’Twas the 25th of August in Yellowstone Park when Xanterra employees stepped into the dark, laden with ornaments, cards and intent to spread some late-summer holiday merriment.

Sometime after sunset, they were on the clock to get everything ready at Christmas Tree Rock.

Up the road, to the bend, to the rock in the river — it's the spot that Xanterra will always prefer.

For decades, it's been the best place in the park for this silly, well-spirited holiday lark.

The tradition continues, as many have known: ’Twas Christmas in August in old Yellowstone.

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Christmas In August?

Yellowstone isn’t much fun in the snow. The roads are all closed, and there’s nowhere to go.

But in August, the park’s as busy as can be. Over 800,000 visitors come to see the geyse

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