Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment
- Dates
- Dec 25 to 25, 2026
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road
- Price
- $0 to $10
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Aug 24, 2026
The experience
What's special
Each December, thousands gather on both banks of the Delaware to watch the reenactment of General George Washington's daring Christmas-night 1776 crossing - the maneuver that led to the victory at Trenton and turned the tide of the Revolution. Staged at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, the commemoration fields hundreds of reenactors presenting 18th-century military life - fife and drum, artillery, and Washington's rousing address - before crews board replica Durham boats to row across into New Jersey. There are two viewings: a ticketed First Crossing in mid-December that adds a full day of Historic Village activities, and the free Christmas Day crossing itself at 1 PM. A juried living-history event with strict period-correct standards for its reenactors, it is a genuine historic site rather than a theme park, and 2026 marks both the event's 74th year and the 250th anniversary of the crossing.
What people love
Attendees call it a great, moving, quintessentially American event - a fun, fairly quick spectacle that people travel from several states to see, with a strong play-like performance from Washington and his staff, hundreds of reenactors, and live cannon fire echoing across the river. Regulars say the park has improved the visitor experience in recent years by treating it as an event for spectators, not just the reenactors. Two honest caveats recur: parking is tight and the crowds are heavy (especially Christmas Day, so arrive by late morning and expect a slow exit), and the boats do not always cross - low water or unsafe conditions have scrubbed the actual crossing in some years, though the ceremonies go on regardless. Dress warmly for the windy riverbank, and leave dogs at home because of the cannons.
Last time around
At the 2025 Christmas Day crossing the weather was mild but the river ran too low for the boats to cross, so the reenactors performed the ceremonies, speeches, and commemorative program without the on-water crossing - a scenario attendees have seen in several recent years.
Costumes & what to wear
Do I need a costume?
Spectators do not dress up, this is a commemorative reenactment watched from the riverbanks, not a participatory costume faire. Only registered reenactors in period-correct kit take part in the crossing
Costume rules
This is a juried living-history reenactment, not a costume event for the general public: participation as a reenactor requires registration, membership in an active living-history unit with liability insurance, and strict adherence to period-correct material-culture guidelines. Spectators attend in ordinary (warm) clothing
Joining in
The public watches from both banks of the Delaware as hundreds of reenactors present 18th-century military life, fife and drum, artillery, and General Washington's address, before gathering in Durham boats to cross into New Jersey. The First Crossing adds a full day of Historic Village activities and demonstrations of civilian and military life, with food vendors on site
Getting there
Nearest airport PHL.
How do I get to Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment?
By train 1
Rail does not reach the park, but Trenton Transit Center in New Jersey is only about 8 miles southeast of it and is served by Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (Northeast Regional), NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line, and SEPTA's Trenton Regional Rail Line from Philadelphia. Travellers connecting from other Northeast cities can reach Trenton by train and take a short rideshare (~15-20 min) the rest of the way to Washington Crossing
Book / info →Taxi & rideshare 1
From PHL the park is roughly a 35-mile, 45-55 minute drive north into Bucks County via I-95. There is no scheduled transit or shuttle to the park itself, so a car covers the whole trip; the event runs on a December Christmas Day / mid-December weekend when the riverside lots fill early, so build in extra time
Book / info →By bus
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Use the airport transfers or shuttle options above.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost Free. Prepay via None, parking is free, no prepay system. On-site parking at the historic park is free and clearly marked, but it fills fast for the crossings, especially the free Christmas Day event. Regulars advise arriving by 11-11:30 AM to find a spot and to expect slow-moving traffic when leaving. A companion reenactment runs across the river at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, NJ, which has its own separate parking
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at PHL
A practical option for fly-in visitors: the park is an exurban Bucks County riverside site about 35 miles from Philadelphia with no scheduled transit or shuttle to the gate, and on-site parking is free. A rental car (on-airport at PHL) covers the whole trip and suits the cold December timing and early-arrival advice
Search car hire →Live price search coming soon.
Where
Venue
Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Mid-range hotels 1
1000 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA, about 6-7 miles / ~15 min south of the park
≈ $150-200 / night approx, book direct with the hotel
Book direct →Luxe hotels 2
518 Lurgan Rd, New Hope, PA, about 4-5 miles / ~10 min north of the park
≈ $400-600 / night approx, book direct with the hotel
Book direct →New Hope, PA, riverfront in town, about 5-6 miles / ~12 min north of the park
≈ $300-450 / night approx, book direct with the hotel
Book direct →Airbnb & private camping
New Hope and the surrounding Bucks County river towns have a deep stock of vacation rentals, from in-town apartments to country houses. New Hope is a year-round tourist destination, so weekend rates stay firm even in December; the mid-December First Crossing weekend books up faster than the free Christmas Day date
Search Airbnb →Bucks County has Hipcamp-listed private-land tent and cabin stays along the Delaware and in the surrounding farmland, a good warm-season basecamp for a park visit, though the reenactment itself falls in cold December when tent camping is impractical and a heated room is the sensible choice
Search Hipcamp →Pricing
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