So the enchanted village is something I would recommend you try at least once. It's a seasonal event and I would say also a way to increase demand by limiting it's availability. The village portion is free and then you can get tickets to see the laser show, the 4d ride, play a carnival style reindeer racing game, go down a tube slide, get an expensive picture with Santa and get their famous blueberry muffins. You probably have to buy tickets in advance to get the hours you want for the shows but no reservation needed for the other things you can do. It's a nice experience which personally I wouldn't do often, maybe every few years or so, but kids tend to enjoy it so if you have kids you might end up having to do it every year :p. It's cheaper than a carnival and an indoor experience during the cold days of the winter. read more

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We love our annual tradition of visiting the enchanted village. The place is clean and fun. The village exhibit is magical with the snow. I wish they would let it snow longer or more frequent bc a first time visitor could walk through and miss the best part. Rudolph 4D is great for children. read more

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Great attraction, and true to the cliche "fun for the whole family." Great old timey vibe to get into the Christmas spirit, with nostalgic animated figures in holiday scenes, with period music. There's a surprising amount of diversity among the figures, especially given that these are from 1958. Some gripe that too many of the attractions have an added fee, but there's plenty of free stuff too. I came for the blueberry muffin, so that's what most of this review is about. "The Original Jordan's Blueberry Muffin" offered at Enchanted Village inside Jordan's Furniture is purportedly an exact replica of the legendary muffins sold decades ago at legendary department store Jordan Marsh. Jordan's Furniture (no relation) bought the recipe from Jordan Marsh, keeps it secret, but has Montilio's Bakery (Quincy) make them. They're sold only in boxes of six, so you can't just buy one. But at $13 for the six, a pretty good deal. Take note: even though the Montilio's Bakery makes them, they're not available at their stand. You need to go further in to purchase at a separate stand. From my childhood through my 20s I loved Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins (JMBMs) and considered them (and still do) among the best of all time. Many do, which is why there are so many muffin proprietors claiming to make them just like the original. They don't. You can give Rosanne Barr a Farrah Fawcett hairdo, but that doesn't make her Farrah Fawcett. But I digress. How close did these come to the legendary original? Crown: They nailed it almost exactly, but that's the easiest part. Too much sugar though, not just in general by today's standards, but also compared to the OG. Yeah, that sugary crust is the JMBM's defining item, but a) it takes more than that, and b) they overdid it, by at least 50%. Blueberries: More processed, too sweet, not blueberry-tasting enough. Dough Texture: Perfect, and this is where most imitators fail. JMBMs were never fluffy and were never greasy. It was dense and more like pound cake. Most imitators get the crown right but the rest wrong. These got it right. Dough Flavor: Close. It has some of that pound cake flavor as well as texture, but way too sweet. The OG JMBM dough wasn't nearly this sweet. Needs less sugar and more butter or shortening. Overall, somewhere in the B- to B+ range, but the closest of all the contenders and pretenders. read more

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Cost. Lines. Quality. Service. Don't bother. ...................................................

Was really crowded today but line moved quickly. If you like the oldtime Christmas family times you will like this. It's free. read more

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I have not been The Enchanted Village in 15 years since it also moved to Jordan's permanently during the holiday season. I was shocked to find out that it was free. It was magical and great for all ages, with the fake snow to the decorations, and the experience. They had an ice rink that was extra, a laser show which cost extra, which we purchased and enjoyed as it was a laser light show synchronizing with holiday music. They had more activities than anticipated. read more

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This place is super cool! They have all these displays of different Christmas Scenes that you walk through. Then they have a place where you can ice skate, but not real ice, but still cool. You can also visit Santa or play a few carnival games. We were not able to ride some of the rides because of my childs age, but they looked well done. We did experience the light show, which was choreographed to Christmas Music. The line was a bit decieveing here because you wait in line to get in a room, then you wait in the room for 15 minutes for the next show to start. It was also SUPER hot in the place, so leave your jackets in the car! read more

THIS PLACE STINKS!!!! It smells like an ashtray, and the overwhelming sound of kids screaming drives me NUTS!!!!! 1 star....don't recommend. read more

The Enchanted Village - This is my pet iguana...they hate this place.... - Festivals Near Me - Avon, Massachusetts

The Enchanted Village is an animatronic display created by Jordan Marsh in 1958. It was displayed in their Downton crossing Boston location until 1972. Revived in the 90's and early 2000's- the display was auctioned and bought by Jordan's Furniture which had it restored and displays it free of charge at their Avon, MA store each Christmas. The Christmas expiernce continues with a Polar Express "4S" ride, laser light show, games and an indoor skating rink. The other rides require tickets. Can be very busy on the weekends, it's great for kids- expect to wait 10-30 minutes in line to get in. read more

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Love it here. Fun for even little kids who can't do the ride and tube. Loved the workers as well! read more

Great experience!!! Took 2 nine years old boys today. They were blown away by everything. The displays were very detailed, we couldn't believe how realistic they were and the animation was cool. They enjoyed the light show and the Polar Express ride was great. Be aware that there is going to be alot of people, long lines and some things will cost a little but it was well worth it. We spent almost 3 hours there and enjoyed every minute. The staff was great and did everything possible to run things as effeciently as possible. Just get in the spirit enjoy the experience. Don't try to rush it and realize that no one else does anything like this. Oh yeah the blueberry muffins wear good!!!!! read more

I always see this advertised every year so we decided to go for the first time this year. We got there when the doors opened so there was no standing in long lines for anything. The 3 stars are for the displays but.... the glasses for the Polor Express ride are terrible. I could barely see through them, the light show was no big deal. Got my son a hot chocolate that I had to make myself from a Keurig machine. What was really awful was Santa Claus setting up his display by himself! As all the little children were watching! He was running back and forth frantically to set things up before he could meet the kids! Not one person was helping him but there were 6 concession stand workers just standing there watching him! That will be the first and last time I will be there. read more

If you're local go, if you have a drive don't waste your time! The displays are great(they're over 100 years old). The activities though are not worth it. The ice skating floor is horrible! Its a gel form, but every time you try to push of like regular ice skating, you didn't glide you'd fall. So many kids falling down. The reindeer game, was okay and the tube slide was okay, Santa looked real. But its very small display and of course Jordans has you walk through the entire store to leave(not fun for kids). Overall it wasn't worth it and it was PACKED on a Weds. afternoon. read more

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! ENCHANTED VILLAGE IS A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING & AN ANNUAL TRADITION IN BOSTON! It is located in Avon MA about 45 minutes outside of Boston. The lines here are INSANE up to 4 & 1/2 hours long see below for some Inside Tips so you don't have to wait that long. If you are a fan of the movie Christmas Story (You'll Shoot Your Eye Out ); then you've got to visit the Enchanted Village in Avon MA. The original animated Christmas displays that were showcased at Jordan Marsh Department Store in Downtown Boston in the 50s, 60s & 70s have been fully restored & are here for everyone to enjoy once again. They even make it Snow Inside. You will immediately feel the connection to this place. You'll say: Why does this place seem so familiar to me even though I've even never been here before? Higbee's Department store in Cincinnati Ohio with its eleborate animated Christmas window display & giant 2 story Santa was featured in the movie A Christmas Story which they air on TV every year. The history of the Higbee's store can be seen in the video entitled Remembering Classic Christmases at Higbee's in downtown Cleveland on YouTube. Sadly there is no more Higbee's, it has been turned into a casino in Ohio. They kept some of the displays & are still showing them. But now lots of people from all over the country are heading to Boston to get a taste of those old time Christmases like they see on YouTube & in a Christmas Story. Like I said This is Free Event & Free Parking. They also have PAID attractions here like Polar Express 4D Movie, The Indoor Plexi Glass Ice Skating Rink, Lite, Santa, Racing Reindeer. There is even a life size Ray Charles singing & playing his piano. They also have their famous Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. They got the original baker who baked them in the 70s & yanked him out of retirement to make these muffins once a year. It's a tradition that people take home a box of the Blueberry Muffins. They taste DELICIOUS grilled, nice & warm with melted butter. INSIDE TIPS. Come here in November or after Christmas it's open until New Years; You'll avoid the huge lines. If you must come in December go during the week & at off times. DO NOT COME HERE ON THE WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I talked to one of the employees, there is up to a 4 & 1/2 hour wait - that's longer than Disneyland & Universal put together Just to Get In. One girl & her family watched the movie Frozen 3 times waiting in line just to get inside. Also if you want to see the Giant 2 Story Santa which is very similar to the Higbee's 1955 Santa then check out Coletti-Magni Park in Newton MA - less than a 1/2 hour outside of Boston. You can read my review of that one too & Yes that one is FREE too! It used to be, you had to have mega bucks & be really rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget! read more

The Enchanted Village itself and Santa meet and greet are great for free experiences. However, their pictures are outrageously priced - one printed 5x7 in a paper folder is $28. Save yourself the time in the photo line - prices aren't posted - and take your own photo. Similarly in the overpriced category is the 4D ride at $7/each for a less than 10 minute experience. Maybe the camera and film weren't aligned but the 3D effect did not work, and left me with a headache from squinting to see the video right. Get there before opening for the least wait. Otherwise be prepared to stand in long lines. read more

The Enchanted Village itself is worth checking out, but definitely not well executed. We went the day after Christmas and it wasn't very busy, yet there were lines for EVERYTHING. I thought the pictures and refreshments were complimentary because of all of the people waiting in long lines, but they were not. They seemed well-staffed, but everything just seemed to take forever. I also was not impressed by the "ice skating rink". It's a very small area of smooth plastic flooring that they charge you $6 to use. We didn't bother because it looked lame. read more

Worst experience ever DO NOT COME HERE waited in line for an hour just to play some rigged reindeer game and to come to the pilot express movie sold out and the light show being closed worst expirence Ever read more

Fifth year in a row taking my daughter to the Enchanted Village at Jordan's. Love wondering through the displays that my mom took me to as a kid (when they were in Boston) and that she went to as a kid-- A great tradition! But what really makes it worth the trip each year is Santa! Santa at the Enchanted Village has been the same fella each year and he is simply magical! He truly makes the experience special for each child. We will continue to return every year so long as he is there! We always go on a weekday (typically taking advantage of a half day at school), as I imagine it could easily become hectic on a weekend. Choose to just visit the village and Santa, or prepare yourself to spend a bit of money to do the lights show, Polar Express, etc. We always like to participate in the activities, both because they are a treat, but also to give a little something back to Jordan's for continuing to host this experience. read more

for being free it was cool! save your money on the ice skating and tube, it's not real ice you can barley move. very very over crowded, hope you like people. the whole thing is one big line, but fun ! read more

This would be a great place to visit if it was not for all of the crowds. We went on a Sunday and the crowds we're unbearable. Also, the ice skating is on an ice-less tiny rink, smaller than frog pond. The ice skates are not sharp, so it's impossible to skate on it. Good thought - bad execution. I won't visit any more. Not worth the time spent. read more

Not worth the wait IMO. It's cute, but the part that's free is very small and everything else you pay for and wait a long time for. My daughter was creeped out by the dolls...lol. We went once and won't go back. We spent $100+ and many hours there with our family of 5. If you do go, go on a weekday as soon as school lets out. Don't go on a weekend unless you want to wait for hours. read more

The staff is horrible and rude ! We have come here every year this year we decided to go to the ice rink. When we went to the registers the very rude young lady explained they were closing and they would only have ten minutes to skate so I explained that if they charge 6 dollars for 30 minutes we shouldn't have to pay full price for just 10. She said well that's why you shouldn't even skate . My kids were in tears and very disappointed . I don't understand why they close so early when people don't get out of work until about 6 but that's Besides the point they could have closed without being so rude . As we were walking out this guy with a sweeper was headed towards my fragile 90 year old grandmother . My mother quickly blocked her from being hit just Incase the man didn't see her . The man looked at my mother and said " I saw her relax ! " we were in shock a person would talk to a couple of women in such a rude manor . As someone who is in customer service I couldn't believe what's supposed to be a magical place could turn into a bad experience due to employees. read more

Ya know, I felt like I went into Universal Studio's theme park without paying. The Enchanted Village was a recreation of maybe late nineteenth century, early twentieth Christmas scenarios in New England. The hybrid wax/animatronic figures were almost life like. I will be honest with you, at times I got confused with real people and wax figures. read more

Bring your own skates!!! Theirs have crooked blades that make your legs splay out like a newborn giraffe. Otherwise it's beautiful. We had to quit early. I'm normally a fairly accomplished skater. I made one loop and we had to quit read more

Definitely worth the price and drive if you don't live in the immediate area. There were so many lights and events going on we had a great time. The price of admission goes to a great cause! read more

I don't know why, but each year we bring the kids here and then always complain (a little bit) after in the car. The line is always forever long, unless you go during the week. I think the picture they take at the beginning slows everything down a ton, but they probably do it for that reason because they need way to "circulate" people. Hoping that as people who just took 5 min to pose for this picture means others left the same time. Once we walk in my kids favorite is it's snowing inside and I think there's like bubbles right in that hall you start in. The kids do enjoy looking at the dolls, but its nothing they go crazy about. It's very quick walk through. Cool though that these displays have been around so long though. My kids grandparents will always tell them while we walk through on how these looked back in the day and that they swore was more and bigger ect. Then a picture with Santa is next which I will say I do like how their pictures come out with the dark background and the chair they have Santa in ect. My oldest is big enough now for us to go on the ride this year, but before we used to just get popcorn and then ice skate a few minutes and play some water gun game they have there. My son is only 3 so can't go on the ride which stinks because most go there for this reason. But it's a good holiday stop for the kids that gets them out for an hour or so and a picture with Santa. read more