Content and Photos Courtesy of Explore Hood Canal

For generations, the people of Mason County have ushered in the holiday season with traditions rooted, quite literally, in evergreens. In the early 1900s, wild Douglas firs harvested from the forests around Shelton were shipped by rail across the country, earning the community a proud distinction as the nation’s largest Christmas tree producer. By the 1960s, Shelton had fully embraced this heritage, becoming known as Christmastown USA, a place where the holidays aren’t just celebrated — they’re grown from the ground up.

Today, that festive legacy thrives in the Festival of the Firs, a month-long celebration inviting residents and visitors to embrace the season in the most Pacific Northwest way possible: among towering trees, misty forests, small-town charm, and a community that knows how to make holiday magic.

Visitors can wander the Guinness World Record Tribute Maze, where hundreds of decorated trees glow with holiday cheer, and where icons like Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, and Santa himself mingle with families at Camp Grisdale. In Hoodsport, cozy caroling and free Christmas boat rides light up Hood Canal with irresistible charm. And throughout the Olympic National Forest, families venture into the wilderness to discover the perfect Christmas tree, an unforgettable tradition that costs just $5 for a U-cut permit.

For those dreaming of bundling up, heading to the forest, and choosing that just-right tree, permits can be purchased at recreation.gov/tree-permits. With a forest map, a saw, and a full tank of holiday spirit, all that’s left is to settle into a warm cabin (perhaps at The Glen in Hoodsport) and enjoy a true Pacific Northwest Christmas adventure. Bonus holiday credit goes to anyone who joins a wreath-making workshop or lingers for live music, Santa visits, and the scheduled “snow flurries” at Camp Grisdale.

Each year, the Kristmas Town Kiwanis and Downtown Shelton Merchants transform the heart of Shelton into a glowing, storybook winter celebration. The kickoff begins Friday evening with the community tree lighting at Post Office Park, where bonfires, marshmallow roasting, wagon rides, kiddie trains, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus create unforgettable memories for kids of all ages.

The festivities continue Saturday with a merry parade filled with lights, music, local groups, and Santa arriving on a fire truck. Local shops stay open late, making downtown Shelton a perfect spot for holiday shopping, festive treats, and family fun. Insider tip: arrive early for parking, and don’t miss the Christmas Tree Maze on Cota Street — open before and after parade time.

In 2019, Mason County made national headlines with a bold challenge to the Hallmark Channel, setting a Guinness World Record for the Most Lit Christmas Trees in One Location. With 797 brilliantly lit trees, the community smashed Hallmark’s previous record and cemented its claim as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World. Built with locally sourced timber and donated lights, the installation quickly became a beloved annual spectacle. Volunteers have spent countless hours recreating the maze each December, stringing thousands of lights and filling the air with holiday joy.

In 2025, Christmastown USA enters a vibrant new era. While the full Guinness-scale maze is taking a pause, over 300 trees will rise again in tribute and the experience expands into a full holiday village at Camp Grisdale.

Visitors will discover:

• Crackling fire pits and cozy gathering spaces
• Live music and festive performances
• Wreath, ornament, and crafting workshops
• Photo moments with Santa, Paul Bunyan, and Babe the Blue Ox
• Charming new timber cabins housing a cocoa booth, camp kitchen, oyster shack vendors, and the Beauchamp Sign Shop
• Occasional snow flurries (weather permitting… or Christmas magic!)

Festivities unfold December 5–21, beginning with Shelton’s annual tree lighting at 6 PM and continuing with a full lineup of activities, treats, crafts, and musical performances. CLICK HERE for the full schedule of events.

From boat parades on Hammersley Inlet to shellfish feasts on Hood Canal, from forest tree hunts to twinkling displays in downtown Shelton, Mason County has built a holiday celebration rooted deeply in its heritage and flourishing with community spirit. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, the Festival of the Firs invites you to step into a place where holiday warmth, Northwest landscapes, and generations of tradition create a Christmas experience unlike any other.

Welcome to Christmastown USA, where the holidays grow wild and the magic never stops glowing!