A Country Christmas in Northwest Nebraska

There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate Christmas in Northwest Nebraska. Together, they are “A Country Christmas.” Events include shopping opportunities full of unique and hand-crafted items, family fun and the chance to view Christmas decorations throughout the area. A complete schedule of events can be found here. A brief description of some of the holiday festivities follows: 

Christmas in Chadron

  • Parade of Lights – The annual Parade of Lights kicks off the Christmas season in Chadron the first Thursday in December. Grab a cup of hot chocolate on Main Street and watch the lighted floats pass by! **NOTE 2023 date is Nov. 30 due to the way the calendar falls!
  • Chadron Community Christmas Tree – The Community Christmas Tree is located in the Downtown Plaza at the corner of Second and Main streets. A public lighting ceremony takes place ahead of the Parade of Lights on the first Thursday in December. **NOTE 2023 date is Nov. 30 due to the way the calendar falls!
  • Chadron State College hosts its annual Holiday Concert at Memorial Hall in December. Enjoy professionally-delivered Christmas music to get you in the spirit of the season!
  • Festival of Trees – The annual Festival of Trees takes place at the Dawes County Courthouse on Main Street in Chadron. Businesses and organizations decorate trees of all sizes in different themes. The Festival of Trees is typically installed just ahead of Thanksgiving and remains on display through Christmas during normal courthouse hours. Visitors can also view the trees after-hours after the Parade of Lights.
  • Kris Kringle – This Christmas boutique at the Dawes County Fairgrounds takes place on the first Saturday of December each year. The Parade of Lights takes place on the Thursday before Kris Kringle.

Christmas in Crawford

Christmas in Crawford gives kids the chance to meet Santa and includes a Parade of Lights and Community Tree Lighting in downtown Crawford. 

Fort Robinson Historical Christmas Dinner

Each year in December, Fort Robinson State Park hosts a Historical Christmas Dinner, recreating the Christmas menus from years when the park still served as a military post. Some attendees even dress in period costumes as well. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. the first Monday of November and are typically sold out within the hour. The buildings at Fort Robinson State Park are also quite a sight during the holiday season thanks to the community Light Up the Fort effort. It’s definitely worth taking a drive through the park if you enjoy Christmas lights! (This event has been cancelled in 2021 due to COVID.)

Pine Bough Bazaar

The Pine Bough Bazaar is a one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza with a large variety of vendors offering everything from baked goods to crafts on the second Friday and Saturday of November at the Chadron Assumption Arena.

Shop Hometown Harrison

Another great one-stop holiday shopping spot is Shop Hometown Harrison, held at the VFW Hall in Harrison the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving. Avoid the Black Friday rush, support local vendors and get all of your holiday shopping out of the way early!

Kris Kringle Boutique

New to Northwest Nebraska in 2021, the Kris Kringle Boutique at the Dawes County Fairgrounds gives you one last opportunity to finish your shopping list with unique gifts. Bring the kids to see Santa, too!