Holiday Season in the US starts at Thanksgiving and continues through December to Christmas, Hannukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve celebrations; in other countries, too, by the end of November lights and decorations are up, and wherever you travel, you'll find festivities.
--See also Holiday Season Ideas - By Region, and Gift Ideas for traveling kids, teens, moms, dads--
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in the US is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and starts the Holiday Season: see many ideas for getaways and festivities for Thanksgiving 2009 weekend getaways. Thanksgiving 2009 falls on November 26th.
Holiday Season Ideas
- Great Places to See Santa - The North Pole (NY), Bethlehem CT, Orlando, Chocolate Town USA... read about great places to see the jolly guy in red.
- Holiday Season Celebrations - by Region - a roundup of events in the Northeast US, Orlando, California, and more.
- Holiday Season Packages Ten ideas: a package in Vermont with Christmas trimmings, including your own tree to decorate in your room; packages at Hershey PA, Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite...
- Polar Express Train Rides: "The Polar Express" is a classic children's book about a child's train ride to see Santa at the North Pole. At several locations in the US, families can ride a real-life train that re-creates the storybook experience.
- More Christmas Trains: many tourist railroads run Santa Special train rides or a "North Pole Express".
- Holiday Lights! Kids love to see the sparkle of lights: even the local neighborhood becomes magical. And then there are those places where the sparkles multiply into millions... Check out a dozen top spots.
- Christmas Tree Lighting: Many cities and towns have a special Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to start the holiday season, either late in November or in early December. Check out some outstanding Christmas Tree Lighting.
- Christmas Festivals: All over the world, towns big and small celebrate a Christmas Festival, with roots in the Christian faith, but with an appeal as broad as Santa Claus. Festivities include tree-lightings, candlelight processionals, Santa arrivals, maybe even fireworks.
- Christmas Vacation in Europe - what better time to experience the traditions of different countries? A time of special celebrations, decorations, and seasonal warmth... read about German Christmas markets, London during the Holiday Season, Italy, France... (And enjoy low-season airfares, too.)
- Christmas in Orlando - no surprise, this world capital of family getaways goes all out for the Holiday Season.
- Disney Christmas - Disney World has parades, parties, other special events in every theme park. Epcot has Holidays Around the World and Candlelight Processional; Disney's Hollywood Studios has Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights; the Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party, Wishes fireworks... Lots more.
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Holiday Season at US Theme Parks
Many theme parks these days have a jolly holiday season - even if they're summertime parks that are normally closed after Labor Day. About.com's Guide for Theme Parks rounds up Christmas and Holiday Season events.
Kwanzaa Events
This African-American celebration of culture and family takes place from December 26th to January 1st, with each day focused on one of seven guiding principles, from Unity to Faith. A growing number of public events celebrate Kwanzaa.
Family New Year: At some phases in life, December 31st is the wildest partiest date on the calendar. At other phases, December 31st is still a night for celebration, but the festivities include the kids. Below are ideas for getaways for a memorable family New Year's Eve.
First Night Festivities: A special type of family-style New Year's Eve: family-friendly and affordable celebrations, staged in many cities, showcasing the performing arts.
*photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.
