The holiday season has officially arrived. To help make plans for “the most wonderful time of the year,” we looked for the best places to visit and things to do for the holidays — holiday markets, holiday parades, festive hotels, department stores, light displays, theme park events, and holiday home tours.
We asked a panel of experts to nominate their top picks in each of nine categories, and then readers voted for their favorites to determine the winners.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights in Richmond, Virginia
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights wins Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights for second year in a row — Photo courtesy of Tom Hennessy
From late November to early January, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, lights up with over a million LED bulbs for the annual Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. Check out model trains at the Kelly Education Center, roast s’mores by the warming fire, and explore some of this year’s new features.
Best Holiday Historic Home Tour: Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Find out how Elvis and his family celebrated the holidays at Graceland — Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley’s Graceland
Every year, more than half a million people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off in mid-November — visitors can tour the home while it’s decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-sized nativity scene, and Elvis’ Santa and sleigh on the front lawn. Presley family Christmas artifacts are also on display during this special time of year.
Best Holiday Market: Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
It’s easy to get into the holiday spirit during a visit to the festive Old World Christmas Market — Photo courtesy of The Osthoff Resort
The Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake takes place each December at The Osthoff Resort. While surrounded by fragrant evergreen boughs and twinkling lights in heated tents, visitors can shop for specialty artisan items, munch on schnitzel and apple strudel, and sip hot Glühwein.
Best Holiday Parade: America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan
Celebrating its 100th year in 2024, America’s Thanksgiving Parade wins Best Holiday Parade — Photo courtesy of The Parade Company
Detroit has been hosting America’s Thanksgiving Parade, presented by Gardner White, since 1924. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest and most popular parades in the country, complete with marching bands, helium balloons, and colorful, larger-than-life floats that make their way down historic Woodward Avenue each Thanksgiving morning.
Best Hotel for the Holidays: Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia
Oglebay Resort provides a festive retreat for the holidays — Photo courtesy of Oglebay Resort
Families wanting to spend the holidays in West Virginia can enjoy a slew of enchanting experiences at Oglebay Resort. The Festival of Lights Weekend Stay deal features a dazzling lights display, holiday-themed crafts, and photos with Santa. The Santa & North Pole package includes a magic show, holiday-themed movies, and gingerbread house building. Regardless, there will be no “Scrooges” in your group after staying at this festive resort.
Best Public Holiday Lights Display: Bentleyville ‘Tour of Lights’ in Duluth, Minnesota
Bentleyville ‘Tour of Lights’ claims the top spot for Best Public Holiday Lights Display for third year in a row — Photo courtesy of Northern Images Photography
Bentleyville “Tour of Lights,” one of America’s largest free walk-through lights displays, invites visitors to stroll among over 5 million lights throughout a 20-acre park on the shores of Lake Superior. Guests can get their photo taken with Santa and enjoy cocoa, cookies, roasted marshmallows, and popcorn.
Best Theme Park Holiday Event: An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri
Enjoy a dose of nostalgia with An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City — Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City Company
Branson’s Silver Dollar City gets decked in over 5 million colorful, twinkling lights during its annual holiday celebration, An Old Time Christmas. It’s bigger and brighter than ever, with festivities centered on the 8-stories-tall special effects Christmas tree, two Broadway-style holiday productions, an illuminated parade featuring Rudolph and his friends, 50-foot light tunnels, and an irresistible selection of festive meals and treats.
Best Zoo Lights: PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo wins Best Zoo Lights for seventh year in a row — Photo courtesy of Lisa Hubbard/Cincinnati Zoo
During the annual PNC Festival of Lights, 4 million LED lights illuminate the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Visitors can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, marvel at the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, explore a gingerbread village, munch on s’mores, or ride through a light tunnel on the North Polar Express train.
Best Department Store: JCPenney
10 best readers have voted JCPenney as the Best Department Store for the second consecutive year — Photo courtesy of JCPenney
JCPenney has more than 600 department stores across 49 states and Puerto Rico. Each one offers an assortment of national, private, and exclusive brands at a variety of price points, including brands like Liz Claiborne, Frye and Co., and Nicole by Nicole Miller.
