Take a short trip beyond Champaign-Urbana and get your very own Christmas tree from No Bad Days Farm in Shelbyville
Find yourself in a winter setting so magical you might find it in a movie – but wait, it is right in Central Illinois
When you see photos of No Bad Days Farm in Shelbyville, you’ll immediately know why we put this on our “must visit” list. Straight out of a scene from a Hallmark movie (no, not really, but it sure could be), this family-owned tree farm is full of holiday cheer for you and your family to come experience for yourselves.
No Bad Days Farm is a small, family farm northeast of Shelbyville dedicated to honoring their son and brother, Tucker. Drive time to the farm is exactly one hour and fifteen minutes from downtown Champaign. (If you’ve ever rented a boat at Lake Shelbyville, this farm is located just minutes from the marina we write about here).
Open just a handful of days during the holiday season, the Fraser Fir Christmas trees on site sell quickly, we learned! There were quite a few beautiful trees, perfect for the average home, still available when we visited on their second day open for the season. Some people come out to tag their tree and purchase it, planning to return to retrieve it in the days or weeks following Thanksgiving.
In addition to choosing a tree, you can get wreaths, “kissing balls”, roping, grave pillows, swags and more at No Bad Days. Everything we saw looked just beautiful and sure to look wonderful for the entire holiday season.
What we may have loved the most about our trip to No Bad Days was the atmosphere! Set on a rolling farm with a pond in the distance and chickens scurrying along behind the barn, we loved how serene it was as we strolled along. As an added bonus, they have a warm fire going, and free popcorn, hot chocolate and warm apple cider inside that you are welcome to help yourself to.
Our whole family enjoyed shopping the selection of coffee beans (locally roasted by Alliance Coffee Co.), picking up a jar of honey (No Bad Days’ very own honey), and checking out the magnets, hats and other merchandise available. The iconic blue pickup truck that you can pose for a family photo in front of is found on much of the No Bad Days merchandise.
Choosing Your Christmas Tree
If you come to No Bad Days Farm with a mission to select your family’s Christmas tree, you’ll arrive and pick up a stick to walk around with as you shop for a tree. Once you’ve chosen your tree from the rows, you’ll stick your stick in the ground and they will know to come over and remove your tree for you.
The trees at No Bad Days are pre-cut Fraser Firs, which means you won’t need to bring your saw to take down your tree yourselves or anything. In fact, the staff at the farm will do the whole thing for you. Our kids loved watching the process from start to finish! First, they will take down your tree from the field, then they will fire up the chainsaw to give it a fresh cut at the bottom. While the chainsaw was exciting, our kids thought that drilling a hole in the bottom of the tree (preparing it for most typical tree stands) was the coolest part.
After that, they’ll confirm which vehicle is yours and load it up for you. Pay for your tree (and any other wonderful things you’ve found) and you’re all ready to go! While you’re welcome to watch the whole process start to finish, remember you can grab a free cup of hot cocoa or cider to keep you warm while your tree is prepared.
There are multiple spots around the farm to take pictures as a family, so you can document your family’s new tradition year after year. We made sure to stand our kids in front of the height chart while we were there.
And while any day they are open is a great day to visit No Bad Days farm during the holiday season, we think that Santa Night, an annual tradition, looks like the most fun of all. This year’s Santa Night will be held on Friday, December 2 from 5 – 8 p.m. In addition to Santa and Mrs. Claus, there will be ice carving and local vendors, too.
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Do you happen to know someone who is missing someone at their table this holiday season? No Bad Days invites you to a Christmas dinner at the barn, held on December 25 at 12 p.m. Let them know if you would like to attend, or know someone who would like to attend this year’s meal.
According to their website, there are other events throughout the year
Location
No Bad Days Farm is located at 2267 E 1425 North Rd., Corner of 2300 E & Lithia Heights Rd in Shelbyville, Illinois. We used Google Maps to pull up directions and simply typed in No Bad Days Farm to get there. Their phone number is (217) 962-1853 in case you need to call.
For More Information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Looking to do more on your trip to No Bad Days Farm?
Pick a drive-through lights display near here, like Mattoon or Shelbyville (located just minutes away) or even drive down to Effingham for theirs. Want somewhere to eat? How about the Firefly Grill – just check their hours first before you head there to make sure they’re open.
Looking for more? Subscribe to our Home for the Holidays Newsletter. Want more ideas for holiday (or everyday) fun? Check out our Events Calendar.
Everything Holiday Season In and Around Champaign-Urbana
