You are here

Home » Traditional Holiday Festival Coming To Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in December

Traditional Holiday Festival Coming To Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in December

Share

Published Date

November 4, 2011

Breaking, or trying to break, pinatas is part of the fun at the traditional holiday celebration at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. NPS photo.

A traditional holiday festival, complete with pinatas, yule trees, candlelight tours, and bonfires, is coming to Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in Colorado in early December.

The celebration is set for Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3. If you want to participate in the fort's candlelight tours, you'll need a reservation, as the staff can only handle 25 people at a time. To make reservations for the candlelight tours, phone 719-383-5026.

“These tours are always one of our most popular events at the park,” according to Chief of Interpretation Rick Wallner, “They book up well in advance.  I suggest folks interested in these tours call the park for reservations as soon as possible.  This year’s tours are being developed and organized by the fort’s Friends Group, the Bent’s Old Fort Historical Association, so visitors can expect to see some different scenarios this year.”

The park’s Holiday Celebration begins on Friday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. with the guided candlelight tours of the fort.  Interpreters will lead groups through rooms where people of the era will be preparing to celebrate the holidays.   After the tours, everyone is invited to stay for authentic treats from the 1800s.  The fort will close at 9:30 p.m.

Festivities will run all day on Saturday, December 3.  Activities include toy making, frontier medicine, wagon rides and ongoing living history. Events will include a piñata break and a Yule log hunt.  No reservations are needed for the daytime activities on Saturday.  The park will close to the public at 4 p.m. and then reopen for another night of candlelight tours beginning at 5:30 p.m. (an hour earlier than on Friday).

A living history fee is charged for the candlelight tours or to attend the daytime Holiday Celebration.  The cost is $3 for visitors 13 and older and $2 for ages 6 to 12.  Those under 5 and national park pass holders are admitted for free.  Visitors are asked to dress warmly and bring a flashlight for the evening tours. 

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, 8 miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas.

Story Categories:

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Comments

Submitted by Mellosy on November 4, 2011 - 8:39pm.

This is a great event for the Fort. I have been there several times for the Christmas Celebration, and have enjoyed every minute of it.  I have gone with our Boy Scout troop, and they love to play rounders. Just the general feel of what it was back then is awesome. Esp when you look out over land that has no housing and can imagine what it was like. The Yule log hunt is great. I still have the recipe booklet that they give you, so that you can fix the treats at the Fort at home. The renactors are great in their roles. In the woodworking shop, my daughter made a wagon, and still has it today. That was over 10 yrs ago. If you can I would urge you to go. This is one that can't be missed.
 


Submitted by gail terry on December 5, 2018 - 5:30pm.

The tour was advertised in colorado country magazine as Dec 8 and 9. I am so disappointedmto have missed it on Dec 2 and 3. I was going to drive the

over 100 miles from Gardner Co. just for you.


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 5, 2018 - 5:32pm.

Gail, the above story was from 2011. This year's festival is December 7 & 8.

Traditional Holiday Celebration - December 7-8, 2018

Witness the holiday pleasures and pastimes of the 1840s at an isolated trading post. Period games, cooking, foods, wagon rides, toy making, yule log hunt, and festivities will enliven the fort. Reservations are needed for the evening candlelight tours. Phone (719) 383-5026 starting November 1, 2018 for tour reservations.


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your urgent support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.