Christmas in July: Horse-drawn Holiday Rides & Speakeasy Cheer

What!? Christmas in July?! Yes, you read that right–anytime is a good time for Christmas magic!

About Christmas In July

Christmas in July is a festive celebration that brings the joy and magic of Christmas to the heart of summer. You can celebrate at the Lake Clear Lodge with Horse-drawn Holiday Rides from Lucky Clover Sleigh Rides, Speakeasy Cheer, and a special Adirondack Alps Holiday Menu.

For centuries, people have come to the Adirondacks to rejuvenate, recreate, explore, and recharge their spirits. During the Cure Cottage days, our area became known as the “healing woods.”  These woods housed many people, including Albert Einstein, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Roosevelt, and many more, who were captivated by the special spirit and sense of place.

Legend has it that even Santa and Mrs. Claus come to enjoy this area in July, a summer break from their busy December adventures. It has been rumored that elves roam our halls and play throughout our woods.  Santa and the elves have even been spotted in our 1920s Speakeasy–err, Library–enjoying some of our Christmas “spirits!”  But watch out, some of these elves are up to no good–be ready to hide your spirits, just like a 1920s Prohibition raid. 

Our family, founders of the Lake Clear Lodge & Resort, has been here every July for nearly 140 years, through the pioneering and Cure Cottage days, the era of the great camps and grand hotels. Still, our family can neither confirm nor deny these rumors, so come find out yourself if Santa will be here during our Christmas in July Celebration! But beware of the mischievous elves—you may see them—you may not!

Holiday Experiences Await

Christmas Horse-drawn Stagecoach or Wagon Ride with Jingle Bells & Percheron Draft Horses!

Lucky Clover Sleigh Rides and their majestic draft horses, who provide our lantern-lit sleigh rides in winter, have specially outfitted their wagon, the 1800s Henderson Stagecoach, and horses with Christmas revelry! Enjoy the ride without the cold!

Meander through our nature trails to our picturesque beach, where you may also see the sun decked out in red with garlands of colored clouds as it sets across the lake on Saint Regis Mountain.

An Original 1800’s Adirondack Great Camp Decorated for Christmas!

We have teamed up with local business elves Moody Tree Farm and Lucky Clover Sleigh Rides to decorate the 1886 Main Lodge to add to the excitement. With their help, wreaths, garlands, bulbs, and lights will guide you through our Christmas cheer.

But wait, there is more!

Are Santa & the Elves Hiding Here?

The Adirondacks are a restorative place to reboot those human batteries. Did you know that Santa and his elves have been known to secretly hide here in our Speakeasy–err–library–to research those Christmas “spirits?!”

Our Speakeasy will transport you back to the 1920s prohibition era with 1920s-inspired cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, and food. However, you will need the exclusive password to access our secret Speakeasy to get through the hidden library door.  

Santa will hand-pick the password this July to keep the mischievous elves out, but they still find their way inside occasionally! Be prepared to hide your Christmas ‘spirits’ in case the elves do come to raid.  

Adirondack Alps Holiday Dinner

If you make it through this revelry, generations of the Hohmeyer family have pulled out our Adirondack Alps holiday menu in the 1886 Stagecoach Dining Room.  After an appetizer and fun in the speakeasy, finish the evening with an Old World dinner and dessert. Menu choices may include Lodge famous Christmas schnitzel, Adirondack Grass-fed Beef Stroganoff, Vegetable Strudel, and more with Old World dessert, including bringing back our Christmas Cornucopia and Omi’s Plum Cake!

Holiday Raffle: Are You Naughty or Nice?

Santa already knows if you have been naughty or nice, but there will be a “Naughty or Nice” Basket. If you pick out a “nice” card, you are eligible for a raffle where you may win a “present,” including a Winter Lantern-lit Sleigh Ride for two from Lucky Clover Sleigh Rides, a winter Lake Clear Lodge & Resort Speakeasy dinner, a beautiful hand-made balsam pillow from Moody Tree Farm, unique Speakeasy “bullet glasses,” and more!

Your Ticket Includes...

• Authentic Horse-drawn Stagecoach Ride with Jingle Bells
  Ride in an authentic 1850s Henderson Stagecoach, where horses and rides are decked out in Christmas cheer with jingling bells as you meander through nature trails, past our iconic Great Camp, and down to our magical beach and lakefront.‍
• Explore a Holiday Themed Adirondack Great Camp at the Main Lodge 
  You will be dropped off at one of the last remaining original Great Camps open to the public, built-in 1886 as a Stagecoach inn. Inside, Christmas magic and decorations await!‍
• Secret Christmas Password
  With your ticket, you will receive a special password to get past our hidden door to our 1920s Speakeasy.‍
• A Chance to See Santa and His Elves!
  ‍Will Santa or His Elves Be Hiding? They are not always there, and you may not see them as they research in the speakeasy, ah library, for Christmas “spirits.”  If the mischievous elves appear, you may have to hide those Christmas “spirits!”‍
• Holiday Raffle Entry
  Depending on what card you pull, you may be eligible for a Holiday raffle entry!‍
• Experience the Speakeasy
  ‍Find the hidden beer and wine cellar with the Adirondack's largest selection of beer around the world. Check out the authentic 1920 library's best “cellars,” including our Giggle Water Honey Bourbon and other authentic prohibition elixirs. Mocktails are also available.‍
• Adirondack Alps  Dinner
  ‍In our 1886 Stagecoach Dining Room, generations of the Hohmeyer family have brought out our Old World Holiday menu.‍
• Adirondack Gift Table
  ‍Brought to you by Moody Tree Farm and their Christmas Gift Shop, Lucky Clover Sleigh Rides, and the Lake Clear Lodge & Resort, you can purchase one-of-a-kind gifts. Great for special occasions or to get a head start on your holiday shopping!