Some families wait until December to celebrate Christmas, but for many RVers, Christmas comes early in July! Across the country, many independently owned and operated campgrounds have “Christmas in July” weekends that include everything from campsite decorating contests to ugly sweater contests to visits from Santa Claus himself. The “Christmas in July” phenomenon is particularly popular in the Midwest and Northeast, but campgrounds out west are increasingly having these holiday-themed weekends, even in some of the hottest parts of the country. Here’s a sampling of “Christmas in July” events scheduled for the summer of 2023:
Barstow / Calico KOA Holiday in Yermo, California: Christmas in July will take place July 22 at this campground with a campsite decorating contest, Christmas crafts, and an ice cream social.
Burney Falls / Hat Creek KOA Holiday in Hat Creek, California: Christmas in July will be celebrated July 22 at this campground with a campsite decorating contest, kids crafts, and an ice cream social.
Colorado Springs KOA Holiday in Fountain, Colorado: This campground offers two full weeks of Christmas in July activities from July 17-23 and July 24-30. Activities include Christmas tree decorating with family and friends, cookies with Santa, carols by candlelight, and a Christmas party.
Dune Town Camp Resort in Silver Lake, Michigan: Christmas in July will take place July 14-16 at this campground with games and crafts, a “make your own stuffed animal” activity, and an ugly sweater contest.
Grand Valley Campground in Dalton, Wisconsin: July 7-9 will be Christmas in July at this campground with an ugly sweater contest, a campsite decorating contest, and a DJ dance.
Indian Trails Campground in Pardeeville, Wisconsin: Christmas in July is scheduled for July 21-23 with a campsite decorating contest, a Santa Lane event, Christmas bingo, and Santa site visits.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Asheboro, North Carolina: This campground will have a Christmas in July week from July 17-23 with snowball fights, Christmas games and trivia, campsite decorating, and a dance party Saturday night.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Madison, Maine: The weekend of July 21-23 will have a Christmas in July theme with campsite decorating, ornament making, fun in the snow, reindeer games, and a visit by Santa.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Monticello, Iowa: Christmas in July activities at this park are scheduled for July 28-30 and will include campsite decorating, crafts, a fastest present-wrapping contest, and Christmas caroling.
Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Warrens, Wisconsin: This campground is dedicating two entire weeks to Christmas in July activities, July 17-23 and July 24-30. Activities include campsite decorating, tree decorating with Yogi Bear and friends, cookies with Santa, carols by candlelight, and evening Christmas parties.
Kymer's Camping Resort in Branchville, New Jersey: Christmas in July is set for July 14-16 with arts and crafts, tree decorating, an ugly t-shirt contest, snow foam playtime, a candy cane hunt, hayrides, a campsite decorating contest, and a visit from Santa.
Lake Ladonna Family Campgrounds in Oregon, Illinois: The weekend of July 21-23 will have a Christmas in July theme at this campground with a campsite decorating contest, an ornament making activity, caroling, and a snowball toss.
Lake Milton / Berlin Lake KOA Holiday in Lake Milton, Ohio: Two Christmas in July weekends are scheduled at this campground, including July 14-16 and July 21-23. Activities include kids crafts, a foam party, music on the beach, a hayride (bring your Santa hat), a visit from Santa, and a bonfire.
Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Christmas in July activities are scheduled for July 21-23 at this campground. Activities include decorating oyster shell ornaments and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Merry Mac's Campground in Merrimac, Wisconsin: The weekend of July 7-9 will have a Christmas in July theme at this campground with polar plunge, snowball fights and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Moose Hillock Camping Resorts in Lake George, New York and Warren, New Hampshire: The week of July 6-12 is designated for Christmas in July activities at these parks with activities including campsite lighting and campsite decorating contests.
Old Stage Campground in Madbury, New Hampshire: Christmas in July will be celebrated on July 21 at this campground with tree trimming, a campsite decorating contest, a sleigh ride with Santa, and a DJ dance.
Pinewood Lodge Campground in Plymouth, Massachusetts: The weekend of July 21-23 will have a Christmas in July theme at this campground with ornament making, tree trimming, a parade with Santa, and pictures and a party with Santa.
Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds in Saugerties, New York: July 21-23 will be a Christmas in July themed weekend at this campground with a campsite decorating contest, a coloring contest for kids and a visit from Santa.
Rivers Edge Campground in Stevens Point, Wisconsin: Santa will visit this campground on the weekend of July 14-16.
Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground in Danville, Vermont: Christmas in July will be celebrated July 7-9 at this campground with campsite decorating, a Christmas cookie swap, a visit by Santa, and a DJ on Saturday night.
The Quarry Campground in Tolland, Connecticut: Christmas in July will be celebrated July 22 at this park with a campsite decorating contest, Christmas cookie decorating, iced hot cocoa, and a hayride with Santa.
The Ridge Campground in Mt. Morris, New York: The weekend of July 28-30 will have a Christmas in July theme at this campground with a gingerbread house making contest, a golf cart and bicycle parade, a cookie sharing activity, candy bar bingo, an ugly sweater contest, and a wagon ride at dusk to look at the Christmas lights, and sing Christmas carols.
Triple R Camping Resort in Franklinville, New York: This park will have their Christmas in July during the weekend of July 21-23 with face painting, ceramics, a hayride with Santa, presents for the younger kids, and live music.
Tucson / Lazy Days KOA Resort in Tucson: This campground will celebrate Christmas in July 21-23 with cookie decorating, frozen hot chocolate, holiday ceramics, Christmas movies, and a Christmas parade.
Village Green Family Campground in Brimfield, Massachusetts: Christmas in July will take place July 21-23 at this park with gingerbread house making, a campsite decorating contest, a visit from Santa, and a holiday dance.
Waterloo / Lost Island KOA Resort in Waterloo, Iowa: Christmas in July will take place July 22-23 at this campground with campsite decorating, a Christmas movie, and a snack with Santa.
Williamsburg Campground in Williamsburg, Virginia: The weekend of July 21-23 is the designated Christmas in July weekend at this campground. Activities include Christmas treats, holiday music, and a visit from Mrs. Claus.
