Eckert’s Belleville farm kicks off holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 18
Cut-your-own Christmas trees at Eckert’s Belleville Farm. (Courtesy Eckert’s)
Eckert’s Farm, the family farm and country store in Belleville, Ill. (951 S. Green Mount Rd Belleville, IL 62220), announces the beginning of its holiday festivities with Cut-Your-Own Christmas trees starting this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additionally, the Belleville Farm, Country Store, and Country Restaurant are celebrating the season with the return of family favorite holiday festivities: Breakfast with Santa, Gingerbread House Workshops, Photos with Santa, and Newfoundland’s Christmas Tree Draft.
“At Eckert’s, we go above and beyond to create a magical experience for families during the holiday season,” says Chris Eckert, president of Eckert’s Farms. “From Breakfast with Santa and Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees to Gingerbread Workshops and holiday drink specials at our Cider Shed, our farm is perfect for families of all ages to get in the holiday spirit.”
Guests can look forward to the following activities at Eckert’s Belleville farm this holiday season:
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees
Eckert’s Farm, Belleville, IL | Nov. 18 – Dec. 23, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. every Tuesday – Sunday
Enjoy a holiday wagon ride through the Christmas Tree Farm to find the perfect live tree. The cost is $65 per Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree.
- Tuesdays – Fridays: $2 per person (ages two and older) when purchased online; $3 when purchased at the door. Guests check in at the Garden Center.
- Saturdays and Sundays: $2 per person (ages two and older) when purchased online; $3 when purchased at the door. Guests check in at the outdoor Pick-Your-Own Red Barn. Make reservations for this activity on Eckert’s website.
Gingerbread House Workshop
Eckert’s Cider Shed, Belleville, IL. | Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 1 — 4 p.m.
Learn how to build a gingerbread house for the holidays. Eckert’s will provide a gingerbread house kit and guide customers through constructing the perfect gingerbread house. Reservations are not required; guests can join in on the fun at the Cider Shed between 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 25 – Dec. 23. Guests can purchase each gingerbread house kit for $20. See more information here.
Breakfast with Santa
Eckert’s Country Restaurant, Belleville, IL. | Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in Eckert’s Country Restaurant. Children can get their faces or hands painted, decorate a sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles, and have a holiday story read to them. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fried potatoes, fruit, biscuits, homemade sausage gravy, and a drink (alcohol is not included). Available from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. every weekend from Saturday, Nov. 25 – Sunday, Dec. 23. This event is $25 per person. To make a reservation, visit Eckert’s website.
Photos with Santa
Eckert’s Garden Center, Belleville, IL. | Wednesday – Friday from Dec. 6 – Dec. 21, 3:30 – 7 p.m.
Commemorate the holidays with a family photo with Santa. Photos are $22 per family which includes one photo, and additional photos can be purchased on-site for $10 per photo. Reservations for Photos with Santa can be made on Eckert’s website.
Newfoundland’s Draft Christmas Trees
Eckert’s Farm, Belleville, IL. | Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The River King Newfoundland Club, a regional chapter of the Newfoundland Club of America, returns to the Belleville farm to draft Christmas trees for guests. Guests will cut their own holiday tree and the trained Newfoundland dogs will fetch the tree and bring it back to Eckert’s Garden Center. Donations will be accepted to help support the River King Newfoundland Rescue. More information here.
Eckert’s Christmas Eve Brunch
Eckert’s Cider Shed, Belleville, IL. | Saturday, Dec. 24, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit the new Cider Shed for Eckert’s Christmas Eve Brunch. Guests will order from a special holiday menu, cocktail and mocktail specials, and a visit from Mrs. Claus. Make your reservations here.
For more information on Eckert’s or to learn more about its holiday happenings, visit their website and follow along on social media (Facebook and Instagram) where the team will be sharing their daily updates from the farm.
