Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is a Holiday Hit in Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge

Gatlinburg will be filled with holiday cheer on December 3rd when the 35th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade starts its journey through town. Kris Kringle, also known as Santa Claus, will be leading the parade as it makes its merry way through the streets. Over 100 other parade entries will be following Santa Clause including the Oscar-Myer Weinermobile, marching bands from all over, and larger-than-life helium balloons. After the grand procession of the parade, there will be an autography party at the Riverbend Mall. This is a holiday tradition for Gatlinburg that has only become more popular with time.

Stay warm and get more Christmas cheer during your stay by visiting the Dixie Stampede for their Christmas extravaganza. Their holiday dinner and show combination features a friendly competition between the North and South Pole, a visit from Santa, and many other exciting holiday activities. Between the delicious, home-style cooking and the great show, you’re going to be feeling warm and satisfied from the inside out!

Another Christmas show you won’t want to miss while you’re visiting is the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show. They are right in the middle of their holiday festivities and put on a classic, endearing Christmas show the whole family will love. Their Christmas story takes you from Santa’s Workshop, to New York City, and to a living Nativity scene. Great costumes, dazzling sets, and talented performers really make this show a special holiday event.

Myrtle Beach, SC Makes Others Green With Envy Over Their St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival

For a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day celebration, go to Myrtle Beach’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. The event is held on March 13th and is a St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza that is legendary. The parade in the morning includes fantastic floats, talented marching bands, community organizations, extraordinary street performers and more. In the afternoon, live entertainment will be on several stages and arts and craft vendors will be out selling their wares. With over 30,000 people attending each year, this is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the region. 

While you’re in Myrtle Beach for St. Patrick’s Day, you will want to see some of the incredible attractions unique to Myrtle Beach. Ripley’s Aquarium is a fantastic aquarium that you are literally surrounded by. A 750,000 gallon tank is home to 10 foot sharks, beautiful fish, and other sea inhabitants. Fish of every type imaginable have found a home at Ripley’s Aquarium and you can see them all while you’re in Myrtle Beach. 

After being surrounded by water at Ripley’s Aquarium, you may find yourself interested in getting wet. Myrtle Waves Waterpark offers you the opportunity to do just that. With 20 acres of wet rides, pools, and a LayZee river, you’re certain to have a splashing good time. If you’d love to visit a theme park but aren’t too interested in getting wet, the Pavilion Nostalgia Park is a great theme park in the area. The rides are classic rides from the past and there are treats for those who become hungry while at the park.

2 Parades and One Chicago, IL for an Action Packed St. Patrick’s Day

If you’re looking for excitement and true Irish celebration this St. Patrick’s Day, look no farther than Chicago, Illinois. Chicago has not one, but two incredible St. Patrick’s Day parades. Complete with the traditional bagpipes, kilts, and drinks, both the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day parade and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade are noteworthy events in Chicago. The Chicago River is even turned green for the celebration. Take part in the party of the year with the Chicago Irish community and those who celebrate with them. 

While you’re in Chicago taking in the Irish culture, don’t forget to visit some of the noteworthy museums and other attractions Chicago has to offer. Check out the CityPass for admission to three of the most remarkable museums in Chicago as well as the Shedd Aquarium and Alder Planetarium. The CityPass offers great value and even has VIP entry and fast pass privileges with two of the locations.

After a day full of learning and studying the exhibits, cut loose and see the nightlife of Chicago. Listen to the blues Chicago is so well-known for and see the clubs in the Chicago Club Crawl. With this pass there is no coverage charge, and you will be given a drink at each location.  Transportation is also included so you can relax and not worry about driving afterwards. Also check out the Chicago Night Life Pass which gives you access to several clubs and allows you to skip the long waiting lines.

Ring in the New Year All Over Again DC’s Chinese New Year Spectacular!

While Valentine’s Day may be the first celebration to come to mind when thinking of February 14, those that would prefer cultural exploration will find fifteen days of celebration throughout Washington DC under the banner of the Chinese New Year! On February 14, we will officially enter the Year of the Tiger and DC will kick off the occasion in lively form.

While the exact date has yet to be announced, the annual Chinese New Year Parade will undoubtedly be one of the top draws this year. The parade is set to be held in DC’s Chinatown along H Street between 6th and 8th Streets.

Other celebrations are set to include various events at the Lakeforest Mall on weekends throughout the 15-day celebration, as well as a coordinated effort from the Montgomery County Public Libraries to place focus on Chinese culture through hands-on activities, demonstrations and more!

Those interested in visiting Washington DC during the Chinese New Year can find a variety of lodging options throughout the DC area online.

34th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade

If you’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg for the first weekend in December, have we got a surprise for you! On Friday, December 4, the city of Gatlinburg will be hosting the 34th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. This is a free event that you don’t want to miss!

This year’s parade is even more special than years past because this year the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is celebrating the 75-year anniversary of the Smoky Mountain National Park. In recognition of this momentous anniversary, the park’s Superintendent Dale Ditmanson will hold the honor of Grand Marshal.

The parade will begin at the Traffic Light 1A at Highway 321 and wind it’s way through Gatlinburg to Traffic Light 10. For the convenience of visitors, the traffic lights have numbers hanging on them. The winding parade route will take about an one and a half hours to complete, so bundle up!

This year’s  Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will have entries ranging from marching bands to giant helium balloons to classic cars. The parade will be kicked off with period dancing routines and the Grand Marshal making his appearance in a classic automobile.

If you’re already planning on visiting the Gatlinburg area during the first weekend in December, you should try to include this event in your itinerary. It is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and it’s sure to entertain the whole family.

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Boston

There is no better place in America to spend St. Patrick’s Day than in Boston, with its large Irish-American community. The St Patrick’s Day Parade has been winding its way through South Boston for over 200 years now. Come see the massive parade and celebrate the Irish culture of the ‘South Side’ neighborhood. While in Boston for St. Patrick’s Day, make time to see some of the city’s unique attractions like the IMAX Theatre and the 5-Wits Tomb.

5-Wits Tomb
  
Test your craft and cunning with a team in the 5-Wits Tomb, as you participate in an immersive, interactive adventure to unearth hidden treasures. As you negotiate through your challenge, special effects such as thick fog, computer generated lightning, and stereo sound will enhance the experience. Success is not certain, and if your team fails you may incur the wrath of the pharaoh. This interactive adventure is sure to thrill you at every suspenseful turn!

Simons IMAX Theatre Admission
 
Enjoy a sight and sound explosion at the colossal six-story Simons IMAX Theatre. Here you may descend deep into the ocean on the ‘Aliens of the Deep 3D’ adventure or come face to face with a giant shark in ‘Sharks 3D’. The IMAX will put you up close to some of the most interesting animals in nature for a truly riveting encounter!