Most towns and cities across North America schedule annual holiday festivities of one kind or another. What follows is a sampling of festivals: some big-city events; some historically important celebrations; and some smaller gatherings that seemed too interesting to omit. This is not an exhaustive list of all festivals; if you would like more information on seasonal celebrations, try calling the local chamber of commerce or visitor’s bureau for detailed information about holiday events. Your state or province’s tourism office will also be helpful.
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria’s Scottish heritage is saluted with a parade through historic Old Town. Special activities include bagpipes, highland dancers, tours of old homes, and children’s events. Early December.
Annual Woodlawn Plantation Christmas
Carolers, musicians, and costumed actors portraying a family from the 1820s welcome you to a Christmas party. Wagon rides, a burning Yule log, and refreshments provide a taste of the old Virginia Christmas. Early December.
Civil War Christmas Open House
At the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site. Mid-December.
Aspen, Colorado
The annual lighting of Aspen’s tree, at the Sardy House. Early December.
Auburn, California
Auburn Christmas Crafts and Music Festival
Beat the Christmas rush—and still enjoy the carols. Veteran’s Day weekend.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
A seafaring holiday celebration. First Saturday in December.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Sounds of the Season: A Holiday Concert and Tour
Music and celebration at Ash Lawn-Highland. Late December.
Chicago, Illinois
Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink
Ice-skating fun for the whole family at the McCormic Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink. Beginning in November.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
A sparkling local tradition. On Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Mid-November to December 31.
City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting
The official beginning of the Christmas season in Chicago takes place in Daley Plaza. Late November.
Lighting up the night at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Late November/early December.
A memorable evening at the Swedish American Museum Center. Mid-December.
Clermont, New York
Christmas at Clermont Open House
The Livingston family home, a state historic site, is decorated for the holidays and offers music for the season. Early December.
Corona del Mar, California
A street fair with merchants offering lots of free edibles and entertainment. First Sunday in December.
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
A celebration of the early eighteenth-century English Christmas, complete with carolers, musicians, and a bonfire. At Van Cortlandt Manor. In December; dates vary.
Dallas, Texas
The stately DeGolyer mansion is decorated for the season. Early December.
The Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade
A seasonal parade for all ages. Early December.
A candlelight holiday festival set among the Victorian and pioneer homes of Old City Park. Mid-December.
Des Moines, Washington
Live holiday music in the tropical setting of the Des Moines Botanical Center.
East Haddam, Connecticut
Victorian Christmas at Gillette Castle
Music and revelry of the era. First weekend after Thanksgiving to the weekend before Christmas.
Franklin, Tennessee
Christmas carolers in Victorian garb serve up good things to eat and drink and lots of entertainment in a two-day festival. Mid-December.
Galveston, Texas
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.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
The Victorian Christmas Festival Weekend
A celebration of the Victorian Christmas, complete with costumed participants, at Hammond Castle. Mid-December.
Hollywood, California
Hollywood Boulevard becomes Santa Claus Lane for the season; the parade is held the first Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
More than a million lights transform the Garvan gardens into a winter wonderland. Mid-November through December.
Houston, Texas
Some 200 lighted boats sail around Clear Lake and through the channel to Galveston Bay. Mid-December.
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.
Kingsburg, California
Julgransfest Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
An enchanting celebration of Swedish Christmas traditions. Day after Thanksgiving..
Santa Lucia Festival Christmas Village Celebration
Arts and crafts, parades, and other enjoyable aspects of the season. Early December.
Leavenworth, Washington
Rides on sleighs, choir performances, and dazzling lights are the highlights of this Cascade Mountain celebration.
Los Angeles, California
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.
Lynchburg, Virginia
Christmas at the Market Craft Show
Lots of distinctive holiday crafts and other offerings. At Lynchburg Community Market, Late November/early December.
Lynden, Washington
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.
Miami, Florida
In the Tropical Park, west of Coral Gables. Mid-November to late January.
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.
More Christmas trees than you can shake a sugarplum at. Early December to early January at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Information: 952-443-1400;
Lovely music and seasonal celebrations. Weekends in early December at Historic Murphy’s Landing.
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Historic Mount Vernon Estate is the site for a recreation of an authentic eighteenth-century holiday season. Early December to early January.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket Noël and Christmas Stroll
Local merchants put out festive decorations during this lively festival. Late November through December.
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.
New York, New York
Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center
The big one—especially if you’re a New Yorker. Late November.
Newport News, Virginia
Drive-through holiday light display at Newport News Park. Mid-November through December.
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.
Norfolk, Virginia
The major downtown event of the season. December.
Northeast Harbor, Maine
Crafts, pageants, music, and more. First weekend in December.
Old Westbury, New York
Annual festive event at Old Westbury Gardens with decorations, Santa, and more. December.
Oroville, California
Features costumed characters and an emphasis on Gold Rush history. First weekend in December.
Oxnard, California
At the Channel Islands Harbor. Second Saturday in December.
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.
Phoenix, Arizona
Santa’s—A Christmas Theme Park
Santa hits the Firebird Raceway from late November to early January.
Crafts, foods, historic celebrations, and Santa. Early December.
Portland, Oregon
At the Grotto; late November through December.
At the Oregon Convention Center. Late November/early December.
At the Portland Zoo. Late November through December.
Poulsbo, Washington
A festive Scandinavian celebration that features costumed Vikings, authentic food, and torchlight parade. Early December. Also of interest: the Holiday Heritage House.
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.
Richmond, Virginia
At the Science Museum of Virginia. Late December to early January.
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.
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Steel bands, cool drinks, and tropical winds make for a very different kind of Christmas celebration. Generally late December and early January.
San Francisco, California
The San Francisco Ballet mounts a much-loved annual production of the seasonal ballet.
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.
Schenectady, New York
Bands, lighted floats, over 100 costumed characters, and, of course, Santa. Late November.
Seattle, Washington
Downtown Seattle’s annual festival. Late November through December; dates vary.
Silver City, New Mexico
The annual celebration of seasonally decorated trees. First week in December.
Sonora, California
Sonora Christmas Crafts and Music Festival
More music and handcrafted goodies. Weekend immediately following Thanksgiving.
Stevenson, Washington
A celebration that lights up the Columbia Gorge and all the towns nestled along it. Carols and a visit from Santa, too. Late November/early December.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Old Sturbridge Village celebrates a festive and historical Christmas. Early December.
Taos, New Mexico
Local artists and craftspeople—of which there are many in Taos—help make this a colorful and unforgettable festival. Early December.
Tortugas, New Mexico
Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Inspiring festival with strong Catholic and Native American emphasis. Early December.
Tucson, Arizona
Schoolchildren take part in the parade commemorating Mary and Joseph’s quest for shelter for the Christ Child. Early December.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
The traditional Yule log celebration at the Adam Thoroughgood House. Early December.
Warsaw, Virginia
Caroling, memorial lights, and decorations at the Richmond County Museum. Early December.
Washington, D.C.
A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre
The historic site is always bustling at this time of year, thanks to the annual stage adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic. Late November to late December.
Christmas Pageant of Peace and People’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Annual since 1954, the pageant is usually initiated by a member of the First Family lighting the National Christmas Tree, the magnificent Christmas tree on the west side of the U.S. Capitol. Military bands perform in concert. Early December.
Wickenburg, Arizona
Poems, songs, and ideas with a western theme. Early December.
Wickford, Rhode Island
This historic town, founded in 1662, is the site of a delightful celebration of colonial times during the holiday season. Early December.
Willcox, Arizona
Country-crafts fair held the first weekend in December (dates vary).
Williamsburg, Virginia
At the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center; a rich examination of past traditions. Late December.
Woodstock, Vermont
Three-day festival offering a parade, historic house tours, Christmas musical, and more. Second weekend in December.
Across Canada
Santa Claus Parade; Toronto, Ontario
A Canadian tradition for more than 100 years, the parade is one of North America’s biggest. Mid-November.
Old-Fashioned Christmas; Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia
The restored Sherbrooke Village historical site celebrates an old-fashioned Christmas each year. Late November.
The Calgary Zoo brightens the night with more than 1.5 million lights. Between late November and early January.
Festival of Trees; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
More than 100 decorated trees, wreaths, and designer stockings are sold to raise funds for the Saskatoon City Hospital. The last week of November.
Christmas at the Manitoba Children’s Museum; Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Children’s Museum at the historic Forks district showcases the original Eaton’s Santa’s village. From early December to mid-January.
Carol Ships Parade of Lights; Vancouver, British Columbia
More than 80 decorated boats parade through the harbor nightly during the first three weeks of December, offering music both onboard and onshore.
St. Andrews by-the-Sea Winter Festival; St. Andrews, New Brunswick
A December-long festival that includes a candlelight parade, holiday music, mulled cider, the decorated Ross Memorial Museum, and more.
The magical story of little Clara in the Land of Snow, presented by Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal, has long been a holiday favorite. Mid- to late December.
A Green Gables Christmas; Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
A nineteenth-century Christmas afternoon at Green Gables, home to the fictional Anne of Green Gables. December.
The Downtown Christmas Parade; St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
More than 100 entries, plus zany clowns, marching bands, colorful cheerleaders, and a food drive. End November or early December.
