Christmas Village Aglow at Kings Landing: A New Brunswick Holiday Experience

Kings Landing’s Christmas Village Aglow

Just when you think you’ve experienced Kings Landing in every possible season, Christmas arrives and something quite extraordinary happens.

As evening settles over the historic village, thousands of twinkling lights illuminate heritage homes, church steeples, fences and pathways, transforming Kings Landing into a festive Christmas destination.

Welcome to Christmas Village Aglow, an evening experience that brings together the charm of a 19th-century village and some good old-fashioned Christmas fun.

Wander the illuminated pathways, warm up around a crackling campfire near the Grant Store with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider, and browse the Peddler’s Market for locally made Christmas gifts. Step inside Ingraham House for a Christmas story by the hearth and a Victorian-inspired Christmas card craft. Carolling at St. Mark’s Church adds another lovely touch, while visits with Santa or Mrs. Claus are sure to delight younger guests.

It’s a completely different way to experience Kings Landing, and one that offers a new reason to return to this much-loved New Brunswick attraction.

All You Need to Know About Christmas Village Aglow

Location: Kings Landing Historical Settlement, 5804 Route 102, Prince William, New Brunswick.

Distance: Approximately 20 minutes west of Fredericton.

2026 Dates: November 26–29, December 2–6, December 9–13, and December 16–23.

Hours: Timed entry begins at 5 pm from November 26 to December 6, and 4 pm from December 9 to 23. The last entry time is 8 pm, and the village closes at 9:30 pm.

Admission: $19.55 per person (ages 6 and up, taxes included). Children five and under, season passholders, military members and veterans, and Indigenous guests receive complimentary admission, subject to applicable identification requirements.

Tickets: Advance online tickets are required for everyone, including those eligible for free admission. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Experience: An outdoor walking experience featuring illuminated historic buildings, festive activities, Christmas shopping, seasonal treats and family-friendly entertainment.

Shopping: The H.C. Grant Store and Peddler’s Market offer souvenirs, traditional goods, local products and treats to take home.

Accessibility: The village pathways are unpaved and have moderate elevation changes. Special drive-through accessibility evenings are offered December 8 and 15, 2026, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Tickets are $25 per vehicle.

Allow: At least 1½ hours to explore.

Good to know: Dress warmly and wear comfortable, insulated footwear. The event takes place outdoors, and wagon rides are not available.

A little extra: Guests dining at Christmas at the King’s Head Inn receive complimentary same-day admission to Christmas Village Aglow.

A New Christmas Tradition at Kings Landing

When I first heard about Christmas Village Aglow, I admit I had mixed feelings.

Having visited Kings Landing many times over the years, I have always appreciated its historical authenticity and the opportunity to experience what life was like in 19th-century New Brunswick. Its traditional Christmas programming was something I particularly enjoyed, so I wondered whether a modern Christmas light display would be the right fit. Would it complement the historic village, or would I find myself walking into a Clark Griswold’s Christmas Vacation kind of spectacle?

Thankfully, my concerns disappeared almost immediately.

Before the inaugural event opened to the public in 2025, I was invited for a sneak peek and tour with other local tourism representatives. What I discovered was far more thoughtful than I had anticipated. Rather than competing with the historic buildings, the lighting highlighted their architectural details, rooflines and surrounding landscapes. The result was an enchanting evening that retained the character of the village while introducing something entirely new.

I was quite taken with it. And apparently, I wasn’t alone.

From Christmas in the Valley to Christmas Village Aglow

The introduction of Christmas Village Aglow marked a significant change for Kings Landing, replacing its much-loved Christmas in the Valley event. It wasn’t a decision made lightly.

I asked Melissa Lasing, Business Development & Marketing Manager at Kings Landing, what inspired the change and how the new experience came about. She explained that a comprehensive Visitor Experience Strategy undertaken in 2024 encouraged the team to explore ways of growing and improving the experiences offered at the historic settlement.

Christmas in the Valley had a loyal following, but Kings Landing also wanted to reach people who had never visited or hadn’t returned in many years.

An evening experience featuring thousands of lights seemed like an inviting way to introduce the village to new audiences, particularly during a quieter time of year. The team researched similar events at historic village museums across Canada and internationally, spoke with other museums, gathered feedback and began developing a new Christmas experience.

But there was one important consideration. How could they introduce something distinctly modern without losing what makes Kings Landing special? Melissa explained that the buildings and surrounding landscape needed to remain the stars of the show. The lighting was carefully designed to frame the historic architecture rather than overwhelm it.

Beyond the lights, the team wanted to preserve the nostalgic Christmas atmosphere visitors associate with Kings Landing.

That meant keeping the costumed interpreters, traditional activities and opportunities for people to gather together. A Christmas story by the hearth, Victorian-inspired card-making, church carolling and a campfire to warm up beside all help maintain that connection to the past. As Melissa put it, it’s the Kings Landing everyone knows and loves, with a little extra sparkle.

I think they got that balance just right.

Behind the Scenes: The People and Planning Behind the Lights

It’s easy to appreciate the finished display without giving much thought to the work involved in bringing an entire historic village to life after dark. Melissa shared some fascinating details about what happens behind the scenes, and the numbers are impressive.

Thousands upon thousands of lights

While the exact number is difficult to track, the installation involves tens of thousands of lights spread across dozens of buildings, trees and displays. And apparently, the count keeps growing! Melissa joked that just when the team thinks they’ve finished, someone finds another tree or building that could use an extra strand.

A returning team of approximately 35 seasonal staff

Around 35 summer employees return to help deliver the event. Their roles range from installing lights and decorating interiors to working as costumed interpreters, storytellers, cleaners and front-of-house staff. That’s in addition to the year-round team responsible for planning, site maintenance, administration, customer inquiries and social media. The King’s Head Inn team also has its own Christmas programming to prepare for, making this an especially busy time of year at Kings Landing.

Five to six weeks of installation

The lighting installation begins in October and takes approximately five to six weeks to complete. Planning, however, begins much earlier. Following the previous season, the team holds a debrief to review what worked and identify improvements.

Preparations gradually build throughout the summer, with the lighting crew getting started the week after Thanksgiving. Part-time employees begin returning in mid-November to help with training, decorating interiors, preparing the gift shop and getting everything ready for opening night.

What happens to all those lights afterward?

They don’t simply disappear when Christmas is over! Weather conditions mean some lights have to remain in place until late spring. The team begins removing what they can before the Maple event in March, with the remaining installations taken down later. Everything is sorted by building and stored on site until the following Christmas season.

A Little Historical Perspective

Here’s something I found particularly interesting. Electric Christmas lights aren’t historically representative of everyday 19th-century Christmas celebrations at Kings Landing. Although the first electric Christmas tree lights appeared in 1882, they were an expensive novelty and wouldn’t become commonplace until much later.

The team is quite intentional about this modern addition. Melissa shared a wonderful expression they use at Kings Landing: “We’re taking advantage of the present to enhance the past.” I rather like that approach.

Christmas Village Aglow 2026: What’s New This Year?

Following the tremendous response to its inaugural season, Christmas Village Aglow returns in 2026 with the familiar walking route and some new additions. Melissa told me that visitors can expect more illuminated areas, additional pathways and even more buildings brought into the experience. One new addition is Heustis House, which visitors will be able to explore inside this year. When we spoke, the team was still debating which colour lights would best complement the building!

Returning favourites include:

● Christmas stories and Victorian-inspired collage card-making at Ingraham House.

● Carolling at St. Mark’s Church.

● Campfire gatherings and warm drinks.

● The Peddler’s Market, featuring locally made gifts and handcrafted décor.

● Visits with Santa or Mrs. Claus.

There will also be new food and beverage options and additional activities for 2026.

It’s lovely to see the event evolving while retaining the elements that made its first season so appealing.

A Walking Experience Through the Village

Christmas Village Aglow is designed as a walking experience, with visitors following a route from the Welcome Centre, past the sawmill and towards the east side of the village. The return journey covers approximately two kilometres in total, along natural dirt pathways with some moderate hills.

Visitors select a timed entry when purchasing tickets online, helping Kings Landing manage the number of people arriving throughout the evening. Once inside, you can explore at your own pace until the village closes at 9:30 pm.

Melissa recommends allowing at least an hour and a half, although many visitors happily stay longer. One important consideration: this is an outdoor experience. The pathways are not paved, so warm clothing, good winter boots and comfortable footwear are essential.

Wagon rides are not available during the event because of winter nighttime conditions and the safety of the horses.

Accessibility Nights: Enjoy the Lights From Your Vehicle

Recognizing that not everyone can comfortably manage the walking route, Kings Landing is offering special drive-through accessibility evenings on December 8 and December 15, 2026. Visitors can enjoy the illuminated east side of the village from the comfort of their own vehicle. The drive takes approximately 15 minutes.

Tickets are $25 per vehicle, with advance online booking required.

This is a lights-only experience. Guests remain in their vehicles, so indoor activities, food service and visits with Santa are not included. These evenings offer another way for people who have difficulty navigating the pathways to enjoy a little Christmas sparkle at Kings Landing.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

A little advance planning will help make your evening more enjoyable.

Book your tickets early. The first Christmas Village Aglow attracted more than 15,000 visitors, far exceeding the team’s original goal of 9,000. According to Melissa, many time slots sold out, and the response was extraordinary. Advance timed-entry tickets are required, including for guests who qualify for free admission.

Dress for the weather. The event runs rain, shine or snow, unless severe weather requires cancellation. Wear warm layers, a winter coat, hat, gloves and insulated boots. If Kings Landing cancels due to severe weather, ticket holders are notified and receive a full refund.

Allow enough time. While you can walk the route relatively quickly, you’ll want time to enjoy the activities, browse the market, warm up by the fire and take photographs.

Bring your camera. There are plenty of opportunities for festive photographs, particularly with the historic buildings illuminated after dark.

Plan a little holiday shopping. The Peddler’s Market features local artisans, handcrafted décor and Christmas gifts. It’s a lovely opportunity to support local makers while finding something a little different.

Make an evening of it. If you’re looking for a special Christmas outing, consider pairing your visit with dinner at the King’s Head Inn. Guests attending Christmas at the King’s Head Inn receive complimentary same-day admission to Christmas Village Aglow.

Leave the pets at home. Only service animals are permitted.

For ticket questions and assistance, contact Kings Landing directly at info.kingslanding@gnb.ca or call 506-363-4999.

Why Christmas Village Aglow Is Worth Experiencing

I asked Melissa whether the new event was achieving one of its larger goals: introducing Kings Landing to new audiences, bringing former visitors back and encouraging people to return throughout the year. Her answer was an enthusiastic yes. In fact, one of the most encouraging aspects of the inaugural season was the number of people who told the team it was their first visit to Kings Landing, or their first time back in decades. Even better, many were already asking when they could return during the summer.

That’s something Melissa and her team are particularly pleased about. Christmas Village Aglow is intended to be more than a seasonal attraction. It’s also an invitation to rediscover the historic settlement and everything it offers throughout the year.

And that brings me to my own experience.I enjoyed my first visit so much that I returned with my family. Seeing the village through my daughter’s and grandson’s eyes made the evening even more special. Sharing a Christmas experience with the next generation, watching their excitement as they discover the lights, explore the village and enjoy the festive activities was priceless.

It reminded me that some of our favourite holiday traditions begin with simply trying something new. I also appreciate that Christmas Village Aglow offers something for different generations. Couples can enjoy a festive evening together, friends can make an outing of it, and families have plenty to keep younger visitors entertained.

Before we finished our conversation, Melissa shared one final thought that I think is worth passing along. She wishes every visitor would remember to slow down and enjoy the experience. The best moments, she says, often happen when people stop by the fire, step inside a historic house or simply take everything in. I couldn’t agree more.

Christmas Village Aglow may be a new addition to the Kings Landing calendar, but it has already found a place in the hearts of many New Brunswickers.

If you haven’t experienced it yet, perhaps 2026 is the year to give it a go. You might discover, as I did, that a little modern sparkle can make you appreciate a much-loved historic village in an entirely new way.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement: Experiencing 19th Century New Brunswick Through the Seasons

And if you’re already a Kings Landing fan, don’t forget that there’s plenty to discover beyond the Christmas season. For a closer look at the historic settlement, its fascinating buildings, costumed interpreters and seasonal experiences, read my feature, Kings Landing Historical Settlement: Experiencing 19th Century New Brunswick Through the Seasons.

After all, there’s more than one reason to return to this special corner of New Brunswick.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement: Exploring 19th-Century New Brunswick Through the Seasons

This post was sponsored by Fredericton Capital Region and Kings Landing Historical Settlement; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!