On Saturday, December 13, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will have its annual Fort Gibson Candlelight Tour. Guided by lantern light, guests will explore scenes of 19th-century life in the palisade and surrounding grounds by staff members.

Tours start with a brief history presentation, followed by skits in the palisade, mess hall, and dog trot. Guests can enjoy cookies and hot cider in the sutler store, and Santa will be available for those wanting to share their gift wishes. The tour concludes with a hayride back to the parking area. Tour times run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., accommodating up to 10 participants per tour.

Please note that the event is conducted in low light on uneven ground, and it’s not recommended for infants. We ask parents to ensure children maintain proper tour etiquette and refrain from using flash photography.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and presented at the registration tent. They are non-refundable but transferable with a copy of the receipt. Sales begin on October 18, 2025, and can be purchased by phone at 918-478-4088 or in person at the 1870s Hospital Visitor Center at 803 N Garrison Ave, Fort Gibson, OK.

Ticket sales end at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, after which we will contact those on the waiting list. Parking is available in the palisade lot at the corner of Ash and Lee streets, with the entrance lit by lanterns. We recommend arriving 5 to 10 minutes early, as tours leave promptly. Staff cannot guarantee space on later tours for those arriving late.