Old Christmas at Fort Watauga

Christmas isn’t over yet! Come to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and see how our colonial ancestors celebrated a holiday called “Old Christmas”. In Colonial America, Christmas was celebrated as a twelve day holiday with many traditions and customs. Does The Twelve Days of Christmas sound familiar? These twelve days of feasting, and merrymaking ended on “Twelfth Night” with a grand celebration.

The Washington County Militia will hold their monthly Militia Muster and Old Christmas Celebration. As you walk through the gates of Fort Watauga you will travel back in time to an 18th century Old Christmas “Jollification”.

Each cabin in the fort will be the setting of Christmas traditions as celebrated by the settlers of different cultures on the colonial frontier. Witness such customs as English Christmas Guns, the Irish Holly Wreath, the German Tannenbaum, and the Dutch Sinterklaas. See how our Christmas practices of today are steeped in these old world traditions. Get the most out of the Holiday Season and visit Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site for a fun, entertaining, and educational family outing. Arrive ready to be filled with the spirit of Christmas. It’s an event that is sure to become a tradition with your family year after year.

Contact the park at (423) 543-5808 for detailed schedule.