America's Great Plains region, also known as the American Desert, is certainly the unsung hero of the U.S. landscape. Without mountains, rivers, or seemingly much of anything, this portion of the country often gets overlooked. And yet, there's an undeniable beauty in this region of the U.S. Take a look at the following 11 stunning photos that showcase America's Great Planes like never before:
The holidays are a magical time filled with twinkling lights, heartwarming traditions, and the joy of gathering with loved ones. These enchanting events across America capture the spirit of the season, offering festive experiences for everyone to enjoy. Soak up the holiday cheer and create memories that will last a lifetime at these bucket-list-worthy holiday events.
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Christmas Events
'Tis the season to be jolly! And what better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in the magic of Christmas at these incredible events? From dazzling light displays and charming markets to unique Nordic celebrations and Victorian-era fun, there's something special for you this Christmas.
1. Julefest: A Nordic Holiday Celebration - Seattle, WA
Location: National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107
Dates: November 22-24, 2024
Kick off the holiday season with a taste of Scandinavia at Julefest in Seattle. This festive celebration at the National Nordic Museum brings the warmth and joy of Nordic holiday traditions to the Pacific Northwest in November. Explore a Nordic holiday village of handcrafted gifts, traditional foods, and cozy Scandinavian apparel. Enjoy live music, delicious treats, and the lively atmosphere of this beloved Seattle tradition.
Experience the excitement of winter at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, a delightful, authentic German Christmas market right in Indiana. Wander through more than 60 cozy wooden stalls filled with handmade gifts, beautiful German ornaments, and delicious treats like gingerbread and warm mulled wine. Be sure to check out the impressive Glühwein Pyramid, which sparkles with over 3,000 lights! You can skate on the ice rink, listen to live music and find crafts in the children's area. Join in the festive fun and make wonderful memories at this charming holiday market.
Location: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Dates: November 22, 2024-January 4, 2025
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Get ready to be dazzled! Christmas at the Princess is a holiday extravaganza at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. It's open to the public as a ticketed event, so you don't have to be a guest to jingle all the way to some holiday fun. With millions of twinkling lights, festive activities, and enchanting decorations, it's a Christmas dream come true. Glide across the ice rink, ride the Christmas train, and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. Don't forget to snap a photo with Santa and explore the magical Christmas Village.
Imagine you've traveled back in time to Victorian London at this fun holiday street festival. Each year, Dickens on The Strand transforms Galveston into a scene straight out of a Charles Dickens novel, with costumed carolers, musicians, and street performers bringing the era to life. Don your favorite Victorian attire and join the festivities the first weekend of December. Walk down the busy streets filled with vendors selling unique gifts, tasty treats, and Victorian-inspired crafts. Don't miss the chance to witness the parades and maybe even encounter Queen Victoria herself!
Experience the best of the season in this charming town that transforms into a dazzling wonderland. McAdenville, located just west of Charlotte, becomes Christmas Town USA, where over half a million shimmering lights adorn every home and business. This mesmerizing display creates a breathtaking panorama that attracts visitors from across the country. Take a stroll or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the radiant streets, and be sure to experience the tree lighting ceremony and Yule Log Parade for a truly immersive holiday adventure.
Hanukkah Events
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration filled with light, community, and tradition. New York City takes the celebration to new heights with not one, but two massive menorahs competing for the title of "World's Largest"! But only one can claim the official Guinness World Record…
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6. Menorah Lighting in Grand Army Plaza, Midtown Manhattan, NY
Behold the reigning champion! Head to Midtown Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park to witness the lighting of the world's largest Hanukkah menorah (officially recognized by Guinness World Records). This 36-foot-tall behemoth illuminates the plaza each night of Hanukkah. Enjoy live music and dancing as this magnificent menorah is lit, celebrating the Festival of Lights in grand style.
Menorah Lighting in Grand Army Plaza - Brooklyn, NY
Not to be outdone, Brooklyn proudly presents its own contender—the largest menorah in the borough! This massive steel structure lights up Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn every night of Hanukkah. Join the celebration at this historic landmark and experience the magic of the holiday with live music, hot latkes, and gifts for children.
Kwanzaa Events
If you're looking for a vibrant Kwanzaa celebration, the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival is a must-visit event with cultural performances, workshops, and activities for all ages.
7. Capital City Kwanzaa Festival - Washington, D.C.
Location: Typically held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N 3rd St, Richmond, VA 23219, but check the website of Elegba Folklore Society for updates.
Date: TBA
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The Capital City Kwanzaa Festival in Washington, D.C., offers a vibrant celebration of the Kwanzaa holiday with performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities. You can explore The African Market, snack on some delicious food, and experience a cultural ceremony highlighting community values and growth. Hosted by the Elegba Folklore Society, this annual event is one of the largest Kwanzaa celebrations on the East Coast and provides a meaningful way to honor the season.
Winter Events
Winter adventures await—check out ways to experience the season's beauty and create new traditions, whether you're seeking pre-holiday fun or post-holiday escapes.
Enjoy a beautiful winter evening at the Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis, and all for a great cause. This unique event takes place by Lake of the Isles, where you can stroll along a path illuminated by over 1,200 glowing lanterns. Take in the sights with a walk, sip hot cocoa, and treat yourself to s'mores to stay warm. Afterward, join in the fun with food trucks, music, and more. Plus, this event supports the Loppet Foundation, which offers outdoor activities for the community throughout the year.
Location: 24 Clark Farm Road, North Woodstock, NH 03262
Dates: TBA, returning winter 2025. For updates, check the website of Ice Castles.
Step into an otherworldly realm made entirely of ice. At Ice Castles in New Hampshire, you can traverse towering archways, slide down icy tunnels, and discover hidden caverns within these epic frozen structures. This frozen glacial kingdom features ice slides, crawl tunnels, a Mystic Forest Light Walk, and even a Polar Pub carved entirely from ice. It's a unique experience that will delight visitors of all ages.
Take part in a one-of-a-kind winter tradition in Aspen, Colorado, at the annual Wintersköl celebration. Started back in 1951, this multi-day festival was created by locals to celebrate Aspen's mountain lifestyle. Today, it's still going strong with exciting activities like skiing and snowboarding events, impressive snow sculptures, a tasty soup contest, a craft beer festival, and a torchlight parade down Aspen Mountain, followed by a fireworks show. It's a fantastic way to have fun in the snow and enjoy the beautiful mountain setting.
New Year's Events
Whether you're seeking a big city bash or a cozy mountain celebration, these New Year's Eve events are the perfect way to welcome a new year.
11. New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop - New York, NY
Ring in the New Year with over a million people at the iconic Times Square Ball Drop. This world-famous celebration features a dazzling ball descending 141 feet in 60 seconds, marking the start of a new year. But the excitement begins long before midnight, with live music and entertainment leading up to the main event. This New Year's Eve tradition, a true bucket-list experience, dates back to 1907 and is a once-in-a-lifetime way to welcome a new year.
12. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade - San Francisco, CA
Location: Starts on Market Street and ends in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA
Date: February 15, 2025
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Celebrate the electrifying energy of the Chinese New Year at the oldest and largest Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia. This San Francisco tradition, dating back to the 1850s, features dazzling floats, lion dancers, marching bands, Chinese acrobats, and the star of the show—the enormous Golden Dragon. With over 600,000 firecrackers exploding throughout the parade, it's an unforgettable spectacle of sights and sounds.
13. New Year's Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop - Gatlinburg, TN
Head to the Great Smoky Mountains for a special New Year's Eve celebration. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve events in the country, featuring a ball drop from the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle and a spectacular fireworks show. This free, family-friendly event has been a tradition since 1987, and it's a fantastic way to ring in the new year with a bang.
Get ready to be swept away by the magic of the holiday season! These bucket-list-worthy events promise merrymaking experiences, joyous celebrations, and memories that will last long after the holidays have ended. So, start planning your winter adventures and prepare to be enchanted by the spirit of the holidays.
Do you have a hidden gem of a holiday event that everyone should know about? Nominate your favorite festive celebrations and help others discover the magic of the season. And for even more winter adventures, check out the Greenbrier in West Virginia, it gets all decked out for Christmas each year.
Mark Your Calendars For The 127 Yard Sale August 1-4, 2024. It’s The World’s Longest Yard Sale And You Won’t Want To Miss It!
The 127 Yard Sale is the world's longest yard sale, spanning 690 miles across six states from Michigan to Alabama, offering a unique community and shopping experience.
Here in the good, old, US of A, we do everything to the fullest. We're naturally a little extra, and this drive and passion really is one of our best qualities! This attitude applies to everything, including our yard sales. In fact, the U.S. has the "world's longest yard sale" feather in its cap, and that's the 127 Yard Sale. This superlative secondhand sale spans six states, 690 miles, and four entire days. This epic event is really something you're going to have to prepare for, so download your route maps, break in your walking shoes, and practice your bargaining skills, because the 127 Yard Sale is Aug. 1-4, 2024 -- and you won't want to miss it!
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The 127 Yard Sale is the real deal. It's 690 miles of pure, bargain-hunting bliss that covers six states: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
You'll find sales in fields, pastures, side streets, Main Streets, empty lots, businesses, parks, town centers, fairgrounds, and, of course, in people's yards!
And one of the most wonderful things about our country, in fact, is its small towns. The people, the local history, the hometown pride -- this is America at its finest.
Participating in the world's largest yard sale isn't merely going shopping; it's engaging in a shared, collective experience. And that, in 2024, is truly something to celebrate.
Learn more about the 127 Yard Sale in this video interview with the Director of Media Relations, Josh Randall:
Phew. That's a lot of miles -- and a lot of bargains at the biggest yard sale we have seen! Have you shopped at the world's longest yard sale before? Do you plan on checking out this year's 127 Yard Sale Aug. 1-4, 2024? Learn more and plan your bargain-hunting adventure at the 127 Yard Sale website.
