Christmas-
“Joy to the world and these quaint towns around the U.S. that really outdo themselves in the Christmas spirit department.”
The following written content by Perri Ormont Blumberg
Local towns that deck the halls unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Joy to the world and these quaint towns around the U.S. that really outdo themselves in the Christmas spirit department. From over-the-top boat parades to European-inspired holiday markets, there’s something for everyone on this list of locals that deck the halls unlike anything you’ve seen before. Read on and enjoy rockin’ around these jaw-dropping Christmas trees, musical extravaganzas, and more.
Oxnard, California
This beach town is brimming with yuletide excitement from multiple tree lightings – including the tallest Christmas Tree in Ventura County to the glimmering Christmas Tree Lane, a decades-long tradition of festively lit houses along several streets in Oxnard’s National Historic District. Take the Oxnard Holly Trolley down Christmas Tree Lane and to other local holiday attractions while sipping hot cocoa for an outing you won’t soon forget. There’s also a Parade of Lights with decorated boats at the Channel Islands Harbor, tours of the decorated Victorian homes in the historic Heritage Square, a tamale festival and more.
Long Grove, Illinois
This inviting Chicago suburb has a yearly “Vintage Holidays” campaign, a seasonal tribute to the small-town holiday market experience complete with picture-perfect shops, horse-and-carriage rides and strolling holiday carolers in historic costumes. From Nov. 19 through Dec. 19, you can expect all this, along with appearances of Santa and Mrs. Claus, village merchants participating in a “Christmas Tree Parade” and more. The Long Grove Vintage Holidays event is organized annually by the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association.
Branson, Missouri
Ready for a very Ozark Christmas? In this small town of some 11,500 residents, visitors to famed Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-inspired theme park a few miles outside downtown Branson, are in for a veritable holiday treat. Within: “An Old Time Christmas” event that has 6.5 million lights on display, an eight-story Christmas tree, several musicals and a much-beloved light parade. Need more convincing? It’s the four-time reigning champion of America’s Best Theme Park Holiday Event in the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Poll. With 6.5 million lights around town, there’s also much to explore outside the theme park, including approximately 100 shows at 37 theaters, such as Christmas shows by families like the Haygoods, five brothers and one sister who play 20 instruments between them, melding rock, country and high jinks, and the Celtic fiddling Dutton family performing orchestral versions of Christmas tunes.
Kennebunkport, Maine
There’s just something about the holidays in New England. Named the number-two Christmas town in America by HGTV, Kennebunkport will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its annual Christmas Prelude, an 11-day holiday extravaganza from Dec. 2 to 12. There, visitors will be dazzled with the 40 Trees Trail, hat parade, tree lightings, Christmas caroling, craft fairs, parades with Santa and much more seasonal merriment. When it’s time to relax, retreat to beautiful spots like the Kennebunkport Inn and the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort with picture-perfect decorations and attentive staff. Before you skip town, be sure to drive through the guided “Holiday Trail of Lights.” a feast for the eyes that benefits nonprofit organizations. For information read more from Fox.
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