The Holiday Season in December is a peak time for family getaways. In the US, festivities and decorations start with Thanksgiving weekend, which occurs with the fourth Monday in November. But in any country that celebrates Christmas, by the end of November lights and decorations are up and soon the Christmas events begin. Click through to page 2 for Kwanzaa, following Christmas, and First Nights and other family-friendly New Year's Eve events.
Christmas Vacation Packages
Photo courtesy of Wildflower Inn
Over a dozen ideas at family-friendly places in the US, from a New England inn where families can decorate their own Christmas tree, to Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico...
Holiday Events, by Region
ICE! returns to Orlando. Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms Resort.
New York City, New England, Hershey PA, Orlando, California..
Lights Displays
Austin Trail of Lights - photo © J. Bear
Bright lights in winter darkness are a tradition during the Holiday Season. Check out some top spots to see dazzling displays: places with literally millions of sparkles.
Tree Lightings
Christmas Train Rides
Polar Express photo, courtesy of Grand Canyon Railway.
Many tourist railroads run special train rides during the holiday season. Most famous are the "The Polar Express" train rides, that recreate the experience of the classic children's book about a child's train ride to see Santa at the North Pole. Other railroads run "Santa Special" train rides, or a "North Pole Express"...
Christmas Windows
Photo courtesy of About.com's Guide for London Travel.
A fun -- and free - activity is to stroll along a sidewalk beside a big department store, looking at Christmas window displays created to delight children: tableaux of elves in Santa's Workshop, with moving parts; traditional Victorian Christmas scenes; maybe a humorous Santa Claus...
Great Places to See Santa
Photo courtesy of Santa's Village, NH.
The North Pole (NY), Bethlehem CT, Orlando, Chocolate Town USA... read about great places to see the jolly guy in red, with many special Christmas events.
Orlando Christmas
"Grinchmas" at Universal Orlando.
It's the world's top spot year-round for family getaways, and in December and late November Orlando adds the dazzle of lights plus outstanding Christmas events in all the theme parks.
Christmas Festivals
Photo © Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Christmas at Disney World
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort.
