16 Festive Holiday Attractions & Activities

The holidays just are not the same without beautiful light displays and festive events to look forward to all season long, from the day after Thanksgiving through the New Year. While this hectic season can be a stressful time for many, seasonal activities are there to lighten the mood.

With all the stress associated with finding the perfect gifts, decorating the house, fighting traffic near the malls, and family gatherings, it is nice to have a few stress-free events and celebrations to look forward to each year. I know that a great light show always brightens up a tough work week for me.

After many years traveling and living in various states across the US, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite celebrations and activities that are well worth traveling for. Perhaps you are lucky enough to already live in one of the areas featured on this list! Happy Holidays!

1. Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual lights extravaganza, featuring 2 million colorful lights (no boring white lights here!), is one of Chicago’s most festive traditions. I really love that they use all colorful lights: it’s so fun and festive. The best part of all is that admission is a big bargain compared to the $20+ fee charged at most other big city zoos. Besides lights, you can watch a spirited choreographed show, visit Santa, and sip specialty drinks.

This is a really tiny zoo (especially compared to the gigantic Brookfield), but I love the setting with the skyline in the background. The nice aspect of this zoo lights event over others is that the entire zoo is open as opposed to a small section, so the lights are more spread out and you also get to see more of the animals. There are a number of indoor exhibits, so even if it is super cold out, you are bound to see a few animals.

If you happen to be visiting Chicago during the holiday season, I would say this is one of the better events to add to your bucket list. It’s one of the best light events in the city and one of the cheapest. If you are looking for something a bit more low-key, be sure to check out the Adult’s Only Night. This event requires a special ticket, however is worth it for the peace and quiet minus the kids. Other annual events include Brewlights (a craft beer fest), Holiday Market (over 30 vendors selling holiday goods), and a festive New Year’s Eve celebration.

More pics and details on LPZ Lights

• Address: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
• Dates: Check the LPZ website for details. Event typically runs from mid-Nov until the first week of Jan.
• Admission: $7-12, Free on Mondays

2. Prescott Square Courthouse Lights

Each year, the small community of Prescott lights up their historic downtown with over a million lights adorning the beautiful grounds of the Yavapai County Courthouse. The festive celebration (now in its’ 70th+ year) draws crowds from all around the state. Many Phoenix residents make the 2 hour drive up to enjoy the colder weather and small town ambiance in the mountains. While living in Flagstaff at the time, I took several daytrips to enjoy the festivities. I really love the old-time charm of this festival and the town in general. I love shopping and dining on the old-fashioned Main Street.

And there’s much more to do for the Christmas season than solely walking around the beautiful downtown. Prescott offers a whole lineup of seasonal activities including a gingerbread display at the Prescott resort, a fantastic drive-thru light show at Fain Park, a holiday lights parade, a Zoo Lights fest, and a festive mall light display featuring over a half million lights.

On our daytrips, Mike and I often dined at a local restaurant (we like Papa’s Italian), strolled around a few shops, and then enjoyed the courthouse lights and the Valley of Lights drive-thru (it’s the best!). Add in some chilly December weather (bundle up at night as the temps usually drop into the low 30’s) and the slight chance of snow, and you really will not have to question the city’s unique distinction as Arizona’s Christmas City! Let’s just say that after multiple visits, I totally agree!

• Location: 120 South Cortez St. Prescott, AZ 86303
• Dates: Check the Prescott website for details. The event typically runs from the first weekend of December until mid January.
• Admission: Free

3. A Christmas Story House & Museum

In Cleveland, you will find the house used to film some scenes in the timeless holiday classic A Christmas Story. I grew up watching this movie in the early 90’s, so it was fun to explore in person. Each room has been restored to resemble actual scenes from the movie. As a long time fan, I felt so nostalgic seeing the leg lamp in the window and turkey dinner on the kitchen table. As of 2025, this movie is already 42 years old! Crazy to think how fast time flies by! Gee, I feel old now!

During the tour, we learned a lot of oddball facts about the cast, crew, and filming process. A lot of the stories were pretty hilarious. The tour is not at all boring, but rather educational & entertaining at the same time.

Asides from touring the house, you will also be able to take a look at actual props in the attached museum. There is also a wonderful gift shop with every souvenir possible. You can stock up on some festive gifts here!

Check out my experience touring the house

• Location: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
• Dates: The house is open year-round (minus major holidays) from 10am-7, or 9 depending on date & time of year.
• Admission: $20 plus processing fees

4. Little America Holiday Lights

While living in the 4 season mountain oasis Flagstaff, I really enjoyed this grand 1 million plus light display on the grounds of the Little America hotel. There are a lot of colorful lights jam packed into a small space. The picturesque ponderosa pine loaded grounds and super cold winter temperatures (temps are often below freezing at night in Dec.) creates a drastically different setting than that you would find at a Christmas event in Phoenix, just 2 hours south.

I recommend stopping by local roaster Late for the Train (located downtown) for a tasty seasonal drink (try out the Polar Express mocha) to accompany you as you stroll around the dazzling light display of Northern Arizona’s biggest holiday event. After your walk, warm up with a nice dinner at Silver Pines, while you continue to gaze out upon the beautiful display from the large windows.

On a side note, Flagstaff is a nice winter getaway destination. The small city is home to the state’s best ski resort, a wonderful Nordic center, and lots of hiking trails which double as amazing snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails. Snow capped mountains in the background create a beautiful setting for outdoor fun (head to Buffalo Park for the best views in town). Lots of local businesses are scattered around town so you can skip the chains. There really is not anywhere else in Arizona where you can enjoy this weather, the beautiful mountain scenery, winter recreation, and an abundance of holiday events, all in the same month.

Departing from the hotel is the very popular North Pole Experience, a trolley ride which takes kids to Santa’s Workshop. Not a great value in my opinion, however, many families love this event. Families may also want to check out The Polar Express train ride in Williams, a tiny town with a lot of Route 66 charm, about 40 minutes to the West.

More festive fun in Northern Arizona

• Location: 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
• Dates: Typically runs mid-Nov through Jan.
• Admission: Free

5. Nestlenook Farms

Nestlenook Farms is a beautiful Victorian estate on the banks of the Elks River in the picturesque New England town of Jackson, New Hampshire. We found out about this hidden gem while living in the Providence, RI metro. As a long time ice skater (who is not very good), I had to check out this beautiful Victorian rink. I was not disappointed at all – it was an enchanting experience and I felt like I was in a Christmas movie.

We also took an Austrian sleigh ride around the property and enjoyed the most mesmerizing views of the White Mountains. While many destinations now offer sleigh rides and ice skating, Nestlenook offers a picture-perfect, old-fashioned setting that we just do not find much today. It’s the furthest you could get from a big city skating experience. Sometimes, I crave that small town charm which is disappearing more with each passing year.

To me, the perfect day at Nestlenook Farms goes something like this…You can start your day off ice skating on a gigantic Victorian style rink with snowy views of the pines and White Mountains making up the background. As you glide along, you will hear nothing but old-fashioned chime music and the sound of the Austrian sleigh making its’ way on the arched bridge above the rink. If you are up for more winter fun, rent some snowshoes and enjoy the trails. Trails range from beginner to advanced, so even newbies can enjoy the fun.

I loved watching the skaters glide by as our horse took us through the pretty pine scenery. There was beautiful views of the rivers and mountain throughout. It was quite a romantic ride even when shared with other people, but you can rent a sleigh for 2 (with cozy blankets and champagne) for an extra special occasion.

Jackson is a gorgeous New England village which offers charming old time architecture (you will pass a historic covered bridge on your way), cute little B&Bs, and endless outdoor recreation as it is located within the heart of the White Mountains. While you are in the region, I also recommend a cross country skiing adventure at Bretton Woods. This was only my second time skiing and the experience couldn’t have been better. I definitely recommend it for newbies.

• Location: 310 Mt. Washington Hotel Road Bretton Woods, NH 03575
• Dates: Check the Nestlenook website for this year’s opening date & special package deals.
• Admission: Pricing varies based on package. The best deal includes a Sleigh Ride, Ice Skating and Snow Shoeing plus skate and snow shoe rentals for $50.

6. Winterfest Philly

Philadelphia is a totally underrated city to visit anytime of the year. I explored the city nearly every weekend while living in a nearby suburb. My favorite time to head downtown was during the winter season. There are so many great events to attend, local restaurants to enjoy, and 2 spectacular ice rinks. While NYC receives so much of the press, you can enjoy many of the same activities in Philly minus the crowds and high price tags.

My favorite event is Winterfest, a seasonal celebration which includes a festive ice rink located along the beautiful Delaware River waterfront. There are sparkly lights and a big tree to enjoy while skating. Plus, you can warm up with local coffee and hot cocoa in a cozy adirondack chair or by the firepit in between skating sessions. There really is a lot to do this time of year. You have all the historic attractions in Old City, plus the great restaurants in Center City, plus the seasonal events.

More Christmas fun in and around Philly

• Location: 101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
• Dates: Typically runs from late Nov. – early March
• Admission: $5, skate rentals run $12

7. Frog Pond Ice Rink

After living in the metro, I can say that Boston is one of the most gorgeous cities in the country. I love exploring all the historical sights, the mesmerizing architecture, and the beautiful city parks. Winter is a nice time of the year when the tourism have finally slowed down a bit. It’s an exciting time of the year with a lineup of festive events, a high likelihood of snow, and a huge tree. Plus, it’s an easily walkable downtown. You can walk to and from cozy coffee shops and local restaurants, wonderful city parks often covered in snow, and the seasonal ice rink.

With a beautiful cityscape in the background, pretty holiday lights adorning all the trees, and festive music, skating at the seasonal Frog Pond rink really is a magical experience. I lived almost an hour away but still made it into the city fairly often as I loved this rink. Plus, you can’t beat the fantastic setting nearby so many other great attractions and resaurants.

After freezing your butt off and burning loads of calories (ice skating is one of the top forms of winter cardio), treat yourself to an amazing Italian dinner in the city. Boston is known for its’ wonderful Italian cuisine, especially in the North End neighborhood. I recommend checking out Giacomo’s, home to the best lobster ravioli off all time, and conveniently located within walking distance.

Other great holiday events in the city include: Zoo Lights, holiday plays, the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, the Boston Pops Holiday Concert, a holiday light show at Faneuil Hall, and carriage rides.

• Location: 38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
• Dates: Late November – March
• Admission: $10 (over 58 inches). $15 skate rentals

8. Florida Botanical Gardens

Surprisingly, I’ve noticed that warm weather seem to go all out with their light displays even though you would expect snowy northern cities to put on the biggest productions. Tampa is no exception, with a whole lineup of fantastic activities to enjoy all season. I had no problem filling up my itinerary with festive events from Thanksgiving onwards while living in the metro. The best part of all is that you can enjoy all these activities without being bundled up head to toe! And asides from holiday attractions, you can enjoy all the fantastic year round attractions too thanks to the mild climate.

The Florida Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to visit any day of the year. There are nature paths you can stroll anytime for free. You can birdwatch and see lots of local wildlife (a gopher tortoise is the most common sighting-I’ve seen more than I can count in this area!).

While I recommend a daytime visit, a night visit is even more spectacular during the holiday season. The grounds are covered with over a million lights. The best part of all is that this display has a bit of personality with Florida style decor including flamingo displays, decorated palms trees, and exotic birds and wildlife you will see if you hit the preserves. It’s a refreshing change to see a different side to the holidays versus the ordinary light displays. I love areas that take advantage of their tropical surroundings rather than pretending that they are in the Midwest!

More festive fun in the Bay

• Location: 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33774
• Dates: Typically runs from late Nov until the first week of January.
• Admission: $10 suggested donation for adults/kid’s free

9. La Salette Festival of Lights

The Salette Shrine in Attleboro puts on one of the most beautiful light displays in all of Massachusetts. All the locals know that this is the place to go to enjoy a quiet & gorgeous light display. In fact, I was told my a family member who has lived in the area for a long time that people come from all over to see the lights. For decades, the shrine has been decorating its’ 10 acre space with more than 300,000 lights. The lights are not simply thrown around, but rather very attractively organized to create a truly spectacular event. The synchronized show is also fantastic.

Other highlights include: nativity scenes from around the world, an International Creche museum with hundreds of creches from around the world, special holiday concerts, a Christmas craft fair, and a special Christmas Eve mass at 6pm and Midnight.

What sets this event apart from others is the peaceful, quiet nature. There are barely any crowds, no traffic noise whatsoever, and no over the top cheesy displays. La Salette is a quiet oasis for reflection anytime of the year, no matter your religious beliefs. I really enjoyed the low-key nature of this display.

• Location: 947 Park St, Attleboro, MA 02703
• Dates: Typically runs from late Nov-New Years’
• Admission: Free

10. Downtown Chicago Ice Skating, Holiday Window Displays, & Shows

Although Chicago is more commonly thought of as a summer destination due to the wonderful lakefront, Navy Pier, zoos, and Cubs games, a winter visit should not necessarily be ruled out. In fact, winter is my favorite time to visit the city. Chicago, especially the downtown area, is much less crowded with tourists. Combine this with amazing holiday traditions & an abundance of fun winter activities, along with the high likelihood of snow, and it’s one of my favorite places to be this time of year. I moved away from the city a long time ago, but when I do come back to visit, it’s often in the winter season.

While the city sees brisk & snowy weather occasionally throughout December, this is no excuse to not get out there. In fact, it just makes it feel more like Christmas. 

Ice skating at Millennium Park, surrounded by the city’s magnificent skyscrapers, to the sound of holiday tunes, is my favorite thing to do. I love the architecture surrounding the rink and convenience to other attractions. Just a few steps away is the Christmas tree, which used to stand tall in Daley Plaza, but moved to Millennium in recent years. And on Friday nights, carolers perform holiday favorites that you cannot help but sing along to.

Other must-do holiday events include: seeing the annual holiday windows at Macy’s on State Street, seeing a holiday play at the Chicago Theater, and of course, treating yourself to a wonderful performance by the Joffrey Ballet in The Nutcracker at The Auditorium Theater.

For unique holiday shopping, stop by Christkindlmarket for handcrafted German ornaments & gifts. And of course, you can also enjoy some traditional German food like potato pancakes and enjoy cocoa in a cute souvenir boot mug.

Also most of the museums offer some type of special holiday exhibition. For example, The Museum of Science and Industry offers a wonderful Christmas Around the World event, and The Art Institute offers a number of community events.

If you can score a seat, dinner at the fabulous Walnut Room, located on the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street, is a fabulous experience. It’s super hard to get into -reservations usually open up over a month in advance and fill up quickly. In 2016, the Great tree was decked out in blue & white to commemorate the Cubs’s World Series win, which interesting enough, first happened 108 years ago when The Walnut Room first opened it’s doors.

Update: For 2025, the tree is being themed after the classic Marshall Fields Department store. I have already planned my visit, so more details to come.

• Location: Millennium Park is located at 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602. I recommend finding a parking lot around here. You can basically walk or take a train to get basically anywhere else.
• Ice rink dates: Typically late November – late February
• Ice rink pricing: Admission is free, skate rentals are $15

11. Phoenix Zoo Lights

The Phoenix Zoo is just one in a long list of US zoos which participate in annual zoo lighting events. This one is pretty big and impressive. It was so uncomfortably crowded during our visit but definitely jam packed with lights.

With tourists plus snowbirds all trying to escape to the warm weather, every event in Phoenix is packed. A weekday visit is highly recommend to beat the traffic and enjoy the lights in a more peaceful setting. Your opinion of the event is sure to be higher if you avoid hectic weekends!

The main draw is a massive display of over 4 million colorful lights. There is also a fun synchronized show and the usual Santa visits. We also saw a cute Rudolph 4D show which was included. I especially love the unique desert and cactus themed displays that you will not find anywhere else.

If you are not a fan of freezing your butt off in a city like Boston or Chicago, then you will probably be pleased with the above normal temperatures. However, note that it gets surprisingly cold at night and temperatures can drop into the 40’s. While daytime temps typically stay in the 60’s-70’s, night temps in the desert often vary by as much as 30 degrees! I took a daytrip fro Flagstaff to attend this event. I hiked during the day in a tank top and was putting on my puff coat for this event.

Christmas at the Fairmont, featuring over 6 million lights & a real ice skating rink is another cool event. Also, I loved the display at Glendale Glitters, an annual celebration of more than 2 million lights.

More pics and info on the Phoenix Zoo Lights event

• Location: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
• Dates: Typically late November -second week of January
• Admission: $30 member, $35 nonmember

12. Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade

It’s always fun to attend holiday events in different areas of the country, especially warm weather destinations. I find cities in Florida and Arizona often offer non traditional activities that you will not find in the colder climates. If you are from an area like the Midwest or Northeast, you are sure to love love Florida’s take on the holidays. I know I enjoyed a full lineup of unusual-to-me activities while living in the Bay

Dunedin, a cute little Gulf coast community near Tampa, puts on a festive holiday boat parade every year. Even if you can’t make this show, there are lots of others to enjoy nearly every weekend in December. Tampa’s Channelside district and Tarpon Springs to name a few.

I’ve attended numerous but Dunedin wins for me! Many of the boats were so over-the-top with Santa and Grinch decor – it was a fun time. Plus, I really love the quaint downtown. There’s a lot of great restaurants, coffee bars, and shops, and even a retro Beatles museum.

• Location: 51 Main Street Dunedin, FL 34698
• Date: Typically held in early December
• Admission: Free

13. Santa Hustle Race Series

The Santa Hustle Race Series is an annual Christmas themed run held in several cities across the US. Both half marathon and 5k distances are available, so you can run a little or a lot. Competitive runners will be pleased to know that the race is chip timed and awards are given out, meaning the race sees both fun runners, along with those looking to compete. Despite being outrageously cold, I actually received my first half age group award (bronze!) in the Smoky Mountains race. Update: The Smokies event is now closed, but there are many other cities to pick from including: Chicago, San Antonio, Austin, and Detroit.

Festive decorations, holiday music, cookie stations during the course, and thousands of runners dressed as Santa make this one event Christmas fanatics will not want to miss out on! You will receive a red performance hoodie, Santa hat, and Santa beard to wear during the race.

And after all your effort, you will receive a really cool Santa themed medal. The after party varies based on the location, but is always a great time. As an example, the Sevierville post-race festivities includes milk and cookies. For a festive, athletic themed event, be sure to sign up for a Santa Hustle race near you! Afterwards, we rented a gorgeous cabin in the Smokies.

More info on the Santa Hustle races

14. Christmas in the Smokies

Spending the holidays in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains is a Christmas you will never forget. Not only is the scenery absolutely breathtaking, but there are also so many seasonal festivities & winter recreational activities to enjoy.

Plus, you can spend a few nights in a gorgeous rustic cabin, isolated in your own private space which is totally immersed in nature. I highly recommend checking out Timber Tops, which rents out a huge variety of cabins with all sorts of attractive amenities like outdoor hot tubs, pool tables, and full kitchens. We loved soaking in the mountain scenery while healing our muscle aches in the hot tub. Bonus: holiday decorated cabins available!

A few of the top annual events to check out include: The Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood, the Winter Trolley of Lights in Gatlinburg, Skiing & ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg, shopping at the gigantic Incredible Christmas Place Store (the south’s largest Christmas store), the Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas show, and much more! The events really are endless!

With gorgeous natural scenery, endless shows & events, attractive cool (but not too cold) temps, friendly people, and rustic cabin rentals, you really can’t go wrong spending Christmas in the Smokies! Assuming the weather it not too cold, I recommend checking out a few of the best easy waterfall hikes.

15. There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is a historic Gulf Coast town in Pinellas County known for its’ high percentage of Greek residents and sponge docks history. It’s an easy 45 min drive from Tampa. Every year, they put on one of the biggest & best Christmas celebrations in the area. They even have fake snow! For anyone in the area dreaming of a White Christmas, this celebration is sure to please. It’s a completely free event, so there is no reason not to attend!

There are so many festive events to enjoy during this celebration that it would be impossible to list them all. A few of my favorites include horse drawn carriage rides, holiday music, airing of classic holiday films, a snow play area, a boat parade, and of course, a tree lighting ceremony! I could tell the kids were having a great time playing in the fake snow. I am sure some of them have never seen snow before. It’s pretty cool that the town puts on a such a special festival for free.

So, if you find yourself visiting The Bay this holiday season, be sure to add “There’s Snow Place like Tarpon Springs” to your lineup of seasonal events. It’s one of the most fun events I attended while living here. I loved seeing it “snow” while just casually walking around. It seemed a bit more real than the mall snow events.

• Location:  Dodecanese blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
• Date: Typically held the first week of Dec.
• Admission: Free

16. Western North Carolina light displays, gingerbread comps, & rustic lodging

The secluded Western North Carolina region is the perfect place to spend the holidays. There are so many cute little towns in the Blue Ridge mountains to explore. Cabin rentals and rustic inns dominate the lodging options. And because this region is located in the gorgeous Blue Ridge mountains, the views are always top notch.

We stayed in this gorgeous property called the Lazy Bear Lodge. I’ve never seen any property decorated so gorgeously. It is located within a short drive of 2 cute mountain towns: Boone & Blowing Rock. Both of these towns decorate beautifully for the holidays and offer plenty of local dining options & shops to pick up unique holiday gifts.

There is a nice small ski resort in the area called Appalachian Ski Resort which also houses an ice rink for those not keen on attempting to fly downhill in skis. Grandfather Mountain (assuming roads are open) is super busy in the summer but you can bypass the crowds this time of year. You can enjoy a scenic drive, hiking, and a walk across the highest swinging bridge here. Note that the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway is often covered in snow and only open for winter recreation.

Asheville, located in the heart of it all, offers a number of annual events include a Polar Express train ride, holiday tours of the magnificent Biltmore Estate, and a Winter Lights Festival at the North Arboretum. My favorite event is the annual gingerbread display hosted at the beautiful Omni.

More holiday events in WNC I recommend checking out

**I hope you have enjoyed reading about my various Christmas experiences in cities, both small and large around the country. I love to travel around the holidays, so keep checking back for Part 2!**