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Christmas in July Camping: Santa, Site Decorating and Caroling by Hayride

Oct 22
3 min read

Updated for the 2027 season: Christmas in July runs July 23–25, 2027.


Christmas in July camping at Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina runs July 23–25, 2027. Campers deck out their sites on Friday for a decorating contest judged after dark, then pile onto a hayride to go caroling around the campground. Saturday brings a kids' craft, a decorated golf cart parade, adult swim, a visit from Santa at 7pm and karaoke to close out the night.


If you've never done a Christmas in July weekend at a campground in NY, here's exactly how it works: the full schedule, how the contests are judged, what the Santa visit involves, and what to pack.


What's the Full Schedule?


Here's the 2027 schedule. Times can shift a little, so check the events calendar before you arrive.


Friday, July 23


Time

What's happening

5:00 – 8:00 pm

Potters Food Truck

Afternoon and evening

Decorate your site for Christmas

8:00 pm

Christmas caroling hayride

After dark

Site decorating judging


Saturday, July 24


Time

What's happening

11:00 am

Kids' craft

2:00 pm

Decorate your golf cart and parade

4:00 – 5:00 pm

Adult swim

7:00 pm

Santa visits

8:00 – 11:00 pm

Karaoke with DJ Jake

9:30 pm

Winners announced


Sunday, July 25


No events are scheduled. Pack up the tinsel and head home. 


The short version: arrive Friday afternoon if you want to compete in the decorating contest, since judging happens Friday night.


How Does the Site Decorating Contest Work?


You decorate your campsite for Christmas on Friday, and judging happens after dark, so the lights are what really count. Winners are announced Saturday night at 9:30pm. 


A few things to know:


  • Timing: have everything up and switched on by dark on Friday. If you arrive Saturday, you'll miss the judging.

  • What judges look for: Whatever the criteria, string lights, lit inflatables and anything that glows show up best at night.

  • The prize: RiverBucks are our in-house reward currency, given out in contests throughout the season. See the events calendar for more.


Can I enter if I'm only staying one weekend?


Yes. You don't need a seasonal site to compete. Weekend campers enter the same contest. Just plan on a Friday arrival so your decorations are up before judging.


Do tents and cabins count?


Yes. Any site can be decorated, whether you're in an RV, a tent, or one of our cabins and cottages. 


How Does the Golf Cart Parade Work?


On Saturday at 2pm, decorate your golf cart and join the parade around the campground. 


Only electric golf carts are allowed at the campground; gas carts are prohibited. If you don't have one, golf cart rentals are available at the office, subject to availability. Drivers must follow our golf cart rules.


How Does Caroling by Hayride Work?


On Friday at 8pm, campers climb aboard a hayride and ride through the campground singing Christmas carols, right as everyone is putting the finishing touches on their decorated sites. It's one of the easiest ways to see every decorated site before judging. 


Do I Need to Dress Up?


No. There's no costume contest this weekend. But a Santa hat, a light-up necklace or a holiday T-shirt fits right in, and it's July, so skip the wool sweater. If you want to go all in, save it for the golf cart parade.


What Should I Bring?


  • Site decorations: string lights, inflatables, garland, a small tree. Bring outdoor-rated extension cords. 

  • Golf cart decorations, if you're entering the parade (electric carts only).

  • Swimsuits for adult swim, 4–5pm Saturday. 

  • Bug spray for the Friday night hayride.

  • Sunscreen and a hat: it's still July.

  • Cash or card for Potters Food Truck on Friday.

  • Camp chairs for karaoke on Saturday night.

  • Your dog, if you like: dogs are welcome under our pet policy.


Frequently Asked Questions

When is Christmas in July at Rivers Crossing in 2027?

July 23–25, 2027. Site judging is Friday night, and Santa visits Saturday at 7pm.

Yes. There's a caroling hayride Friday, a kids' craft and golf cart parade Saturday, and a visit from Santa Saturday evening.

No. Decorating is optional. You only need to decorate if you want to enter the contest.

Only if you want to be in it. Electric carts only; gas golf carts aren't allowed at the campground.

Everyone camping that weekend can join in the activities.


Book Your Christmas in July Weekend


Christmas in July is one of the most popular weekends of the summer at our NY campground, so book early. Arrive Friday, deck the halls and the RV, and let Santa find you in July.



 
 
 

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