Mason County’s Festival Of The Firs

December 2024, Mason County, WAshington

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Each year Mason County comes together to celebrate the historic title of Shelton being Christmastown, USA. A nod to its rich timber heritage, County groups and businesses host a series of events and programs that drop you right into a scene from your favorite holiday film.  If the annual installation of the 32’ Santa (originally built for the 1962 World Fair) doesn’t thrill you, then streets dripping with vintage decorations and crisscrossed with LED lights and welcoming wreaths on every door surely will. From parades in Belfair and Shelton to Tree Lightings at the Alderbrook Resort, the Port of Hoodsport and in Downtown Belfair the Christmas Spirit comes alive across the county.

Guinness Record Win - 797 TREES!

In 2019 Shelton took the Hallmark Channel head on. Historically known as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World,” Shelton and Mason County celebrated this distinction with an attempt at the Guinness World Record for “Most Lit Christmas Trees” in one location. The current record was set by Hallmark in 2015 when they lit 559 trees in a New York park.

The 900+ trees were arranged in a lighted maze that families could explore. The total qualifying trees “logged” in at 797! Along with Santa visits, hot chocolate, apple cider, food, caroling, gingerbread house contests, live music, gift workshops, and vendors, Shelton was pleased to welcome visitors and neighbors to enjoy Christmastown celebration in December. The trees were donated to local families.

READ MORE | Shelton’s attempt was logged December 7th during the annual parade and recorded as a win in July 2020

Sounds of the 2023 maze

Christmas Tree Capital of the World

In the wake of Hood Canal’s timber boom it was discovered that the glacial till left after the fjord was carved was ideal ground for growing Douglas fir Christmas trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the area annually harvested several million, earning it the title as “Christmas Tree Capital of the Nation.” 

During the Christmas tree boom, every available hand was cutting trees and filling rail cars for worldwide deliveries. Entire container ships were filled with Mason County trees.

Local u-cut and pre-cut farms around Hood Canal continue to “Keep it Real” by producing some of the finest Nobles, Grands, Frasers as well as Douglas Firs. Northwest growers claim that real trees help the environment and are recyclable and biodegradable while artificial trees will eventually end in a landfill.

Annually many families head to local farms to select their favorite and enjoy holiday activities like hayrides, petting zoos and visits with Santa. There’s hardly anything that’s more quintessentially Christmas than decorating a handpicked Pacific Northwest Christmas tree and gathering your family around a tree that you brought home together from Hood Canal.

Before You Go,

Most tree lots and farms open after Thanksgiving with activities like Santa Claus visits and hay rides on the weekends. Check out our list of tree farms below!

A Griswald Family Christmas…

Dreaming of heading to the forest and cutting your own? It’s time to begin a new family tradition! Hood Canal trees are so fantastic that in 2006 a 45 year old Fraser Fir was selected from the Olympic National Forest to be the Capitol Christmas Tree and the White House has selected no less than two trees from the area for the presidential families. For just the cost of a $5 tree-cutting permit anyone can head out on the hunt.

Olympic Forest Permits are good for one U-cut tree on the Olympic National Forest. Permits may be purchased at select Olympic National Forest office. Credit cards are now accepted as well as cash and checks. Permits can also be purchased online at Recreation.gov.

There are plenty to choose from and the selective picking allows other trees in the forest room for healthy growth. Permits for cutting Christmas trees in the Olympic National Forest are available in mid-November — and fourth-graders can get them free.   

Choose the Perfect Tree!

Make it a family tradition to cut your own or carefully select a pre-cut beauty from the Hood Canal area. Whether you head into the forest to select your own or visit one of the farms we have included below – you can’t go wrong visiting the Christmas Tree Capital of the Nation!

Here are a few places where you can pick the perfect tree!

Allens Tree Farm in Tahuya, WA.

Brewers Tree Farm | Shelton WA
map | 2382 W. Deegan Rd. W. Shelton
call | (360) 426-4936
U - Cut trees, or help if needed! All trees are $7.50/foot. Handsaws available, no power saws allowed. Shake & bale available for an additional $5. Open on a weekend to weekend basis due to limited trees, call ahead! Cash only.

Bayview Tree Farm | Belfair WA
map | 4673 E State Route 302, Belfair
call | (360) 275-3790
Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider await you in the barn after picking the perfect tree. While sipping on hot beverages, check out the wreaths and selection of handmade Christmas decor.

Hunter Farms U-Cut, off California Road in Shelton, WA.

Hunter Farms | Union WA
Family owned & operated in Mason County since 1889. Seasonal crops, gift shop at main location as well as farm store and petting zoo! 

Hunter Farms Locations:
map | Tree Farm, California Rd, Hwy 101 near Brockdale
U-cut only, follow signs upon arrival. Open weekends, mid-November thru December.

map | General Store, 1921 E Hwy 106, Union
call | (360) 898-2222 or (360) 426-2222
Pre-cut and U-cut trees as well as gifts & refreshments.

Northwind Tree Farm Tree Days | Shelton
map | 3601 E Agate Rd, Shelton
call | (360) 426-5593
Join the fun at Northwind Tree Farm Tree Days! Bring a saw and a donation for the food bank. Any Tree $25. Cash or Check Only.

Toziers Hardware | Shelton
map | 110 Mill Street, Shelton
call | (360) 868-4352
Pre-cut Douglas firs and nobles, live trees, lights and decorations.

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