Koziar’s Christmas Village sits on a converted dairy farm in Jefferson Township near Bernville, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles northwest of Reading. What began in 1948 as one man’s Christmas lights on his family home has grown into one of the country’s most celebrated holiday light displays, drawing visitors from across the region every winter.
Dairy farmer William M. Koziar started decorating the 1870s farmhouse for his wife and four children, and neighbors soon dubbed it the ‘Christmas House.’ Public demand turned a private tradition into a full-blown attraction, and the Koziar family has operated it ever since, with second and third-generation relatives now keeping the lights on.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Bernville, Berks County, Pennsylvania
- Opened: 1948
- Founder: William M. Koziar
- Lights: Over 1 million
- Operator: Koziar family (multi-generational)
- 2026 Season: November 7, 2026 – January 2, 2027
- Famous for: Named Best Outdoor Christmas Display in the World by Display World magazine
What Visitors See
The self-guided walking tour winds through illuminated make-believe village buildings like a church, firehouse, and ice cream shop, alongside the original Koziar farmhouse and barn wrapped in lights. Indoor exhibits include an HO-scale model train display and animated dioramas, while an outdoor G-gauge train layout runs through a miniature winter scene. Costumed characters such as Rudolph and Frosty make appearances for younger visitors.
The attraction has earned the Pennsylvania Travel Council’s Award of Excellence and recognition from the American Bus Association, and its image has appeared on the cover of the book Christmas in America: A Photographic Celebration.
A Family Tradition That Outgrew a Farm
Each November, the village reopens for its holiday run, typically lasting from the first Saturday in November through the first weekend of January. Hours vary by night, with limited weekend viewing before Thanksgiving expanding to nightly hours through the Christmas and New Year stretch, including designated ‘prime nights’ around the holidays.
Admission is ticketed, with discounted rates for children and seniors and free entry for children three and under, and free parking is included for all visitors.
Explore more: Explore more seasonal events and holiday attractions.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Koziar’s Christmas Village FAQs
Where is Koziar’s Christmas Village located?
It’s in Jefferson Township near Bernville, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, roughly 15 miles northwest of Reading.
When did Koziar’s Christmas Village start?
William M. Koziar began decorating his family’s dairy farm for Christmas in 1948, and the display has run every holiday season since.
How many lights are at Koziar’s Christmas Village?
The display now uses over one million Christmas lights spread across the farm’s buildings, walkways, and landscaping.
Get More from Koziar’s Christmas Village
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Koziar’s Christmas Village, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Dough4872 / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.