Christmas Vacation / Holiday Season Ideas

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 holiday lights are up and special events begun. Wherever you travel, you'll find festivities; many events-- such as Holiday Lights-- continue to New Year's.

--See also: Gift Ideas for traveling kids, teens, moms, dads--

Christmas Vacations and Holiday Season Ideas

• Holiday Lights!
  Kids love to see the sparkle of holiday 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.

• 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.

• 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".

• Christmas Vacation in Europe - what better time to experience the traditions that fascinate North Americans? 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.)

• Holiday Season Packages Ten ideas: "Home for the Holidays" package in Vermont with Christmas trimmings, including your own tree to decorate in your room; The Polar Express train in New Hampshire; 12 Days of Christmas at Sea Island...

• Christmas and Holiday Celebrations - a roundup of events in many cities

• Christmas in Orlando - no surprise, this world capital of family vacations goes all out for the Holiday Season. (Also: Christmas Festival events.)
  • Disney Christmas - Disney World has parades, parties, other special events in every theme park.
  • Disney Christmas photos: Epcot & Disney-MGM Studios - Holidays Around the World, Candlelight Processional, Osborne Spectacle of Lights
  • Disney Christmas photos: Magic Kingdom - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party, Wishes fireworks, Disney Christmas Tree

• Christmas Vacation at Hershey PA: HersheyPark opens up as Christmas Candylane; Hershey Sweet Lights is a two-mile drive through woods filled with a million lights on 600 animated displays; "Chocolate Town, “A Holiday Dinner Musical” is presented at Hershey Lodge; there's "Breakfast with Santa", Santa packages, complimentary family activities, Teddy Bear Jubiliee, and Dutch Winter Wonderland a 30-minute drive away.

• lots more Christmas vacation ideas

• Kwanzaa Events
  This African-American celebration of culture and family that takes place from December 26th to January 1st, with each day focussed on one of seven guiding principles, from Unity to Faith. A growing number of public events celebrate the Kwanzaa holidays.

• First Night Festivities - family-friendly and affordable New Year's Eve celebrations, staged in many cities

  ^{*photo courtesy of Universal Orlando.}