The BEST Christmas Tree Farm in Florida! – Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest

Although the Sunshine State doesn’t usually bring to mind images of snow-covered pines and bristling Douglas firs, there are actually a number of awesome little tree farms that let you take home the penultimate Christmas decoration – a real, live tree!

Today, we’re going to take you to our top Christmas tree farm in Florida: Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest! It’d be an ideal setting for Hallmark’s next Christmas movie, although finding the love of your life is not guaranteed with the price of admission. However, plenty of holiday fun definitely is!

Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis, FL

Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest is a family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm that’s celebrating over 30 years of uniting people with their perfect trees.

In 1987, Jack and Judy Ewing tried planting Virginia Pine Trees on their acreage, only to discover they wouldn’t grow in Florida’s heat and sandy soil. However, that wasn’t enough to deter them. Intrigued by “the little-known Florida Christmas Tree,” they planted a field of Choctawhatchee Sand Pines.

The Florida Christmas Trees grew, and over the years, their farm grew, too. Today, the family farm is home to other species of trees, a plethora of pumpkins during the fall, and a host of fun activities for the whole family!

The farm’s 2023 Christmas tree season starts on November 18th and runs through December 17th. Admission tickets can be purchased online and are required to enter the farm. Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest prices may vary based on peak days but usually average around $8.00 for the Christmas season. It’s highly recommended that guests purchase tickets in advance rather than at the gate – they sell out fast, and nothing takes the “happy” out of “happy holidays” like missing out on the tree farm!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

This lovely Florida Christmas tree farm spans 17 acres, which gives you roughly 17,000 gorgeous trees to choose from! You can adopt a sand pine, red cedar, or Arizona cypress to decorate with glittering tinsel and gleaming baubles.

The sand pine grows wild throughout Florida and is the most traditional-looking option, while the red cedar offers that signature holiday fragrance. (No candles needed this Christmas!) The Arizona cypress, with its lacy, silver-blue foliage, is certainly the most unique tree available and absolutely stunning. You truly can’t go wrong with any of them! Prices start at a flat rate of $45.00 for trees that are 5-to-12 feet tall.

Enjoy a hayride around the farm and use the tour across the acreage as a chance to scope out your potential tree. Once the ride stops, set out with your complimentary saw and get cutting! The hayride will then take you and your new tree back to the processing area for complimentary needle removal (shaker machine!), netting, and drilling for a rebar spike (if desired).

I love that each tree is grown right here in Sunshine State soil – it makes them extra special! But, if your heart is irrevocably set on a spruce or fir like you see in White Christmas, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest also offers a selection of Fresh Cut Northern Trees imported from Michigan and North Carolina. (Sometimes, the trees still have snow on them when they arrive!) If you’re opting for a Northern tree, be sure to stop by the tree farm earlier in the season rather than later, as they are subject to availability. Prices vary depending on the species and height of the tree, with a wide range of $40.00 to $350.00.

Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm also has another special option, perfect for people like me who sometimes find cutting a tree a bitter-sweet experience. (I think it stems from reading The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.) Instead of cutting down a tree, you can pick out a potted friend to take home! A 2-to-3-foot tall Arizona cypress or spiny juniper can be taken home in 3-gallon pots, or you can opt for a 5-to-7-foot tall cypress or cedar in a 10-gallon pot.

After Christmas is over, you can plant your friend in your yard and keep them all year long! How tree-mendous!

Extra Festive Fun on the Christmas Tree Farm!

While finding your perfect tree is certainly reason enough to head over to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest, this farm is geared up for a great family experience that can last all day if you so desire!

And by family, we mean the dog, too! Just make sure they’re on a leash, please.

Here are a few of the super fun highlights (not to be mistaken with twinkle lights).

Santa’s Flight Zip Line

How does Santa manage to fly around the world in one night? Zoom across the farm on this fast-paced ride, and you might just have a hint to his secret!

Santa’s Flight Zip Line soars above the trees for 400 feet of fun. Fly through the air and get a taste of what it’s like to be one of Santa’s reindeer! Experienced and trained employees make the ride smooth and fun.

For little kiddos, the tree farm also has “The Rudolf,” a smaller zipline that launches from a 3-foot platform. The lessened height doesn’t make it any less fun, though!

Crazy Elf Maze & Buddy’s Bounce Pillow

After zooming through the sky, get a little more down to earth with the Crazy Elf Maze! Made from wooden fencing, there’s no cutting through it like a corn maze (which is totally cheating, by the way). Once you’re in, you have no choice but to find the way out!

There are hidden pictures placed throughout the maze. Try to find them all, because if you do, you can win a prize! This maze is super fun for groups, whether going through collaboratively or competitively.

If you want some more Elfish fun, head over to Buddy’s Bounce Pillow! (Which we assume is named after Buddy the elf from the movie Elf.) Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest encourages both kiddos and kiddos-at-heart to enjoy a jolly jump or two! (Shoes off, please! Socks preferred, but not required.)

Kettle & Grill Concessions

At Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest, they know tree hunting is a good way to work up an appetite. That’s why they’ve got a “Hungry Elf Menu” at the Kettle & Grill Concessions.

You can order a full meal with sausage rolls, hotdogs, or a mouthwatering smash burger; they even have vegetarian hotdogs and burgers! If you’re just feeling snacky or want a delicious side dish, you can get some freshly-popped kettle corn, boiled peanuts, chips, or candy. And don’t forget the s’mores kits!

Feeling spicy? Head to Taco Tree for street tacos and quesadillas with beef or chicken, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, queso blanco, fresh cilantro, and house-made garlic lime crema.

Drinks include bottled water, sodas, juice, coffee, and of course – the ultimate Christmas drink – hot chocolate!

Santa & His Workshop

Santa’s Workshop is a sweet little gift shop brimming with beautiful ornaments, toys, and keepsakes to take home for family, friends, and yourself, too! Still missing the right gift? Talk to Santa about it! He visits the Christmas tree farm on most weekends and is happy to meet everyone, young and old. (This makes for a cute photo-op, too!)

Petting Zoo & Pony Rides (AKA the Best Part of Any Farm)

You’ll definitely want to befriend all of the sweet animals at this Florida Christmas tree farm. From goats to donkeys, you’ll never be short of critters wanting love, cuddles, and snacks. Feed is available to give the animals if you wish; nothing beats getting snuffled by those velvety soft muzzles.

Love horses? Then you’re in store for a little extra Christmas magic. This Christmas tree farm offers handler-led horseback rides (and pony rides for little ones) through the woods! Enjoy bonding with your gentle beast as you mosey through a picturesque forest.

I think this is all I want for Christmas!

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Ready to go to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest? Don’t forget to purchase your tickets in advance as limited capacity means walk-ins are not guaranteed entry.

We hope you have the merriest time finding your Christmas tree! Let us know if you chose a potted Arizona cypress or cut down your own sand pine in the comments below!

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Featured photo via Canva.com