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Winter Wonderland Holiday Experience

Winter Wonderland

Our Winter Wonderland Holiday Experience, presented by DeNooyer Automotive Family, is an event unlike any other holiday attraction and light show you can imagine! We enter our third year with an expanded amount of holiday lights and displays across the spacious 90-acre Gilmore Car Museum campus.

During the holiday season, the automobile becomes more than just a mode of transportation for families. It becomes a conduit for shared experiences, cherished traditions, and the creation of lasting memories. Enjoy a mile long drive through the grounds, surrounded by festive music and decorations. In addition to the drive through light show, visit the inside of the museum for more holiday fun.

Interactive exhibits engage your senses and creativity. Decorate your own holiday ornament or enjoy s'mores around the fire. A large Christmas village offers the perfect search and find activity for the entire family and the Great Elf Hunt will test your wit as well as your eyes.

It's an experience that captures the essence of the holiday season, blending the magic of outdoor light displays with the warmth and nostalgia of indoor museum exhibits. It's a journey that leaves you with cherished memories of winter and the holiday season


In addition to the twinkling lights and delightful decorations, Winter Wonderland boasts a variety of memorable experiences for Gilmore guests to enjoy this winter.

Christmas Through the Decades Exhibit

Christmas through the decades 40s

This exhibit takes you on a journey throughout the museum, where cozy living room scenes depict the spirit of the holiday across different eras. The journey begins in a recreation of the early 1900s, where the holiday season is marked by simplicity and traditionalism and culminates in the 1990s where technology and pop culture ruled the day.

Festival of Trees Exhibit

Festival of trees

This is an enchanting holiday exhibit as well as a charitable event. It combines the festive spirit of the holiday season with a commitment to giving back to the community through the Barry County United Way. Businesses decorate trees located throughout the entire museum. Bring in non-perishable food items to vote for your favorite trees by placing items underneath them.

Great Elf Hunt

Great elf hunt

A whimsical and immersive experience that invites participants of all ages to embark on a quest to find Santa's most elusive and mischievous helpers, the elves. With map and clues in hand, you set off into the museum, taking in all the different sights and sounds. The clues will challenge your wit and creativity and hint to the locations of each elf encounter.

Live Holiday Music - Friday & Saturday Nights

Live music

The symphony of instruments fill the main gallery with rich, resonant sounds. From traditional carols like "Deck the Halls" and "Silent Night" to lively renditions of holiday classics like "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland," each note carries the spirit of the season.

Holiday Village Search & Find

Garlandtown USA

Our holiday village search and find activity is a festive game that revolves around the challenge of locating specific items, characters, or hidden objects within the bustling holiday village of Garlandtown, USA.

Rudolph's Reindeer Forest & Flight Academy

Reindeer Forest

The light-up reindeer forest is a captivating and enchanting display that brings the magic of the holiday season to life in a dazzling spectacle of light and imagination. Amongst the tall trees, glittering reindeer sculptures emerge from the darkness.

The North Pole Post

Letters to Santa

The North Pole Post is a delightful setup designed to inspire children and adults alike to pen heartfelt letters to Santa Claus. Whimsical stationery, colorful markers and crayons wait patiently for eager hands to start writing.

Holiday Themed Photo Opportunities

Holiday photo op

Capture the spirit of the season through a single image in a fun and memorable way. The holidays are a time to share laughs and create shared experiences making them a cherished part of your family's history.

Ornament Making Station

A delightful and creative space where visitors of all ages can craft their own personalized holiday ornaments. Huddle around tables, laugh and share ideas, while the room resonates with the sound of creativity as you create a cherished keepsake to take home.

Free Santa Visits

Santa visit

Visiting Santa Claus is a cherished and magical experience that captures the spirit of joy and wonder. Share your wishes, hopes, and holiday stories with the man who embodies the magic of Christmas. Capture the moment with a photo, forever preserving the memory of this special encounter.

Holiday Sweet Treats

Gourmet Hot Cocoa

Tantalize the taste buds but also evoke a sense of nostalgia, tradition, and the joy of sharing with loved ones. Sweet treats are a delightful part of the holiday season, symbolizing the warmth and togetherness that make this time of year so special.

Kris Kringle's Courtyard

Inflatable Maze

Entering Kris Kringle's Courtyard of inflatable figures is like stepping into a world of whimsy. The scene before you is a delightful fusion of classic holiday charm and imaginative fantasy.

Dashing Through The Snow Vintage Rides

Driving through the Light Tunnel

Let us do the driving for you! Take in hundreds of thousands of lights from the inside of a vehicle right out of the Museum's collection. Prepare to be amazed as the lights start to dance in time to the music coming in through the radio.

Dashing Through the Snow family rides through the lights in Ford Model T’s, a Checker Taxi Cab, a ‘63 Cadillac convertible, and several other vintage cars from our collection.

Santa's Garage

Elves Working on Car

Santa's garage is a magical workshop where Santa Claus and his team of elves prepare for their annual journey to deliver gifts to children all around the world. The air is filled with a symphony of sounds - the rhythmic tapping of hammers and wrenching of hardware.

Giant Christmas Cards

Artwork of Santa working on an Engine

Delight in winter scenes from vintage advertisements and classic automotive artwork. Winter-themed artwork often evokes a sense of nostalgia, wonder, and appreciation for the unique beauty and emotions associated with the winter season. Whether it's a frosty landscape, a cozy interior, or a festive holiday scene, these artworks invite viewers to embrace the magic of winter.


Ticket Pricing

Online:

  • Adult (18+) - $17.50
  • Youth (age 5 - 17) - $9.50
  • Child (age 4 and under) - FREE

At Door:

  • Adult (18+) - $20
  • Youth (age 5 - 17) - $12
  • Child (age 4 and under) - FREE

Dates & Hours

  • 5:00pm – 9:00pm
  • November Days Open: 11/24, 11/25, 11/26, 11/30
  • December Days Open: 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/12, 12/14 – 12/23, 12/28-12/30



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