Twinkling lights strung between pine trees. Inflatable snowmen standing next to picnic tables in 80-degree weather. Kids in Santa hats riding bikes through a campground while holiday music plays from a neighbor’s RV. That is Christmas in July at a campground, and it is one of the most popular themed weekends on the camping calendar.
Happy Grounds campgrounds across New England and New York host Christmas in July every summer, and families treat it like a second holiday season, complete with decorating, costumes, gift exchanges, and enough festive energy to rival December. If you have never experienced a campground Christmas in the middle of summer, this is the year to start.
Book your Christmas in July weekend at Happy Grounds.
What Is Christmas in July at a Campground?
Christmas in July is a themed camping weekend where the entire campground transforms into a holiday celebration. It is part decorating competition, part community party, and part excuse to wear ugly Christmas sweaters in the summer heat.
The tradition started decades ago at campgrounds across the country as a way to break up the summer season with something unexpected and festive. It has grown into one of the most anticipated weekends of the year at family campgrounds, with some families booking their sites a full year in advance.
At its core, Christmas in July is about community. Campers decorate their sites, dress up, participate in organized activities, and celebrate together. For kids, it is the thrill of Christmas morning minus the school break and winter coats. For parents, it is a weekend where the campground handles the entertainment.
Happy Grounds Parks Hosting Christmas in July
Multiple Happy Grounds campgrounds across the Northeast host Christmas in July events, each with its own spin on the celebration. Dates and activities vary by location, so check the 2026 event calendar at camphappygrounds.com for confirmed schedules.
Parks that typically host Christmas in July include:
- Ausable Pines Campground (Peru, NY): Adirondack-region holiday celebration with site decorating, Santa, and campground-wide festivities
- Ausable River Campground (Peru, NY): Riverside holiday weekend with a quieter, wooded atmosphere
- Bonnie Brae Campground (Pittsfield, MA): Western Massachusetts Christmas in July with campfire-centered holiday activities
- Circle CG Farm Campground (Bellingham, MA): Near Boston, with themed decorating and organized holiday games
- Kings Bay Campground (Champlain, NY): Lakefront Christmas in July on Lake Champlain with holiday festivities and water activities
- Peaceful Pines Campground (Templeton, MA): Central Massachusetts celebration with community events and holiday-themed weekends
- Riverbend East and West (Blossvale, NY): One of the largest Happy Grounds events, with full campground participation and organized activities
- White Pines Campsites (Barkhamsted, CT): Northern Connecticut holiday weekend with site decorating contests and festive campfire nights
Each park brings its own community character to the event. Some lean into all-out decorating competitions with elaborate displays. Others focus on holiday games and organized activities. The consistent thread is that every camper, whether a first-timer or a ten-year veteran, is welcomed into the celebration.
Typical Christmas in July Activities
While each campground puts its own twist on the event, these activities are common across most Happy Grounds Christmas in July weekends:
- Campsite Decorating Contest: The centerpiece of the weekend. Families go all-out decorating their sites with lights, inflatables, wreaths, fake snow, and themed displays. Judging typically happens Saturday evening, with prizes for categories like “Best Overall,” “Most Creative,” and “Best Use of Lights.”
- Santa Visit: Santa arrives (sometimes by golf cart, sometimes by hayride) for photos, waves, and holiday cheer. Kids line up. Adults secretly enjoy it just as much.
- Holiday Parade: A campground-wide parade with decorated golf carts, wagons, and bikes. Campers line the roads and cheer.
- Christmas Games and Contests: Ornament making, stocking decorating, holiday trivia, cookie decorating stations, and candy cane hunts.
- Holiday Craft Station: Kids make ornaments, holiday cards, or snowflake decorations at organized craft tables.
- Bounce Houses and Inflatables: Many parks add bounce houses and inflatable slides for the weekend.
- Live Music or DJ: Holiday playlists, campground dances, and sometimes live bands playing holiday classics mixed with summer hits.
- Campfire Caroling: Group singalongs around the community campfire ring. Lyric sheets provided.
- Movie Night: Outdoor screenings of holiday films on a big screen under the stars.
How to Decorate Your Campsite
Campsite decorating is the heart of Christmas in July, and families take it seriously. Here is how to set up a competitive display without overloading your vehicle.
Lights
- Battery-operated LED string lights are the easiest option. No outlet needed.
- Solar-powered lights charge during the day and glow all night.
- Wrap lights around awning poles, tent guy lines, tree trunks, and picnic tables.
Inflatables
- Small inflatable snowmen, Santas, and penguins pack flat and inflate in minutes.
- One or two statement inflatables make more impact than a dozen small ones.
Themed Decor
- Mini Christmas tree (artificial, 3-4 feet) as the campsite centerpiece
- Stockings hung along the awning or RV exterior
- Wreaths on the RV door or tent entrance
- Holiday-themed tablecloths, plates, and cups for the picnic table
- Fake snow or cotton batting draped over surfaces
DIY Touches
- Hand-painted signs (“Santa Stops Here,” “North Pole Campsite”)
- Candy cane pathway markers along the edge of your site
- Gift-wrapped empty boxes stacked under the mini tree
- Holiday music playlist on a portable speaker (keep volume campground-friendly)
Pro tips:
- Arrive Friday afternoon to give yourself time to set up. Saturday morning is too late for a serious display.
- Walk the campground Friday evening to scope out the competition and get inspired.
- Involve the kids in decorating. Their enthusiasm is contagious and judges notice family effort.
Christmas in July Campfire Recipes
Holiday flavors hit differently when it is 80 degrees outside. These campfire recipes bring festive flavor to summer camping.
- Summer Hot Cocoa: Make hot chocolate over the campfire, then add whipped cream and crushed candy canes. It sounds odd in July, but kids love it regardless of the temperature.
- Holiday S’mores: Swap regular chocolate for peppermint bark or Andes mints. Use sugar cookies instead of graham crackers for a holiday twist.
- Campfire Cinnamon Rolls: Wrap refrigerated cinnamon roll dough around a roasting stick, cook over coals, and glaze with icing. Christmas morning taste, campfire style.
- Gingerbread Popcorn: Pop popcorn over the fire, drizzle with melted butter, and dust with ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Santa’s Trail Mix: Combine red and green M&Ms, pretzels, marshmallows, peanuts, and white chocolate chips. Package in cellophane bags with ribbon for a campsite treat to share with neighbors.
What to Pack for Christmas in July
Beyond your regular camping gear, pack these items specifically for the themed weekend:
- Decorations: Lights, inflatables, mini tree, stockings, wreaths (see decorating section above)
- Holiday costumes or outfits: Ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, elf ears, reindeer antler headbands
- Extension cords and power strips: If your site has electric, you will need them for lights and inflatables
- Holiday music playlist: Downloaded to your phone with a portable speaker
- Small gifts: For a campsite gift exchange with neighbors or for a Secret Santa activity. Wrap a few inexpensive items (glow sticks, candy, small toys).
- Camera or phone charger: You will take more photos than you expect
- Holiday baking supplies: If you plan to make festive treats at the campsite
- A competitive spirit: The decorating contest is friendly, but everyone wants to win
Tips for First-Timers
If this is your first Christmas in July weekend at a campground, a few tips will help you get the most out of it:
- Book early. Christmas in July weekends fill up fast at every Happy Grounds campground. Reserve your site as soon as dates are announced.
- Arrive Friday. Saturday arrival means you miss Friday night decorating time and the social kickoff of the weekend.
- Walk the campground. Before, during, and after your own setup. Seeing other families’ displays is half the fun, and it builds campground community.
- Participate in everything. The parade, the contest, the craft station, the caroling. Full participation makes the weekend ten times more memorable.
- Meet your neighbors. Christmas in July is one of the most social camping weekends of the year. Introduce yourself. Share treats. Invite the kids next door to play.
- Take photos. Decorated campsites under string lights at dusk are genuinely beautiful. Capture them.
- Do not overthink the decorating. First-timers sometimes feel intimidated by veteran campers with elaborate displays. Start simple. A mini tree, some lights, and a Santa hat go a long way. You will build your collection over the years.
Photo Gallery / Highlights from Past Years
Christmas in July creates some of the most shareable, memorable moments of any camping season. Past highlights from Happy Grounds campgrounds include:
- Full-size inflatable snow globes set up on lakefront sites at Kings Bay
- Campground-wide parades with decorated golf carts at Riverbend
- Kids trick-or-treating between decorated campsites in Santa hats (a crossover with Halloweekend energy)
- Group campfire caroling with 50+ campers at Peaceful Pines
- Snow machines creating artificial flurries on a 85-degree afternoon
Photos from past events may be available on the Happy Grounds social media pages and website.
FAQs
When is Christmas in July at Happy Grounds campgrounds?
Dates vary by location, typically falling on a weekend in mid-to-late July. Check the 2026 event calendar at camphappygrounds.com for confirmed dates at each park.
Do I need to decorate my campsite for Christmas in July?
Decorating is encouraged but not required. However, participating in the decorating contest is one of the best parts of the weekend. Even a simple setup with lights and a Santa hat on the picnic table counts.
Which Happy Grounds campground has the biggest Christmas in July event?
Riverbend in Blossvale, NY and Circle CG Farm in Bellingham, MA typically host some of the largest and most active celebrations, but every participating park creates a festive atmosphere.
Is Christmas in July family-friendly?
Absolutely. The entire event is designed for families. Activities include kid-friendly crafts, Santa visits, parades, and holiday games. It is one of the most popular family weekends of the camping season.
What should I bring for Christmas in July at a campground?
Bring battery-operated string lights, a small artificial tree, stockings, holiday-themed outfits (ugly sweater, Santa hat), and a few small gifts for campsite exchanges. Arrive Friday to give yourself setup time.
Can I still camp during Christmas in July if I do not celebrate Christmas?
Of course. Christmas in July at a campground is a community celebration, not a religious event. The focus is on decorating, games, and campground community. Everyone is welcome to participate at whatever level feels comfortable.
Christmas in July at Happy Grounds campgrounds is one of those experiences that turns a regular camping weekend into a family tradition. The decorating, the community, the holiday-in-summer surprise factor. Once your family does it once, it tends to become an annual commitment.
[Contact Happy Grounds](https://camphappygrounds.com/contact/) to book your Christmas in July weekend, or visit camphappygrounds.com to check event dates at all participating campgrounds.
