Holidays on the Harbor, Punta Gorda, Florida
No white Christmas here. Instead, this town hosts a county-wide outdoor party (November 22–December 31) with activities that take advantage of December’s mid-70s temperatures. Take a canal cruise to view docks and homes decorated for the season. Work off a few extra holiday
pounds by participating in the Christmas Lights Bike Ride; 800/652-6090 or charlotteharbortravel.com.
Christmas Boat Parade, Newport Beach, California
Thousands head to Balboa Island every year for this century-old maritime tradition. Swanky yachts, small schooners, and even
kayaks deck their hulls and parade through Newport Harbor. Landlubbers can catch the action from almost anywhere on shore.
One popular spot, the Balboa Fun Zone, offers commentary on the parade along with harbor history. Reserve a table at Balboa
Bay Club & Resort, The Chart House, or another waterfront restaurant for an evening of “light” dining. December 17–21; 949/729-4400 or christmasboatparade.com.
Christmas New Orleans Style, Louisiana
This monthlong Creole Christmas offers something for everyone: cooking demonstrations with area chefs, caroling in Jackson
Square, gingerbread house workshops, holiday home tours, and Reveillon dinners (an 1800s Creole tradition) at classic New
Orleans restaurants. Christmas Eve highlights include a cruise on the steamboat Natchez and a midnight mass at St. Louis Cathedral. Insider’s tip: Look for “Papa Noel” discounted room rates at area hotels throughout the month; 504/524-4784, fqfi.org/christmas, or neworleansonline.com.
Christmas in Edgartown, Massachusetts
Visit this Martha’s Vineyard town and you can’t help but get in the holiday spirit. Victorian inns trimmed in red and green hold open-house tours. Donaroma’s Nursery promises an “Evening of Enchantment,” with trails of lights, activities, and exhibits throughout the grounds. Warm up with a hearty bowl at the annual chowder
contest. Other highlights include the parade down Main Street, and tree lighting and carols at the Village Green. Special
events take place December 12–14; edgartownboardoftrade.com.
Christmas Ship Festival, Seattle, Washington
Each night from the end of November through December, Argosy Cruises takes passengers on a tour filled with music and cheer.
Aboard the Christmas Ship, Argosy’s Spirit of Seattle, passengers visit with the man in red and sing along with carolers. The ship leads a fleet of parading vessels, broadcasting
carols along the way. Visitors can also catch the concert on land at one of several viewing areas along Puget Sound; 800/642-7816
or argosycruises.com.
Christmas Tree Ship, Vermilion, Ohio
On December 6, this town on the southern shore of Lake Erie re-creates a Great Lakes tradition. The Christmas Tree Ship completes
a voyage that ended in disaster 96 years ago when a fishing schooner sank in a December storm. A local icebreaker unloads
its cut-spruce cargo in historic Harbour Town. Pick out the perfect tree, then enjoy live music, lunch with Santa, and a snack
of pumpkin rolls, a local delicacy made with pumpkin bread rolled around a sweet cream-cheese filling; 440/963-0772 or vermilionohio.com.
Holiday Train, Alaska
The Alaska Railroad welcomes the season with this excursion along the Kenai Peninsula. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, carolers, and
elves entertain passengers on their way from Anchorage to Seward. Once there, you can enjoy the Old Fashioned Christmas festival,
take a cruise of Resurrection Bay, or simply stroll through downtown. Hop back on the train at the end of the day for the
jolly trip back to Anchorage; 907/265-2494 or alaskarailroad.com.
Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, South Carolina
James Island County Park lights up for this Lowcountry celebration through January 4. A three-mile driving tour passes more
than 2 million twinkling lights. Park your car and roast marshmallows around one of the fire pits, visit Santa’s Village for the Enchanted Walking Trail and a 50-ton sand sculpture, or take a ride on the old-fashioned carousel; 843/795-4386
or holidayfestivaloflights.com.
St. Augustine, Florida
There’s no better time to visit the nation’s oldest city. Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse for a bird’s-eye view of the town lit for Nights of Lights, a display of 2 million twinkling bulbs that remains through January. On December
7, private homes open their doors for a Christmas Traditions tour. Later this month, 25 historic B&Bs join with area chefs
for a tasty tour of the inns; 800/653-2489 or getaway4florida.com.
Holiday Lights, Shore Acres State Park, Oregon
Friends of Shore Acres had no idea they were starting a tradition 21 years ago when they strung a few lights on a blufftop
park overlooking the Pacific. Today tens of thousands visit Coos Bay, touring gardens filled with holiday and maritime luminarias.
Among the highlights, an animated life-size whale and a formal landscaping display; 541/888-3732 or shoreacres.net.
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