SHERBROOKE — More than 2,000 people, braving inclement weather, poured into Sherbrooke Village on Nov. 28 for the launch of its Christmas celebration and the community’s first full holiday weekend in two years, according to organizers.
“Based off our attendance counts at three entry points, we estimate that between 1,750 and 2,200 visitors came out for the opening night,” said Lanny Boyer, Village marketing and event coordinator.
Visitors of all ages filled the historic site for the three-day (Nov. 28-30) Christmas at Sherbrooke Village – the successor to the community’s traditional Old-Fashioned Christmas, which halted in 2024 due to volunteer burnout.
Despite frigid temperatures and heavy rain, people lined up for the lighting of the Christmas tree, Santa’s arrival and the fireworks display. Said an enthused Boyer in an interview with The Journal last week: “That’s with the rain coming down in sheets at times… the energy was incredible, and it was clear people were genuinely excited to have this event back.”
Totals for the full weekend are still being finalized, though the museum’s working estimate is around 3,500 visitors over the three days. “For a museum our size, that’s a massive turnout,” Boyer said.
He said feedback since the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the shift toward hands-on, heritage-focused activities rather than vendor-driven programming.
“Opening our historic buildings for interpretation was a huge hit – even if it meant a big lift in staffing and fuel costs,” he said.
Sugar Plum Lane and Santa’s Workshop drew continuous lineups Saturday. Sugar Plum Lane, created by Dr. Michelle Clarabut’s team of painters led by Suzette Jordan, was particularly well received.
“The first-year installation pieces were gorgeous… visitors loved it. Sugar Plum Lane is poised to be one of the most nostalgic and playful corners of the entire museum,” he said, noting plans for it to expand next year as part of an interactive experience.
Carriage rides ran at capacity throughout the weekend, and the Victorian teas also earned strong reviews. Boyer credited the McDaniels Tea Room team with “absolutely knocking it out of the park.”
The groaning board meal sold out both services.
“Chef James Spears delivered outstanding food,” Boyer said, “while Bill Johnston’s service team kept things running smoothly.”
If Friday’s crowd “was buzzing,” Boyer said, Saturday proved an even bigger surprise. “Families were hustling up and down Main St. trying to keep up with their kids. Between the horses, the food vendors, Santa’s workshop and the General Store, the place felt more like a drag strip than a museum.”
Some operational improvements are already on the museum’s list for next year. Staff will look at better ways to cover long distances on site. Boyer, who reported logging 20,000 steps Saturday, said “I wasn’t the only one who hobbled home.”
He said preparations for next year’s event will need to begin earlier. While the team accomplished “remarkable work in four weeks,” he said, “Doubling or tripling that lead time would allow us to go from a great first year to absolute knockout.”
The museum is keeping notes on what worked and what could improve. Based on visitor feedback so far, opinions varied on the event’s best feature. Some favoured the carriage rides or the 45,000 lights; others preferred Sugar Plum Lane or simply the hot cocoa.
Boyer said, “But, the one everyone stops me in the grocery store to talk about is Santa’s workshop.”
Sherbrooke resident and museum staff member Mike Porter and his team of elves “created something truly magical,” he said, describing it as an interactive North Pole experience where “kids of all ages could actually wrap presents and work the whacky machines with the elves in real time.”
He added: “There’s nothing like it outside of books and movies. And people absolutely adored it. More than that… many said they couldn’t believe their eyes.”
Betty Williams of Hammonds Plains was one. Describing her visit to Christmas at Sherbrooke Village as “absolutely delightful,” she said, “the elves filled me with the spirit of Christmas. So much work went into that workshop – it was cute, funny and magical… whoever designed it has a very vivid imagination.”
Asked whether Christmas at Sherbrooke Village will return next year, Boyer said, “My heart says ‘yes,’ but the practical side of me knows the event has to be financially sustainable.”
With a budget of $90,000, he said, margins are tight. “Our team made smart choices this year, but we’ll need to see where the numbers land before making anything official.”
Even so, he said the turnout and enthusiasm suggest strong demand for seasonal programming.
“I truly believe we have something special here,” Boyer said. “Sherbrooke Village is more than capable of filling that need for Nova Scotians, and I’m proud to be part of a team this motivated and talented.”
