Coronavirus Kills Christmas at Old Fort Concho

SAN ANGELO, TX – It's official. Christmas at Old Fort Concho has been canceled this year due to fear of COVID-19.

According to the City of San Angelo, on September 24, due to the ongoing challenges with COVID-19, Fort Concho has canceled its annual Christmas at Old Fort Concho event scheduled for the weekend of December 4-6.

“Staff and volunteers have been watching local and regional conditions, visiting with volunteers and support groups and polling vendors and artisans for the past two months,” Fort Concho Site Manager Bob Bluthardt said. “While conditions have somewhat improved from the summer, we do not have commitments from our key supporters and participants to create a high-quality event.”

The fort will be hosting some smaller programs and events to celebrate the holiday season in November and December.

“These events will follow current health and safety guidelines but not pose the serious challenges of managing large crowds in congested buildings and outdoor spaces,” Bluthardt said. 

Created in December of 1982 as a community event and site fundraiser, Christmas at Old Fort Concho usually involves 1,000 volunteers hosting 10,000 to 15,000 guests from 150 Texas communities, 25 states and a half-dozen foreign countries.

Fort Concho staff plan to have the Christmas event next year on December 3-5 of 2021.