November 29, 2005 > Victorian Christmas celebration set at Ardenwood Historic Farm

by Tara Reinertson

The sleigh bells will be jingling with the spirit of a traditional Victorian Christmas on both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4 at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, with special music and holiday activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

There will be caroling and other seasonal music, a Yule Log hunt, children's entertainment, craft activities, and artisans selling their fine crafts. Tour the beautifully decorated historic Patterson House, visit with Father Christmas and take a horse-drawn train ride through the monarch butterfly forest.

The music will include singer/guitarist David Maloney from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, The Fabulous Flugel Horns from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. on each day, Sing Glad Noel singing traditional Christmas carols from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day and wandering student musicians.

The Puppet Company will perform "The Nutcracker" on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. and Opera Piccola will perform "Hansel & Gretel" from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, using children from the audience as participants. The Yule Log hunt starts at 1 p.m. each day. There will also be craft activities for the whole family, plus Bay Area artisans selling crafts such as handmade soap, and chocolates.

Special event fee for the Ardenwood Victorian Christmas is $8 for adults (18 and over), $6 for seniors (62 and over), and $5 for children ages 4 through 12, children 3 and under are free.

Ardenwood re-creates life on a prosperous, turn-of the-century farming estate. The park is located on Ardenwood Boulevard just north of Highway 84 in Fremont. For more information, phone Ardenwood at (510)796-0199 or visit www.ebparks.org.