The Everything Family Christmas Book (67 page)

Music and revelry of the era. First weekend after Thanksgiving to the weekend before Christmas. Information: 860-526-2336;
www.ct.gov
.

Franklin, Tennessee

Dickens of a Christmas

Christmas carolers in Victorian garb serve up good things to eat and drink and lots of entertainment in a two-day festival. Mid-December. Information: 615-591-8500;
www.historicfranklin.com
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Galveston, Texas

Dickens on the Strand

The author who did more than any other to develop the modern notion of Christmas is celebrated in this two-day event. First weekend in December, beginning Friday. Information: 888-425-4753;
www.galveston.com
.

Gloucester, Massachusetts

The Victorian Christmas Festival Weekend

A celebration of the Victorian Christmas, complete with costumed participants, at Hammond Castle. Mid-December. Information: 978-283-2080;
www.hammondcastle.org
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Hollywood, California

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Hollywood Boulevard becomes Santa Claus Lane for the season; the parade is held the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. Information: 323-469-8311;
www.hollywoodchamber.net
.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Holiday Highlights

More than a million lights transform the Garvan gardens into a winter wonderland. Mid-November through December. Information: 501-262-9300;
www.garvangardens.org
.

Houston, Texas

Christmas Boat Lane Parade

Some 200 lighted boats sail around Clear Lake and through the channel to Galveston Bay. Mid-December. Information: 281-488-7676;
www.clearlakearea.com
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Hyde Park, New York

A Historic Hyde Park Christmas

Springwood is decorated as it was in 1944, the last holiday season President Roosevelt spent there. December; dates vary. Information: 800-FDR-VISIT;
www.nps.gov
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Kingsburg, California

Julgransfest Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

An enchanting celebration of Swedish Christmas traditions. Day after Thanksgiving. Information: 559-897-1111;
www.kingsburgchamberofcommerce.com
.

Santa Lucia Festival Christmas Village Celebration

Arts and crafts, parades, and other enjoyable aspects of the season. Early December. Information: 559-897-1111;
www.kingsburgchamberofcommerce.com
.

Leavenworth, Washington

Christmas Lighting Festival

Rides on sleighs, choir performances, and dazzling lights are the highlights of this Cascade Mountain celebration. Information: 509-548-5807;
www.leavenworth.org
.

Los Angeles, California

Las Posadas

Olvera Street provides the most prominent Southern California venue of the parade re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter for the Christ Child; from mid-December to Christmas Eve. Information: 213-625-5045;
www.olvera-street.com
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Lynchburg, Virginia

Christmas at the Market Craft Show

Lots of distinctive holiday crafts and other offerings. At Lynchburg Community Market, Late November/early December. Information: 434-847-1499;
www.discoverlynchburg.org
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Lynden, Washington

Dutch Sinterklaas Celebration

For a taste of the colorful (and enormously influential) Dutch tradition of observing the yearly appearance of St. Nicholas, check out this delightful festival. First Saturday in December. Information: 360-354-5995;
www.lynden.org
.

Miami, Florida

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

In the Tropical Park, west of Coral Gables. Mid-November to late January. Information: 305-559-9689;
www.santasenchantedforest.com
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Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Environs

Holiday Music Festival at the Mall of America

The season is observed in high style at this mall, one of the world’s largest (also one of the nation’s largest tourist destinations). Mid-November through December. Information: 952-883-8800;
www.MallofAmerica.com
.

Festival of Trees

More Christmas trees than you can shake a sugarplum at. Early December to early January at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Information: 952-443-1400;
www.arboretum.umn.edu
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Folkways of Christmas

Lovely music and seasonal celebrations. Weekends in early December at Historic Murphy’s Landing. Information: 763-694-7784;
www.threeriversparkdistrict.org
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Mount Vernon, Virginia

Holidays at Mount Vernon

Historic Mount Vernon Estate is the site for a recreation of an authentic eighteenth-century holiday season. Early December to early January. Information: 703-780-2000;
www.mountvernon.org
.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket Noël and Christmas Stroll

Local merchants put out festive decorations during this lively festival. Late November through December. Information: 508-228-1700;
www.nantucketchamber.org
.

Nashville, Tennessee

A Country Christmas at Gaylord’s Opryland

The event, which features lights, decorations, food, and special entertainment, is held from late November through December. Information: 866-972-6779;
www.gaylordhotels.com
.

New York, New York

Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center

The big one—especially if you’re a New Yorker. Late November. Information: 212-632-3975;
www.rockefellercenter.com
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Newport News, Virginia

Celebration in Lights

Drive-through holiday light display at Newport News Park. Mid-November through December. Information: 757-926-1400;
www.nngov.com
.

Nogales, Arizona

Christmas Parade & Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

The festival includes Santa Claus and his reindeer, a children’s parade, and the lighting of a 30’ Christmas tree. December. Information: 520-287-3685;
www.thenogaleschamber.com
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Norfolk, Virginia

Holidays in the City

The major downtown event of the season. December. Information: 800-368-3097;
www.norfolkcvb.com
.

Northeast Harbor, Maine

A Northeast Harbor Christmas

Crafts, pageants, music, and more. First weekend in December. Information: 207-276-5040;
www.mountdesertchamber.org
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Old Westbury, New York

Holiday Celebration

Annual festive event at Old Westbury Gardens with decorations, Santa, and more. December. Information: 516-333-0048;
www.oldwestburygardens.org
.

Oroville, California

A Frontier Christmas

Features costumed characters and an emphasis on Gold Rush history. First weekend in December. Information: 888-OROVILLE;
www.orovillechamber.net
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Oxnard, California

Parade of Lights

At the Channel Islands Harbor. Second Saturday in December. Information: 800-269-6273;
www.visitoxnard.com
.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fairmount Park House Christmas Tours

Seven historic houses located throughout the park are decorated for the holidays in themes reminiscent of an old-fashioned Christmas. Early December. Information: 215-683-0200;
www.fairmountpark.org
.

Phoenix, Arizona

Santa’s—A Christmas Theme Park

Santa hits the Firebird Raceway from late November to early January. Information: 888-PHX-SANTAS;
www.visitsantas.com
.

Heritage Square Holiday

Crafts, foods, historic celebrations, and Santa. Early December. Information: 602-262-5071;
http://phoenix.gov
.

Portland, Oregon

Festival of Lights

At the Grotto; late November through December. Information: 503-261-2400;
www.thegrotto.org
.

Providence Festival of Trees

At the Oregon Convention Center. Late November/early December. Information: 503-215-6070;
www.providence.org
.

Zoolights

At the Portland Zoo. Late November through December. Information: 503-226-1561;
www.oregonzoo.org
.

Poulsbo, Washington

Yule Fest

A festive Scandinavian celebration that features costumed Vikings, authentic food, and torchlight parade. Early December. Also of interest: the Holiday Heritage House. Information: 360-779-4848;
www.poulsbochamber.com
.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument

The Pilgrim Monument, tallest granite structure in America, is strung with countless lights on Thanksgiving Eve; continues through New Year’s Day. Information: 508-487-1310;
www.pilgrim-monument.org
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Richmond, Virginia

Joy from the World

At the Science Museum of Virginia. Late December to early January. Information: 800-659-1727;
www.smv.org
.

Roseburg, Oregon

Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights

Art, crafts, wine, lights, holiday village, and other festive elements mark this popular festival. Late November through December. Information: 800-444-9584;
www.visitroseburg.com
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St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Crucian Christmas Festival

Steel bands, cool drinks, and tropical winds make for a very different kind of Christmas celebration. Generally late December and early January. Information: 800-372-USVI;
www.usvitourism.vi
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San Francisco, California

The Nutcracker

The San Francisco Ballet mounts a much-loved annual production of the seasonal ballet. Information: 415-865-2000;
www.sfballet.org
.

Sanger, California

Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree

Since 1926 people have celebrated the holiday beneath the huge General Grant tree in Kings Canyon National Park. Second Sunday in December. Information: 209-875-4575;
www.sanger.org
.