Garrison, ND: See why this town is the Christmas Capital of ND!
December 2023: Intrigued by the title of Christmas Capital, we spent an afternoon in Garrison, ND (population 1,462*) with my parents on the Friday before Christmas. What elevates this town to such an elite Christmas status? It is the Victorian themed historic downtown, and a really cool event called the Dickens Festival… where Christmas begins!
The town of Garrison is located in McClean County, in central North Dakota near Lake Sakakawea.
Garrison – A Brief History
Garrison was organized as a village in 1907. The original town was founded by the Taylor Brothers (Cecil and Theodore) in 1903. The post office was established June 17, 1903. Later, when the Soo Line ran its tracks farther north, the town moved to its present location, a few miles north of beautiful Lake Sakakawea. Garrison has long been considered the Agricultural Gateway City because it is situated in the heart of rich farmland, available at relatively low prices. In 1914-1915 it was considered the largest primary wheat shipping point and was incorporated as a city in 1916.
Business flourished in the early years. The early leaders saw Garrison as a town “bustin’ at the seams” with gun totin’ rascals. Fortunately for decades to come, the West was tamed and homes and businesses grew into a solid community. Today Garrison boasts many businesses, offering residents and guests the best a small town can offer.
In recent years, the city of Garrison has been recognized for:
- Walleye Capital of the World – self-proclaimed title earned with a statue of Wally the Walleye and the abundance of fishing opportunities in nearby Lake Sakakawea.
- Christmas Capital of ND – Every year Main Street is transformed into a Victorian Village, complete with a wide variety of Christmas themed events and activities!
- 2018 Main Street ND Excellence Award – for finding creative ways to add vibrancy and investment into a bright future. Garrison is proud to be a first year recipient of the Governor’s Award.
- City of the Year: 2007 & 2016 – recognized by the ND League of Cities, both in 2007 and 2016. The award was established to recognize ND Cities for the quality, number, and progressiveness of activities undertaken in the community
Top10 Reasons Garrison can claim the Christmas Capital title!
Garrison’s Dickens Village Festival continues to delight and entertain families from across North Dakota, eastern Montana and southern Canada. The event turns a community of 1,500 into a quaint Victorian town from the era of Charles Dickens’. The Dickens Village Festival started in 1994 and has expanded in its festivities ever since. It runs Thanksgiving Weekend (Friday & Saturday) and the next two Friday & Saturday’s.
Although not there in person, we would have enjoyed the Dickens Festival! A look through their schedule of events is evidence to the claim of Christmas Capital of ND. Below are some of the activities that impressed us most.
- A live performance of the Christmas Carol, at the Kota Theater
- About the Play – “Since it’s the 30th anniversary, we decided to take it back to 1995 with the first musical ever performed!”
- About the Kota Theater – “This modern theater offers first run movies most Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Now featuring digital cinema, the KOTA theater is managed and staffed by friendly community volunteers and provides entertainment for family and friends at an affordable price. Come enjoy a movie at the theater, “Where popcorn is still only 50 cents.”
- A ride on the Queen Elizabus – an actual british double-decker bus, fully restored as part of a major fundraising effort that involved the individual “sale” of seats, corporate donations and the generosity of the Garrison Sales and Use Tax Committee.
- “a transportation must during your visit to Garrison for the Dickens Village Festival.”
- Tinsel & Treats – a festival of trees decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals; vote for your favorite. Enjoy free coffee & hot chocolate; also cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, chili, pumpkin bars, & kuchen for purchase from the Garrison Lamplighters. Warming house available here.
- Fezziwig’s Feast – a three-course gourmet meal by Lenore’s Catering and Outdoor’s along with Wolf Creek Winery Wine Tasting.
- Street Food Vendors Main Street – From Buffalo Swedish Meatballs & Sausage on a Stick to Rice Pudding & Homemade Soups, a variety of yummy foods are available from non-profit organizations.
- Live entertainment – many options!
- Christmas Shopping – many options
- Quit Show – A collection of Quilts made by the local Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild Members at a local shop.
- Top It Off with Style – Children’s Top Hat Decorating, noon-4 p.m., Every Day.
- Charles Dickens era characters (i.e. residents in fun costumes) walking the streets completes the Christmas Carol vibe!
Christmas vibe during our visit later in December
Although our family visit was several weeks after the Dickens Festival, and we were pleased to see the Christmas vibe is strong even beyond the festival weekend in early December! Here are the 5 favorite things we recommend.
1. Take photos by Wally the Walley (in a top hat to celebrate the Dickens Festival)
2. Snack on ice cream at Ye Old Malt Shop… Yum!
3. Shop at a variety of cute local shops – and take advantage of the Christmas sales!
4. Walk around the historic downtown buildings…
,,, and enjoy all of them beautifully renovated and the home to a wide variety of businesses
Learn more about the Dickens Festival and how it began in this short video!
More to Explore
A little digging online indicates Garrison has several organizations working to keep its economic engine running at high speed!
- Garrison Convention & Visitors’ Bureau – The Garrison Convention & Visitors’ Bureau’s intent is to provide a wide variety of services to Garrison and the surrounding area in regards to promotion, guidance, and development to benefit those who own businesses, work, or live in the community.
- Garrison Area Improvement association (GAIA) – The mission of the Garrison Area Improvement Association is to create an environment that will aid the retention and expansion of existing businesses within the community and encourage the development and success of all area business. GAIA is a non-profit economic development corporation dedicated to the progressive growth of Garrison and the surrounding area while maintaining an excellent quality of life. Small grants are available via a variety of Economic Development programs.
- Garrison Chamber of Commerce – mission strives to foster, protect, and promote the commercial, industrial, civic, agricultural and general interests of the community.
