Unique Christmas events across the country

It’s that time of the year again. The malls are insane. The traffic is unbearable. Time to scrape ice off the car windows, shovel driveways, prepare for holiday entertaining, spend endless hours searching for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, and so on and so forth. However, it’s also a great time of the year to escape the hustle & bustle for a while and enjoy winter sports, attend festive town holiday light displays, and fill up your itinerary with nostalgic Christmas traditions. All these dazzling light events and attractions really provide a much needed break to counterbalance the more hectic parts of the holiday season, enabling you to relax & recapture the magic of the holiday season.

In addition to all the standard zoo lights, ice rinks, and tree lightnings, I love seeking out oddball holiday attractions which are a bit outside the norm. Seeking out new and festive ways to celebrate the season is always exciting and a great way to stay motivated and energized during a stressful time of the year! Listed below are a few of the more interesting holiday traditions I have had the opportunity to enjoy. Check back frequently as I add more festive fun to the lineup!

Tumbleweed Tree

Location: Chandler, Arizona

Uniqueness factor: It’s the only tumbleweed tree in the Southwest!

Unique Tumbleweed Christmas tree in Chandler, Arizona

You may have seen tumbleweed blowing in the wind as you drive through the dusty desert, however, these pesky desert shrubs make for quite an attractive Christmas tree. Every year, the fast growing Phoenix suburb of Chandler constructs an eclectic tree composed entirely of tumbleweeds. This Southwestern style tree is truly a unique sight that you will not find anywhere else in the country. And thus, definitely worthy of a look if you are spending time in Phoenix over the holidays. This oddball tradition started back in 1957 when a resident saw a cone-shaped chicken wire with pine boughs stuck in the holes in Indiana.

The city collects over 1000 tumbleweeds which are adorned to a 25 foot wire frame. The tumbleweeds are then spray painted and dusted with glitter. The tree is then lit with over 2500 lights, transforming from a dry, dusty SW tree by day into a beautiful illuminated display by night. A parade and tree lighting ceremony kick off the annual celebration. As it stands as the most unique Christmas tree tradition in the Southwest, the Chandler Tumbleweed tree is a definite Arizona holiday bucket list contender.

More great Arizona holiday traditions

Info on the Tumbleweed tree lighting ceremony

Aluminum Christmas Tree exhibit at the Transylvania Heritage Museum

Location: Brevard, North Carolina

Uniqueness factor: The only museum dedicated to aluminum trees

Aluminum tree museum in Brevard, North Carolina

The charming mountain community of Brevard, North Carolina is more well known for its’ close proximity to natural wonders. Transylvania County is nicknamed “the Land of Waterfalls,” as over 200 beauties can be enjoyed in the area. Around Christmas time, you will also want to make room for a stroll around the small, yet beautiful downtown. Amongst the holiday lineup is a quirky museum event dedicated to aluminum Christmas trees.

Anyone born in the 50’s and 60’s will remember when these “space age” trees were the must haves of the holiday season. Today, these vintage trees are making a comeback. In this small Western North Carolina community, you can enjoy the only museum dedicated to these colorful, eclectic trees.

More info on the Aluminum tree museum

Also while you are in the vicinity, check out a waterfall or 2. Here are 10 great WNC waterfalls to add to your bucket list!

Santa Hustle Race Series

Location: 10 cities across the US

Uniqueness factor: 1000’s of runners dressed as Santa race down the street enjoying candy & cookie stations & Christmas music along this festive 5k and half marathon course.

Santa Hustle half marathon in the Smoky Mountains

Looking for a fun way to burn off some of those extra holiday calories? Something a bit different than your standard gym membership? Start training for a Santa Hustle race! This festive race series, which takes place in various regions across the US, from The Windy City, to the Texas coast, to the Smoky Mountains, is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, while also getting in a bit of exercise in the process. Thousands of runners race down the street dressed as Santa, complete with hat and beard!

A half marathon and 5k course distance are available, so both new and seasoned runners can enjoy the festivities. In the ultimate of holiday cheer, cookie and candy stations and holiday tunes along the course motivate beginning runners to push through. In terms of festive 5k races, the Santa Hustle series definitely takes the cake. Even the medal is Christmas themed each year! To make your trip more memorable, stay in one of the gorgeous, cozy mountain themed cabins in the Smokies! And do take some time to explore all the beautiful waterfalls in the Smokies.

More info on the Santa Hustle Race Series

The top things to do in the Smoky Mountains

Christmastown USA drive-thru light display

Location: McAdenville, NC

Uniqueness factor: The small town has been nicknamed “Christmastown USA.”

Christmas fountain show in Chistmastown USA - McAdenville, NC

This charming old-fashioned town near Charlotte, NC is considered to be one of the most Christmassy towns in the country. Along a 1.3 mile route (which you can walk or drive), you will see over 100 festively decorated homes, along with more than a half million lights and festive decorations. This tradition has been going strong for over 65 years with no end in sight! It was also recently featured in a Hallmark Christmas movie! Best of all, this event is completely free to attend!

The full lineup of McAdenville Christmas events

Macy’s LED show at Philly’s historic Wannamaker building

Location: Philadelphia

Uniqueness factor: 60+ year old show in historic Wannamaker department store accompanied by the largest pipe organ.

Macy's holiday light show in Center City Philadelphia

The festive Christmas light show at the Macy’s Center City Philly has been going strong for over 60 years. Not only does the show feature more than 100,000 lights and LED characters, but also festive holiday tunes. What sets this show apart from others is the beautiful setting inside the historic Wannamaker building (the country’s first department store) and the beautiful background music of the Wannamaker Organ, the largest working pipe organ in the world.

More Christmas fun in Philly

Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square

Location: New York City

Uniqueness factor: 160+ year old tradition in one of the world’s oldest and most famous department stores

Macy's on Herald Square in NYC

The iconic department store which takes up an entire city NYC block is a must visit around the holiday season. The store is so festive and beautiful this time of year. Seeing Santa at Macy’s in NYC is a timeless tradition which dates back more than 160 years! Most notably, holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street was filmed at the store. On an interesting side note, Santa Claus from the movie actually played Santa in the 1946 Macy’s Thanksgiving parade!

New York City Christmas bucket list

A Christmas Story 5k

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Uniqueness factor: The Cleveland house was used for exterior scenes of Ralphie’s house.

Ralphie's house from A Christmas Story in Cleveland, Ohio

A Christmas Story is one of those timeless holiday classics which you can watch over and over again. While the film originally flopped at the box office back in 1983, today it’s one of the more popular Christmas favorites thanks in part to the popular 24/7 marathon on TBS every Christmas Eve. For those of us who grew up loving the movie, we were fans way before the film’s rise to popularity and would love to see where the movie was filmed. Fortunately, in 1996, Ralphie’s house (used for the exterior shots) was turned into a museum!

The house featured in the film is located on 11th Street just north of downtown Cleveland. The staff is very knowledgeable with plenty of fun stories to share about the filming process. Besides strolling through the house which was modeled to look exactly like the film (right down to the leg lamp in the front room), you can browse around an amazing memorabilia museum and shop for unique souvenir gifts.

Every year, the house hosts a really unique themed 5k race where runners go all out with crazy themed outfits – don’t be surprised if you see runners dressed in a bunny suit or leg lamp costume! Finishers receive free admission to the house, along with a special themed medal and t shirt.

More info on A Christmas Story house

Wynn Holiday Gardens

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Uniqueness factor: Hundreds of rare gold & white poinsettias create a mesmerizing winter wonderland. 

Amazing holiday display at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada

While the extravagant Bellagio gardens get most of the attention, the festive gardens at The Wynn are just as amazing. The Wynn Gardens display incorporates the use of hundreds of rare golden & white (Gold Rush & Princietta Max) poinsettias and dozens of eloquently decorated trees.

The most recent display included mini villages shipped from Hong Kong, rare poinsettias, and beautiful trains, all with a gorgeous gold and silver theme. This display, although less flashy and not as popular as The extravagant Bellagio display, really is just up to par. While at The Wynn be sure to indulge in the over-the-top Wynn Buffet, the best buffet in Vegas. The setting is gorgeous and the food incredible.

Vegas Christmas attractions

Ethel M Cactus Garden

Location: Henderson, Nevada

Uniqueness factor: The best cactus light display in the Southwest!

Holiday lights at the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory in Henderson, Nevada

The Ethel M Chocolate Factory in the Vegas suburb of Henderson hosts quite a unique tradition each year in their on-site botanical cactus garden. The 4 acre garden is one of the largest of its’ kind in the world. If you are up for leaving The Strip for a bit (I know it’s hard to leave the excitement – don’t worry this amazing display is worth your time!), you will be treated to a walk through a most exotic holiday lights display.

In the garden, you will find over half a million colorful lights creatively draped over 300 species of cactus. The result is beautiful, unique, and totally worth the drive or Uber ride. Best of all, it will cost you absolutely nothing! While you are here, you can also tour the chocolate factory, sample sweets, and pick up a few unique gifts for loved ones!

Update: Admission is now $1 per person, however, it goes towards a good cause (a local food bank).

Info on the holiday light display

Winterhaven Festival of Lights

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Uniqueness factor: One of the most over-the-top community light displays in the US!

Winterhaven festival of lights in Tucson, Arizona

While many neighborhood associations put on a community-wide lights festival each year, few offer the pizzazz & dedication as that of the Winterhaven community of Tucson. This neighborhood goes all out in terms of decor with almost every single house getting into the excitement. What really sets this neighborhood’s display apart from so many others is the sheer creativity.

Unique themes have ranged from Christmas Vacation, to Stranger Things, to a A Christmas Story, to a U of A themed house. One house even had their own fountain show. At Winterhaven, your eyes will be treated to both timeless decorations, as well as fun extravagant over-the-top displays incorporating some of your favorite media themes, thus offering the best of both worlds.

And that’s not all! On any given night, you may find carolers, plays, screenings of popular holiday classics, and so much more. You can even take a holiday hayride around the displays (for an extra fee)! The energy and excitement level really play a part in making this such a spectacular event. Winterhaven really is a memorable experience, rather than just a simple light display, and thus, the must-do for anyone visiting the Southern Arizona region this time of year.

And, most important of all, donations and food are collected at the entrance. Last year, Winterhaven collected over $23,000 and 49,000 pounds of food!

More great holiday traditions in Tucson

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Uniqueness factor: This display features 34,000 flowers, 28,000 of which are poinsettias!

The gorgeous Christmas display at the Bellagio Conservatory in Las Vegas, Nevada

Every December, the gorgeous 14,000 square foot Bellagio Conservatory is transformed into a winter wonderland. A staff of 120 horticulturists is needed to maintain this intricate display which includes polar bears constructed of over 12,000 white carnations. Featuring a 40 foot tree with over 2500 ornaments, 28,000 poinsettias, along with special displays each year (the 2018 display features 14 foot toy soldiers), this is definitely the not-to-be missed Christmas display in Vegas!

The gardens change 4 times throughout the year, reflecting the changing colors and atmosphere of each passing season. Although the gardens are beautiful anytime of the year, they are particularly magical around the holidays. While you are at the Bellagio, be sure to check out the wonderful fountain show. This choreographed masterpiece includes a number of holiday songs in the lineup beginning in November!

Info on the Bellagio Conservatory

There’s Snow Place like Tarpon Springs

Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida

Uniqueness factor: The rare opportunity to see snow in Florida! 

Snow in Florida - There's Snow Place like Tarpon Springs annual event

Who says a White Christmas is impossible in Florida? On the contrary, there are a number of festive snow events every season, especially in the Tampa Bay metro region. The best-of-the-best is the annual There’s Snow Place like Tarpon Springs, located in the small Gulf side community of Tarpon Springs about 40 minutes north of Tampa. This event is super festive & wintry with falling snow, a snow play area with over 20 tons of snow, a snow slide, a lighted boat parade, carriage rides, and more!

It’s impossible not to get into the holiday spirit with all the festivities on the lineup. This event just goes to prove that you do not need cold weather to feel like it’s Christmas! While the forecast may call for sunny skies and mild 70 degree temps, the feel-good vibe of the holiday season is in the air in Tarpon Springs.

More festive holiday events in the Tampa region

Snowfest

Location: St. Petersburg, Florida

Uniqueness factor: At Snowfest, you can sled down a real snow hill in a tropical climate

Snowfest in St. Petersburg - Sledding in Florida

Sledding in Florida? Sure there are plenty fake snow events in Florida, but in one city, you can actually sled down a real snow hill. Snowfest is a local’s favorite in St. Petersburg for the unique opportunity to sled down a hill made out of 64 tons of the white stuff. For all those transplants missing a traditional winter up North, this is the closest you can get to the real experience!

St. Pete holiday events

Nestlenook Farms

Location: Jackson, New Hampshire

Uniqueness factor: It’s the most beautiful ice rink in the country!

Nestlenook Farms ice skating rink in Jackson, New Hampshire

Skating on Nestlenook Farms beautiful Victorian style ice rink is like being transported into a wintry snow globe. Anyone who loves ice skating needs to place Nestlenook Farms high up on their winter bucket list. The gorgeous 3 acre rink, reminiscent of scene straight out of Currier and Ives, is located on serene Emerald Lake in Jackson, New Hampshire. The beautiful backdrop of the snowy White Mountains creates the picture-perfect winter wonderland setting. In between skating sessions, you can warm up with a hot cocoa next to a roaring fire in the warming hut.

Also on-site is the most festive sleigh ride. Your journey begins in a custom made Austrian sleigh complete with cozy fur blankets as you make your way around the serene grounds of the 65 acre Victorian estate. Sleigh bells are jingling, skaters are gliding by, all while old-fashioned chime music lingers on in the background. After your ride, you can explore the on-site snowshoeing trails and then warm up with a hot cocoa by the firepit.

More info on Nestlenook Farms

Chriskindlmarket

Location: Downtown Chicago, Illinois

Uniqueness factor: It’s the largest seasonal holiday market in the country

Chicago Christmas tree and annual German market

Chriskindlmarket is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in all of Chicagoland. Since 1996, Daley Plaza downtown has been hosting the German style open-air market. This unique market is modeled after Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, a street market which began in 1545.  It’s rated one of the top holiday markets in the US and considered the best holiday market outside of Europe. Chicago’s version is now the largest seasonal holiday market in the country, drawing in over a million visitors per year!

At this festive fair, you can stroll around taking in the beautiful decor as you shop for handmade glass blown ornaments, old-fashioned nutcrackers, beer steins, and much more. And of course, you can treat yourself to all sorts of traditional German fare including Bratwurst, potato pancakes, Strudel, and Glühwein, a traditional holiday hot spiced wine.

Admission is free and the market is within walking distance to the fantastic Millennium Park ice rink, the grand Christmas tree, and the iconic holiday windows at Macy’s.

More holiday fun in Chicago

Wreathing of the Lions

Location: The Art Institute of Chicago

Uniqueness factor: The annual wreathing of the lions the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in one of the country’s best Christmas cities.

Wreathing of the lions in downtown Chicago

If you have ever strolled around downtown Chicago during the winter season, you have probably noticed the big beautiful wreaths adorning the lions which stand outside the entrance to The Art Institute. 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the “Wreathing of the Lions,” a popular local tradition which draws huge crowds each November. 

The event features live entertainment and complimentary hot chocolate. Don’t worry if you cannot get here for the actual ceremony as the lions remain dressed in their holiday apparel through the New Year. And while you are here, be sure to check out the museum, home to over 300,000 works of art, and recently honored as the best museum in the world.

More holiday festivities at The Art Institute

Wreathed panthers

Location: Downtown Charlotte, NC 

Downtown Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium also hosts a unique wreathing tradition each year. The Panthers in front of the stadium are dressed in festive gear each season. Also quite impressive is the annual Panther’s Christmas tree, a massive 60 foot Norway spruce with over 60,000 lights. 

More festive events in the Charlotte metro

The Clemson tree 

Location: Downtown Greenville, SC

Uniqueness Factor: The tree is decked out in the Clemson colors (purple and orange).

Clemson tree in downGreenville, SC

Downtown Greenville is known for its’ many eclectic shops and restaurants. With Clemson being in the area, it’s no surprise that the popular football team has a Tiger Sports team shop downtown. Every Christmas, there is a huge tree adorned with Clemson team color lights. For every college football fan out there, it’s a must if you happen to be visiting downtown Greenville.

Other holiday events in Greenville include Ice Skating on Main Street (one of the only real rinks in the state!), the annual Festival of Trees (over 80 beautifully decorated trees across 4 hotels), and the festive Poinsettia Parade.

Read more about Christmas in Greenville

The National Gingerbread Competition

Location: Asheville, North Carolina

Uniqueness factor: It’s the largest gingerbread competition in the country!

National Gingerbread Competition at the Omni Park Grove Inn in Asheville, NC

2022 marks the 30th year of the grand National Gingerbread Competition, held each year at the beautiful Omni Park Grove resort in Asheville, North Carolina. This event has grown massively since its inception and now attracts top knotch talent (and judges) from around the country. 

All of the houses are incredibly creative and 100% edible (and at least 75% gingerbread). Many of the houses are really extravagant, requiring a precise attention to detail that’s really impossible to imagine. Most of the entries are eclectic with everything, from a Monopoly board game, to a cuckoo clock, to reindeers playing a game of poker. These are anything but ordinary gingerbread houses. The 2018 winner was an amazing imaginative recreation of Santa’s workshop. 

The public is invited to view the entries the entire month of December. If you are not staying at the resort, you will need to pay a $25 parking fee (don’t worry -it’s worth it). Or better yet, plan for a night at the gorgeous Omni property which features stunning views of the Blue Ridge mountains, gorgeous rustic touches including massive fireplaces, an incredible spa, scenic dining, and plenty of festive decor for the holidays. 

More info on the National Gingerbread Competition