Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland offers a festive, immersive atmosphere with holiday music, elaborate displays and plenty of Christmas cheer – making it fun for all ages. The store itself spans roughly 1.7 football fields and resides along Christmas Lane, a half-mile stretch decorated with brilliant light displays and Nativity scenes. You can visit the World’s Largest Christmas Store 361® days of the year, and this is your guide to planning your trip!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…
In this guide, we will explain the following:
- Personalization
- Photo-Ops
- Season’s Eatings Snack Area
- Program Center
- Silent Night Chapel
- Christmas Lane
- Santa & Easter Bunny Visits
- Scavenger Hunts
- Helpful Tips for Visiting
Personalization
Bronner’s is proud to offer over 50,000 trims and gifts, including about 8,000 styles of ornaments. Throughout the years, personalization has expanded from hand-painted ornaments to include paint-penned ornaments and plaques, and embroidered Christmas stockings and Santa hats. Here is what you need to know about personalized items at Bronner’s:
Penned Ornaments:
Many of Bronner’s personalized ornaments are hand-lettered using paint pens or permanent ink. The acrylic-based paint pens come in a variety of colors and dry quickly. This process only takes a few minutes but anticipate waiting in line, especially during the holiday season.
Painted Ornaments:
Bronner’s Paint-N-Go service allows you to have ornaments hand-painted and personalized while you wait. Because we use oil-based paint, hand-painted ornaments require more drying time than penned ornaments to properly cure before being carefully wrapped.
*Not all ornaments available at Bronner’s can be personalized.
Embroidery:
Bronner’s also offers select Christmas stockings and Santa hats with elegant embroidery available in a colorful assortment of high-quality threads.
*You can also order personalized items online at bronners.com
*Learn more about Bronner ‘s Personalization Process and FAQs
Photo-Ops
Say cheese! Capture the festive spirit in our delightful indoor and outdoor scenes, perfect for family Christmas cards and fond memories! Some displays are permanent fixtures and have become iconic symbols at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Meanwhile, new displays are added seasonally to showcase new products and celebrate upcoming events.
Season’s Eatings Snack Area
The snack area offers refreshments including soups, sandwiches, and Christmas sweets. See what’s on the menu! (Bronner’s sugar cookie recipe is a secret family recipe and one of our most popular sellers!)
Program Center
Visit the program center to learn about Mr. Christmas himself! Plan to stop into Bronner’s program center on your next visit to enjoy one or all three of our DVD presentations, free of charge! You can watch video presentations about Wally Bronner (the originator of the World’s Largest Christmas Store®), the history of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, as well as the development of the Silent Night Memorial Chapel.
Presentations are announced over the PA system in the store to let you know when the next showing will begin. You can also check showtimes at Bronner’s Program Center & Showtimes.
While you’re there, browse Wally’s collection of over 500 Nativity scenes from around the world!
Silent Night Chapel
Nestled on the southern tip of Bronner’s 27 acres stands the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. Bronner’s chapel is a replica of the original chapel in Oberndorf/Salzburg, Austria, which marks the site where “Silent Night” was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818. Bronner’s chapel is open daily during store hours for visitation and meditation but not for ceremonies.
Christmas Lane
Approximately 100,000 twinkling lights illuminate Bronner’s half-mile-long Christmas Lane every evening from dusk until midnight. Gather up the family and get some Christmas music playing on your radio or phone and enjoy the wonderful displays!
Santa & Easter Bunny Visits
Santa visits daily at Bronner’s the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve Day. Bring your camera and your wish list to Bronner’s!
You can find him located near the south entrance. Register at the Santa booth near the south entrance. Please note that many children wish to see Santa on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests should anticipate a wait.
You can also catch the Easter Bunny at Bronner’s during the spring! Check our events calendar for exact dates and times to see Santa and the Easter Bunny.
Scavenger Hunts
Add a little extra fun to your Bronner’s trip with a scavenger hunt! Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a seasoned Bronner’s guest, embark on a fun-filled adventure to find historic artifacts for a trip down memory lane with us! Can you find all of the artifacts listed? Print of Bronner’s Scavenger Hunt Part 1 and Part 2 to begin your search.
The city of Frankenmuth also offers a Gnome Hunt that leads you to hidden gnomes scattered throughout the charming town, including Bronner’s!
*See Bronner’s Trivia for even more fun facts about the World’s Largest Christmas Store®
Helpful Tips for Visiting
Busy Season
When planning your visit, consider what time of year it is. Our busy season is November-December, and weekends are naturally busier than weekdays. Events and festivals happening in Frankenmuth also draw in foot traffic. Expect large crowds and anticipate waiting in line if you plan to visit during those times.
Store Directory
Utilize the store directory to navigate your way around the store. These are available at our south and west information booths as you enter the store.
Store Hours
Check the store hours and events calendar ahead of time to better plan your trip. We are open 361 days a year.
We recommend a minimum of 1 hour to browse the store, but let’s face it … you could spend your whole day in this CHRISTmas Wonderland!
Attire
Dress appropriately for weather conditions and consider wearing comfortable walking shoes. The store is HUGE so be prepared to get your steps in!
Strollers & Wheelchairs
Strollers are available at our information booths for a $2 rental fee. (With stroller rental, you receive a coupon for $2 off a purchase of $10 or more.) Manual wheelchairs (two sizes) are also available at our information booths at no charge. You are welcome to bring your own stroller or wheelchair.
Unfortunately, we do not offer power scooters but you are more than welcome to bring your own. For motorized wheelchair rental options, please visit https://www.frankenmuth.org/search/?query=mobility
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome. Sorry, but due to health department regulations with our snack area, pets are not allowed in the store.
https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcr/posters/service-animals/animals-in-food-establishments.pdf
Restrooms
Restrooms are located near the south and west checkouts. They are clean, spacious and equipped with diaper changing stations (both men’s and women’s) and child protection seats in some stalls. A family restroom is also located at the west checkout area.
Shipping
Bronner’s also offers shipping at the customer service counter (section 12). There, you can send gifts to your loved ones directly from the store or avoid damaging items during your travels by sending them to your home.