The Holiday Season at the end of December is a peak time for family getaways, but the festivities start much earlier. In the US, Thanksgiving starts the Holiday Season, but in any country that celebrations Christmas, by the end of November lights and decorations are up and you're sure to find festivities.
1. Christmas Vacation Packages
Photo courtesy of Wildflower Inn
Ten ideas at family-friendly places in the US, from New England inns, to Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico...
2. 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 might run Santa Special train rides or a "North Pole Express".
3. Holiday Season : Christmas Windows
Photo courtesy of About.com's Guide for London Travel.
A fun -- and free - activity during the Holiday Season 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...
4. Tree Lightings
Early in the Holiday Season, many towns big and small have a special Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, either late in November or in early December. Check out some stand-out Tree Lighting ceremonies, to start the holiday season. If you're visiting NYC, DC, Boston, or Chicago on the right date, be sure to take your kids to watch the light-up.
5. Christmas 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.
6. Disney Christmas - at Disney World
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort.
It's a peak time for good reason: Disney World has dazzling decorations and special events during the holiday season. Each of the four theme parks has major -- and many minor-- special events. Candlelight Processional, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Wishes fireworks...
7. Orlando Christmas
"Grinchmas" at Universal Orlando.
It's the world's top spot year-round for family getaways, and Orlando at Christmas adds the dazzle of lights plus holiday season events in all the theme parks and other venues too.
8. More 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.
9. Christmas in Europe
Outdoor ice rink in London. Photo courtesy of VisitBritain.com.
What better time of year to visit a country in Europe than Christmas -- with special traditions, celebrations, decorations, and the warmth of the season? Also, cities in many countries have Christmas markets now.
10. Family New Years Eve - First Nights, and More
Photo by Susan Cole Kelley, courtesy of First Night Boston.
End the holiday season with a bash. In Boston, St. Louis, Boulder City, and many more cities, celebrate "First Night", a low-cost family-friendly New Year's Eve, with parades, fireworks, and, most of all, performances-- by musicians, dancers, acrobats. Check out other family New Year's Eve events, too: at Panama City Beach, Hershey PA, Disney World, a family camp in Vermont...
