Town Square Holiday Tree Lighting

The Annual Town Square Lighting Ceremony transforms Jackson’s George Washington Memorial Park at 50 East Pearl Avenue into a golden tableau on Friday, November 28, 2025, the day after Thanksgiving. Organized by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, this free community celebration runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

The ceremony unfolds

Music from the Jackson Hole Community Band and Choir begins at 5:00 PM. The Chamber recommends arriving by 5:15 PM with children to secure good viewing spots. At 5:30 PM, the Mayor leads the community countdown, lighting the four elk antler arches with thousands of twinkling lights.

Immediately afterward, Santa arrives by firetruck courtesy of Jackson Hole Fire and EMS, reportedly picked up from the National Elk Refuge after his sleigh lands. Complimentary hot cocoa is provided by Snake River Roasting Company, with cookies supplied by Provisions. The lights remain illuminated throughout the winter, creating the square’s signature holiday glow through New Year’s.

The elk antler arches carry remarkable history

The Rotary Club constructed the first elk antler arch in 1953 at the southwest corner of the square, with all four completed by the late 1960s. Each arch is built from approximately 2,000 naturally shed elk antlers and weighs between 10,000 and 14,000 pounds on a steel frame.

The antlers are collected from the National Elk Refuge each April by Jackson District Boy Scouts, a tradition that has continued since the 1960s. All four arches were reconstructed between 2007 and 2015 and are expected to last until approximately 2040. The 2007 reconstruction of the southwest arch was partially funded by an auction that raised $51,000.

Town Square itself was designated George Washington Memorial Park in 1932 and formally dedicated in 1934 with more than $6,000 in New Deal Civil Works Administration funding.

Shopping beneath the arches

Gaslight Alley, located just off the square, features handcrafted jewelry, Mursell’s Pottery and Chocolate, and MADE, which focuses on locally crafted items. Trailside Galleries, the first gallery on Town Square dating back to the early 1960s, anchors the local art scene.

The Thomas D. Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery, established in 1978, showcases renowned wildlife photography. RARE Gallery of Fine Art spans 6,000 square feet and features works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Ansel Adams.

The Winter Windfall promotion runs from Black Friday through December 22, offering chances to win more than $1,000 in local shopping credit. An Artisan Market typically takes place during the first weekend of December from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Jackson Hole Conference Center, featuring ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and one of a kind gifts.

Note that single use plastic bags have been banned in Jackson since 2019. Paper bags are available for a 20 cent fee.

Extended Santa programming and holiday alternatives

Santa on the Square runs nightly from December 13 through December 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Santa greets families at the Stage Stop cabin, with complimentary cookies provided by Jedediah’s.

On December 24, Santa rappels from the 100 foot aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at 4:30 PM, then ice skates at the Village Commons Rink from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Christmas morning brings a skiing Santa to Snow King Mountain from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.

If winter weather turns harsh, the National Museum of Wildlife Art offers an indoor alternative. Admission is $18, and the museum overlooks the National Elk Refuge with more than 5,000 works, including pieces by Albert Bierstadt and Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Jackson Hole Playhouse hosts Christmas dinner theater performances from December 10 through January 3. The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium, which opened in June 2024, offers exhibits and shows for $60, including a gondola ride.

Winter logistics around Town Square

The Public Parking Garage on Millward Street remains free during daytime hours. Overnight parking costs $5 per hour from midnight to 4:00 AM, with a maximum charge of $20. A winter parking ban from November 1 through April 15 prohibits overnight street parking between 3:00 and 7:00 AM for snow plowing.

Boardwalks around Town Square can be icy, so boots with good traction are recommended. Late November temperatures typically average daytime highs of 27 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows of 5 to 8 degrees. Dressing in moisture wicking base layers, insulating mid layers, and a waterproof outer shell is advised.