Experience Christmas Magic at Cumberland’s Vintage Village Of Light

At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.

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Some of the very best holiday experiences are rooted in nostalgia. From decades-old family recipes to nights spent carolling the tunes of yesteryear, something about celebrating the many layers of Christmas past feels incredibly cozy and comforting. Those feelings are in full force at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.

Every December, the Museum opens its grounds for visitors to enjoy the Vintage Village of Lights. The Museum is covered in Christmas lights, 30,000 of them, in fact! They adorn the fences, the trees, and the beautifully preserved buildings in one incredible, delightful display of holiday cheer. If you're attending this year, here's what you should know before you go.

You'll walk through the holiday magic

In 2020, the Museum cleverly adapted to pandemic conditions to offer a driving route through its property so visitors could enjoy the sites from the safety of their cars. I loved this practical approach to the pandemic restrictions. I was so excited I could listen to a specially produced "radio broadcast" in the car, which reflected the kind of programming rural residents might have enjoyed in the 1920s and 1930s. My good friend Lisa Potter, who also lives locally, shares my sentiment. "We thought it was a wonderful alternative that they offered," she says. "It was organized, easy to drive through, beautiful with the lights."

However, since 2021, Vintage Village of Lights has been reverting to its traditional walking program. While I loved being snug in the car, I was excited to experience the walking experience when I returned the following year. It was amazing! Okay, it was a touch chilly as well. You have to dress for the weather conditions and note that, this being Ottawa, things don't shut down just because of a bit of snow and wind. (Guests will want to note that the Museum's paths are gravel and that the heritage buildings may have some limited accessibility.)

There's lots of interactive fun

Visitors can expect lots of interactive activities while visiting the Vintage Village of Lights. The Museum's many buildings include the old Vars Train Station (complete with station master's office and passenger waiting room), Watson's Garage (which was once a 1925-era bicycle shop and then later a gas station), a blacksmith shop, a pump factory, a schoolhouse, a church, a fire hall, and several period homes. There's even a printing press, something that this local writer heartily approves of!

Without a doubt, the star of the Vintage Village of Lights is Santa Claus, taking time from his busy schedule at the North Pole to chat with the children of Ottawa. If that wasn't lovely enough, Santa also displays one of his little-known talents: He's bilingual! Kids can talk about their wish lists in both French and English.

There's A Sweet Treat At The End

Your nostalgic Christmas experience continues even after you leave. A package of gingerbread men, with everything you need to decorate them, is waiting for you to take them home. What a cozy end to the visit! Another local friend, Bonnie Kirkwood, shares my enthusiasm. "I think what I love about it is that it's cute," she says. "It's run by volunteers and feels like the true Christmas spirit. It isn't flashy like some corporate ones. You get a gingerbread kit, it's beautifully decorated in the country...We are longtime museum visitors and so much care is put into their events".

How To Get Tickets For Cumberland’s Vintage Village Of Lights.

Admission is by advanced ticket purchase, and everyone has designated time slots to avoid crowding. Admission is a very reasonable $26 per group (not per person!), and each group can contain up to six people. As the Museum is part of the City of Ottawa, you must purchase your tickets via the City's website. 

Where to eat near the Cumberland Museum

The tiny community of Cumberland is home to a superb restaurant that even many locals haven't heard of. The Maker Feed Co offers farm-to-table fare, including gourmet pizzas, ultra-cheesy French onion soup, and mains with duck, lamb, and mussels. I’ve tried their French onion soup and it is absolutely luscious. 

If you have secured one of the early time slots for visiting the Vintage Village of Lights, you'll want to note that Cumberland's renowned Black Walnut Bakery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and, in addition to their scrumptious breads, muffins, pies, pastries, and cookies, they also offer more substantial fare such as sandwiches and hearty salads. This is my favourite bakery in Ottawa!


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