Lights at the Farm in Mesa is a wonderful holiday event to share with the entire family, with a synchronized light show, ice skating, and more!
Christmas is over. The gifts are open, the wrapping paper is thrown away, the boxes are piled up and now it’s time to settle in and enjoy some time off work and school, and eat leftovers. But there is still holiday fun to be had! Until December 30th, Vertuccio Farm in Mesa is hosting Lights at the Farm, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
And Bonus: the tickets are on an after holiday sale! Entry is $10, plus tax, and skating is $8.
This fun event could be a quick walk through, or a slow stroll. To enjoy the full experience, we recommend taking advantage of the “Ice” skating rink. The cost for skating is extra, but it really enhanced the evening and made us feel like we had a more full winter time experience.
Another extra worth considering is paying $5 to hold and play with baby goats by the free petting area. We didn’t do that one, but we saw the baby goats and a kind patron let my kids pet one. It was so incredibly tiny, I melted into a puddle of giggly ooo’s and awww’s. It was so little and soft! Ok, I’m done.
When you first walk in, off to the left is a booth selling pies and cookies. We bought a box of cookies, and we loved the soft molasses ginger bread men. Most of the activities are towards the right. I recommend going right, and getting some great family photos by the tree. On a busy night, however, the skating rink can get backed up. So if skating is on your agenda, you might consider going there first, and either skating right away if there’s availability, or getting your name on a wait list with a return time. You can bring your own ice skates, or use the ones they have there. The rink is towards the back of the light show, past the singing light bulbs, and to the left of the pallet maze.
My favorite exhibit was a lovely tribute to our US veterans and service members. There was a huge flag made of lights, and scenes of military vehicles, such as a tank and helicopters depicted in lights. Every few minutes, an announcement was made that it was time for the patriotic show, and you can go see the flag area while listening to “Proud to be an American.” It was very moving, and I’m thankful Vertuccio Farm includes this as part of its display.
The large creche near the back is a beautiful nativity display, showing the traditional figures of a manger scene in a stable. There is a scripture verse on a poster to the right. This is a great place to take pictures, and take a moment to remember the real meaning of Christmas.
To the right of the nativity display is a farmer’s market style line of booths, with lots of different merchandise for sale. We saw books, soaps, blankets, jewelry, copper sculptures, candles, candy, baked goods, toys, and lots more. We got a few festive stocking stuffers, and some free candy and bookmarks.
But the clear favorite of the event was the petting zoo. The kids really loved the goats and fluffy sheep. They fed a camel and pet a baby cow. There were lots of animals to go around, and while the area was busy, it didn’t feel overcrowded. It’s free to enter, and there is a table of hand sanitizer by the exit.
Lights at the Farm in Mesa
Other features include a lighted tunnel, a big hay stack to climb on, a pile of huge colorful tires to clamber around, a donkey, a big white sled pulled by a huge reindeer, and duck races. There’s also a food truck, with dinner and hot chocolate available for purchase, as well as other treats like popcorn and cotton candy. The music is lively, the lights are fun, and the treats are yummy. This was a fantastic holiday experience, and we have no complaints. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to stretch the holiday fun out a little longer, or put it on your list for next year.
For more information visit their website.
More great events can be found on the events calendar!
