Upcoming holiday events at national park sites across the U.S.

Here’s a list of special events at national park sites happening all around the United States in December and some even into January. Make plans to attend!

Winter festival of prairie cultures

• Place: Education and Heritage Centers, Homestead National Historical Park (near Beatrice, Nebraska).
• Date: Runs now through January 3, 2026; highlighted programs on December 14, 2025.
• Time: December 14 at 2:00 p.m.
• What to expect: A holiday baking presentation by Paper Moon Pastries, followed by the Palmer-Epard Cabin baking competition (youth and adult divisions).

100th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree

• Place: General Grant Tree, Grant Grove (Kings Canyon National Park).
• Date: December 14, 2025.
• Time: Event gathering at 2:00 p.m., with the official ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m.
• What to expect: This is an annual community ceremony honoring the General Grant Tree (the Nation’s Christmas Tree).

Note: December 14 is a free entrance day for Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Parking is limited, so plan to arrive early and be ready to walk from Grant Grove Village.

Holiday theatrical play and candlelight tour

• Place: Lincoln Home National Historic Site (Springfield, Illinois).
• Date: Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 2025.
• Time: “A Message at Midnight” theatrical performance will be at 3:00 p.m. on both days (about 45 minutes).
• What to expect: After the Friday show, there will be light refreshments at the Visitor Center and candlelight tours of the Lincoln Home from 4:30–6:30 p.m. All programs are free and do not require registration.

Wreaths Across America 2025

• Place: Chalmette National Cemetery (4606 W St. Bernard Hwy), Chalmette, Louisiana.
• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025.
• Time: Brief ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m.
• What to expect: After the ceremony, volunteers will place wreaths on veterans’ gravesites as part of the national Wreaths Across America tradition. Expect volunteer groups, signage directing parking along the east side of Cemetery Road, and staff assisting with traffic flow.

Quick planning tips for RVers

• Arrive early (many events note limited parking).
• Check the park’s official page for last-minute alerts and directions.
• Bundle in warm layers. (Winter programs often include outdoor components.)
• If you plan to stay overnight, call nearby campgrounds or look for NPS/partner campground info. For the most current details, use the event pages linked above.

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