Easton Farms: Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut

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See if you can track down the perfect tree in Easton, the Christmas Tree capital of Connecticut! Photo by author Kelly Patino

Did you know Easton, Connecticut was declared the Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut last December? Sounds like a Hallmark movie right? The town has several farms with a variety of Christmas trees located right off the Merritt Parkway or Route 25. Easton is convenient for Connecticut and Tri-State residents, and there's even road signage for each Christmas tree farm. Additionally, all the farms are family-run with so much heart. Check out our list of Christmas tree farms in Easton, Connecticut to pick the right one for you!

Whether you cut-your-own or chose a pre-cut Christmas tree, the cherished memory of picking out the perfect tree is a calender event that can be an afternoon or an entire day! Looking for more family fun? Sign up for our newsletters, check out our Event Calendar, and follow us on Facebook! Stay updated on family holiday events during the 2024 holiday season and keeping check our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to make the most of your holiday calendar.  

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families

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One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney

The Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows in Atlanta bring families together for memory making and festive fun. Atlanta offers plenty of holiday shows and options for The Nutcracker, including those with cool twists on the story, like Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox and Once Upon a Holiday in Roswell. 

Some holiday shows are so kid-friendly (especially the ones with puppets) that even the wiggliest of children are mesmerized! Take a look at our comprehensive list of The Nutcracker performances and holiday shows to choose which will add theatrical magic to your family this holiday season!

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Orlando

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Enjoy Central Florida Ballet's classic Nutcracker production for a fun family event. Photo courtesy of the ballet

The Nutcracker ballet is the quintessential holiday event for families, and luckily, Orlando has several productions to choose from. Families may prefer to attend the classic version of The Nutcracker, performed by professionally trained dancers from Orlando Ballet and Central Florida Ballet, or something a bit more modern, like this pyrotechnic version! 

Besides The Nutcracker, there are many holiday shows for every age group and interest. As theaters and venues open doors for holiday shows and events, lucky Orlando residents and tourists have their pick in choosing some of the best holiday shows around!

Best Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco (That Kids Love!)

Submitted by Brittney Perry on

Cheers to Thanksgiving cooking being done by someone else! Photo courtesy of City Experiences

Thanksgiving in San Francisco means you can enjoy the holiday without having to do any cooking. With one of the best food scenes in the country and Michelin-star restaurants galore throughout the Bay Area, having someone else cook for you on Thanksgiving in San Francisco might be a stress-free option. 

With no side dishes to make and no dishes to clean, there are fantastic kid-friendly restaurant options that are open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco. You'll still be able to enjoy traditional turkey feasts in cozy settings but without any preparations. The one thing you will need to do is act quickly and book a reservation, as places fill up fast. Keep reading below for a delectable list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco with outdoor dining, prix fixe menus, kids's menus, and more. 

Gobble up kid-friendly Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities, and start planning Christmas and Hanukkah festivities with Polar Express trains near San Francisco. Check out all the festive fun in San Francisco in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids. 

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Los Angeles

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Los Angeles Ballet's gorgeous Nutcracker production soars. Photo by Reed Hutchinson

Seeing a Nutcracker Ballet is a Christmas tradition for so many families. In a city like Los Angeles, there are over twenty Nutcracker shows for your pick of performance from Hollywood to Long Beach and so many places in between. 

To answer two of the most common questions posed by parents in search of a Nutcracker ballet in Los Angeles: Yes, there is a condensed version specifically for kids offered by the Festival Ballet Theatre down in Costa Mesa. And yes, there are local performances with full orchestra—​the Long Beach Terrace Theater is one of the best. There's even a fantastic and very LA production by Bob Baker's Marionettes, which is light on the dancing and heavy on the post-show ice cream, for little kids looking for a fun introduction to the classic Nutcracker Ballet. 

When you've had your fill of the Mouse King, let us direct you to some nifty Polar Express and Christmas train rides, neighborhood Christmas lights displays, and more in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families. 

The Nutcracker and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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An abbreviated production of "The Nutcracker" geared toward young audiences is an annual staple at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Photo courtesy of the venue

Tchaikovsky’s timeless Nutcracker ballet is a beloved family holiday tradition, and multiple Westchester and Hudson Valley venues present stunning performances of this classic.

Performances of The Nutcracker this year include Dance For Joy's Nutcracker for Kids, a condensed, narrated version of the classic ballet geared toward the younger set, and a narrative performance of the full ballet at the Nutcracker by Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble, with special effects including a tree that grows and snow that falls. 

Other holiday shows on our list include the Interactive Elf Movie Screening at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where kids can also have a snowball fight and are served free hot chocolate. 

We have so many ways to lift your family's spirits as the year draws to a close: From must-do holiday attractions to craft fairs and more, our Holiday Fun Guide includes festive destinations and at-home activities.

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