A New Holiday Tradition: Finding Peace, Purpose, and Fun at a Farm Sanctuary
As the holiday season approaches, our calendars often fill up with a dizzying schedule of parties, shopping excursions, and obligations. We rush from one event to the next, fueled by peppermint lattes and a sense of festive obligation. But what if this year, you pressed pause on the frenzy and chose some holiday activities that truly embodied the spirit of the season? What if you traded the crowded malls and endless screen time for fresh air, quiet moments, and a chance to reconnect with your family and with nature?
Touring an Animal Sanctuary During the Holiday Season Will Do You (and Your Family) Good
Planning to visit a farm sanctuary in Connecticut that specializes in animal rescues offers a unique and deeply meaningful alternative to the typical holiday hustle. It’s an opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones while giving back to animals in need. Here’s why you should be searching “Christmas farm events near me.”
Taking a Break From Stress and Screens
A trip to a farm rescue organization is one of the best things to do this holiday season because it’s a great way to metaphorically catch your breath. It’s a chance to take a much-needed break from the demands of work and school, to step away from the digital world, and to simply be present.
The quiet atmosphere of animal farms in Connecticut — away from constant notifications and scrolling feeds on mobile devices — provides a natural antidote to holiday stress. As you stroll through pastures and barns, you can feel the tension in your shoulders melt away. The simple act of observing animals at peace in their homes can be profoundly calming, offering a moment of genuine serenity in the midst of the holiday chaos.
Getting Fresh Air (and Getting Your Body Moving)
Beyond the mental reset, a farm sanctuary visit is a fantastic way to get your steps in during a season often dominated by too many indulgent meals and chair-bound indoor activities. Breathe in the crisp Connecticut Christmas air as you walk along farm paths, meeting the residents. This gentle physical activity will not only benefit your body but also enhance your mood. The smells of hay, clean soil, and vegetation will replace city exhaust and stale indoor air, invigorating your senses and grounding you.
Teaching Your Kids Compassion
For families, a visit to a sanctuary is a powerful educational experience. It introduces us to the animals who typically suffer on large and even small-scale farms where they are treated as commodities rather than individuals with needs. Children can learn about different species, their unique personalities, and the hard work that goes into caring for them.
Seeing animals such as pigs, goats, sheep, and cows up close — not as faceless sources of food but as precious living beings with their own characters and stories — fosters empathy and a deep sense of respect for all living beings in children. This is a lesson that stays with kids long after the holiday lights have been packed away.
Getting Some Warm Fuzzies for Your Mental Health
Spending time with animals has a documented positive effect on our well-being. The simple act of interacting with a gentle goat or giving a pig a belly rub can lower cortisol levels and increase feelings of happiness.
In addition, many sanctuaries are home to animals with incredible stories of resilience, and meeting them can be a source of profound inspiration. Seeing a rescued animal thriving, with their wounds healed and spirit restored, can fill you with a sense of hope and purpose — a feeling that’s perfectly fitting for the holiday season. The animals at these sanctuaries are ambassadors for a more compassionate world, and by visiting, you become a part of their story.
Having Festive Fun!
As you explore, you’ll find that many sanctuaries embrace the festive season with decorations, treats, and fun holiday activities for kids. Barns and fences are often adorned with twinkling lights and greenery, creating an atmosphere that feels both magical and rustic. Some sanctuaries offer holiday products, from handmade goods to vegan farm-grown treats, which make for perfect, meaningful gifts that also support a good cause. You can find unique items that tell a story, a welcome change from mass-produced presents.
Where to Go in Rural Connecticut: The Riley Farm Rescue
This holiday season, one Connecticut farm sanctuary that offers all these benefits and more is The Riley Farm Rescue in Canterbury, Connecticut. A sanctuary dedicated to providing a safe haven for over 300 rescued farmed animals, this beautiful, peaceful refuge is the perfect setting for a family outing that’s both fun and educational.
The Riley Farm Rescue invites you to embrace the true spirit of the holidays by joining their annual Holiday Farm Festival. Families can interact with Santa and tour the farm, providing a unique and safe way to celebrate the holidays while supporting the sanctuary's crucial work. Tickets are available here.
By choosing to visit a place like The Riley Farm Rescue, you aren’t just planning an outing; you’re making a conscious choice to slow down, to connect with nature, and to support a cause that makes the world a kinder place. This holiday season, start a new tradition and discover the joy that awaits you at a farmed animal sanctuary.
People have been led to believe that farmed animals don’t have needs, emotions, or individual personalities in the same way pets do. At The Riley Farm Rescue in Canterbury, Connecticut, we challenge the status quo. We have rescued hundreds of animals — chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, goats, guinea pigs, sheep, peacocks, reptiles, emus, mini horses, and more — from various situations, including factory farms and slaughterhouses.
If you own a business, please consider sponsoring us! Anyone can also become a powerful voice for the voiceless by going vegan, educating others about factory farming, and supporting our work.