Looking for family-friendly Christmas and holiday activities near you? Heading out on holiday to an exciting new destination? You’ve come to the right place. We cover the best holiday activities for your kids every year, with updated guides, tips, and recommendations on the fun near you, or near where you are traveling to this winter holiday. Let’s explore local holiday activities across North America and the world.
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WEST COAST Southern California & the Southwest | Northern California | Pacific Northwest
EAST COAST the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic | The South
MIDDLE AMERICA Mountain States | Midwest & Texas
UNIQUE DESTINATIONS: Island & Tropical Christmas Locales | Theme Parks at Christmas | International Getaways
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West Coast
Southern California & Southwest
From ice skating on the beach in San Diego, watching holiday boat parades in Los Angeles, to taking in the magic & “snow” at Disneyland, Southern California may lack cold weather, but they make up for it in wonder, awe, and holiday cheer.
Explore Southern California Christmas and Holiday Activities | San Diego Holiday | Palm Springs Holiday | Disneyland | Theme Parks | Christmas at Universal Studios (Hogwarts!) | Where to Enjoy Holiday Lights in Los Angeles | Christmas Activities in and around Los Angeles |
Christmas Tree Lots & Farms in SoCal | Christmas Tree Farms in Los Angeles | Choose & Cut Christmas Trees in San Diego |
Hop over to Arizona & New Mexico for more great holiday destinations. Christmas & Holidays in Tucson | Phoenix | Albuquerque | Holiday Events in Flagstaff, AZ |
Photos by: Shutterstock/Ritu Manoj Jethani; Shutterstock/egd; Shutterstock/iofoto
Photos by: Disneyland Resort; Shutterstock/Bill Florence; Flickr/mnchilemom
Photo by: Bigstock/bondzsa
Northern California
In Northern California, families can cut down fresh Christmas trees at numerous farms, ride with Santa on a train, frolic through white capped mountains full of playful powder, or stay urban in San Francisco and Sacramento’s urban core full of activities.
Explore Northern California Holiday Activities | San Francisco Holiday | San Jose’s Holiday | Santa Rosa Holidays | Holiday events in the Silicon Valley & San Jose | Holiday Ice Rinks in San Francisco | Where to See Holiday Lights in San Francisco |
Photos by: Shutterstock/Andrew Zarivny; Shutterstock/Jeffrey B. Banke; Shutterstock/Victor Maschek.
Photos by: Shutterstock/St. Nick; Shutterstock/Pavel L Photo and Video; Shutterstock/gorillaimages
Pacific Northwest
The rain may not have stopped, but the Pacific Northwest just got a whole lot merrier! Check out great family-friendly Christmas & holiday events.
Explore Seattle’s Holiday Activities | Enjoy Portland’s Best Light Displays | Best Family Friendly Holiday Fun in Vancouver | Five Great Holiday Events in Portland | Where to see Christmas Lights in and around Seattle |
Photo by: Shutterstock/davegkugler; Shutterstock/Victoria Ditkovsky; Shutterstock/Jennifer Zhou
East Coast
The Northeast & Mid Atlantic
Christmas in the Northeast conjures up traditional images of twinkling tree lights white with snow, door to door caroling, and wintry streets primed with shoppers looking for the perfect gift. Find your favorite holiday activities in these fabulous locales.
Explore New Jersey Holiday Activities | Philadelphia | Christmas in Pittsburgh | Explore Boston’s Holiday Activities| Fun Family Christmas Activities in and around Boston | Washington, D.C.’s Holiday Activities | Enjoy Colonial Williamsburg for Christmas |Explore New York City’s Holiday Activities | Head to Toronto for the Holidays | Winter Holidays in Montreal | Ice Skating in NYC | Where to see Christmas Lights in New Jersey | Where to See Christmas Lights in Philadelphia | Where to See Christmas Lights in New England | Fun Holiday Activities in Connecticut | New England’s Most Festive Towns for Christmas | Family Holiday Fun in New Jersey |
Christmas Tree Farms! Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut | Cut your own Christmas Tree in Delaware |
Photos by: Bigstock/ryelo357; Bigstock/demerzel21; Bigstock/artphaneuf; Bigstock/sorsillo; Bigstock/Orhan; Bigstock/Backyardproductions; Bigstock/sbonk; Bigstock/threerivers11; Bigstock/Paul Brady
The South
Take full advantage of southern charm and hospitality during the Christmas and holiday season in these great places.
Explore Tennessee’s Holiday Activities |12 Days of Christmas in Atlanta | Explore Holidays in Tampa Bay | Southern Florida Holidays | Enjoy Christmas and Holidays in Orlando | Holidays & Christmas in Pensacola Beach | Family Fun at Christmas in Tennessee | Christmas & Holiday Events in St. Augustine Florida | Christmas Fun in South Carolina | Holiday Fun in Atlanta | Christmas & Holiday Events at SeaWorld Orlando | Holiday Events in and around Tampa |
Christmas Tree Farms in Florida |
Photos by: Bigstock/artconcept; Bigstock/songquan deng; Bigstock/forestpath; Bigstock/grin@me; Bigstock/Blulz60; Bigstock/cmplaya
Middle America
Mountain
The stunning snow-capped mountains are the backdrop for family fun featuring visits with Santa, incredibly detailed light displays, community outreach, and fantastic holiday music in Utah, Colorado, and even West in Carson City.
Explore Denver Holiday Activities | Salt Lake City | Carson City | Places to Ice Skate in Utah | Best Holiday Light Displays in Utah | Fun Holiday Events in SLC |
Photos by Bigstock/rbleckicki; Bigstock/GOL; Bigstock/photographhunter
Nationwide Holiday Tips & Tricks
Midwest & Texas
From visiting with Santa at the top of the world to down home traditions and fantastic light displays, Chicago and the Midwest offer plenty for celebrating the season. Don’t miss the Texas-sized holiday fun down south.
Explore Chicago’s Holiday Activities | Check out Christmas activities in Milwaukee | Explore Christmas in Columbus | Twin Cities Holidays | Texas’ Holiday Resort Activities | Enjoy Holiday fun in Houston | Where to see Christmas Lights in San Antonio, Texas | Where to See Christmas Lights in Kansas City | Where to See Christmas Lights in Columbus | Holiday & Christmas Fun in Grapevine Texas | Christmas Activities for Families in Dallas Fort Worth | Christmas & Holidays at Texas State Parks | Celebrating the Holidays in Austin, Texas | Christmas & Winter Holidays in San Antonio |
Photos by: Bigstock/amadeustx; Barton Creek Resort & Spa; Bigstock/Yaro
Photos by: Bigstock/benkrut (2); Bigstock/jrferrermn
Island & Tropical Christmas Vacations
Feeling the tropical lure for the holidays? Check out Christmas on Hawaii | Christmas in Cancun!
Photos by: Bigstock/Ellensmile; Bigstock/holbox
Nationwide & International Destinations
Theme Parks
Theme parks throughout the country are joining in the on the holiday themed fun. Disney Parks are famous for their quality holiday offerings. My can’t miss recommendation- watch the fireworks & light show at Sleeping Beauty’s castle before enjoying the snow!
Explore Disney Park’s Holiday Activities | Explore Nationwide Theme Park Holiday Activities | Visit with Shrek for the Holidays
Photos by: Disneyland Resort; Shutterstock/Supanee Hickman; Bigstock/ninescene
International Destinations
Get away for the holidays to explore these great international destinations during the Christmas and Winter holiday break.
Explore London for Christmas | Christmas in Cancun!
Photos by: Bigstock/IRstone; Bigstock/holbox
