Southern destinations celebrate the holidays in a big way.
Don’t let the lack of snow fool you. The South takes a back seat to no one when it comes to celebrating the so-called “cold months” holidays. Although TV and the movies always portray Christmas as a snow-filled holiday complete with sleigh rides, snowmen and snowball fights, the South offers its own special brand of celebration.
Take a trip down south this winter for a whimsical holiday experience at The Charleston Place, South Carolina, the landmark luxury hotel in Charleston’s historic district featuring 433 guest rooms and suites, five food and beverage experiences and a world-class spa. With daily non-stop flights to Charleston from around the US and enjoyable weather hovering around 60 degrees, it's the perfect holiday getaway for couples, families and solo travelers alike. This winter, The Charleston Place is offering two special packages, Holidays in the Holy City and There's Snow Place Like Home, both created to spark holiday spirit with nightly snowfalls, carolers, signature stockings upon arrival and a Coco Cart and appearances by the big guy himself. Also included are hot chocolate and house-made cookies, a decorated suite with in-room Christmas Tree or Menorah and an exclusive view of the snowy Courtyard from your suite accommodations.
The World Equestrian Center goes all out for the holidays.
The Winter Wonderland Spectacular at the World Equestrian Center, Ocala, Florida, features over one million twinkling lights along with a 40-foot Christmas tree and larger-than-life ornaments all around the Grand Plaza. Glide on the skating rink or watch a holiday movie outside in the Grand Plaza while cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa and a hot-crossed bun from one of the festive pop-up food stations. Look for the giant gingerbread replica of the World Equestrian Center, created by Executive Pastry Chef Yohann Le Bescond and his team at Emma’s Patisserie. Santa stops by for breakfast at Stirrups with his reindeer who fly in for the special occasion.
The Holiday Trolley cruises along Main Street.
Each holiday season downtown Greenville, South Carolina transforms into a Hallmark movie, as the tree-lined sidewalks twinkle with lights and Santa’s motorized sleigh. The new Greenville Gingerbread House Display will feature more than two dozen professional creations from celebrated local chefs and restaurants. Glide around Ice on Main and kick off the start of the holiday season at the Poinsettia Christmas Parade with dozens of holiday floats and activities.
The Gingerbread House Competition is the nation’s largest.
The Omni Grove Park Inn, a charming resort set in the Blue Ridge Mountains just minutes from downtown Asheville, N.C., is celebrating The 30th National Gingerbread House Competition this year, which is the nation’s largest and hosted at the resort annually. The official Gingerbread Display at the hotel begins on Nov. 28, 2022 and will continue through Jan. 2, 2023.
The holiday Light show features more than 500,000 twinkling lights.
The annual Holiday Light Show Extravaganza in Macon, Georgia, starts Saturday after Thanksgiving featuring more than 500,000 twinkling lights sparkle across the treetops of downtown, dancing nightly in time to music by the local Macon Pops Symphony. Come any evening to enjoy holiday festivities such as carriage rides down 3rd Street, photos with Santa, hot chocolate stations and more.
Celebrate the holidays “Dolly style.”
It may cost a lot to look this cheap, but the Happy Dolly-days suite at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, S.C. is inspired by America's suite-heart and her love for the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season. The special package will provide friends and families a glam holiday retreat at “bargain store” prices. Decked in rhinestones, pink Christmas trees and wreaths, festive lights and Dolly artwork, each suite features take home goodies including a Dolly Parton themed tote, Dolly's famous sugar cookie recipe, chocolate covered cherries, drink tickets for Dolly Parton cocktails and mocktails, and more. Suites are available from Nov. 25, 2022, until Dolly’s birthday on Jan. 19, 2023.
The Inn is lavishly decorated for the holiday season.
The most wonderful thing about the holidays at The Inn at Little Washington in the Virginia countryside is the total transformation of the town. Each building, room and public space is elaborately and uniquely decorated utilizing almost exclusively live trees and garland. People drive to The Inn during the holidays just to tour the grounds, but having dinner overseen by Chef/Owner Patrick O'Connell or staying overnight is an extra treat. Guests who stay on Christmas Eve find a stocking in their room when they return from dinner, which has been compared to theatrics of Broadway show proportions.
All ages will enjoy the immersive light show experience.
Obviously, Orlando is no stranger to lavish celebrations. Holiday festivities will abound throughout the town of Orlando itself. Christmas Nights in Lights, an all-new seasonal attraction, will debut at Dezerland Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1. The immersive light show experience will take guests through a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million lights as part of a drive-thru light show. Celebrating its 70th year, Winter Park’s annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade, the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, will be held on Dec. 3. The Orlando Repertory Theatre will present “True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical” Nov. 19 – 22. The world premier production centers around a magical and insightful story about being authentic, accepting change and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas. Check out a complete listing of Orlando holiday activities.
Rosewood Mansion embraces the holiday season.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is nestled in an exclusive neighborhood in the heart of Dallas. The hotel is rooted in southern hospitality and celebrating the holidays at the Mansion is no exception. For guests visiting the hotel throughout December, a personal Christmas tree may be placed in their room to provide a warm welcome upon arrival. Whether guests choose to send their own tree trimmings in advance of their stay or work with the hotel’s guest relations team to curate an assortment of ornaments to their liking, all will be encouraged to bring the time-honored Christmas tradition to The Mansion and enjoy the extra dose of holiday spirit from the comfort of their accommodations.
Guests can experiences a wide variety of holiday festivities.
Located centrally in vibrant Las Plazas Arts District, El Paso, Texas, The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park ushers in the ultimate southwestern holiday season. This year groups and families can head down to El Paso for the city’s annual Celebration of Lights, a tree lighting ceremony and light parade. On property, guests can enjoy cheery decor and lights throughout, a hot chocolate bar by the fireplace, and more. The property is also hosting a Santa Claus & Grinch brunch, stocked with seasonal entrees and bespoke desserts from the hotel's executive chef and in-house pastry chef.
