Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E 5th St, Vancouver, WA
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Step Back in Time for a Victorian Christmas
Kick off the holiday season with an old-fashioned celebration at the Heritage Holiday Fort Vancouver. This family-friendly annual event transforms the historic fort into a winter wonderland filled with traditional crafts, caroling, and costumed interpreters bringing the 1840s to life.
Guests can make handmade ornaments, sample period cooking demonstrations, and explore candle-lit buildings decorated for the season. Children can meet “Father Christmas” while learning about how holidays were celebrated nearly two centuries ago.
“It’s one of the most heartwarming events of the year,” said a Fort Vancouver volunteer. “Visitors leave with handmade crafts, historical knowledge, and a real sense of community spirit.”
What to Expect
- Hands-on craft tables and holiday workshops
- Live music and storytelling inside the fort
- Historic blacksmith and carpenter demonstrations
- Hot cider and cookies for guests
Dress warmly and plan for both indoor and outdoor experiences. The event is free, though donations to support Fort Vancouver’s educational programs are appreciated.
More details available at nps.gov/fova or visitvancouverwa.com.