Upstater Destinations: Frosty Fest @ Headless Horseman Hayrides

  |  December 12, 2013
frosty fest

Frosty Fest entryway at Headless Horseman Hayrides, Ulster Park

Headless Horseman Hayrides has a well-earned reputation of scaring the bejeebus out of visitors during Halloween. But did you know they also go all out during Christmastime? It’s true. For the past few years, Headless Horseman has been pulling out all of the holiday stops for Frosty Fest, an event that Headless Horseman bills as a “family fun holiday light spectacular that will prove to be unlike any other event in the country.” Wow.

Lofty claims aside, Frosty Fest does look impressive. The grounds of Headless Horseman, located on Route 9W in the Ulster County hamlet of Ulster Park, are transformed into a twinkling, light-filled Winter Wonderland, complete with various attractions such as Candy Cane Lane, Frosty’s Enchanted Forest, Glistening Gardens, Magical Mansion, Santa’s North Pole, and Frosty’s Adventure. Frosty Fest also includes live stage performances, hayrides, gift shops, and plenty of opportunities to sip some hot cocoa to stave off the cold.

frosty fest2

Frosty Shenanigans at Frosty Fest

The price of admission will not break you. It’s $12 per adult and $8 for kids under 12. But, if you just want to wander around the midway, taking in the sights, it’s free to do so. From the looks of it, Frosty Fest might be more suited for the smaller fry. Kids older than 10 might be a little too cynical for it, but that’s not going to stop us from checking it out, surly pre-teen daughters in tow, the weekend before Christmas. They’ll pretend to be too old for it, but deep down inside, we know they will love it.

No reservations required for Frosty Fest. Just show up to the ticket window. You can even drive around and marvel at the light displays in Frosty’s Enchanted Forest, or you can take a hayride through, but that will cost you. Check out the Frosty Fest website for more information, including hours and directions.

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

Read more from Kandy Harris

Read On, Reader...