FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What events will be held at Sandy Hill Farm in 2024?

In 2024, there will be two events held at Sandy Hill Farm: The Charity Egg Hunt and Winter Wonders 2024-2025. The Charity Egg Hunt was held in April, 2024. It was a big success! Thanks to everyone that participated. The Winter Wonders 2024-2025 Event is scheduled for the months of November, December, January, February, and the first weekend in March. Check out the Winter Wonders tab on this website for a description of the event, specific dates/times, pricing, and to purchase tickets. The Ticketing Site is now open so you can purchase tickets for this year’s Winter Wonders Event.

What are the events like? Could you describe the events?

The Winter Wonders 2024-2025 Event is an innovative light show that is designed to be immersive and interactive. You and your group will stroll through our enchanted forest (14 acres of mature woodland) at your own pace. As you walk on the trail, you will be able to take in numerous creative light displays, decorations, and interesting scenes.

Throughout your walk, you will become immersed within the lights in many places. All of the displays are one-of-a-kind. You won’t see them anywhere else! The vast majority of them have been constructed right on the farm by our artisan designers, while a few were sourced from around the world. There will also be fun winter and holiday music to help enhance the mood during your walk.

The compacted gravel path is approximately a mile long, meandering through gentle, rolling terrain. There are a few areas where the elevation change will be moderate. The trail is basically a big loop so you won’t get lost in the forest. It will take approximately an hour to see everything.

There are lots of areas to take pictures and/or video to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Is it possible to see the lights by driving through or being driven through?

No, the event is a self-guided, walking tour. Since the trail length is roughly a mile on primarily gentle, rolling, and moderate topography it isn’t too strenuous for most people. The walk is similar to a moderate hike through the woods with some elevation changes along the path. At this time, we do not offer rides of any type through the trail, although someone could use a motorized wheelchair if it has all-terrain tires and a strong, fully-charged motor. Other types of motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail. Currently, we do not provide any motorized alternatives for navigating the trail

What kinds of light displays are included in the Winter Wonders Light Show?

The light displays that are part of Winter Wonders 2024-2025 focus primarily on celebrating the Winter Season, Local Culture and Activities, Farming Life, Local Wildlife, and Immersion in Light. There isn’t a focus on a Particular Religion or Christmas/Santa Claus.

What ages of people are the light shows designed for?

All of our light shows are designed to appeal to people of all ages. Within our light shows, there are some areas that are geared more towards children and other areas that will appeal more to adults. We believe that everyone will enjoy all of the lights and each display. That’s what makes these events perfect for all generations of a family: children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.. Come as an extended family and enjoy!

Are the light shows safe for people with Epilepsy?

All of our light shows have blinking lights with different levels of intensity and different patterns, so if a person has photosensitive epilepsy, there may be some risk of attending a show. It just depends on the severity of the person’s condition. We are not medical professionals, but if there is any question about the blinking lights triggering a seizure, we would recommend not attending the light show. Of course, the decision is up to you and your family.

What are the best days and times of the day to come to the light shows?

The best days to come obviously depend on your schedule, but something to be aware of is that the weekdays tend to be less crowded. If you like a calm environment and have flexibility in your schedule, we would recommend coming on a weekday for your maximum enjoyment. The weekend days tend to sell out, so those days will have more visitors. The extra energy on those days will appeal to a certain type of person, so it just depends on what you are looking for on your visit. Just be aware that the closer we get to the Christmas Holiday, the busier the event gets.

In terms of the best times of the day to come to the light shows it will depend on the make-up of the group you are coming with. The light shows start right around dusk. Families with young children make up most of the visitors during the earliest time slots. Many of those families have strollers and/or wagons. Those time slots tend to be the busiest, especially on the weekend. The time slots from around 7:15pm to 8:00pm will have fewer children and a little less activity. The time slots after 8:00pm tend to be the least busy. It just depends on what you are looking for.

We sell tickets by the time slot with a maximum number of tickets per time slot. Why do we limit the number of tickets sold per time slot?

We sell tickets by time slot so that we can control the flow of people coming to the light show at particular times on a specific day. There is a limit to how many visitors the farm will handle at any one time for the following reasons:

We have limited parking at the farm, so we can’t allow unlimited cars during a time slot as it would result in a logjam in the parking lot thus delaying people entering (and leaving) the parking lot. We need a consistent flow of traffic with people entering and leaving the parking lot at about the same rate.
We want attendees to enjoy themselves on a trail that is not overcrowded. Limiting the number of visitors for each time slot provides visitors with an environment that will provide them with a high level of satisfaction.
With all of the viruses around during that time of year, we want to allow people enough space to social distance if they feel it is necessary.
The town that the farm is located in (Eliot, ME) has a Mass Gatherings Ordinance so we have to limit the number of people that visit the farm at any one time. We are required to strictly adhere to those numbers!

For all of these reasons, we strongly enforce when ticket-holders arrive at the farm (relative to their time slot). In addition, we restrict people without tickets from coming to the farm. In the case of a busy night, non-ticket holders will be asked to leave the parking lot immediately. They will be encouraged to buy tickets online for a different night. In addition, ticket holders for another night or time slot will be asked to come back when they were scheduled. There are no exceptions to this policy!

Note: All tickets must be pre-purchased online before coming to the farm! We do not sell tickets at the farm!

How far in advance of my time slot should I arrive at the farm?

It is best to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to your time slot. This will give you enough time to park and get to the Trail Entrance. Don’t worry if you end up being a little bit early or a little late for your time slot. Don’t rush if you are a little late. We are flexible on your arrival time if you are within a 15 to 30 minute window. If you arrive a little early, you don’t need to wait until your exact time. Just come to the Trail Entrance and we will get you in. It is very important that you don’t drive too fast in the neighborhoods around the farm or once you are on the farm property. There will be lots of pedestrians in the area and safety is our main concern.

Can I buy/purchase tickets at the farm when I come to the event?

No! Tickets must be pre-purchased online prior to coming to the farm!

We sell out many of the event nights. Due to limited parking, the need to control the traffic flow to and from the event, and the Eliot, ME Mass Gatherings Ordinance, we will not be able to accommodate people who arrive at the farm without pre-purchased tickets. We must strictly adhere to the Maximum Number of Visitors to the Farm at any one time.

Unfortunately, we will have to turn non-ticket holders away at the entrance. Please don’t make us do that! It’s easy to check availability for a specific date/time, “real-time” on our website at sandyhillmaine.com by clicking on Buy Tickets under the specific event date/time that you are planning to attend.

Can I come to the farm before the event or during the day to buy/purchase tickets?

We do not sell tickets at the farm before or during the event. They can only be purchased online at sandyhillmaine.com.

Where can I buy tickets for the event?

Tickets are only sold online at the Event Ticketing Website which is accessible from our website at sandyhillmaine.com, Our Facebook Page, Google, or individual ads that we run. You can check ticket availability for specific dates/times and purchase tickets online on the day of the event since you will be sent electronic tickets. Just do it before coming to the farm so you don’t waste a trip.

If I have a ticket for a specific date, can I just come at whatever time I want on that specific date?

No! Tickets provide access to the event on a specific date, at a specific time so please come on that date and time. We are pretty flexible if you are a few minutes early or late. We will try to accommodate ticket holders within approximately 15 to 30 minutes of their listed date/time.

Who needs a ticket to enter?

Each person, age 4 or older, must have a ticket to enter. Children age 3 or younger are free. You can just bring those children, without the need to notify us that you are bringing them. Please make sure that you do not buy a ticket for any children that are 3 or younger as we will not be able to refund any of those tickets.

Do you have different prices for children and adults?

There is only one ticket price for children and adults. The price doesn’t vary by age, except that children 3 or under are free.

Are there any discounts offered for Senior Citizens, Military, or other groups?

We do not currently offer discounted tickets for Senior Citizens, Military, or any other groups. But we may have special promotional days with reduced ticket prices, so check our website.

Do you offer gift certificates?

We do offer gift certificates. They can be purchased on Our Website at sandyhillmaine.com by clicking on the Gift Certificate tab. The whole process is automated. You order and pay for the gift certificates online and they are emailed, along with redemption instructions, directly to you.

Do you have discounts for large groups?

No, we now have three pricing tiers based on the date you are planning to visit. We recommend that the larger groups, that are interested in a price discount, come on one of the dates that have Value Pricing. That will result in a discount of $4.00 or $2.00. The Value dates will tend to be less crowded and more able to handle larger groups.

Do I need to print out my tickets and bring hard copy tickets?

No. We accept either electronic tickets on your phone or hard copy tickets. We recommend bringing electronic tickets to save wasting the paper, but either option works. We can also check you in with your name.

Are tickets refundable?

All tickets are non-refundable for any reason unless we cancel the event. Check our Refund/Cancellation Policy for more information.

Are tickets transferrable to another person?

Yes, tickets are transferrable to another person. To do this, you will need to send that person the tickets in an electronic format. When they arrive at the Trail Entrance at the start of the trail to check-in, they will need to give the name of the person who originally purchased the tickets and have the electronic or hard copy tickets in their possession. They will then be granted access. You do not need to contact us to transfer the tickets into the new person’s name.

What do I do if I don’t receive an email with the tickets I purchased?

First, make sure that you gave us your correct email address. Next, check all of your Inbox Folders (including Promotions, Social, etc.) and your Spam and Junk Folders. If it isn’t in any of those folders, then contact us via email at support@sandyhillmaine.com and we will resend the tickets

Why do you offer 3 different Price Tiers based on the specific date?

For the Winter Wonders 2024-2025 Event, we decided to offer Value, Regular, and Peak Prices. There were a number of reasons for offering the three categories of prices:

The Value Price provides a budget-friendly alternative to people who are managing a tight budget. This is especially helpful for larger families or those having a difficult time with the inflation we are experiencing.
The Regular Prices allow us to keep consistent prices from year-to-year for the bulk of the event days.
The Peak Prices help us control the demand for those days that most people want to visit on.
Having the three Price Tiers will help level out the attendance across the days based on the demand level for each type of date. This should help increase visitors’ satisfaction levels.

How do the Price Tiers work?

Both the Sandy Hill Farm Website and the Ticketing Site have calendars which designate the dates for each Price Tier. The calendars also show the prices associated for each Tier.

When you choose your date and go through to buy your tickets, the Ticketing Site will automatically charge the price corresponding to the Price Tier of the date you chose.

How do I get my tickets moved? What happens if I move from one Price Tier to a different Price Teir?

In 2024-2025, there is a new process for moving your tickets. The rules and processes for Ticket Moves are described in detail under the Tab titled Ticket Moves.

BUY TICKETS NOW

What is the condition of the trail?

The trail is made up of compacted gravel and is approximately 15 to 20 feet wide in most places. It winds through an enchanted forest for approximately a mile. For most of the distance, the trail is gently rolling. There are a few stretches that have moderate elevation changes.

The condition of the trail will depend largely on the weather situation over the previous few days leading up to the date you visit and the actual date of your visit. We don’t have total control over the weather conditions, so the condition of the trail will vary during the duration of the event. Please keep that in mind as you plan your visit. We will do our best to keep the trail in the best condition possible. Our staff does maintain the trail to make it safe by removing snow and conditioning the trail in wet, snowy, and icy conditions.

Remember to wear appropriate footwear and plan for abrupt changes in conditions. The more comfortable you are, the more fun you will have!

Is the trail wheelchair accessible?

It really depends on the kind of wheelchair that you have. Our trails are all compacted gravel so that a wheelchair with more rugged, all-terrain wheels will be able to navigate the trail. Keep in mind that there are some elevation changes that will need to be navigated so it is best to have someone in the group that could help push the wheelchair if necessary.

While we remove snow from the trail, there may be times when you will be navigating the wheelchair through some snow, slush, or wet areas depending on the weather. Wheelchairs with small and/or narrow wheels are not recommended.

See the following pictures:

Not recommended:

Recommended:

Can I bring a motorized wheelchair?

We have had people use motorized wheelchairs on the trail, but they need to have appropriate all-terrain tires and enough power to get up moderate elevation changes. If using a motorized wheelchair, please make sure that it is fully-charged before coming to the farm.

Are other types of motorized vehicles allowed on the trails?

The only type of motorized vehicles that are allowed on the trail are motorized wheelchairs. The trail has too many people present to allow other types of motorized vehicles.

Are strollers or wagons for my child/children allowed on the trail?

Yes, our trails are all compacted gravel so they will accommodate a stroller or wagon with more rugged, all-terrain wheels. Umbrella strollers with small wheels are not recommended. Keep in mind that there are some elevation changes that have to be navigated. Also, while we remove snow from the trail, there may be times when you will be pushing or pulling the stroller or wagon through some snow, slush, or wet areas depending on the weather. Please keep this in mind.

Are there any items that are prohibited from using on the trail?

Yes, we prohibit using bikes, skis, sleds, most scooters, or any other items that move too fast or can generate speed on the undulations of the trail.

Are pets allowed on the trail?

Unfortunately, dogs and other pets are not allowed on the trail. There are too many unfamiliar sights and sounds, along with lots of children on the trail. Some people are afraid of dogs and other pets. With all the lights blinking, sounds, and other stimuli, there is a risk of a pet behaving in unfamiliar ways. To ensure the safety of all guests, we will not allow any pets.

Only trained Service Dogs that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be allowed on the property. These dogs will be registered at the entrance before entering the trail.

Note: Emotional Support Animals will not be allowed on the property.

The policies regarding pets will be strictly enforced!

What is the expected behavior on the trail?

We pride ourselves on being family-friendly events so we do not allow smoking, consumption of alcohol or drugs, swearing, fighting, screaming, or soliciting on the trail, in the parking lot, or anywhere else on the property. We also don’t allow firearms on the property. We want the environment to be welcoming for everyone at the event.

Can I drop my children off at the event and have them go through alone?

No, children 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult in order to gain admission to the trail. Also, while on the trails, children must remain in close proximity to an adult that they came with. Note: We will have people monitoring the trail, but each child on the trail is the responsibility of the adult(s) that brought them. If you become separated from your child, please contact a trail attendant immediately.

Can I let my children run ahead on the trail and catch up with them later?

While we don’t expect your children to be glued to your hip, we do need them to be within your sight and close enough for them to be able to hear you. Good parenting will improve the experience for all of our visitors and will help create a safe and enjoyable visit.

Can we leave the trail to explore the property?

No, while on the trail, everyone must stay between the ropes for safety reasons. There is electronic equipment just off of the trail in many locations. There is no leaving the trail. We do have trail attendants and monitors along the trail.

Can we touch the lights and/or displays?

In general, there is no touching of the lights and/or displays. There are around 60 event dates for Winter Wonders 2024-2025. If visitors touch and pull on the lights or displays, we will have to constantly repair them throughout the event. Lights/displays that are out or malfunctioning negatively impacts visitors’ enjoyment of the event. Note: In some cases, there will be areas where we will encourage children to interact with the display, such as playing on the train, the stage, a sleigh, etc. We will have an employee around those areas to let you know which displays are hands on and which aren’t.

Can we take group photos or shoot video while on the trail?

Yes, we encourage picture/video taking to capture memories of your visit. There are a number of areas along the trail that are specifically designed to take great pictures. When capturing your memories, please just be aware of the other people on the trail so that you don’t block their flow of movement and their enjoyment of the lights and displays.

We do not allow photo shoots by professional photographers unless given prior approval from Sandy Hill Farm. Requests should be made by contacting us at support@sandyhillmaine.com.

Do we have to wear masks while at the event?

No, the event is completely outside and there is plenty of space to socially distance on the trail. While you don’t have to wear a mask, you should bring a mask for each member of your group in case there is an area of the trail where you would feel more comfortable with a mask on.

Going forward, we will follow all state and local rules regarding masking. Please make yourself aware of those rules so they can be followed while on the property.

Are there bathrooms at the farm? Are any of the bathrooms handicap-accessible?

Yes, we have multiple Porto Potties. There are some at the Event Entrance/Exit and some throughout the trail.

Yes, we do have handicap-accessible Porto Potties at the farm. If you need one, please ask one of our staff members when you arrive at Sandy Hill and we will direct you to the closest one.

Can I bring food and drink to the event?

Yes, it is okay to bring your own drinks and snacks to the event. Just not any of the prohibited items such as alcohol drinks.

Will you have food and drinks available at the event?

Yes, we have a concession stand that has warm drinks, cold drinks, and water. It will also have some food items such as cider donuts and other fun snack items. While we will have some food items, don’t plan on coming to the farm to eat dinner. The offerings will not be that extensive. Visit our Partners Tab on the website to see our recommended eating establishments that are in close proximity or are on the way to the farm. Some may offer discounts with proof that you attended the event.

Do you have free parking?

Yes, we do have free parking that is available for anyone who is attending the event that night. We do have limited parking, so please have your group come in as few vehicles as possible. This will help the traffic flow into and out of the parking lot to be smooth.

Also, the parking lot is available only during the event hours. Vehicles can’t be stored in the lot before or after Event Hours. Those vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Note: Our primary focus in the parking area is the safety of our guests. With this in mind you will need to follow the posted speed limit and follow the direction of the parking lot attendants. There is no gathering or tailgating in the parking lot.

How close is the parking to the trail?

All of the parking spots are in close proximity to the trail entrance/ exit. The farthest spots are no more than a couple minute walk.

Do you have handicap parking spots?

Yes, you will need to tell the parking attendant that you need handicap parking and they will direct you to nearest available handicap parking spot.

Can I drop people off near the trail entrance/exit?

No, all of the parking spots are near the trail entrance/exit. We have designed the parking to have an efficient flow into and out of the lot. We don’t want to introduce exceptions that will make the parking situation less efficient. Please follow the direction of the parking lot attendants at all times.

How should I dress when coming to the event?

We recommend that you check the weather forecast for Eliot, ME for the date and time you are planning to visit. Then dress as you would for an outdoor hike under those weather conditions. Generally, it makes sense to dress in layers so that you can adjust your clothing to the weather that you experience at the farm. In terms of footwear, we recommend sturdy boots and/or shoes that provide support and are water-resistant. That way, if the trail is wet, you can safely navigate the trail and walk in comfort with dry feet.

What is your policy on weather delays and/or cancellations?

Our weather policies are focused on keeping our guests safe while on the property and providing an enjoyable visit for our guests, while keeping in mind that we are running an outdoor event in Maine during the late fall and winter months.

In the event of heavy rain, heavy snow, extremely high winds, impassible and/or dangerous roads and lightning near the farm, we will postpone or cancel the event. The decision to postpone or cancel the event is at the sole discretion of Sandy Hill Farm. You will be notified via email, text message, phone, and/or social media, so that you don’t travel to the farm. We will make every effort to communicate clearly with enough advance notice as possible. If you having any questions regarding whether or not the event is cancelled, please email us at support@sandyhillmaine.com. We will be monitoring that site closely and will respond to you quickly.

In the event of a postponement or cancellation of an event date by us, we will automatically cancel your original tickets for the date and send you a voucher containing the value of your original tickets so that you can reschedule to another date/time. You will be able to choose a new date/time from any dates/times that are available. This process is described under the Move Tickets Tab.

If there is no future date/time that works for you, you can request a refund.

If the weather for the event date is not severe enough to cancel the event, we will not provide a voucher to move your tickets (unless requested 12 hours prior to your ticket date/time) or refund the original ticket amount. Light rain, light snow, light winds, and/or cold temperatures will not result in a postponement/cancellation and if you choose to cancel last minute or not show up for your scheduled time, no accommodations will be made.

If you contact us at least 12 hours before your scheduled date/time, that you will not be attending due to weather or another reason, we will allow you to move your tickets if they haven’t been moved already. You will need to pay the Ticket Move Fee of $5.00 per ticket.

NOTE: Please consider the weather policy prior to purchasing your tickets. If this is a concern, wait until closer to the event date/time that you are interested in before purchasing your tickets.

Will I be able to receive a refund for my tickets if I cancel or don’t show up?

There are no monetary refunds, unless we cancel the event. If you notify us at least 12 hours before your scheduled date/time, we will accommodate you by allowing you to move your tickets to a future date/time that is convenient for you. This is a one-time courtesy and you will not be able to move the tickets a second time for any reason. If you notify us less than 12 hours before your scheduled date/time, there will be very limited dates/times that we could move your tickets to. In each case you will need to pay a $5.00 per ticket Move Fee. This process is explained under the Move Tickets Tab on this website.

Will I be able to receive a refund if I have an emergency or sickness?

Why are there no monetary refunds?

When a person buys tickets for a specific date/time for one of our lightshows they are reserving those spots for that time slot. This takes those ticket spots out of the inventory that can be sold. It’s much like buying a seat for a sporting event, the theater, a concert, or a similar type of event that has limited capacity. If someone doesn’t show up for the time slot they have reserved, then those available slots can’t be made available to other purchasers. That is an unfair situation to the person that wanted to come at that particular time slot, but had to be turned away due to capacity issues. Along with the opportunity cost, we lose the ticketing and credit card fees so it actually becomes a loss for us.

Due to these reasons, we decided to have a “No Monetary Refund Policy” just like the sports teams, theaters, and concert venues that you are used to buying tickets from. But unlike most event organizers, we give you some options so that you don’t lose all of your money. Here are your options:

The tickets are transferrable, so you can sell or gift the tickets to someone else. The Ticketing Section explains how to transfer your tickets.
If you contact us before the event date/time, we can move your tickets. If you contact us at least 12 hours before your original date/time many new dates/times will be available. If you contact us less than 12 hours before your time there will be very limited dates/times we will move the tickets to. In each case you would need to pay a $5.00 per ticket move fee. This process is explained under the Move Tickets Tab on this website.
We can donate your tickets to one of the charitable organizations we work with.

Where is Sandy Hill Farm located?

Sandy Hill Farm is located in Eliot, ME on the Piscataqua River. The address is 34 Sandy Hill Lane, Eliot, ME 03903.

How do I get to the farm? What are the directions to the farm?

The best way to get to the farm is to use a mapping program such as Google Maps or Mapquest, and type in Sandy Hill Farm in Eliot, ME 03903.

NOTE: PLEASE READ THIS! When you are on your way to the farm, as you get closer, you will be driving through neighborhoods to get to us. Please respect our neighbors and drive the speed limit through these neighborhoods. If you are late for your time, do not rush to get to the farm. We will make accommodations when you arrive.

Also, be aware that some of our neighbors walk along the road for exercise, especially on River Road. Be very careful in this area!