There are plenty of beloved holiday happenings to explore throughout Pennsylvania, and this is the time of year when so many places are getting their final preparations underway, ready to release schedules and announcements for upcoming events and grand openings to certain area attractions. But you don’t have to wait to experience what can rightfully be deemed one of the state’s best Christmas mainstay traditions of all, because as of Saturday, November 4, Koziar’s Christmas Village is now open for the holiday season.
Located in Berks County, Pennsylvania, folks have been venturing far and wide to Koziar’s Christmas Village every year for well over seven and a half decades now. It remains a timeless tradition and an impressive marvel of featured lighted walkthrough Christmas displays that truly stand out from all others. Its charming quaintness as a Christmas community “village” gives off that magical nostalgic vibe, which forever transcends generational age gaps and continues to amaze old and young visitors alike. You just don’t get that same sense of authenticity and warmheartedness at other places—they have something truly remarkable here.
Over the years, faithful annual attendees have come to regard visits to Koziar’s Christmas Village as a family tradition. How befitting given that the history behind its founding began as an in-the-family labor of love. It was in 1948 when William M. Koziar first started decorating the farm with Christmas displays, all for the enjoyment of his wife Grace and their four children. The decorations were originally displayed around the house and barn areas but were soon extended to other outbuildings as well as along walkways, trees, fences, and the lake.
Eventually, the designs and décor became even more elaborate, and in no time the “Christmas House,” as locals dubbed it, captured the attention of onlookers. Later on, visitors wishing to get a closer view were admitted onto the premises to experience the lights and displays up close for themselves. And in no time at all Koziar’s Christmas Village emerged as one of the area’s greatest public holiday attractions!
Today it remains a family-owned operation. Additionally, several of the current employees are second and third-generation associates.
Koziar’s Christmas Village features a huge Winter Wonderland spectacle of mesmerizing displays, presented in a self-guided go-at-your-own-pace format with clearly marked pathways. The lights are awing on their own, but all those wonderfully themed glass outbuildings, each presenting captivating storied scenes playing out within, are simply charming, to say the least. Notable highlights include Santa’s Post Office, the Old-Fashioned Bake Shop, Christmas in Other Lands, Christmas Beneath the Sea, the Toy Maker and His Toy Shop, the Night Before Christmas, the Kissing Bridge, and their beautiful depiction of the Manger scene. Both the indoor and outdoor train displays also continue to stand out as visitor favorites every year.
In addition to outdoor features, many of Koziar’s attractions can also be found within indoor locations onsite. You can stop in the gift shop for memorable souvenirs, attire, merch, and other themed products, and even get a taste of a tantalizing treat or two via the snack shop offerings. You may even be surprised to find a couple of jovial characters out and about. Santa Claus himself can be found in his headquarters on Santa Claus Lane, much to the delight of eager children looking to visit.
With 76 years to its credit, Koziar’s Christmas Village has earned several notable awards and plenty of acclaimed recognition on both a local and national level. Some of these include “Best Outdoor Christmas Display in the World” by Display World Magazine, an “Award of Excellence” from the Pennsylvania Travel Council, “Best of the Best” in 2021 by the American Bus Association, and so many others. It was even noted as one of the “Top Ten Travel Attractions in Pennsylvania” and voted one of the “Must See PA Holiday Attractions” by VisitPA.com. Additionally, it was also featured on the Today Show back in 2019.
Koziar’s Christmas Village is a truly magical holiday experience. If you’ve been before, you already understand this fact. If you’ve never been, though, this is the time to visit. Hours of operation now through Thanksgiving are on Fridays between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Following Thanksgiving and through January 1, Koziar’s Christmas Village will be open nightly, every Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and all other aforementioned weekend hours keeping the same times previously mentioned.
The site address for Koziar’s Christmas Village is 782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, PA 19506. To learn more, including admission pricing and all other general information, visit their website at www.koziarschristmasvillage.com.