Celebrate the Holiday Season at Fort Hunter: Magic, Memories, and Just Enough Chaos for Families
The holiday season at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park is full of wonder — twinkling lights, train displays, Victorian charm, and more than enough family-friendly activities to keep everyone happy (or at least distracted with cookies). If you’re looking for festive traditions that don’t require an entire tactical operation like a full amusement park day, Fort Hunter is your winter sanity saver.
Below is your full guide to 2025's Holiday Season at Fort Hunter — with updated dates, kid-tested parent tips, and all the charm this Harrisburg favorite is known for.
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Christmas at the Mansion
December 2 – December 23
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the historic Fort Hunter Mansion, beautifully decorated with greenery, ribbon, and more holiday inspiration than your Pinterest board has ever seen. This tour focuses on holiday traditions, décor, and the stories that make Fort Hunter feel like stepping straight into a Victorian Christmas card.
Special thanks to the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club for making every room look so stunning you’ll momentarily forget your own living room currently has a half-lit tree and three broken ornament hooks.
Reservations recommended. Groups over 10 or visitors needing accommodations should call 717-599-5751.
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Toy Train Exhibit
November 29 – December 21
Saturdays & Sundays • 12:30 – 4:30 PM • Free
All aboard! If your kids love trains, or if you simply need an activity where they can stare in wonder while you drink a quiet coffee, this is your stop. The Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society brings a magical setup of HO gauge trains with interactive elements and new scenes added each year.
Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Hunter.
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Festival of Trees
November 29 – December 21
Walk through a wonderland of beautifully decorated themed Christmas trees trimmed by local garden clubs. Each tree is raffle-ready, and handmade ornaments are available for purchase — perfect for grandparents or for your own tree if the toddler hasn’t shattered your ornament confidence this season.
“Kids Only” Holiday Shop
Saturdays & Sundays • December 6–21 • 12:30 – 4:30 PM
A local favorite! Kids ages 12 and under shop independently with the help of Fort Hunter’s helper elves. Gifts are all under $15 and surprisingly thoughtful (your child will feel like a CEO with spending money and a mission). Parents supply the list and the budget, elves handle the magic, wrapping, and secrecy.
A rare peaceful moment for parents. Guard it with your life.
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Fort Couture: Christmas Tree Dresses
Weekends Only • December 6–21 12:30-4:30
Fashion… but make it festive. These creative dress forms are decorated entirely in holiday greens, ribbons, and imaginative designs that might just inspire you to finally fix the ribbon on your banister. Or not. No judgment.
Christmas Collective: Shop Local, Gift Unique
Friday Dec 5 • 10 AM – 6 PM
Saturday Dec 6 • 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday Dec 7 • 10 AM – 4 PM
This beloved artisan market features pottery, jewelry, metal sculpture, woodcraft, fine art, photography, handmade soaps, ornaments, and more. Perfect for meaningful gifts AND for finally knocking out shopping without stepping foot in a mall.
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Victorian Tea & Holiday Demonstrations
Sunday, December 7 • 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Victorian Tea (11:30 – 3:30 PM) SOLD OUT
Sip tea, enjoy sandwiches and cookies, and tour the mansion decorated in lush greens. This is the kind of holiday experience that makes you feel like the refined adult you pretend to be when your kids aren’t around.
Open Hearth Cooking (12:30 – 4:30)
Visit the summer kitchen to watch 1800s-style holiday treat prep over an open flame. Smells amazing. Kids love it. You’ll leave feeling like you absolutely could make historical gingerbread… but you will not.
Clear Toy Candy Demo (12:30 – 4:30)
Watch traditional Pennsylvania-German 3D clear toy candy being made. The nostalgia alone is worth the trip.
Saint Thomas Dulcimer Society Concert
Wednesday, December 10 • 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Free
Enjoy holiday favorites played on dulcimers, harps, banjammers, and more. A sweet, quiet, cozy event perfect for families needing a calmer holiday outing.
Santa’s Reindeer & Mrs. Santa
Sunday, December 14 • 12:30 – 2:30 PM (Line closes at 2:15)
One day only! Meet one of Santa’s reindeer, visit with Mrs. Santa, and snap photos. Expect holiday magic, adorable chaos, and at least one child asking if reindeer can come home with you.
Brass Triumphant in Concert
Sunday, December 21 • 2 PM • Free
Enjoy an informal, festive brass concert full of familiar Christmas tunes — a perfect warm and relaxing end to the holiday season at Fort Hunter.
Thank You to the Sponsors
Christmas at Fort Hunter is made possible thanks to generous community partners, Presenting Sponsor First National Bank and Event Sponsor the Miter Foundation who help bring these traditions to life year after year.
Fort Hunter Mansion & Park
5300 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-599-5751
FortHunter.org
