Across the USA, festivities throughout December celebrate the holidays. From coast to coast, we honor family and tradition this month in many different ways. We have partnered with Arizona-based Susan Lanier-Graham, who wanders the world for her blog Wander With Wonder and has looked near and far to find homegrown ways to celebrate the holiday season.
I love December. I was born on the East Coast surrounded by a large, boisterous family, and the entire month, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, was filled with celebrations. I moved to the mountains of Colorado as a teenager, where the holidays were truly snow-filled, like something out of a picture postcard. Even now, after spending more than 20 years in the desert Southwest, I find the festivities exciting. It’s different here, with lights twinkling on palm trees and cacti, but I have discovered it is about family, friends, and being thankful for the blessings we have much more than about snow and Norman Rockwell scenes. Here are a few of my favorite December celebrations you can enjoy across the USA.
Christmas Celebrations in Phoenix, Arizona
Contrary to popular opinion, it does get a bit nippy here in Arizona every December. It’s the perfect time to enjoy sparkling lights, roast marshmallows, and snuggle up around outdoor firepits. I have two favorite activities that I never miss in the Phoenix area during the holidays: Christmas at the Princess and Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Christmas at the Princess, now in its seventh year at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, runs from just before Thanksgiving through January 1. The centerpiece of the activities is the four-story musical Christmas tree, twinkling with 70,000 LED lights that dance in time to 17 classic holiday songs.
Christmas at the Princess features the Four-Story Tree in the Enchanted Plaza. Photo by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The event is exciting for kids and adults alike. You can stroll hand-in-hand along the paths or jump aboard one of the Princess Express trains to ride along the resort’s lagoons and catch a glimpse of more than three million LED lights, many creating fun characters while others offer romantic backdrops.
Nessie in the Princess Lagoon. Photo by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Other fun events include a 6,000-square-foot Desert Ice Skating Rink made with real ice, S’mores Land with a four-lane Polar Glide on real ice, a Christmas carousel, and a Ferris wheel with a view over the magical resort.
The kids will love appearances by the special holiday characters—Graham the loving S’more, Shivers the Yeti, Princesses Noel and Angelica, Selfie Elfie, and Peppermint Penguin. Kids can have their photos taken with Santa, pick up a sweet treat of hot cocoa and meet some of Santa’s helpers. Christmas at the Princess is open to the public and details are available online.
Stroll along the paths to see the magical lights. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
My other favorite event in the Phoenix area is Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden. This is a classic Southwestern celebration of winter that lasts through December 31.
Las Noches de las Luminarias. Photo by Adam Rodriguez for Desert Botanical Garden
Each evening, except for December 24 and 25 when the Garden is closed, 8,000 brown paper bags with candles are lit by hand and thousands of twinkling lights decorate the Garden. Visitors can grab a cup of hot cider or cocoa and amble the paths that lead through the desert landscape. Live music wafts through the night air. Stop in at Gertrude’s for dinner before the event or drinks afterward. Tickets are available online or at the box office, but many evenings sell out, so I suggest that you purchase tickets in advance.
Las Noches de las Luminarias. Photo by Adam Rodriguez for Desert Botanical Garden
Christmas Celebrations in Denver, Colorado
Spending my teenage years in Colorado, I still think of December mornings after a fresh snow when the world seemed so quiet and peaceful. It was pure magic when that hush descended on the tiny mountain town where I lived. You might not find that hush in Denver, but you can find plenty of magic when you head to the annual Denver Christkindl Market that runs through December 23 at Skyline Park downtown.
Paper stars from Germany. Photo courtesy German American Chamber of Commerce Colorado/Denver Christkindl Market
This market was organized 16 years ago by the German American Chamber of Commerce and the German Cultural Foundation, so it brings a little Old World charm to downtown Denver.
I love Christmas markets and downtown Denver, so this is my ideal way to spend a December evening. You can stroll through the Christmas village, sample Bavarian salted pretzels, nibble roasted nuts, and sip hot cocoa while you pick out toys from Austria, paper stars from Germany, organic oils from Colorado, and clothing from Canada. You can find all the details online at www.denverchristkindlmarket.com.
Stroll past vendors from around the world. Photo courtesy German American Chamber of Commerce Colorado/Denver Christkindl Market
Christmas Celebrations in Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine, Texas is a Dallas suburb located adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Grapevine is also the Christmas Capital of Texas. Stretching over 40 days from late November through January 1, there are 1,400 holiday events in Grapevine. There’s no reason you can’t find something for the entire family to do in Grapevine!
Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas. Photo courtesy Grapevine CVB
I adore Grapevine year round, with its charming downtown, urban wine trail, and great restaurants, but it is especially magical at Christmas. And yes, it does sometimes snow in Grapevine during December, so bring a jacket and your boots. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in the Christmas Capital of Texas.
Head to the Gaylord Texan Resort to check out the Lone Star Christmas. This hotel is a wonderful place to call home during a visit to Grapevine, with rooms that overlook the fun indoor courtyard. During Christmas, it comes to life with more than two million lights. Even if you don’t book a room, plan on visiting and experiencing Christmas at the Gaylord Texan. It brings out the child in everyone.
Enjoy ICE! at the Gaylord Texan. Photo courtesy Grapevine CVB
In addition to all the great light features and fun characters in the atriums, don’t miss ICE! with Santa, and dozens of ice sculptures, all kept glistening in a chilly 9 degrees. Don’t worry, the resort hands out parkas before you go inside. Don’t miss the slide—it’s a chilling thrill, and even adults line up to slide down the ice.
Back in downtown Grapevine, jump aboard the town’s vintage railroad for a ride on the North Pole Express with Mrs. Claus to enter Santa’s workshop. If you prefer—and if your travels take you to Grapevine without the little ones—there are Christmas Wine Trains for grownups. Even if the trains are booked, it’s fun to see the train chugging its way through town and wave as it goes past.
Each evening through January 8, a 20-minute light show runs continuously from 6 to 11 p.m. nightly highlighting the Magic of Christmas. There’s no fee, and the downtown area is filled with lights.
Downtown Grapevine is a magical Christmas show throughout December. Photo courtesy Grapevine CVB
There are also plenty of great spots to pick up something special for everyone on your holiday shopping list while strolling the boutiques in downtown Grapevine. I adore all these little shops, and I admit I never leave without adding a few things to my suitcase. I always stop by Ooh La La for fun clothes and accessories and Dr. Sue’s Chocolate for some really good chocolate.
Shopping in Grapevine is great fun. Photo courtesy Grapevine CVB
Christmas in Roanoke, Virginia
I want to take you across the country now to Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains where I was born. Roanoke is a small town that began in the mid-1700s as the village of Big Lick. Today it is a blend of Southern charm, railroad town, Appalachia, and modern influences brought by the healthcare industry. The big star on the top of the hill remains the same as it did in my childhood, as does the Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke, built in 1882 by the railroad, which operated it for more than a hundred years.
Roanoke star. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
The hotel closed in 1989, underwent a major renovation, and reopened in 1995. During the holiday season, Fashions for Evergreens runs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. The competition features nearly three dozen trees decorated in creative, whimsical, sometimes a little bizarre themes.
Trees decorated during the Fashions for Evergreens. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
You can grab a map in the lobby and help yourself to a self-guided tour, wandering the historic hotel. After checking out each tree, you can vote for your favorites. Each vote requires at least a penny, and proceeds go to the United Way of Roanoke Valley. There’s no charge to get into the hotel and see the beautiful building, decorated elegantly for the event, and the trees throughout the halls and public spaces.
Characters on the trees range from creative and fun to outlandish. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
The lobby has hot cocoa and cider, and live music is ongoing throughout the season. Just across the bridge from the hotel is historic downtown Roanoke. The first three Fridays in December feature an outdoor market each evening—Dickens of a Christmas—with live entertainment, food, carriage rides, street performers, and unique gifts you’ll only find in Appalachia.
Dickens of a Christmas in Roanoke, Virginia. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Christmas Celebrations in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
When I visited Wisconsin for the first time, I fell in love. Everyone warned me I would feel differently in the winter, but I honestly didn’t. I still loved Wisconsin. I don’t want to live in the cold, but I do really love to visit. One of my favorite spots is Elkhart Lake. Every winter, the beautiful lakefront resort there—The Osthoff Resort—hosts the Old World Christmas Market. This year, the 19th annual market runs from December 2–11 and is open each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is truly an Old World market, and the snow-filled village on the banks of Elkhart Lake feels a bit magical.
Osthoff Resort in winter. Photo courtesy Elkhart Lake Visitor Center
Elkhart Lake created the market based on the Christkindlesmarkts of Nuremberg, Germany. You can stroll through the grand tent, sip glühwein, and nibble spiced almonds (yes, the tent is heated) while the smells of evergreens and cinnamon transport you to Christmas past. Specialty items include German nutcrackers, Czech glass ornaments, Russian nesting dolls, jewelry, pashmina scarves, fresh wreaths, wool items, lace, wood products, toys, and more.
Visit Santa during the Old World Christmas Market. Photo courtesy Elkhart Lake Visitor Center
Of course there are visits with Santa and plenty of photo ops, and the Old World Food Court has delicious German food offerings—bratwurst, Wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, and apple strudel. I spent four Christmases in Germany, and the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake reminded me more of my time in Germany than anywhere else I’ve visited in the U.S. I felt as if I’d stepped back in Frau Elsen’s küchen in Deutschland.
During the season, there are plenty of other activities in Elkhart Lake, from cookie-making classes and ornament workshops to hayrides and breakfast with Santa. I adore The Osthoff Resort, and I can’t imagine anyplace more romantic to book a Christmas getaway. They offer Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner as well. Sitting by the big fireplace, surrounded by dark wood paneling, with the smell of evergreens and twinkling lights everywhere—now this is a Norman Rockwell Christmas setting.
No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, may you be surrounded by friends, family, peace, and hope for the future. My wish for you is a peaceful and happy New Year in which all your wanderings and travel dreams come true.
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