Celebrate ‘A Country Christmas in Northwest Nebraska’
Event added to Holiday Passport Program
The countdown to the holidays has begun, and Northwest Nebraska is full of old-fashioned Christmas spirit!
From shopping events that feature unique gift items for your loved ones to fun decorating opportunities and family-friendly events, Northwest Nebraska is a great place to spend the holidays. Discover Northwest Nebraska and the Chadron and Crawford Chambers of Commerce, along with local businesses, are excited to promote a variety of holiday events this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
“Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and fostering a sense of family and community,” said Kerri Rempp, director of Discover Northwest Nebraska. “As we have drawn from the Northwest Nebraska Christmas celebrations and get-togethers and collected them under the banner of ‘A Country Christmas,’ it has been with that in mind.”
Events kick off Nov. 8-9 with unique shopping opportunities at the Pine Bough Bazaar. Other shopping occasions include Shop Hometown Harrison Nov. 22-23, and the Kris Kringle XMAS Boutique Dec. 7. Black Friday is Nov. 29 this year, and Shop Small Saturday is Nov. 30. The organizations involved with ‘A Country Christmas’ urge residents and visitors to patronize local businesses in Harrison, Crawford and Chadron during the holiday season and all year long.
“We love joining forces with so many entities in Northwest Nebraska to pull off a well-rounded ‘Country Christmas’ for our community and surrounding area. With something for all demographics to enjoy during the holiday season, we are thrilled to continue adding to the Christmas cheer and holiday spirit while serving the community and our members the best way we can,” said Chadron Chamber Director Gabby Michna.
Fun family activities include the Chadron Parade of Lights and a performance of “Alice in Wonderland.” Santa will make multiple appearances in Northwest Nebraska during ‘A Country Christmas’ as well, with his first-slated arrival Nov. 30 at The New Leaf Marketplace and at the Stateline Casino Dec. 1.
Businesses, organizations, families and individuals can also help create the ‘Country Christmas’ winter wonderland for visitors and residents to enjoy. The annual Festival of Trees at the Dawes County Courthouse returns this year, and for the first time is listed as one of the 20 stops on the Holiday Passport Program sponsored by State Tourism.
“The Holiday Passport program was implemented by the State Tourism Office a few years ago to build upon the popularity of the summer Passport program,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “There are fewer stops on the holiday version, but all of them are selected to provide a fun holiday experience as visitors travel the state. We’re thrilled to have the Festival of Trees on the exclusive list this year.”
The Holiday Passport program kicks off Nov. 20 and runs through Jan. 8, 2025. The Festival of Trees will be available for viewing during that time during regular courthouse business hours.
“There will also be special viewing hours in conjunction with the Chadron Parade of Lights Dec. 5. The courthouse will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. that evening for viewing, with refreshments provided by courthouse staff and live music after the Parade of Lights by the United Methodist Handbell Choir,” Rempp said. “There will also be special viewing hours on four Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Saturday dates are Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.
Anyone who wishes to participate in the Festival of Trees can register for free by Nov. 7 at the Chadron Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. The registration form can also be downloaded online at https://discovernwnebraska.com/a-country-christmas.
“Participants must provide their own tree and decorations and are responsible for set-up and tear-down of their tree. Last year we had more than 30 trees decorated to a variety of themes, and I’d love to see more this year to give Passport participants and all other visitors a great experience,” Rempp said.