December Holiday Events Around the Country

Looking to celebrate the holidays with weekend getaways and exciting festivals and events? We have family-friendly celebrations across the U.S.! Bookmark this article, as we will be adding more events in cities and states near you.

New York

Visit the magical city that never sleeps when it is bedecked in holiday cheer.

• Broadway Under the Stars: Broadway and The Shops at Columbus Circle have once again teamed up this holiday season for five weeks of FREE Broadway musical performances which are open to the public, no tickets or reservations required! Select cast from today’s hottest shows (Wicked, School of Rock, Bronx Tale, Chicago, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and more) will perform every Monday, 5pm beginning November 13 through December 11 on the second-floor. The December 11 finale will be held in The Shops at Columbus Circle’s dazzling Great Room, under the annual holiday display of twelve massive stars. These stars are the largest specialty crafted exhibit of illuminated color display in the world, which hang from the 100-foot-high ceilings.
• The 18th Annual Winter’s Eve Event: On Monday, November 27, artists, up-and-coming musicians, dancers, street performers and more will be present to welcome the holiday season and light up the Upper West Side with an evening of music, food, dancing and fun for everyone. The Shops at Columbus Circle will host an evening of entertainment on the second-floor stage, shopping discounts at select stores and food samplings from restaurants at the tents on Columbus Circle.
• Ice skating across the city can be found with special treats and music, including Bryant Park Winter Village with Christmas shopping vendors, and, of course, the famous Rockefeller Center ice skating rink.
• Tree lightings take place at Rockefeller Center, Central Park, New York Stock Exchange, Bryant Park, Astoria Park, Park Avenue, Queens Botanical Garden, Washington Square Park, Madison Square Park and more, mainly between Nov. 29 and Dec. 7, but you can also just take in the beauty if you miss the lighting ceremonies.
• Gulliver’s Gate is a unique and full city-block wide miniature world that opened earlier in the year. Located at 44th and Broadway, the holidays appear in the mini world with The Grinch, Grandma getting run over by a reindeer, Santa lounging on a beach, Elsa from Frozen, and so much more – all shrunken down to 1:87 their actual size.

New Orleans

New Orleans isn’t just great for Mardi Gras. Celebrate Christmas New Orleans style with a month of celebrations that includes light displays, festivals, concerts and more.

• Celebration in the Oaks: Enjoy light displays across 25 acres of New Orleans City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, during Celebration in the Oaks (opening Nov. 24). City Park’s famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and breathtaking light displays are scattered throughout the park including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
• NOLA ChristmasFest: The NOLA ChristmasFest takes over the New Orleans Convention Center for 10 days during December (Dec. 21-31), featuring the only ice skating rink in NOLA, carnival rides, holiday events and more.
• Réveillon Dinners: In Creole tradition, restaurants across the city present Reveillon dinners during the month of December, with modern takes on the traditional nineteenth century holiday feasts. Restaurants have also added a cocktail component to the dinners, serving up holiday-themed cocktails during the holiday season.
• Giant Gingerbread Displays: Holiday gingerbread displays in hotels throughout New Orleans are unlike any other. From life-size Christmas trees with edible ornaments to gingerbread decorated houses and 16-foot tall replicas of St. Louis Cathedral, you never know what over-the-top gingerbread creations are in store, but the spicy sweet smell will certainly put you in the Christmas spirit.
• Holiday Parades: It’s a well-known fact that most events in New Orleans are celebrated with a parade, and the holidays are no different. Every year, the Christmas Season in New Orleans is filled with many highlights – but none quite like the official holiday parade of the city: Krewe of Jingle, taking place on December 2.
• Caroling in Jackson Square: For most visitors and locals, this is the highlight of the Holiday Season in New Orleans. A holiday tradition that has been going on since 1946, Christmas Caroling in Jackson Square is a joyful, fun experience with the Square illuminated by hundreds of candles held by singers crooning Christmas favorites. This year, it takes place on December 17.

Williamsburg, Virginia

This historical hotspot will take you back in time with old-fashioned holiday traditions as well as modern-day celebrations.

• Each December brings one of Colonial Williamsburg’s most magical and world-famous events, Grand Illumination. What started as the simple lighting of candles in windows has grown to be a kickoff to the holidays in Virginia, where this Revolutionary City lights up with the firing of muskets, fireworks, bonfires and the traditional twinkling candles in the windows. In the 18th century, illuminations — the firing of guns and lighting of fireworks — celebrated major events such as the birthday of a reigning sovereign, military victories, or the arrival of a new colonial governor. Today, it provides an invitation to experience the past by taking a bracing sip of craft beer, explore cutting-edge science, dine on the original farm-to-table, and experience the thrill of the “boom-boom.” Other programming throughout Colonial Williamsburg during the holidays includes holiday parties at Raleigh Tavern; walking tours that highlight colonial Christmas decorations, events and activities; caroling; cooking demonstrations and 18th-century dances.
• Christmas Town at Busch Gardens opens Nov. 24 and runs through Jan. 1, when the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park is aglow with more than eight million lights, the largest light displaysin North America. Festive food and drink, special dining experiences, holiday shopping and heart-warming shows make the season come alive, and visit Santa Claus at his North Pole workshop for an unforgettable memory. Keep warm with a mug of the park’s signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season. Unwrap the gift of Christmas Town this winter.
• The Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade (Dec 2) features sailboats and powerboats as they compete for the best in show in a floating parade of lights off Riverwalk Landing. There’s also caroling around a roaring bonfire, music and complimentary hot cider.
• If it’s the holiday season all year round at Yankee Candle Village, imagine what December is like! Nothing compares. Don’t miss the tree lighting on Nov. 18 and the more than 45,000 square feet of interactive shopping and fun. Stroll through the twinkling Holiday Park with more than 40,000 ornaments. Enjoy original animated musical entertainment and other activities.

The Adirondacks

Head for the mountains of northern New York for snow-filled fun for the holidays.

• At the foothills of Whiteface Mountain, deep in the heart of the Adirondacks, lies the charming hamlet of North Pole, N.Y. – Santa’s workshop! This was “America’s first theme park” when it opened in 1949, and has grown into an institution since then. It is home to beloved storybook characters, elves, live reindeer and other animals, a Candy Cane Express locomotive ride…and of course, Santa himself. Visitors can explore Santa’s House, toy making and candy making “factories,” enjoy live shows, a farm and more. Open winter weekends until December 23, with a special Village of Lights celebration and display on December 3, 10, 17, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
• Lake Placid’s Holiday Village Stroll, Dec. 8-10, is a Lake Placid tradition, a weekend full of events (ice skating, arts and crafts, wine and soup tastings), live entertainment, parties, dining specials and shopping in the fairy-tale winter wonderland of Lake Placid. The weekend includes lots of free kids activities as well, plus Santa will make an appearance in several locations.
• Ride the Train to Christmas Town and follow the journey of Janice and her brother on their first trip alone to Christmas Town. You’ll meet other travelers going to Christmas Town as well, including Bumblee the bear, Zephyr the cat, and Wabash the squirrel. Enjoy cookies and cocoa served by elves and a visit from Santa. In Christmas Town, meet Blitzen the reindeer at the petting zoo (along with bunnies, miniature goats and mini-pigs), make ornaments and other arts and crafts, enjoy a hay wagon ride, and browse local arts and crafts for holiday gifts. There will also be dinner and live entertainment. Runs on select days and times starting Nov. 24.

Rhode Island

It may be a small state in New England but it’s big on festive fun. Visit Rhode Island for a variety of events.

• Bring the whole family for a ride on the The Polar Express in Blackstone Valley, which brings Chris Van Allsburg’s popular children’s Christmas Classic to life with an 90-minute train ride through the wintry hills of the National Park site, complete with hot cocoa, cookies, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa. For additional information and ticket sales, please visit: http://www.blackstonevalleypolcom/.
• Take a tour of Rhode Island’s collection of stately Mansions, adorned with yuletide finery. From the glistening winter gardens of Blithwold Mansion in Bristol (Nov 24-Dec 29) to tours of Newport’s famed Marble House, the Elms and the iconic Vanderbilt summer home, The Breakers, which are  filled with thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens and wreaths. Tours of the three Mansions are available starting November 18 through January 1 (more information).
• For the ideal weekend getaway, plan for dinner and a show in Rhode Island’s state capital. The time-honored classic, A Christmas Carol, will make its annual debut annual this season from November 5–December 31 at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence. While you’re in the city, have an intimate dinner at Capriccio’s or Gracie’s and cozy up at the historic Hotel Providence for a night or two.
• The 2017 Holiday celebration also includes the Ocean House’s acclaimed “12 Days of Christmas.” Starting December 12, the Ocean House welcomes travelers and residents to experience daily and magical events and offers to add cheer to the holiday. Santa checks into the Ocean House and will visit guests in their guestroom December 9, 16, and 23. Families can also enjoy Christmas Dinner or Sunday brunch with Santa on various days. There are “Frozen”-themed teas, cookie and cupcake decorating, carol singing and more.

The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

• Edison Ford Holiday Nights reflect the many contributions of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and their families to the local community during the 42nd Annual Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. A not-to-be-missed holiday tradition, the historic buildings and acres of gardens are decorated with lights and traditional decorations. The holiday estates offer a behind the scenes tour, Children’s Holiday Tree Trail, Santa visits on select nights, refreshments and shopping in the Holiday Cottage Shoppe.
• River District Holidays in downtown Fort Myers take place through Jan. 2, 2018. Holiday events include the Festival of Trees, Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting, Burrough’s Home & Gardens Holiday House, Music Walk, holiday concert and a New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome 2018.

Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado

• From December 21-24, The North Pole will come to the Snowmass Mall and Base Village, where Santa himself will be available to hear last-minute requests from girls and boys. Complimentary photos with Santa will be offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Carolers will stroll through the Snowmass Mall and Base Village December 23-24.
• On Sunday, December 31 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Snowmass will ring in the New Year by lighting up the slopes with fireworks and a Torchlight Parade. Skiers and snowboarders ages 8 and older will be welcome to ski in the parade, which will begin at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks over Snowmass at 10 p.m.

Chicago

• Travelers can celebrate the holidays in Chicago with downtown festivities including ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The free and family-oriented holiday celebration features luminous displays, as well as seasonal activities for kids every night from 4:30 to 9 pm, Dec, 8 – 23, 26-31 and Jan. 1-7, 2018.
• Christkindlmarket, Chicago’s largest open-air market, can be found at three locations across the city: Chicago at Daley Plaza, Naperville, and the Park at Wrigley. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, the downtown location runs through Dec. 24.
• Winter Wonderfest, taking place at Navy Pier, features rides, ice skating and live music. This is Chicago’s biggest indoor playground featuring 170,000 square feet of rides, ice skating, holiday decor and more. It runs through Jan. 7, 2018.