Created in 1982, Christmas at Old Fort Concho transforms the 40-acre and 24-building historic site, located just south of downtown San Angelo, into a holiday festival of unique shopping, living history, ongoing entertainment, special children’s programs, and historical displays. Held on the first full weekend of December, this year’s event will take place on Friday-Sunday, December 2-4, with a special concert/dance by country entertainer Weldon Henson on Thursday evening, December 1.
Merchants fill many of the historic officers’ quarters and barracks with hand made items, clothing, children’s toys, prepared foods, and jewelry. Even regular attendees will find something new as seventeen of the merchants will be making their first visit to the event.
Outside, a row of sutlers, period traders reflecting the 1800s, will offer replica clothing, toys, and artifacts that a soldier or civilian could have bought during the fort’s active years of 1867-1889.
A food court will feed the hungry at the east end of the Parade Ground with tasty snacks and meals that you can enjoy in the nearby picnic area. At the other end of the field a kettle corn tent and old-time root beer stand always have long lines. Several trailers and inside locations offer coffee, soft drinks, and hot chocolate for sale.
Entertainment surrounds any guests as dozens of bands, dancing groups, and singers perform in the Arclight Saloon located in Barracks 1, the Chapel at the west end of the site, and in various locations on the Parade Field including the newly reconstructed Post Bandstand. Three period bands, a medicine show, a gunfighter group, a chuckwagon food and entertainment area, and an Indian dancing program will offer entertainment all weekend. On Saturday morning families can enjoy Pancakes with Santa in the fort’s historic Stables Hall. On Saturday night a special frontier dance will take you back to the music and dance your great-grandparents would have enjoyed. On Sunday morning you can eat well and enjoy a cowboy breakfast and church service.
The fort’s Parade Ground will host many camps and displays of soldiers, artillery units, scouts, traders, and other living history programs from across the state. A children’s art show features hundreds of works in the Quartermaster Building, and the amazing gingerbread houses and decorated cookies fill the Post Hospital main ward. Bring your child to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in their home at the brightly decorated Headquarters Building.
And there’s so much more! Daily admission costs $3 for children (6-13), $5 for seniors and military, and $7 for adults. Weekend passes will get you all three days for the price of two. Hours are 3-8 pm on Friday; 9 am - 7 pm on Saturday and 11 am - 4 pm on Sunday. All info, ticket order forms, and event info can be found on the fort’s web site at fortconcho.com. Call us at (325) 481-2646 for additional information. Fort Concho is reached by US Highways 67, 87, and 277, just a few hours from most locations in the Hill Country.
