Christmas by Candlelight a holiday card come to life

STURBRIDGE – Like a Christmas card come to life, holiday decorations and twinkling lights will transform the recreated 19th-century New England village into a winter wonderland for Old Sturbridge Village’s highly anticipated Christmas by Candlelight.Now in its 12th year, Christmas by Candlelight has become a tradition for thousands of families and couples from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and even New York.This year guests can stroll through the decorated, historic village; listen to carolers and local choirs sing Christmas classics; take a horse-drawn winter sleigh ride (weather permitting); enjoy the warmth from a crackling bonfire and fireplaces; and even visit with Old Saint Nick.On Friday and Saturday nights, guests are invited to make reservations and enjoy a holiday dinner in the Oliver Wight Tavern (additional cost).Christmas by Candlelight will take place from 4 to p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21.The Museum Gift Shop and Oliver Wight Tavern will be open for holiday shopping and dining during Christmas by Candlelight.Admission to Christmas by Candlelight is $15 for adults and children and $13 for Old Sturbridge Village members. Tickets may be purchased in advance with reduced admission for Friday and Sunday evenings available online through Saturday. For details, advance tickets and dinner reservations, visit www.osv.org.”Old Sturbridge Village continues to bring people together for unique, hands-on experiences that enrich our perspectives on life and holiday tradition,” said Patrick Hughes, president and CEO of Fallon Health, the event’s sponsor.”As a community-focused organization, the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful, family-fun tradition is particularly meaningful to us and just one small way that we can show our gratitude for the outstanding support we’ve received over the years from the community.”Christmas by Candlelight gives guests a chance to enjoy the old-fashioned spirit of the holidays and learn just how today’s favorite traditions first began. Young and old will learn the origins of the Christmas tree, mistletoe, Yule logs and poinsettias from the Village’s costumed historians.Guests can also make Christmas keepsakes while learning about the history of Christmas cards and craft a tin ornament while learning how Christmas tree decorations came to be.Christmas by Candlelight musical performances will include a wide range of professional, student and community musicians including Full Gael Celtic Christmas, Worcester Men of Song, Quintebrass, Boston Jazz Voices, Geoff Brown and Tev Stevig Acoustic Christmas, Northampton Woodwind Quartet, Jacques Ave Five, Vocal Revolution, Treblesome, Eva and Dave Brown, Broadmoor Chamber Singers, Elm Street Handbells, the Old Sturbridge Village Singers and a number of town bands and regional fife and drum corps. Student musicians from Worcester State University and a number of area high schools will also perform. A schedule of guest performers is at right, but for up-to-date information go to www.osv.org.Christmas by Candlelight activities for children include Punch and Judy puppet shows; holiday readings from Christmas classics including ?Twas the Night Before Christmas, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas; the Bob Olson’s Holiday Magic Show; and of course, sharing holiday wish lists with Santa Claus.Returning this year is the annual Gingerbread House Contest – where visitors can vote for their favorites among dozens of hand-crafted entries – a model train display, a miniature New England Christmas village and a must-see nativity.Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Each year, more than 250,000 visitors interact with costumed historians, experience up-close demonstrations of early American trades and meet heritage breed farm animals. Situated on 250 scenic acres, the Village includes more than 40 hi