Christmas Towns and Festivals to Explore Near NYC

Drive by the whimsical Whoville installation at Wegmans Lights on the Lake in Liverpool, New York, this holiday season.

New York City may be one of the most iconic holiday destinations but there are plenty of cities, towns, and villages across New York state that also get into the Christmas spirit and make for a great holiday day trip or seasonal weekend getaway. From Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, N.Y., to the Snowflake Festival in Kingston, here are six New York-state Christmas towns and holiday festivals where you'll find plenty of magic of this season.

Best Drive-thru and Walk-thru Christmas Lights in Houston

Photo courtesy of Dasher's Light Show

There's something magical about Christmas lights that make the holidays come alive (even in Houston when it's 80 degrees in the winter). Twinkling lights and snowy scenes always help make spirits bright! From drive-thru (and drive-by) experiences to free walking adventures, and out-of-this-world displays to an old school Santa's workshop, we've rounded up holiday and Christmas lights in Houston to suit every taste. For the best over-the-top Christmas lights in Houston, check out one of the locales or events below. And for more holiday and Christmas ideas, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

Westchester's Winter Wonderland Charms Visitors With Drive-Thru Light Show

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is a festive 1.2-mile drive through Kensico Dam Plaza.

Formerly an uber-popular walk through experience, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland has been reimagined for safe, seasonal fun and returns for a second consecutive year as a drive-thru holiday lights extravaganza.

Read on for our full review and a sneak peek at some of the stunning displays, and remember our Family Activity Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide are overflowing with curated picks to celebrate, whether you want to venture out or need some ideas for a festive night at home.

45 Awesome Santa Activities for Kids in Connecticut

Santa greets families on the daytime Santa Express and the evening Northern Lights Limited Christmas trains. Photo courtesy of the Naugatuck Railroad

Out of the corner of your eye, you see it. The red suit and snowy white beard which signal the arrival of the very symbol of joy and giving during the Christmas holidays: Santa Claus! Today the tradition is alive and well in many, many different kinds of places from train stations, farms, and even on the water! If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 45 favorite Santa activities across the state. 

Some events are free and require no preregistration, but many of those that do require advanced tickets are very popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to buy tickets as soon as possible. Check websites for updated mask and COVID-19 requirements. For more holiday and Christmas activities, see our list of The 15 Best Holiday and Christmas Events and Activities and our Holiday Fun Guide for Connecticut Kids.

Holiday Light Shows: Christmas Displays and More in Orlando for 2021

Celebrate the holidays at Legoland with seasonal shows, holiday Lego characters and more. Photo courtesy of Legoland

For many Orlando families, visiting local Christmas lights is a treasured holiday tradition. It’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit, and Orlando has no shortage of options. From dazzling displays at the theme parks to lighted boat parades, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to see Christmas lights here in Central Florida.

Get an exclusive view of Give Kids the World Village as it's tranformed into a wonderland of lights at Night of a Million Lights; stroll through illuminated forests and watch dancing light displays at Leu Gardens' Dazzling Nights; or venture to Mount Dora for the town's amazing seasonal lights. Read on for the very best holiday light displays around Orlando and Central Florida.

LAX with Kids: Rideshare, Drop off, Pick up, LAXit Shuttles, and Car Seat Options

Rest easy about getting to the airport safely when you book one of these services for holiday travel.

LAX is one of the world's most famous airports... but that's not exactly a good thing. It's infamous for the gridlock in the horseshoe road that leads to its nine passenger terminals, and it's routinely bashed for lacking a direct connection to Metro Rail (for now). With or without a car seat, departures and arrivals at LAX with kids require a plan.

You can call an Uber or a Lyft directly to your terminal, but seeing that most of the LA area doesn't live very close to the airport, that can be extremely pricey. And, on Departures side, catching a rideshare is a little more complicated. Old-school taxis aren't allowed to wait outside every terminal as they do at other airports but can be found at a few locations around the airport.

We've made some calls, followed some links, and shaken some people by the lapels to gather the info below, featuring options that provide safe transport to the airport for your most precious cargo. And if all else fails? The Proud Bird by LAX has just been given a complete overhaul as a cool food hall that comes complete with a playground AND a liquor license...

Where to Take Pictures with Santa Near Philly

Give Santa a wave at Linvilla Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Kids and adults alike can't wait to see Santa Claus every year. Children are excited to tell him their Christmas wishes, and parents get a snapshot of a precious memory; everyone loves this tradition! Children young and old in the Philly area can find Santa riding a train, on the farm, amusement park, at brunch, and of course, at one of his favorite hangouts–the mall. Whichever spot your family chooses, Santa pictures make special memories that last well beyond the holiday season.

We've made a list, and we checked it twice, of where to take Santa Claus pictures in the Philadelphia area. For extra fun, we included places offering seasonal entertainment once the photo session is complete. Check out Philly's Best Holiday and Christmas Events for even more seasonal entertainment options.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Pages