5 Best Cities to Celebrate Holiday Fun 2023
Need inspiration for what to do with family + friends this holiday season?
We chose some of our favorite destinations across the US for spirited fun. Learn all about the festive goings-on in:
Atlanta, GA
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Lights! Music! And sooo many beautiful plants! The 30-acre facility is sure to delight you in their 8th year of this immersive holiday experience. Millions of lights line these natural wonders to highlight the beauty + grace of nature. Ticket prices are wide-ranging, depending on whether the visitor comes early in the week or on weekends during peak times. For more information or to purchase tickets, head to their website!
Address: 1345 Piedmont Avenue Atlanta, GA 30309
Dates: November 18, 2023-January 14, 2024, 5 PM-11 PM
Smith Farm at Atlanta History Center
Step into the holiday enchantment at Smith Farms. Housed in Atlanta History Center, this season you can witness the art of candying fruits during their Holiday Demos. Don't miss the chance to craft your own unique ornament, adding a personal touch to your festive decorations. Bring family and friends to share in this memorable holiday experience that combines tradition, creativity, and the joy of the season.
Address: 130 W Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, GA 30305
Dates: December 22, December 23, December 27, December 29, + December 30, 2023
Skate the Sky at Ponce City Market
Climb to the roof terrace of the famous Ponce City Market for ice skating. Ten stories above Ponce de Leon Avenue + overlooking the Atlanta BeltLine and Old Fourth Ward, the Rooftop Terrace features a 3,500 sq. ft. ice skating rink!
Address: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30308
Dates: Friday, November 24, 2023-December 31, 2023, 3 PM-11 PM
Christkindl Market
Experience the city’s largest German Christmas Market. Enjoy German foods, beverages, + handcrafted products for an authentic European holiday tradition. This enchanting market is suitable for adults + children alike, guaranteed to spread Christmas cheer.
Address: 245 18th Street Atlanta, GA 30363
Dates: November 24–December 24, 2023. Friday–Sunday 11 AM-9 PM, Monday–Thursday 3 PM-8 PM
Chicago, IL
Millennium Park Ice Skating
Experience a classic tradition with a unique view of the downtown skyline! There are two options for skating in the park, the traditional rink, or the Skating Ribbon - a winding path that allows visitors to lap a path longer than a traditional rink! Both ice skating options have free admission + are open to the public for skating. Skate rental available!
Address: E Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601
Dates: Open Daily, 8 AM-9 PM
ZooLights
Explore the famous Lincoln Park Zoo to witness twinkling lights, ice sculptures, + cold weather animals! Listen to Christmas carolers while enjoying a hot beverage at this beloved zoo.
Address: 2001 N Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614
Dates: November 17, 2023–January 7, 2024
Christkindlmarket
Inspired by the seasonal tradition in Nuremburg, Germany, this open-air market is the best way to experience the holidays! Enjoy handcrafted German items, hot spiced wine, food, + much more!
Address: 50 W Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602
Dates: November 17–December 24, 2023, Sunday-Thursday: 11 AM–8 PM, Friday-Saturday: 11 AM–9 PM
Denver, CO
Blossoms of Light
This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the Denver Botanical Gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. A do-not-miss holiday wonder with an interactive Lumenscape, a field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights. Tickets available online and in person.
Address: 1007 York Street Denver, CO 80206
Dates: November 17–January 7, 2023, 4:30 PM-9 PM
Zoo Lights
Guests of this popular holiday tradition will experience a light safari with 60 brilliantly-illuminated acres of lights, featuring more than 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they're least expected.
Address: 2300 Steele Street Denver, CO 80205
Dates: December 2, 2023–January 7, 2024
Sunday-Thursday: First ticket entry at 5 PM; last ticket entry at 7:30 PM; Ground close at 9 PM
Friday-Saturday: First ticket entry at 5 PM; last ticket entry at 8:30 PM; Ground close at 10 PM
New Orleans, LA
Celebration in the Oaks
City Park’s famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and breathtaking light displays are scattered throughout 25 acres of the Park. Tickets available online or in person.
Address: 5 Victory Ave New Orleans, LA 70124
Dates: November 23-December 30, 2023
Holiday Tea at Windsor Court Hotel
Windsor Court’s lavish high tea gets decked out for the holidays each year, with tiny sandwiches, scones, desserts, tea, + cocktails. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (504) 596-4773.
Address: 300 Gravier Street New Orleans, LA 70130
Dates: November 24-December 31, 2023
Nola Christmasfest
NOLA ChristmasFest is home to New Orleans’ only Indoor Ice Skating Rink! Practice your skating skills on this wonderful wintery 52 x 140 ft. rink of real ice. Skates will be available on site as well. Check out their website for all of the planned special events.
Address: 900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130
Dates: December 21-December 30, 2023
Philadelphia, PA
Macy’s at Center City
You might be thinking, really? A department store? But we say absolutely yes! The Christmas Light Show + Wanamaker Organ Concert at Macy’s has been a Philadelphia classic since 1956. Come to the famous Center City store — housed in the historic Wanamaker Building — to watch more than 100,000 bright, energy-efficient LED lights combine to create fantastic holiday images! After catching the show, head to the 3rd floor for the Dickens Christmas Village!
Address: 1300 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
Dates: November 24-December 31, 2023
Winter at Dilworth Park
Take in sweeping views of historic City Hall while ice skating, sipping hot chocolate, + experiencing a light show projected onto the building. In addition, enjoy the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market featuring local artists, designers, + crafters on the South end of the park!
Address: 1 S 15th Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
Dates: November 10, 2023-February 25, 2024
Winter at Franklin Square
A staple holiday event in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Enjoy thousands of twinkling lights that make up the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show inspired by the imagination of Benjamin Franklin!
Address: 6th + Race Streets Philadelphia, PA 19103
Dates: November 16, 2023-February 25, 2024
Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
Las Noches de Las Luminarias
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix lines the paths of its extraordinary desert garden with thousands of luminarias combining the evening desert glow with live entertainment, + local foods, + wine! Each night, more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags will be featured, along with thousands of white twinkle lights and the pulse of Electric Desert. At almost every turn, be greeted by the sights and sounds of entertainment ensembles and engaging experiences.
Address: 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Dates: December 8-9, December 15-16, December 19-23, December 26-30, 2023
Christmas At The Princess
Witness the resort transform into an enchanting winter wonderland during this annual festival. Visits with Santa, lights shows, + a 6,000 sq. ft. ice rink are all surrounded by the beauty of the Scottsdale desert and starry night sky!
Address: 7575 East Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Dates: November 17, 2023-January 6, 2024
Glistening Gardens
Guests enjoy 7-foot living angels with expansive wings that add an ethereal aura to the Conservatory, while performers such as Butterfly Fairy Leslie Campa, Native American flutist Aaron White, and Classical violinist Jonathan Levingston fill the air with the serene sounds of the season. Regular admission applies.
Address: 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Dates: November 25-December 31, 2023
Pick up a Destination Guide to make all your holiday explorations stress-free and unforgettable. Choose from 75+ destinations across the US. They make great presents for the travel bugs in your life, as well!
Book your winter travel with Pack Up + Go to ensure your getaways are curated