The Everything Family Christmas Book (68 page)
Read The Everything Family Christmas Book Online
Authors: Yvonne Jeffrey
Schenectady, New York
Annual Christmas Parade
Bands, lighted floats, over 100 costumed characters, and, of course, Santa. Late November. Information: 800-962-8007;
www.schenectadychamber.org
.
Seattle, Washington
Winterfest
Downtown Seattle’s annual festival. Late November through December; dates vary. Information: 206-684-7200;
www.seattlecenter.com
.
Silver City, New Mexico
Festival of Trees
The annual celebration of seasonally decorated trees. First week in December. Information: 505-538-3785;
www.silvercity.org
.
Sonora, California
Sonora Christmas Crafts and Music Festival
More music and handcrafted goodies. Weekend immediately following Thanksgiving. Information: 209-533-3473;
www.fireonthemountain.com
.
Stevenson, Washington
Christmas in the Gorge
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. Information: 509-427-8911;
www.skamania.org
.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Christmas by Candlelight
Old Sturbridge Village celebrates a festive and historical Christmas. Early December. Information: 508-347-3362;
www.osv.org
.
Taos, New Mexico
Yuletide in Taos
Local artists and craftspeople—of which there are many in Taos—help make this a colorful and unforgettable festival. Early December. Information: 800-732-TAOS;
www.taoschamber.com
.
Tortugas, New Mexico
Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Inspiring festival with strong Catholic and Native American emphasis. Early December. Information: 505-526-8171;
http://lascrucescvb.org
.
Tucson, Arizona
Las Posadas
Schoolchildren take part in the parade commemorating Mary and Joseph’s quest for shelter for the Christ Child. Early December. Information: 800-638-8350;
www.visittucson.org
.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Medieval Yule Celebration
The traditional Yule log celebration at the Adam Thoroughgood House. Early December. Information: 757-460-7588;
http://vbgov.com
.
Warsaw, Virginia
Tree of Love Illumination
Caroling, memorial lights, and decorations at the Richmond County Museum. Early December. Information: 804-333-3607;
www.co.richmond.va.us
.
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. Information: 202-347-4833;
www.fordstheatre.org
.
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. Information: 202-208-1631;
www.nps.gov
.
Wickenburg, Arizona
Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Poems, songs, and ideas with a western theme. Early December. Information: 928-684-5479;
www.wickenburgchamber.com
.
Wickford, Rhode Island
Festival of Lights
This historic town, founded in 1662, is the site of a delightful celebration of colonial times during the holiday season. Early December. Information: 877-295-7200;
www.wickfordvillage.org
.
Willcox, Arizona
Christmas Apple Festival
Country-crafts fair held the first weekend in December (dates vary). Information: 520-384-2272;
www.willcoxchamber.com
.
Williamsburg, Virginia
A Colonial Christmas
At the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center; a rich examination of past traditions. Late December. Information: 888-593-4682;
www.historyisfun.org
.
Woodstock, Vermont
Winter Wassail Weekend
Three-day festival offering a parade, historic house tours, Christmas musical, and more. Second weekend in December. Information: 888-496-6378;
www.woodstockvt.com
.
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. Information: 800-499-2514;
www.thesantaclausparade.com
.
Old-Fashioned Christmas; Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia
The restored Sherbrooke Village historical site celebrates an old-fashioned Christmas each year. Late November. Information: 888-743-7845;
www.sherbrookevillage.ca
.
Zoolights; Calgary, Alberta
The Calgary Zoo brightens the night with more than 1.5 million lights. Between late November and early January. Information: 800-588-9993;
www.calgaryzoo.org
.
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. Information: 306-384-9277;
www.festival-of-trees.com
.
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. Information: 204-924-4000;
www.childrensmuseum.com
.
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. Information: 866-652-4422;
www.carolships.org
.
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. Information: 506-529-3555;
www.standrewsby-the-sea.ca
.
Nutcracker; Montreal, Québec
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. Information: 514-849-8681;
www.grandsballets.com
.
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. Information: 902-963-7874;
www.pc.gc.ca
.
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. Information: 709-579-4139;
www.downtownstjohns.com
.
Appendix B
Your Christmas DVD Checklist
L
ooking for something good to watch? The vast majority of these DVDs—special Christmas movies and those that have become holiday-viewing traditions—are suitable for viewing by all members of the family. The most notable exceptions may be found in the
Home Alone
films, which some parents may consider too violent for small children.
How many of the following have you seen?:
All I Want for Christmas