Seasonal happenings abound in and around the Big Apple, but there’s also plenty of Hallmark-worthy holiday villages across the country to delight in.
Here’s where to indulge in a weekend full of fun.
Kennebunkport, Maine
The Bushes spent the wrong season in ole Kennebunkport. Instead of a summer home, embrace these wintertime craggy-coast happenings about five hours northeast of NYC.
Some of the biggest draws? Fireworks over the harbor, Santa arriving by lobster boat (of course), a hat parade, a pooch parade and a family street festival. All of this and twinkle lights, hot cocoa and carolers (to name but a few!) are part of the 44th annual Christmas Prelude, which includes festivities through Dec. 14 and holiday decor and programming through Jan. 1. Bonus: The majority of events are free.
When you’re ready to load the sleigh up for the evening, post up at Kennebunkport Inn, the town’s only hotel located in Dock Square. The hotel operates the pop-up Tinsel Bar, outfitted floor to ceiling with ornaments, and serving up spiced Old Fashioneds, mulled wine and cookies for fireside snacking.
From $230 per night.
Grapevine, Texas
They don’t call it the Christmas capital of Texas for nothing. Good luck finding a break from the jingle journeys in this Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, with some 1,400 holiday events on the annual calendar.
Standouts include “Merry and Bright” drone shows, the Parade of Lights along Main Street, Santa’s North Pole Express on Grapevine Vintage Railroad and Peace Plaza Ice Rink.
After, kick back at Hotel Vin. Admittedly, you’ll likely still want to partake in holiday activities here, such as the Winter Wonderland Bubbles (from $200 per reservation, seating up to five guests), dining igloos with cozy chalet interiors and hot cocoa and chocolate fondue for kids in lieu of “Texas Tinis” and Holly Jolly Bar cocktails for adults. Bacchus, the hotel’s restaurant, also hosts a Santa brunch on Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
From $303 per night.
Farmington, Pa.
Hardy’s Holiday Village in Farmington, Pa., is back for its third year at Nemacolin Resort, which lies roughly 65 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Open daily through Dec. 28, kids can delight in Santa’s little helpers as they marvel at a million-plus twinkling lights and enjoy activities like elf-led musical performances, gingerbread house decorating, Hanukkah crafts, ice skating, dogsledding and more.
Get a photo with Santa and hit the hot chocolate bar, then fit in breakfast with Santa ($195 per adult; $100 for kids 12 and under) and a bedtime elf visit ($65 for the first child, $39 per additional).
Grown-ups can make a reservation for “Elves After Dark,” a holiday show that’s a mix of comedy, theater and holiday cheer in the Nightcap lounge.
From $900 per night.
Pella, Iowa
Dreaming of a storybook Dutch Christmas without a trip to the Netherlands? Just 45 miles southeast of Des Moines, the town of Pella transforms into a Dutch holiday village each Christmas. Meander past the gabled storefronts and the Molengracht Canal (which has a working drawbridge and the tallest operational grain windmill in the US) to a backdrop of holiday lights.
During your stay, tour elaborately decorated historic homes, get in the spirit with a holiday movie at the Pella Opera House or sip a warming cup of coffee at the AmericInn by Wyndham.
From $118 per night.
Harrodsburg, Ky.
Just shy of 25 miles southwest of Lexington, you’ll find the seasonal spectacle that is Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
First, there’s Shaker Christmas by Candlelight (from $15 per person), taking place Dec. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 26 through 28. During this event, you’ll see historic buildings with flickering candles and wander through rooms decked out for the holidays as you learn about the evolution of Shaker Christmas traditions from quiet 18th-century observances to the indulgent feasts of the 1900s.
Then, spanning Dec. 6 to 20 is the Gingerbread Showcase (free with village admission), where visitors will delight in the aroma of molasses, ginger and cinnamon as they check out the fanciful creations and vote for their favorites. One more thing to fit in: Tea Time with Mrs. Claus ($28 per person; free for kids 2 and under) for sandwiches and story time on Dec. 6, 13 or 20.
A stay at the Inn at Shaker Village features guest rooms, suites and cottages in 13 restored Shaker buildings with braided rugs, wide-plank floors and peg rails. Walk over to the Trustees’ Table for homemade pumpkin muffins — adults may enjoy returning for dinner, where a Harvest Moon (rye, cranberry juice and maple syrup) is calling your name.
From $189 per night.
Donnelly, Idaho
Plot your travels some 100 miles north of Boise to Donnelly, more specifically to Tamarack Resort, an enchanting retreat tucked between Lake Cascade and West Mountains. Each winter, the ski, golf and lake resort morphs into a snowy Alpine village with an Enchanted Holidays program, running through Jan. 1.
This year, guests can enjoy Idaho’s first Miracle Bar Pop-Up at the resort’s Lodge at Osprey Meadows (from $243 per night) — a stone’s throw away from the ski lifts. Or swap themed cocktails and superb holiday decor for Veuve Clicquot après-ski toasts and dining before a crackling fireplace at Mid-Mountain Lodge, a new dining venue at the top of the Tamarack Express chairlift, boasting a 7,000-square foot deck.
For anyone craving more adult time, send your snow angels to the Holiday Workshop Camp (ages 5-12; from $152 per day).
From $294 per night.
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