Christmastown

Get Your Holiday Tree in The Christmas Tree Capital of The World!

By Rachel Hansen | Photos via Explore Hood Canal

If you don’t like Hallmark movies, stay away from Shelton, aka Christmastown, this weekend! The holiday spirit is alive and well this week as volunteers deck the downtown streets and prepare for the big seasonal kick-off, Holiday Magic, happening December 6-7, 2024.

In the wake of Hood Canal's timber boom, it was discovered that the glacial till left after the fjord was carved was ideal ground for growing Douglas Fir trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the area annually harvested several million, earning it the title of "Christmas Tree Capital of the World."

Many families head to local farms each year to select their favorite tree and enjoy holiday activities like hayrides, petting zoos and visits with Santa. There’s hardly anything that’s more quintessentially Christmas than decorating a handpicked Pacific Northwest Christmas tree and gathering your family around a tree that you brought home together from Hood Canal. Want to start a new tradition? Olympic Forest Permits are $5.00 each and are good for one U-cut tree on the Olympic National Forest. Find your tree here: www.christmastownwa.org/get-your-tree

Guinness Record Win for Largest Lit Christmas Tree Display

In December 2019 Shelton celebrated their timber heritage and took Christmas head on and confirmed their Christmastown distinction with a successful attempt at the Guinness World Record for “Most Lit Christmas Trees” in one location. The previous record was set by the Hallmark Channel in 2015 (559 trees). Shelton’s win was recorded during the annual Santa Claus parade with a total of 797 qualified trees. The trees were arranged in a lighted maze that families could explore.

This year, Christmastown is once again presenting a series of holiday activities as part of the Countywide month-long celebration, Festival of the Firs. Travel down Railroad Avenue for a spectacular display of Christmas cheer. Retro decorations and lights line the shopfronts, with cafe lights swooping across the street and gingerbread entries lining the shop windows. Nearby, don't forget to get a family picture with the historic caboose and engine decked with lights and garland.

Friday, December 6 the annual Christmas Tree Maze officially opens. The maze is a tribute to Shelton and Mason County’s Guinness World Record win in 2019. The record qualified 797 trees which beat the Hallmark Channel’s previous record of just under 600. This year the maze can be found at 425 Cota Street. This free lighted maze is open every evening in December from dusk until 10 PM. Check the schedule www.christmastownwa.org for the “snow” schedule, as well as a list of participating non-profits that are “fund-razing” at the maze and stop by to enjoy their additional activities. The maze is best viewed at night with thousands upon thousands of lights that make every festive family picture twinkle.

At 3 PM head over to the maze for some free family fun as KMAS Radio kicks off Christmastown with music, games, crafts and Santa arriving at 5 in the “snow” to open the maze!  As dusk falls head over to Railroad for the return of the annual tree lighting in Post Office Park and the Kristmas Town Kiwanis' Christmas block party! Enjoy marshmallow roasting, kiddie train and wagon rides, craft activities as well as children’s choirs. Get family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus when they make a special appearance at the event.

On Saturday, December 7 start celebrating early at the maze with wreath workshops, Santa visits, live music, more crafts and a special radio play recording of the Grinch that audiences are encouraged to take part in. At 6 PM it’s time to head back to Railroad Avenue for the annual Santa Claus Parade with over 60 floats and three marching bands! 

Discover Your Fjord Spirit

Mason County is proud of its timber town Christmastown heritage – but they are even more proud about the dramatic water views, majestic mountain backgrounds, unmatched tranquility, and boundless outdoor activities. Fjord spirit abounds from the solitude of a beach cabin, the harvesting of your annual tree to the festivities of each community around the Canal. Check out this handy list of Christmas events!

Travel up the Canal’s scenic  Hwy 101 route to Hoodsport and explore quaint gift shops, galleries restaurants, wineries, a brewery, and an award-winning distillery. Hoodsport is also the location of the newly coined Yule Tide Festival, a community holiday celebration December 13-14. While in Hoodsport stop by the Visitor Information Center to pick up your $5 National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. This is the perfect way to start a new family tradition!

Nearby Lake Cushman is prolific with destination cabins that dreams are made of—some with kayaks for guests to explore further on the lake. With access to the Staircase Entrance to Olympic National Park, this is a great place to be inspired. Whether you like quiet dinners, rustic cabins or parades and parties – there is something for everyone to grab a little holiday cheer this year on Hood Canal.

For details on all of the Festival of the Firs festivities, view the event book here: www.explorehoodcanal.com/festivalofthefirs

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