The Crossing Reenactment
Witness the Crossing that saved the Revolution
Each December, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch the reenactment of George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas night river crossing. During the event, several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress listen to an inspiring speech by General Washington and then row across the river in replica Durham boats.
The public has two opportunities to view the reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park.
First Crossing: Sunday, December 14, 2025
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM (actual crossing at 1 PM)
COST: $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-11, free for children younger than 5. Family rate (2 adults and 2 children under 18) is $25.
DETAILS: In addition to the Crossing reenactment, the Historic Village will feature a full day of activities and demonstrations that highlight 18th-century civilian and military life, offering fun and learning for the whole family. Food vendors will also be on site, including Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings, Local Harvest Pizza, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Half Crown Bakehouse, and more!
Members of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park receive passes to a heated members-only tent with refreshments, provided by OnePointBFG Wealth Partners.
Note: Online ticket sales for the First Crossing will close at 8:00 AM on the morning of the event. Tickets will still be available for purchase in person on-site.
Guest Narrator & Featured Author:
We are thrilled to welcome Tom Hand, founder of Americana Corner, as our guest narrator and featured author. Tom created Americana Corner in 2020 to share informative stories of the momentous events, significant documents and influential leaders that helped create and shape our country. Through compelling articles and captivating videos, Tom hopes to rekindle a spirit of patriotism in his fellow Americans and remind them of our nation’s incredible past and why our founding era still matters today.
He is the author of a growing series of books that reflect his deep commitment to early American History.
Tom’s passion for telling the Great American Story extends to preserving its cultural and historical treasures through the Preserving America program. This nationwide initiative supports a diverse range of projects through grants, fosters long-term partnerships with historical organizations, and hosts an annual conference that brings together leaders in preservation and public history to share best practices, exchange ideas, and inspire collaboration.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1982), Tom went on to create the Gilman Cheese Corporation after leaving the military. Now retired from business, Tom devotes his time to Americana Corner and serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Battlefield Trust. He has the good fortune to be married to his best friend, Char, who reviews all his work and provides unending support. He enjoys reading books on American history, classic novels, and playing his guitar.
Book Signing:
Tom will be signing copies of his books An American Triumph and America Victorious and giving a special 30-minute author presentation.
- 10:00 am–11:00 am – Book Signing
- 11:00 am–11:30 am – Author Presentation (30 minutes)
- 11:30 am–12:00 pm – Book Signing
An American Triumph: Tom Hand’s An American Triumph: America’s Founding Era Through the Lives of Ben Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams masterfully blends the personal experiences and historic milestones of these three Founding Fathers into an engaging narrative written for the everyday American. Through a collection of captivating stories from Ben Franklin’s birth in 1706 to the passing of John Adams on July 4, 1826, An American Triumph focuses on the momentous events where Franklin, Washington, and Adams played a vital role.
Several “why it matters” sidebars as well as vignettes on other influential persons, impactful occasions and significant documents provide a broader view of America’s creation and inform readers of often overlooked but still noteworthy topics. These stories, along with 130 historical images and a dozen beautifully detailed maps, help make An American Triumph both educational and entertaining, leading to a deeper appreciation of our nation’s founding generation and inspiring a greater sense of love of country.
America Victorious: America Victorious, written by Tom Hand, shares engaging stories of some of the lesser-known men who fought our country’s battles in countless places across our young nation.
From the Minutemen who fired the “shot heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord, to Nathanael Greene’s exploits in the southern theater, to George Rogers Clark’s conquest of the Illinois and Ohio Country, the book is filled with interesting tales of the heroic deeds that secured our country’s independence. By examining these struggles against all odds, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the men who fought the good fight for eight long years with little to sustain them except their innate courage and their dream of a land in which they could chart their own destiny.
These stories, along with more than 150 images and nearly two dozen beautifully detailed maps, celebrate the indomitable American spirit and the perseverance that allowed our forefathers to overcome extraordinary odds. Written with a patriotic tone, America Victorious seeks to inspire renewed appreciation and love of country.
Christmas Day Crossing: Thursday, December 25, 2025
TIME: Noon to 3 PM (actual crossing at 1 PM)
COST: Free
Additional Details
- Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 32 (River Road) in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.
- Directions to the park can be found here. Parking is free and will be clearly marked.
- Individuals with disabilities who need special assistance or accommodations to attend should call the Visitor Center at 215-493-4076.
- River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. However, even if conditions do not allow for crossing, ceremonies, speeches and commemorative activities still occur.
- For more Ten Crucial Days related activities, the Trenton Downtown Association hosts several events during its annual Patriots Week festivities, Dec 26th – 31st. In addition, Princeton Battlefield Society will be hosting their annual “Experience the Battle of Princeton Event”, January 4th, 9:30am – 1:00pm
- Drones are not permitted at these events.
Crossing Video
A special video presentation of the reenactment was filmed at Washington Crossing Historic Park in 2020. Thank you to our members and donors for making this video possible.