Bronner’s Christmas Store Tips: Is Bronner’s Christmas Store Worth Visiting?

If you’re searching for the ultimate holiday destination, look no further than Bronner’s Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This past weekend, I made the journey from South Carolina to visit the world’s largest Christmas store.

Here’s everything you need to know about Bronner’s and whether it’s truly worth the hype and the trip!

First Impressions of Frankenmuth, Michigan Home of Bronner’s Christmas Store

Driving into Frankenmuth, my first reaction was a resounding WOW. The town is adorable, filled with curated shops and charming Bavarian architecture that creates a festive atmosphere.

I had an expectation that the entire town would be full of Christmas magic, and perhaps we are here too early in the season- BUT the town wasn’t full of Christmas lights and decor (and fair enough we are here in mid-October).

Now, as we were approaching the largest Christmas store my excitement built, we could see the light display and oh my they were beautiful! 

What Makes Bronner’s Christmas Store Unique?

Bronner’s is proudly advertised as the world’s largest Christmas store, open 361 days a year. Arriving on a Sunday in mid-October, I was surprised to see a line of eager shoppers waiting for the doors to open.

But is this massive store truly worth the visit? That’s debatable.

Bronner’s Magical Outdoor Light Display

One of the highlights of visiting Bronner’s is the enchanting outdoor Christmas lights display. The lights stay on until midnight, creating a magical experience that’s definitely worth checking out.

We drove through the half-mile display at night time for a truly magical experience. I was impressed with all the light displays and even hopped out of the car to take some pictures.

For this reason alone, I was glad we were staying so close to downtown Frankmuth where Bronner’s Christmas store is located. We wouldn’t have experienced the lights at night if we hadn’t come for a special viewing- and it is for sure worth seeing.

Bronner’s Christmas Store: Magical Sights

As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by larger-than-life Christmas decor that sets the tone for your shopping experience. I particularly loved the beautifully decorated trees and the photo opportunities provided.

Before you enter the store, you approach a customer service desk. This is a great place to stop and grab a map. Yes, a map! Plus if you need a wheelchair or a stroller, the customer service desk offers them. 

Upon entering the store, through the West entrance, I found myself in the ornament section. This is where Bronner’s truly shines, boasting the largest ornament collection EVER. It’s well-organized, and surprisingly, the prices are quite reasonable for such a vast selection. There are many sections to the store, but not all offer the vast selections like the ornament section. Truthfully, once we finished browsing the ornament section I was surprised at the lack of options and even quality in the other sections.

For example, the store offers personalization of ornaments and stockings, but the stockings are such poor quality you would be better off heading to Home Goods or Hobby Lobby.

Missed Opportunities at Bronner’s Christmas Store

One of my biggest surprises was the apparel section. It felt lackluster and uninspired, with limited options and T-shirts that honestly weren’t appealing (and bad quality). I expected more creativity, especially considering we were in the world’s LARGEST Christmas Store! I was particularly disappointed that there wasn’t a prominent section dedicated to a cozy, woodsy Christmas vibe, reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. Country plaids, cozy fireplace decor… it just felt like a HUGE missed opportunity.  My mom was on the hunt for glass light-up trees and beautiful wreaths, but we didn’t find those either.

The Marc Roberts Efl Display Was Worth the Trip

On a positive note, I was blown away by the elf display. As a fan of Mark Robert’s elves, I was thrilled to see an entire section dedicated to them—the largest display I’ve encountered to date, and the prices were aligned with other Christmas shops. I was thrilled to find multiple elves that I just “had to have”

Final Thoughts: Is Bronner’s Christmas Store Worth the Trip?

In summary, would I recommend a trip solely to visit Bronner’s Christmas Store? Probably not, if I’m being honest. There are so many missed opportunities to turn this into a destination worth an airplane trip, from merchandising to in-store experiences.
However, the town of Frankenmuth itself is worth visiting for a day or two. So, if you’re planning a trip, add this town to your bucket list and allow time to experience the store.
Ultimately, your experience at Bronner’s may depend on personal preference. If you’re after a massive selection and festive decor, it’s worth a stop. But for those who cherish the warmth of small, unique shops, you might find more joy elsewhere.

One day, I swear BLakeside will own a retail shop and have the best Christmas decor worth driving for….