the kids happily played while we warmed up and enjoyed the view of the lights outside. The igloos give families a place to slow down and spend time together, which can be hard to do during a busy season.
Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree
Choosing and cutting down our own Christmas tree is one of my favorite parts of visiting Piney Acres. The kids love searching through the rows of evergreens and trying to pick the best one.
They run from tree to tree, comparing shapes and debating which one belongs in our living room. It is adorable watching them take it so seriously. The staff is always nearby to help, but they give us space to enjoy the moment.
There is something very sweet about cutting down a tree together as a family. It sets the tone for the entire holiday season.
Warm Food and Drinks Inside the Lodge
Whenever we visit Piney Acres, the main lodge becomes our home base. Inside, you can order hot chocolate, cider, coffee, and snacks. It feels comforting to step inside and warm your hands for a bit.
The lodge gives everyone a chance to rest between activities and enjoy something warm before heading back out into the lights.
Everything You Can Do in One Visit
One of the best parts of Piney Acres is that you can create the perfect holiday outing all in one place. You can:
- Cut down your own Christmas tree
- Ride the Glimmer Lights train or hayride
- Skate on the synthetic ice rink
- Rent a decorated igloo for games and relaxing
- Enjoy warm food and drinks in the lodge
- Visit with Santa on select days
- Shop in the boutique
- Chat with animals and real reindeer
Tips From a Parent Who Has Been To Piney Acres
After a decade of visiting Piney Acres, I have figured out a few things that make the outing easier. Buy your tickets online in advance, especially if you want the train ride. It sells out quickly. Bundle everyone up because the weather can be unpredictable, and you will spend a lot of time outdoors.
If you rent an igloo, bring a simple board game or card game. It gives your kids something fun to do while you warm up. And bring your fully charged phone or camera because there are so many moments worth capturing.
What I appreciate most about Piney Acres is how it encourages families to slow down. December can feel rushed, but this farm makes it easy to enjoy the moment.
We walk through the trees, skate together, laugh inside an igloo, sip cocoa in the lodge, and soak up the lights during Glimmer Lights. It is everything I want the holidays to feel like.
Whether your family comes for the lights, the tree cutting, the skating, the igloos, or the warm moments together, you will leave with memories that last long after the season ends.
