Christmas in Camp

The Christmas holidays are a time of celebration and family bonding. How did Civil War soldiers celebrate Christmas when they were hundreds of miles away from home and locked in a bloody struggle determining the future of our country? Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park will host a living history event that portrays the typical lives of soldiers in a winter encampment, while also highlighting some of the Civil War Christmas traditions.

The Christmas camp will be open and free to the public on Saturday, December 7th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, December 8th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Guided candlelight tours will be offered Saturday evening for a fee and visitors must register in advance as space is limited. Tours will last approximately one hour and will include walking a distance of about 1/2-mile on a December night, please dress for the weather. Tours will begin at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Please contact the park at (479) 846-2990 to reserve a tour.