Follow these inspiring Atlanta parents who share their lives on their Georgia-bound Instagram feeds
If you’re ready to prioritize your Instagram scrolling, then we’ve got 10 Atlanta Instagram influencers you need to add to your favorites. Whether you’re looking for raw and authentic advice or holiday decor tips and tricks, we’ve got a parent you’ll love. From Atlanta parents planning their next family road trip to a mom managing a big family of six, we know you’ll be excited to see these Atlanta moms and dads pop up the next time you’re scrolling Instagram.
Do you like to create super festive holiday experiences for your kids or at least watch others that do? Then, add Michelle to your list of Atlanta moms to follow. She focuses on creating memories and traditions with her family of six through DIY, simple recipes and holiday magic. Her holiday-themed recipes and decor are just the inspiration you need.
These dads advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and share vulnerable and authentic parenting advice. Recently featured in Forbes, Terrell and Jarius are proud to represent positive gay black men raising amazing children. These hysterical parents will keep you laughing as you follow their parenting journey, including the grandparents.
Author, speakerm, and Instagrammer, Amber O’Neal Johnston calls Atlanta home and home base for her family’s homeschool. She says, in her house, “Charlotte Mason wears an afro,” and she focuses on curating an inclusive, culturally rich home education for her children. She believes children need books in which they see themselves and the wider world.
With some inspiration and excellent advice, Faith Broussard Cade inspires parents to care for themselves so they can love those around them. She shares almost daily notecard photos filled with words of encouragement and wisdom for everyday mom life. Read her advice and learn more about intentional self-care and love.
A North Georgia mom makes our list because Angelica Kajiwara, her husband, mom and three kids are always up for an adventure. She shares day trips, weekend getaways and family road and field trips within driving distance of Atlanta. This travel-loving mom focuses on destinations and attractions where you can strengthen your family bond and make core memories. When she’s home in Georgia, her life revolves around homeschooling her three kids, loving her Brazillian husband and hanging out with her mom, who lives with them on Lookout Mountain.
Meet the mom behind this beautiful biracial family that shares a message of love and acceptance even when your family looks different. Jeena shares her thoughts on foster and adoptive mom life after their family adopted their niece ten years ago. Her authentic and honest approach to parenting is fun and refreshing. She creates some incredible hairstyles for her sweet girls, too.
All of Instagram stops to watch Ale’s husband help pick out her next outfit. Ale loves to share plus-size women’s fashion and family fashion, too. She travels with her sweet family and creates excellent videos featuring family-friendly attractions in cities near Atlanta. And you’ll love her family restaurant recommendations when they’re out of town.
Cara reminds followers that all families are the same, even if they look different. After coming out later in life, she started her Instagram account to share family life with two moms and their beautiful daughter. Cara shares her raw and unfiltered thoughts on LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media. She hopes every child will get to see a family like theirs.
A mom of three, this federal attorney and relationship coach is on the ‘gram to help you. Lachauna Edwards will inspire you with marriage and family advice and help you legally start a business and protect your brand and assets. In addition, she wants to help you and your family build a lasting legacy of love and success.
You’ll hit the follow button after you visit Nathalie’s Instagram profile. She’s a mom of six, sharing the joy and love that comes with big family life. Her large family “day in the life” Reels show her debunking the myth that motherhood is a burden. Also, she’ll help you stay on top of everything with organization and family meal hacks.
Boxing Day is all about relaxation and sales, but we’re taking it literally with these holiday decor storage ideas!
Boxing Day is primarily a British holiday, also celebrated in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. It’s the day after Christmas (or the following Monday if Christmas falls on the weekend) when all the sales are on, Christmas leftovers are enjoyed, and spending time with family and friends is a priority. (Yeah, we thought there was a chance it had to do with actual boxing, too.)
Sure, we Americans aren’t as experienced with Boxing Day. But it does fall the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and that’s usually around the time we want to relax, eat whatever we want, and try to get our houses back in order after all the excitement. It can be hard to get motivated to do the last part (we’ve got the first two covered), we know. It’s so much easier to take it all out than put it back up. We have just the trick to make it all more manageable: boxes. Holiday decor storage boxes.
Okay, these aren’t all boxes. We’ve got bags, shelves, tubs, and more to get you organized. These are specifically made to store all of your holiday goodies, making it so much faster to get everything back to pre-merry condition. Using specific storage solutions for holiday items also means starting off feeling much more organized next year. We know Boxing Day isn’t usually celebrated with clever home hacks, but maybe we can start a new tradition!
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Ring in the New Year by checking out this list of kid-centric (and bedtime-friendly!) events where the entire family can enjoy some Texas-sized fun
Whether you wish time could slow down or you’re beyond ready to say goodbye to the past year, it’s still hard to believe that 2023 is fast-arriving. Whether your family’s past 365 days were ones for the record books or not, let’s make this coming year the best one yet. From festive light shows and walk-thru exhibits to a visit to an amusement park or zoo, the Dallas area has a variety of fun and festive ways to welcome in 2023.
1. Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve Party at Crayola Experience
No need to wait until midnight to begin your New Year’s celebrations. Join the Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve Party at Crayola Experience. With confetti and dancing galore, your kiddo can enjoy their New Year’s Eve all before bedtime.
Complete with a ball drop, your family can welcome in the New Year at the Dallas Arboretum. Held in the Exploration Center Plaza, the Noon-Year’s Eve celebration includes festival games, a 2023 headband station, and a create-your-own noise maker booth. Don’t miss the ball drop at noon sharp!
3. The Countdown to Noon at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center
The Countdown to Noon event at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center is full of STEM-inspired activities! Construct an animatronic clock, drive around the Robot Calendar Course, create a geometric New Year’s hat, visit the glow tattoo station, and more as part of their New Year’s festivities.
4. Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Offering activities for children of all ages, visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center for their Holiday Bricktacular event. Participate in special Holiday Minifigure trading, assist the Master Model Builder in creating a special holiday LEGO build, or check out the holiday-themed decor in MINILAND.
With more than a million lights, the Dallas Zoo Lights walk-thru event is a sparkling-fun way to celebrate the arrival of 2023. You will discover 3-D lighted sculptures, larger-than-life animal lanterns, a programmed light show, musical performances, and holiday-themed displays as part of this year’s Dallas Zoo Lights presentation. Plus, the carousel and mini-train stay open late, too.
Dates: Select days, Nov. 17-Jan. 1
650 S. R. L. Thornton Freeway Dallas, TX Online:dallaszoo.com
6. Epic Family New Year at Epic Water Indoor Waterpark
For an Epic Family New Year, party it up at Epic Water Indoor Waterpark. This Hawaiian-themed event includes circus and aerial performances, interactive games, and hula dancing. Come hungry, though. You can add to your evening a dinner package with baby back ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, coconut shrimp, and dessert.
End 2022 with some thrill-seeking fun at Six Flags Over Texas. As part of their Holiday in the Park event, Six Flags Over Texas is decked out with millions of lights, a 70-foot Christmas tree, and a holiday market filled with food options and holiday decor for sale. Don’t forget to grab a refillable hot cocoa mug and look for fire pits where you can make s’mores (for an additional fee).
Dates: Select days, Nov. 19-Jan. 1
2201 Rd. to Six Flags Arlington, TX Online:sixflags.com
You can never see enough lights during the holiday season, right? If you want to stay in your pajamas on New Year’s Eve, have a cozy and comfy evening at this drive-thru light show. Purchase a ticket per vehicle to enter The Light Park, and get ready for an evening of dazzling sites!
Drop off your child in 2022, and pick them up in 2023! At the Fort Worth Zoo, your kiddo can spend the night and participate in some Zoo Year’s Eve fun at this kids-only, parent-free New Year’s celebration including a night hike, movie, and continental breakfast.
Reunion Tower Over The Top NYE 2023 delivers a Texas-sized fireworks spectacular on New Year’s Eve. Although the fireworks cannot be viewed from within Reunion Tower, from the lawn of Reunion Tower, or from other restricted zones within the “hot zone”, you can watch this firework show from the comfort of your home on live television, Facebook live, or YouTube.
Who said the fun had to stop on New Year’s Eve? Kick off 2023 by attending Day 1 DFW 2023 at the Irving Convention Center where your kids can enjoy rock climbing, face painting, circus acts, animal shows, silent disco, bounce houses, and a toddler play area. Plus, this family-friendly event ends with a firework show!
Southwest Germany offers loads of festive Christmas markets with food, rides, and holiday cheer
Sparkling snow, twinkling fairy lights, and wooden huts adorned with decorated green garlands while the smell of sweet roasted nuts fills the air—it’s not just a scene from a childhood fairy tale. It is the reality all over Germany from the end of November to the days leading up to Christmas. One of the most magical Christmas experiences one can have is visiting a Christmas market in Germany.
Karilyn Owen
Germany is a large country filled with amazing Christmas markets. How do you narrow it down for a one-week family trip? Our top tip is to choose one region to focus on instead of buzzing all around the country. One of the most beautiful areas with a great number of unique markets is in the southwest region of Germany. This area includes Stuttgart and the Black Forest. This is an ideal area for family travel as the markets are all reasonably sized making them manageable for families with kids of all ages.
One of the oldest and most beautiful markets in Germany, the Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt is a wonderful introduction to the German tradition of Christmas markets. The Stuttgart Christmas Market occupying several blocks of space in the shopping district offers the 3-4 million visitors each year a look into traditional and commercial markets all woven together in one place. The 300 wooden stalls, decorated with personality showcase a variety of items from traditional German foods to holiday decor to practical household items.
Entertainment here like the massive Ferris wheel, small ride-on train, and roller rink provides fun for the whole family. Adults will enjoy sipping their gluhwein (mulled wine with Christmas spices) while kids can have their alcohol-free version at the same time. The food on offer at this market rises above most other markets in that you can almost find anything you want from market staples to local favorites like käsespätzle (Germany's version of mac & cheese).
One of the coolest markets in this part of Germany is Esslingen's Medieval Christmas Market. As you walk off the train making your way to the old town square you will begin to see the traditional style of buildings begin to emerge. This market is split into two sections essentially—the more traditional Christmas market with stalls selling all of your favorite items like boiled sweets, gingerbread cookies, and holiday decorations. Continuing further into the market you will find the atmosphere has changed into one harkening back to medieval times.
One of the most unique features is the "public hot tub" where you can book a 2-hour session with your friends to soak in the middle of the market. It's not as odd as it sounds, as you have privacy if you would like. The wooden tub books out in advance so if you think you might be interested, do plan ahead.
Other than this striking feature, this market is loaded with cool stalls selling everything from medieval clothing, homewares, unique medieval games, and jewelry all while intertwined with more modern stalls selling pottery, mistletoe decorations, and holiday decorations. This market is extra special due to the children's area that has carnival-type games, all with the medieval twist—jugglers, archery, axe throwing, crossbow shooting, and catapulting. For the littles, take a ride on an all-wooden Ferris wheel or an adorable swing both propelled by hand.
For eats and treats, you will be lured in by exotic spices and smells as you pass the dried fruit and nut stalls, massive cinnamon buns, flatbread pizzas, and of course the market staple bratwurst.
Ludwigsburg Baroque Market
Karilyn Owen
This adorable market located just north of Stuttgart can be visited on a day trip or on an overnight stay. Brightly lit angels adorn the skies above this town square set from the 18th century lined with two Baroque churches and adorable homes. The 170 stalls here are all elaborately decorated in traditional materials—stuffed (real or pretend, you can't always tell!) creatures and dazzling pine garlands strung with fairy lights while the inside is filled with handcrafted goods.
The Ludwigsburg market feels more homegrown with locals milling about, chatting up the stall vendors, sharing mulled wine, and enjoying the festivities. The stalls sell more unique items not seen at other markets including amazingly detailed and cool hand puppets. This market also had some of the best varieties of food that we experienced at any market—try the Stockbrot (bread on a stick) in either a savory or sweet version, the langos (deep fried flatbread with toppings), knödels (a dumpling sweet and savory), as well as the traditional rote wurst on brot (red sausage on bread). There are also crêpes for the kiddos, hot chocolate, and lots of kinderpunsch options. (My 12-year-old proclaims this market to have the best kinderpunsch throughout all of Southwest Germany.)
Gengenbach, located just south of Baden-Baden and on the edge of the Black Forest is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. However, during the winter season, Gengenbach is known for having a large advent calendar displayed on 24 windows of its 18th-century town hall building. In recent years, the story depicted on the windows is from the book The Little Prince. The daily reveal occurs each afternoon at 6 p.m. for the following day's window.
In addition to this tourist draw, the medieval town center is an absolute delight to walk around. Take time away from the market itself to explore the little cobblestone lanes leading around the square to see where people live. The decorations on the front of the buildings as well as around the town give insight into the quirky arty charm of this town.
While the market itself isn't too large, it offers all the traditional food stalls you will come to expect including crêpes, sausages, and flammkuchen (flatbread pizza). Individual stalls here are much less commercial, offering unique items you will have not seen at other markets including wooden carved crafts and household decorations aimed more towards locals and German tourists.
If you have time on your itinerary we'd highly recommend staying over a night in this town to soak up the energy once the day trippers have left.
The most picturesque market we visited is the tourist hotspot located deep in the Black Forest, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market. This small market is held under the viaduct arches of the Devil's Valley Railway. If you are lucky, you will see a train cross the bridge with its windows lit up at night, while soaking up the holiday vibes hundreds of feet below.
There is little else that can compare with strolling the market with beautiful instrumental alphorn sounds playing over the speaker system, while a roaring communal fire pit beckons you under the changing lights of the train tracks above.
The market itself isn't the one to do your shopping at, as it is quite small compared to the others on this list. You get the sense from the patrons and the various stalls offering an abundance of food and drink that this market is more about hanging out amongst the wilderness and views than shopping. Rightfully so, the snowy hills in this area of Germany provide an exceptional backdrop to admire. That said, during our recent visit, we spied a local cuckoo clock maker offering a few items, a self-proclaimed professional hobbyist potter, and some beautiful woodwork among many other local artisans.
A note for visitors, you will find this market to be much more heavily touristed than other markets on this list due to its Instagram-worthy photos. Car parking requires an advance reservation as do the many shuttles dropping guests from nearby towns. This is one market you will need to plan around as it is also only open on Friday-Sunday.
+1 Bonus Market: Baden-Baden
Karilyn Owen
Known as the wellness center in Southwest Germany, Baden-Baden is the perfect place to stop off from Stuttgart as you head deeper into the Black Forest. This spa town bubbling over with thermal waters has even more to lure visitors in the winter with its adorable Christmas market. With its hilly streets, chic shopping area and fantastically laid out market, you will wish you booked even more time here. The market offers a large selection of delicious traditional foods (the best käsewurst we ate was here!), beautiful handmade crafts from locals and even snow globe bubbles to relax in! Our visit was made even more magical with a quick dumping of snow. While in town, don't forget to book into one of the amazing thermal spas for a relaxing warm soak.
For US visitors, the easiest way to get to this area of Germany is to fly into Frankfurt which offers a great number of direct flights and connections from throughout the US. From Frankfurt airport, you can hop on a train directly to Stuttgart which serves as a hub for Southwest Germany and the Black Forest. Most markets on this list can easily be reached via train, however, we highly recommend hiring a car to dive deeper into the Black Forest region as trains do not reach many destinations. Driving in Germany is efficient and easy, with automatic cars accessible. And who wouldn't want the opportunity to test out their driving skills on the German Autobahn?
Tips on Planning Your Trip to Germany for Christmas Markets
Planning a trip to Germany to see Christmas markets can be daunting and overwhelming with over 2,000 markets in the country. Below we share a few general tips to make your dream trip a success.
Pack for cold and wet weather with lots of layers, including warm shoes, gloves, and hats.
Cash is king in the markets, so hit the ATMs before you reach the market.
Getting around by train is extremely efficient, but to get well off the beaten path, a car is great.
Plan for only 2-3 hours outdoors at a time as your feet or fingers will begin to get too cold.
If you see something you like, buy it. You may not see it again. The same goes for food—if it looks good, try it.
Leave space in your suitcase for the adorable market-specific mugs offered at each market for only 3 Euros.
Whether your kids are young or old, this is a family trip worth planning for. While ushering your kids from one market to another may not sound like an ideal winter getaway, trust us there is so much on offer for kids of all ages that they will surely be sucked in even if their pre-teen angst tries to stop them.
These Christmas inflatables will help you create the hap-hap-happiest holiday yard on your block
Maybe we’re a little competitive. Maybe we think Clark Griswold was behaving completely reasonably. And maybe we wait all year to fill our yard with Christmas inflatables. Inflatables are easier than lights (although you don’t have to guess how much we love those, do you?), can be displayed day and night, and come in a ton of different shapes, sizes, characters, and more to match your holiday decor. They also come in options for different holidays, so if you’re into that sort of thing, you can have an inflatable for every season. Not that we would…
Naturally, we’ve rounded up the best of the best Christmas inflatables we could find so that you can show your neighbors up spread holiday cheer all season. You can pick one as a yard statement piece, if you will, or scoop up several and fill up your yard. When it comes to holiday decorations, more is more, right? You could even decide to embrace the spirit of the season and coordinate with your neighbors. Just link them to this post and start planning! No matter what, these Christmas Inflatables are going to give you all the National Lampoon’s vibes.
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These clever hacks will take the stress out of the anticipation, prep, and list-checking of the holidays
The holidays are just around the corner! Soon you’ll be breaking out those Christmas decorations, writing letters to Santa, crafting sweet Christmas cookies, and shopping ‘til you drop. To help you sleigh this season, we’ve gathered our favorite holiday hacks and tips for making unique decor, keeping your house clean, saving on gifts, and even creative ways to use twinkle lights.
Even water can be festive during the holiday season. Instead of those boring water bottle labels, use printables to create these amazing add-ons that are guaranteed to make you the hit of the classroom holiday party.
Winter is the ultimate season for breaking out the slow cooker. But, this amazing invention is also great for brewing scrumptious hot chocolate. Head over to How Sweet Eats for all details on making hot chocolate everyone will love.
Show off your fam’s holiday cookie recipe with these gorgeous cookie boxes. Give your friends and neighbors a yummy gift they’ll love. Find out how to create these beautiful boxes from our friend Aunt Peaches.
Save money on expensive holiday table decor by crafting your own with a little help from The Krazy Coupon Lady. Grab a roll of chalkboard tape and a chalk pen to add holiday flare to any plate, platter or mug.
These DIY paper-wrapped candles make the perfect gift or centerpiece for any holiday party. Pick up some winter wonderland gift wrap and dollar store sanctuary candles, and head over to Today's Creative Life for all the details.
Whether you’re throwing a holiday party or just decorating the tree, you need to be ready to deal with broken glass. Instead of sweeping or vacuuming, we recommend reaching for a slice of bread. Press the bread over the glass and watch as all those tiny shards disappear in seconds.
Make our drinks extra festive with these adorable Santa Cups from Monica at Homemade Parties. Consider using them for holiday gifts for teachers: one of these full of candy, bath salts or handmade cookies is cute and hassle-free!
Getting your Christmas tree is always fun, but since they’re natural, they aren’t always perfect. Now they can be. Take green tinsel and wrap it around the center of the tree to give it an extra fluffy look.
Creating the gooey goodness of melted chocolate is a must for decorating your favorite holiday treats. To keep the chocolate perfectly melty, make sure it stays in a water bath in your slow cooker. You can also use The Yummy Life technique to melt peanut butter chips, milk, and white chocolate to give your kiddos tons of decorating options.
Whether you’re giving cookies to friends and teachers, or just making yummy treats for the fam, it’s always fun to make them a little fancy. Using the base of a crystal vase, it’s super easy to stamp out a unique cookie dough design everyone will love.
Use a Goldfish Box or Juice Carton to Make a Gingerbread House
Prevent a massive mess when your kiddos are constructing their awesome gingerbread houses by building the structure around a large goldfish container or juice container (either one cut in half). The box is a perfect size, and the sturdy cardboard is perfect for attaching graham crackers or even gingerbread from your favorite kit. See our other favorite gingerbread hacks here.
Make Santa’s visit even more magical by creating footprints that lead your kiddos right to the tree. Little Hiccups has all the info you need to make your good little boys and girls extra excited on Christmas morning.
Wreaths are cool, but if you want to bring wreath vibes into your dining room, try handing ornaments from your chandelier or classic dining room light fixture! Using ribbon, tie your favorite Christmas ornaments to the fixture at different heights to create a cool piece of decor you can enjoy all season long.
Decorating your lawn for the holidays can be expensive and a little complicated. But not anymore! With these helpful tips from Mary & Tim of 17 Apart, you can create your very own trees to give your lawn a little extra twinkle.
Turn those extra candy canes into cardholders with this awesome idea from The Krazy Coupon Lady. Tie a pair of them with a ribbon, and you’ve got a festive card holder! Bonus: They are also the perfect party favor or dessert!
Use Squeeze Bottles for Icing
Frosted sugar cookies are a holiday staple, but decorating them can be super messy. In order to keep the crazy contained, use clear condiment bottles to create intricate designs and keep everything clean(er).
Instead of using those tiny gift tags, follow Our Suburban Farm’s lead and use your favorite photos from the past year. Print and paste the pics on each gift to add an artistic and unique touch.
You can make any mug of hot chocolate extra festive with this brilliant holiday hack. Try freezing your whipped cream to make fun shapes with cookie cutters. Get the recipe and some helpful tips on An Italian in My Kitchen.
If you’re looking for a cute and simple way to deliver your delicious holiday treats without breaking a single one, try this cool method from It’s Always Autumn. With a paper plate and a few adorable embellishments, you’ll have one sweet cookie holder.
If you’ve discovered the joy of cooking with an Instant Pot, then you’ll know this little beauty can do just about anything, including turning grape juice into wine. With a little help from David Murphy, all you need to do is grab some grape juice and leave the pot on its yogurt setting, and you’ll have your very own wine in a matter of hours!
Do you still have Halloween pumpkins hanging around? Follow this cool tutorial from Nola Girl at Heart to create your very own snowman with painted pumpkins.
Unwrapping presents is one of the most magical and messy parts of the holiday season. Chica & Jo came up with a brilliant idea to wrap a large box with an open top in wrapping paper and use it as a trash bin on the big day. When it’s all over, it’s as simple as carrying it out the door.
Twinkle lights make your house feel like a winter wonderland, but one faulty bulb means tossing out the whole string. That’s why one of our must-have gadgets for the season is The LightKeeper Pro. This handy little tool fixes broken bulbs in seconds and is guaranteed to save you some serious cash.
Bag Clip on Tape Edge
Allison Sutcliffe
When you’re wrapping all those presents, losing the tape edge is every parent’s worst nightmare. But, we’ve got a holiday hack that will change your life. All you need to do is put a bag clip at the end of the roll to hold your place.
Don’t let your leftover Halloween candy go to waste! Use those yummy treats to create perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors and friends. Learn more about how to turn two candy canes and a KitKat into a totally adorable sleigh over at Ellyn’s Place.
Use Hot Glue on Your Gingerbread House
You can do anything with hot glue, including building an amazing gingerbread house. It might sound kinda wacky, but using hot glue will actually make your gingerbread house last way longer. Head over My Little Poppies for more details on how to create the ultimate gingerbread masterpiece.
Whether you’re bracing for the polar vortex or looking forward to a sunny holiday season, kiddos love playing with snow. Try creating your very own snow dough with this awesome recipe from Adventures in Wunderland. The best part, all you have to do is add water, and you’ve got instant dough!
Color coding your gifts is an easy way for your non-readers to pass out presents and figure out which gifts are theirs. Assign each family member a color or wrapping paper pattern and forget all of those pesky gift tags.
Everyone wants to keep their ornaments organized, and it turns out all you need is a bin and a stack of plastic cups to make sure each ornament stays perfectly packed until next year. Head over to eHow for a fun video tutorial.
Wrap Your Tree Before You Toss It
iStock
The big day is over and you need to take your tree to the curb, but how do you make that happen without getting pine needles all over your house? We recommend wrapping garbage bags around both ends to minimize the mess. Simply remove and re-use the bags after (most city tree pickups require the trees to be unwrapped). You can also do the same thing with an old sheet unless your tree is extra long.
—additional reporting by Taylor Clifton and Jennifer Massoni Pardini
From a botanical wonderland to a neighborhood so bright that even Santa makes an appearance, these dazzling displays are lit
Bundle up your babes and prepare to be dazzled with these must-see holiday displays around San Diego These twinkling destinations light up the night and can be found in gardens, fairgrounds, on the water—even in neighborhoods where residents break out their holiday cheer and brighten up the whole block. Once you’ve followed our Christmas tree buying guide to San Diego, stocked up on holiday gifts from our favorite local toy stores, and blocked out your calendar for the must-see holiday events around town, hit up these must-see holiday light displays for a bright and magic night with the kids.
Stroll outdoors along the 1-mile glowing pathway that meanders throughout this Botanic Wonderland. Each area is transformed into dazzling holiday displays and children’s gardens filled with delights. Make a night of it with dinner from the on-site food trucks, sing along with carolers, and kids can write letters to Santa after they play in the magical treehouse. Make this unique wonderland part of your winter holiday tradition.
Good to Know: Some walkways are uneven dirt pathways, so comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Advanced timed tickets are required.
San Diego Botanic Garden 230 Quail Gardens Dr. Encinitas Online:sdbg.org
2. Lights at the Lakes
Over 35 displays will light up the night during this one-mile drive-through holiday display. Music will synchronize with your car radio, and every visit will be a different experience. Tickets must be pre-purchased before the event, and prices are $30/vehicle with up to 8 passengers.
Since the 1980's, this east county neighborhood has been lighting up the holiday skies. Over 75 houses around the circle decorate with individual themes making this one of the best-dressed communities north of the 52. Some homes offer treats like cotton candy, kettle corn, tamales, and hot chocolate for sale in their driveway, so bring cash if you want snacks and drinks.
Nothing says larger than life like these colossal “Christmas Cards” that light up these landscaped lawns. Dawdle or drive down this magical street, and your eyes will enjoy this feast of lights.
This neighborhood transforms into a twinkling wonderland, and you’ll be amazed by large lighted displays, giant inflatables, and holiday decorations. If you're viewing lights from your car, pack your patience and plan on moving at a very slow pace. Many opt to park their car, bundle up the kids in strollers and walk through the neighborhood to see the lights at their own speed.
Almost 100 homes on this friendly residential street turn up the wattage and amp up the brightness to really shine. Drive on out to one of the best neighborhood light displays in the county. Some houses will have hot cocoa, cookies, and music to fill you up with holiday cheer.
Good to Know: The annual block party is held on the Sat. before Christmas; this year, it’s on Dec. 17, 2022. This isn’t just for the neighbors, it’s open for everyone to join in the merriment. Almost every home has treats, some project holiday movies on the side of their homes, carolers and dancers perform, and sometimes Santa will ride on a fire truck down the streets.
For a truly charming experience, take your little elves for photos with Santa and mail their letters to him at this one-of-a-kind Christmas House. Free treats will be given out to kids nightly who send a letter, and not to mention, Santa writes back to every child. This home is completely decked out with an endless array of twinkling lights and holiday decor.
Experience the holidays at the Del Mar Fairgrounds featuring more than one million LED lights, holograms, and projection mapping animation to the tunes of holiday classics! In addition to walking through the dazzling light displasy, you can rent private igloos, reserve firepits for roasting s'mores, play in the snow and go snow tubing on their hill.
Good to Know: Advanced timed tickets are required
Dates: Dec. 8–Jan. 1; 4-9 p.m.
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar Fairgrounds Online:snownglow.com
The boat parade on San Diego Bay is a time-honored tradition bringing the boating community out in full force to dazzle and entertain the bayfront crowds. The theme this year is fantaSEA and over 80 boats are expected to participate in this free event.
Surround yourself with over 200,000 lights amongst 8 acres of brightly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, carolers, giant candy canes, and interactive displays to walk through. This is an annual event for Noah Homes; which provides housing and care for people with developmental disabilities. Santa will make an appearance nightly so bring your littles for some fun photos!
Good to Know: Early bird discounted tickets available if purchased before Nov. 27
Keep your crew entertained even after the presents are open with these city adventures
Christmas Day is almost here. You’ve baked all the cookies and seen all the lights; now you’re looking for something to do with the kids after the holiday hurrahs are over. Luckily, there are plenty of Christmas things to do in Portland, even on that special day. From hiking and watching old movies to taking a river cruise or a day trip, we’ve got lots of activities that’ll keep your kids busy after the main event. Pull on your matching sweaters, fill a thermos of hot cocoa, and head out to explore.
If you’ve already visited your neighborhood’s lights, take the family to Portland’s own Peacock Lane, filled with historic English-style cottages, which are all decked out in lights and decorations. A Portland tradition since the 1920s, there are two ways to see the houses: on foot and by car. If you’re staying in your car, visit at non-peak times, which are typically before 7 p.m. and after 10 p.m. Alternatively, head to the Portland International Raceway to be awed by the 250 illuminated holiday set pieces. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the “Largest Light Show West of the Mississippi.” So bring a thermos full of cocoa, adding some marshmallows for good measure, turn on the Christmas tunes and meander through a winter wonderland that is sure to leave a sparkle in your eye! This is open evenings throughout December including on Christmas Day, but be sure to order tickets ahead of time so you’re guaranteed a spot. Peacock Lane is, as always, free.
Peacock Lane Between S.E. Stark St. & S.E. Belmont St., one block east of S.E. 39th Online:peacocklane.org
Portland International Raceway Holiday Light Show 1940 N. Victory Blvd. Portland Online:winterwonderlandportland.com
Make it a downtown scavenger hunt: a tree, a gingerbread house, and more. At Pioneer Courthouse Square, you can visit the city’s holiday tree without the crowds on Christmas Day. The 75-foot Douglas-fir tree—provided each year by Stimson Lumber Company—will be lit up over 14,000 colorful lights. Bring some hot chocolate and treats for an extra magical experience.
Then, walk five blocks over to the Benson Hotel to spy their lobby gingerbread display, a tradition for over 50 years. This year's theme, Multnomah Falls, is surely one your kids will recognize. Made using 150 pounds of gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 20 pounds of chocolate, 10 pounds of Rice Krispies Treats, and more royal icing than you can image, it's truly a work for art. Our tip? After you've checked out this masterpiece, head to the Historic Stairwell and check out the hotel's mini museum featuring over 160 pictures of Portland's history.
You can’t beat the classic Christmas-at-a-movie-theater, so why even try. This year the big ticket shows are Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the new Avatar: The Way of Water. All the area’s large theaters like Regal and Century are open, or head to McMenamins Baghdad or McMenamins Power Station to catch those flicks. For something slightly more festive, grab tickets at Vancouver’s sweet 1930s-era one-screen Kiggins Theater – they’re screening one showing each of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, and The Bishop’s Wife, a Christmas rom-com with Cary Grant and Loretta Young from 1947.
Good to Know:The Moishe House will also be hosting a movie night complete with vegetarian Chinese food. RSVP if you want in on this event.
It’s a fact that the Oregon Coast is lovely in winter—maybe not in terms of weather, but in terms of less crowds, a rugged windswept beauty, and that cozy feeling of staying inside and playing games during a storm. Plus, winter storms tend to churn up more treasure for agate or seashell hunting. It’s also the season for clam digging and crabbing—clam diggers will want to watch for low tides when the beach is more exposed.
Check out Lincoln City’s Finders Keepers program for a fun treasure hunt. The city’s glassblowers drop surprise floats on the various beaches and if you find one, it’s yours to keep. This year, they’ll drop around 50 new floats from December 19 to 25. Good luck!
Whether it's a white Christmas or not, heading outside for some fresh air is a perfect way to get out the holiday wiggles. There are plenty of easy hikes around the city—at parks, arboretums, and in the Gorge. Without the leaves on the trees, you can even spot waterfalls and streams from further away. Be prepared with plenty of layers, water, hot drinks, and spare clothes.
For an especially magical day, book a ticket for Portland Spirit Cruise where you’ll spend time on the river from the desks of a 150-foot ship. This special two-hour cruise with a holiday buffet comes with holiday cheer and old-world charm as you take in the sights of the Willamette River. Choose from a morning or evening cruise—each comes with live music on a baby grand piano, desserts, and hot drinks.
From Cosmic Tubing to skiing, Mt. Hood is a winter playland where the fun doesn't stop on Christmas Day. Bring your own sled and scope out some excellent tubing or sledding spots, or strap the kids in to find some snowshoe trails. For official slopes, there's plenty of skiing options on the mountain. And be sure to check out Mt. Hood Skibowl for the world's only Cosmic Tubing®. Enjoy over 600,000 LED lights, laser light shows, black lights, colored lights, rocking music, and even dual conveyor lifts dedicated to tubing. It's great fun for the whole family.
8. Sit Down at One of These Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
If you need a break from the holiday cooking, let one of Portland’s restaurants take the burden off your shoulders. Many are open on Christmas Day– for something more upscale head to Jake’s Grill or McCormick and Schmidt’s. At JinJu Patisserie you can enjoy some of the city’s best croissants along with eye-catching desserts and flavors. And at Prost, enjoy a pretzel or curry wurst while you travel the length of Germany, in beer (minors welcome until 8pm).
Check out our list of eco-friendly businesses and services that make it easy to recycle your tree and lights
There’s nothing like a fresh Christmas tree, decorated to the nines, to get the kiddos in the holiday spirit. Yet after a few weeks, those trees get a little droopy and dry. Before you toss your old tree and lights out on the curb, try the eco-friendly option of treecycling that turns your holiday tree into everything from garden mulch to wood chips. It’s easier than you think when you bring your pines and lights to a Seattle Christmas tree recycling spot.
If you currently have curbside yard debris service from your garbage and recycling company, you can place your tree at your curb on pick-up day after following these simple steps:
Prep your tree by removing all decorations and adornments (ornaments, tinsel, lights, wire, nails, etc.) and returning the tree to its original state.
Trim your tree to six feet or shorter (branches to less than four feet) to fit into the collection trucks.
Bundle each section with sisal string or twine (not plastic). Flocked and plastic trees will not be accepted for curbside recycling.
At several King County Recycling and Transfer Stations, clean trees can be recycled as yard waste starting in January. Trees should not exceed eight feet in length, must be free of decorations, and must be separated from garbage and recyclables. Trunks should not exceed four inches in diameter. At all other King County facilities, trees will be accepted as garbage at the garbage fee which ranges from $1 to $5 per tree.
Many area Scouting groups host annual Christmas tree recycling events. This year Seattle and Eastside troops are making plans to keep the tradition going. Scout Troop 600, serving West Bellevue (Beaux Arts, Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts, or Yarrow Points), is one that traditionally holds an event and has one planned for 2022. Keep your eyes peeled for these pop-ups around the city, and remember for safety reasons many troops cannot accept flocked or artificial trees, trees wrapped in plastic or with metal attachments, trees with tinsel or nails or wreathes with metal shape wires.
This year, you can add a sustainable twist to your family’s holiday tree-hunting tradition by purchasing a living tree at a nearby nursery. Swanson's Nursery carries a great selection of live trees, including trees from around the world. On the Eastside, Squak Mt. Greenhouses & Nursery offers spruce, pines, firs, and more to add sustainability to your season. Plan ahead for this option, as living trees can only be kept indoors for around a week. Then, they must either be planted outside in the garden or in an outdoor container. Living trees also require a little extra love when used indoors.
Bring Them to a Local Hardware Store or Drop-Off Center
If you have burned-out light strands or you’ve decided to replace your traditional lights with new energy-efficient LED ones, there are several places around the city to recycle your old holiday lights. All seven Puget Sound area McLendon Hardware stores will take your old holiday lights, as will the Maple Leaf Ace Hardware. Uptekk also offers a recycling drop-off center in Auburn, and West Seattle Recycling has a drop-off center on 16th Ave. S.W. in the city. If light strings have old-style large bulbs, remove the bulbs before dropping them off.
Ridwell, a paid recycling collection program serving many King County neighborhoods, does item pick-up every two weeks. If you've been thinking about subscribing to this service, maybe now's the time. Be sure to sign up by mid-December so your account is ready to go once the holidays are over.
If you want to recycle your old holiday lights and save money on new LED lights, take advantage of the mail-in Christmas light recycling program. Instead of driving your lights to a drop-off location, simply box them up and mail them to HolidayLEDs.com.
All those magical displays you see around the neighborhood? They take a lot of prep and tons of twinkling lights to put on every year. Many are looking for (and appreciate) donated lights and other outdoor holiday decor. The Very Merry Christmas House is a particularly eco-conscious display—much of their decor is saved from the landfill, with new pieces added every year.
In need of a major jolt of Christmas cheer? Then grab a table at one of these decked-out restaurants throughout Los Angeles this holiday season
While you may need to drive to find snow near LA, you don’t have to go far to experience spectacular holiday light displays—and we’re talking about the glittering, over-the-top decor at some of our favorite local restaurants. These LA restaurants go all out in Dec., complete with tinsel garlands, twinkling lights, a whole array of ornaments, and Christmas-y bric-a-brac that kids will love as much as their plain pasta. From elegant to over-the-top, whether you want a quick bite or a big Christmas dinner, here’s where you can enjoy the most festive decorations while you dine. PS: And if you’re looking for a great spot to eat where the kids can be, well, kids, check out our dining recommends for great restaurants where the kids can run around.
Enjoy the holiday decor at Rao's Hollywood where you'll find garlands and wreathes wrapped in glistening lights and bows hung all around the restaurant. Add to that, delicious Italian food, just like Nonna used to make, that will have you complimenting the chef.
Colorful lights are a year-round staple at this old-school Mexican spot in the Valley. Come Christmastime, though, Casa Vega adds tinsel, ornaments, and a tree or two (or three) for plenty of holiday cheer. In addition to serving up all the atmosphere, the restaurant also offers tasty margaritas for the over-21 crowd and a just-as-tasty kids menu for little ones.
Black and white photos of celebrities line the walls of this iconic Burbank steakhouse, which you may recognize from any number of TV shows and films—it was recently featured in La La Land. An inflatable Santa is there to greet kids at the entrance, and once you're inside, you can't miss the oversized Christmas tree, giant nutcracker, and red stockings.
There's nothing ho-ho-hum about The Tam O'Shanter's Christmas festivities with merry carolers on hand every night through Dec. 30. The Scottish pub's patio is also open in case your family wants to take advantage of the oh-so Christmas-y and cozy outdoor fireplace.
Another local Mexican dining institution (it's been around since 1931), El Coyote also does Christmas lights throughout the year but really gets decked out come Dec. Think a Christmas tree, garlands, glowing reindeer, mini Santas, to name a few. Be sure to check out the elaborate window display too—it's the perfect thing to entertain kids while you wait for your food.
This Long Beach restaurant may have just won Christmas. Now through Dec. 30, you can stop by to experience all the joy at The Ordinaire's merry and bright holiday pop-up, complete with gift-wrapped tables, a crackling fireplace with stockings on the mantel, and a flurry of lights and tinsel. While you're there, don't miss out on the restaurant's seasonal libations, like the Snowball Old Fashioned or Bad Santa with rum and chai.
Just in case you can sneak in a night off from the kiddos during the hectic holiday season, consider a trip to Christmas pop-up Blitzen's at the cocktail bar Here and Now. This temporary spot features festive decor galore, along with occasional appearances by Santa, carolers, and drag queens (because... why not?). Enjoy the holiday decor, now-Jan. 1.
Since 1992, the Mission Inn has decked out its interior and exterior spaces with thousands of twinkling lights during its annual Festival of Lights. It has become a must-visit destination for over 500,000 visitors each year. This year is the 30th installation of the festival which runs from Nov. 25-Jan. 6. Rumor has it, booking a table on the outside patio will afford you a grand view of these lights—with a great dinner to boot.
