December Holiday Events

By KENNAE HUNTER

12/9 – Lucketts Holiday Open House December 9th-12th

The perfect place for holiday shopping! The Old Lucketts Store located at 42350 Lucketts Road, Leesburg, V.A. 20176. Enjoy looking for the perfect gift, viewing holiday murals, indulge in theVanish wine garden and more. There is no fee to enter the store, but a $20 ticket will admit one entrance to the Design House from the 19th century that is decorated as a winter wonderland.

12/10 – The 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl(Orlando)

Want to party and give back at the same time? This pub crawl will take place from 8:00p.m. until 1:00a.m. at Hooch located on Wall Street in Orlando, Fla. 32801. This is a free event that attendees must register for. Hosts ask that you bring a toy valued at $20 to benefit the HOPE Foundation. The ticket includes admission to the participating venues, 4 complimentary drinks and discounted snacks

12/11 – Ugly Sweater Day Party

What a perfect time to rock that not so cute sweater! The Ugly Sweater Day Party will take place from 12:00p.m. until 5:00p.m. at Tunnel, Tree House & Moe’s Cantina located at 151 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, Ill. 60654. Tickets range from $10-$20 and include complimentary brunch buffet, gift cards to use at the party, drink specials, Santa hat, and giveaways. All guests must be 21 and over.

12/11-Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show

Put your creativity skills to the test at this event which will take place from 11:00a.m. until 4:00p.m. at John Carlyle Square located at 300 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314. This event will have arts and crafts ranging from jewelry to baked goods and body/hair care products. There will also be vendors present. Masks are required throughout the event.

12/12 – Daytona Beach Holiday Expo

The Daytona Beach Expo will take place from 11:00a.m. until 4:00p.m. at Ocean Center located at 101 N. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Fl., 32118. There will be local business vendors present with an opportunity to take free pictures with Santa, face painting and make Christmas cards and letters to Santa stations. There will also be karaoke and stage performances. This is a free event.

12/13 – Holiday Food Festival Drive-Thru

If holiday treats are your favorite, this food festival will be perfect! At Greenville North Carolina Convention Center located at 303 Greenville Boulevard Southwest, Greenville, N.C. 27834 from noon until 8:00 p.m. there will be multiple food trucks for guests to try filled with different foods expected around the holidays. Santa Claus and the Grinch are expected to be in attendance for photo opportunities. Guests are asked to be prepared to use cash only.

12/14-‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: American Christmas Traditions

Rather stay home? This storytelling will be hosted via Zoom by Blue Island Public Library located in Blue Island, Ill. from 8:00p.m. to 9:00pm. The story of The Night Before Christmas will be told by educational entertainer, Martina Mathisen along with other American Christmas Traditions. This is a free event which requires registration to receive the Zoom link.

12/15 Hiking with friends: Ugly Christmas Sweater Night Hike

Take a hike for the holidays from 7:00p.m. until 10:00p.m. at Griffith Park Pony Rides located at 4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90027. The hike length is an estimated three to four miles roundtrip lasting about three hours. These trails are dog friendly. It is required that all hikers bring a significant amount of water and will be turned away if they do not do so.

12/16 – Adults Night Out: Holidaze

Leave the kids at home for this adult night out and enjoy from 6:30p.m. until 10:00p.m. at Lincoln Park Zoo 2200 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, Il. 60614. Guests can enjoy animal chats, educational entertainment, a live DJ and multiple bars throughout the zoo at this after-hours event. This is not an event for kids. Tickets range from $20-$25. All proceeds will help Lincoln Park Zoo remain free throughout the year.

12/17 – Hot Chocolate Holiday Special

This event will take place from 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at Houston Museum of African American Culture located at 4807 Caroline Street Houston, Texas 77004. Tickets range from $10-$35. Guests will enjoy a Christmas market, meet and greet with Santa and a show.

12/18 – Night of a Million Lights

The Night of a Million Lights will take place from 5:00p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Give Kids The World Village, 210 South Bass Road, Kissimmee, Fla. 34746. Visitors can watch a dancing lights show in a fairytale neighborhood, stroll millions of lights with a sparkling tree trail, enjoy festive music and holiday treats, and take a tram ride through the storybook Village. Tickets range from $18-$85.

12/18 – Charlotte Princess Holiday Ball

Put on your best dressed for the Charlotte princess holiday ball which will take place from 10:00a.m. until 4:30p.m. at Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ayrsley located at 1917 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C. 28273. The princesses will tell stories, sing songs, dance, and more. The event will feature 10 plus princesses with a special guest, Santa Claus. Tickets range from $20-$35 including professional portraits with Santa and a take home gift.

12/19 – Christmas at Allaire

This event will take place from 12:00p.m. until 4:00p.m. at The Historic Village at Allaire located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, N.J. 07727. Visitors can watch the craftspeople cook and carve for the holidays, holiday games for all ages, live Christmas caroling, a general store to shop, and vintage model trains with other surprises. Tickets range from $8-$10.

12/20 – Christmas on the Pecos

Would you love a winter boat ride? Christmas on the Pecos will take place all day with evening boat rides beginning at 6:00p.m. It is located at Pecos River Village, 711 Muscatel Avenue, Carlsbad, N.M. 88220. Guests will be able to shop, meet Santa, drink cocoa, and enjoy holiday movies. There will be food and a holiday concert. The boat rides will occur until Dec. 31. Tickets range from $10-$18.

12/21 – The South Forsyth Christmas Festival

This South Forsyth Christmas Festival will take place from 7:00p.m until 9:00p.m at Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth located at 355 Windy Hill Drive, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004. Guests will have the chance to enjoy Christmas stories, free family photos, live music, festivities, hot cocoa and a holiday train for kids. This is a free event.

12/22 – Holiday Party for Teens

Teens want to have fun too! At Napa County Library located at 580 Coombs Street, Napa, Calif. 94559 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. teenagers aged 11-18 can enjoy fun tailored just for them. There will be crafting activities, snacks, and holiday movies all provided. This is a free event. For any questions, guests can reach out to the library by calling 707-253-4235.

12/23 – Holiday Lights on Horseback

Take a trail ride through a farm to see a ton of lights horseback at this event perfect for the family. Kids must be 10 and up to ride horses. This will take place at Foxfire Farm located at

15512 Baden Naylor Road, Brandywine, Md. 20613. Tickets begin at $60. To register for a timeslot go to bit.ly/FFFbooking. There will be a hot cocoa bar along with a bonfire.

12/24 – The Garrons Christmas Ball

This two part event lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. The ball will take place from 6:00p.m. until 10:00p.m. at Winona Community Center located at 623 Powell Street, Winona, Miss. 38967. The attire for this event is ballroom, but bring Christmas Pajamas for part two of the event. There will also be an opportunity for family photos.

12/25 – 13 Ghosts of Savannah Christmas Tour

I hope you didn’t think ghost stories were over! Prepare for a scare from 7:00p.m. until 9:00pm at Monterey Square located at 429 Monterey Square, Savannah, Ga. 31401. Guests have the opportunity to walk through the streets of Savannah and enjoy the famous Christmas stories. There will be holiday refreshments before the tour begins. This event will be available on other days throughout the month. Tickets range from $12-$25.

12/25 – Christmas Day Yoga at Black Swan Yoga

Take some time to meditate for Christmas from 9:00a.m. until 10:00a.m. at Black Swan Yoga Denver Capitol Hill located at1308 Pearl Street, Denver, Colo. 80203. Kiana Ochoa will be hosting this yoga session. Guests are asked to make a donation of any amount to receive their ticket.

12/26- Kwanzaa Art Sale

Enjoy some Kwanzaa themed artwork from 3:00p.m. until 5:00p.m. at 2500 26th Avenue North Birmingham, Ala. 35234. This exhibit will feature artwork from local artists in the city of Birmingham. There will be refreshments and music. Tickets are $10. Children 13 and under are free.

12/27- Black Butte Ranch Carriage Rides

Carriage rides begin at 11:00a.m. and are 30 minutes each. There are 10 available seats per ride. They are $12 per person or $120 for a private ride. Children under age five that can sit in a parent’s lap are free. This event will take place until Dec. 31 at Lakeside Bistro & Activity Center located at 12934 Hawks Beard Sisters, Ore. 97759.

12/30 – Parkchester’s Annual Celebration of Kwanzaa

Parkchester’s annual celebration of Kwanzaa will take place from 4:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at St. Helena Church located at 1315 Olmstead Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10462. This annual program will celebrate the fifth principle of Kwanzaa, “Nia’, meaning purpose in honor of committing to the defense of the community. Hosts ask for a donation of any amount to receive a ticket.