Get Away to the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington for Holiday Events

How about enjoying a holiday getaway on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula? Lake Quinault Lodge and Lake Crescent Lodge will once again be celebrating this exciting time of year with special rates and festive events and activities that will continue throughout year’s end. All events are open to the public and may require reservations.

Lake Crescent Lodge

Lake Crescent Lodge Events

Built in 1916, the historic Lake Crescent Lodge is located in Olympic National Park in Northwest Washington. This charming, turn-of-the-century resort is nestled among giant fir and hemlock trees on the shores of Lake Crescent.

The lodge offers a variety of room types from historic lakefront cottages, to traditional lodge rooms. Activities offered at Lake Crescent Lodge include: kayak tours, boat and fishing gear rental, and guided hikes. Learn more at www.olympicnationalparks.com, facebook.com/olympicnationalpark or (866) 297-7367.

Saturday December 5 and 12th, 2 p.m.: Franklin and Theodore’s Teddy Bear Tea

Teddy Bears, Franklin and Theodore, host a special Holiday Tea Party on the historic sun porch at Lake Crescent Lodge. Attendees will learn the history of the teddy bear and two Presidents who influenced Olympic National Park. Adults and children are invited to gather for high tea with their teddy bears, dolls also welcome. Child & 1 Adult - $28, additional child - $9, additional adult - $19 The Lodge is also requesting guests bring a toy for a local charity. Reservations are suggested.

December 13 and 20th 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Sunday’s With Santa

Enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch with Santa Claus. Adults - $32, Seniors -$28, Children under 12 - $14, Children under 4 - Free Reservations are suggested.

December 24, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Christmas Eve Buffet

Christmas Eve Buffet with all the traditional favorites guarantee to make your holiday memorable. Join us for dinner and a nightcap in front of the warm crackling fire Adults - $42, Seniors - $36, Children under 12 - $21, Children under 4 – Free. Reservations are required.

December 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Christmas Day Brunch Create new traditions this Christmas, celebrate at Lake Crescent Lodge with exquisite food presentations, action stations and all the fixings. Adults - $39, Seniors - $33, Children under 12 - $18, Children under 4 – Free.  Reservations are required.

December 31, 8 p.m.: New Year’s Eve Gala

Join in the fun as Lake Crescent Lodge hosts an evening of fine dining, live music and dancing. Ring in the New Year and toast Lake Crescent Lodge’s completion of its 100th year at this black tie gala. Dinner & Gala - $185/person, Gala only - $109/person. Dinner begins at 7 p.m., Gala begins at 9 p.m. Reservations are required.

January 1, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: New Year’s Day Brunch

This well-known holiday brunch wraps up the 2015 season and the 100^th birthday for Lake Crescent Lodge. Adults - $39, Seniors - $33, Children under 12 - $18, Children under 4 – Free. Reservations are suggested.

Lake Quinault Lodge Events

Lake Quinault Lodge

Built in 1926, the charming Lake Quinault Lodge has long been a gathering place for Pacific Northwest vacationers. The historic lakeside lodge is located in the heart of one of only three temperate rainforests in the world and offers hiking, biking, fishing, boat rentals and tours of the lake and rainforest.

Lake Quinault Lodge is also home to the Roosevelt Dining Room, where Franklin D. Roosevelt dined during a trip that would later result in the area being designated a national park. Learn more at www.olympicnationalparks.com, facebook.com/olympicnationalpark or (866) 297-7367.

December 24, 6 p.m.: Christmas Eve at Lake Quinault Lodge

Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas

On Christmas Eve, Santa will stop by with one of his llamas (yes, we said llmas), sit by the fire and read The Night Before Christmas and hand out gifts to the kids. Following Santa’s appearance, attendees will be invited to roast chestnuts over an open fire which enjoying the crisp cool Christmas air.

For more information on holiday events  or to make reservations visit, olympicnationalparks.com or call (360) 928-3211

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Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Santa Fe for the Holidays: 2015 Winter Calendar of Events

Santa Fe is magical at holiday time. Santa Fe, which means “Holy Faith,” welcomes everyone of all faiths to celebrate the season with dozens of special events closely tied to the city’s centuries of diverse history and culture. “The City Different” always offers big portions and high quality, and this season’s menu of activities is no exception. A full calendar is available at www.santafe.org/Calendar where new events are added frequently. Here are some highlights:


November 27 — Annual Lighting Of The Christmas Tree & Santa Fe Plaza: During the yuletide no place is more festive than the historic Downtown Plaza, home of the city's official Christmas trees. Every Thanksgiving Friday, colored lights transform the square into a wonderland. Watch the state capital of New Mexico become a world capital of Christmas. Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by Santa Claus’ arrival on a decorated vintage red firetruck, and the lighting at 6:00 p.m.

November 28 - 29 — Winter Indian Market: The holiday-season version of the greatest indigenous art show in the world includes 175 artists from the US and Canada, six award-winning artist demonstrators and fashion row featuring the work of Native fashion designers. Incomparable holiday gift shopping opportunities include jewelry, pottery, art objects, imaginative holiday decorations and more. www.swaia.org

December 3 - January 2 — GLOW—A Winter Lights Event In The Garden: The Santa Fe Botanical Garden presents GLOW: nights of extraordinary displays of winter lights, kinetic light sculptures and a shimmering tunnel that transports visitors into an illuminated garden wonderland. Enjoy festive food and beverages, and on Saturday nights visits and photos with Santa and live music. There’s nothing like GLOW to create a special holiday tradition for your family and friends. http://www.santafebotanicalgarden.org/events/glow/

December 6 – Community Menorah Lighting: The Genoveva Chavez Center and co-sponsor Chabad Jewish Community Center present the annual lighting of the menorah on the Downtown Plaza. The ninety minute event begins at 3:00 p.m. and will include speakers, refreshments and entertainment.

December 13 — Las Posadas: The annual candle-lit procession circles the historic Plaza and showcases the Hispanic tradition that recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to give birth to Baby Jesus. The group is taunted throughout by the devil from the rooftops but generosity and love win out as the couple and visitors find a warm welcome in the Palace of the Governors courtyard for carols and complimentary cookies and warm drinks. Free. www.palaceofthegovernors.org

Christmas Eve — Canyon Road Farolito Walk: Internationally famed Canyon Road blossoms in candlelight during this beloved annual celebration. The adobe-gallery lined road is decorated with thousands of farolitos—homemade candle lanterns—and luminarias, or small bonfires. See exceptional works of art inside century-old adobes, enjoy the comforting hot chocolate, cider and traditional biscochitos in the art galleries, and keep warm singing carols by the luminarias along the way. Simply a must experience event for anyone with holiday spirit. www.farolitowalk.com

Christmas Eve — Noche Buena: Midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a colorful, musical event that incorporates an old Spanish tale about an aged rooster who greeted the Christ Child with his joyful crow. The historic cathedral will be decorated and lit to reflect its Native American and Spanish heritage. www.cbsfa.org

New Year’s Eve On The Plaza — Santa Fe launches the first of a new annual tradition on the historic Downtown Plaza. There’ll be live entertainment including the mighty Lumbre del Sol, food trucks and vendors, youth and non-profit groups serving warm drinks, and traditional luminaria bonfires surrounding the area. The night begins at 10:30 and culminates in a digital media / light show countdown. More details to come on www.santafe.org.

Seasonal — Live Musical Performances: A variety of special live holiday music performances take place in small settings such as the Loretto Chapel and larger venues such as The Lensic Performing Arts Center. Check out all the fun on www.santafe.org/Calendar.

Seasonal — Indigenous American Dances: The pueblos near Santa Fe conduct unique, ancient ceremonial dances during the holiday season. For a full schedule and important etiquette for these religious events, please visit www.miaclab.org/42.

New Years Eve Celebrations in the Southwest U.S. - 2013

Enjoy a San Antonio New Years Eve on the River Walk

Enjoy the colorful and somewhat warmer southwest for your New Years Eve celebration in 2013. There are some fantastic New Years Eve celebrations in the beautiful Southwest that are fast becoming the place to be to ring in the New Year.

Arizona
Westgate Rocks Out in Glendale at the Westgate Entertainment District. The event grows every year. Adding to the atmosphere at Westgate is the Fountain Plaza with the huge dancing fountains. You can go from party to party. Restaurants such as Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville overlook Fountain Plaza and Calico Jack's will help keep the Margaritas flowing. Westgate website.

Head to Flagstaff, Arizona in the pinewoods for a country New Year’s celebration. At the old Weatherford Hotel you’ll see a six-foot, 70-pound Pine Cone lowered twice on New Year’s Eve, at 10 p.m. and midnight. An eclectic mix of holiday music pours from the Weatherford hotel’s balcony as the crowd counts down to midnight. Inside the historic Weatherford, popular local rock ‘n’ roll bands perform. Video: Watch the Pinecone Drop.

For a more sedate celebration you’ll enjoy music in Phoenix. Partake in a favorite Phoenix tradition by celebrating New Year’s Eve with The Phoenix Symphony!  End the year on a high note as Randall Craig Fleischer, a Leonard Bernstein fellow, conducts The Phoenix Symphony in the Valley’s most popular New Year’s Eve Celebration. Enjoy famous Strauss Waltzes and seasonal classics from Puccini, Gershwin and Gilbert and Sullivan. Don’t miss this joyous and popular musical celebration.  More on the Phoenix Symphony website.

Nevada
Want something really wild? The Las Vegas Strip has the big party with a few hundred thousand people celebrating the New Year right on the street. It will be quite an experience as you can expect to see wall to wall people that have each decided that starting the night at noon meant drinking way too much all day. There is a huge fireworks display at midnight and the electricity in the air is amazing. More on New Years in Las Vegas from travel writer Zeke Quezada.

I prefer a smaller celebration and so New Years in Reno might fit the bill. Travel writer,Stan White provides a great list of things for both adults and families to do on New Years in the Reno area. The fireworks at the ski resorts sound fantastic. More on New Years in Reno

Texas
Dallas might be a fun place for New Year’s Eve. Some celebrations are elegant sit-down dinners and some are on-your-feet-dancing parties. Some are some combination of the two. There are also a couple of non-traditional ways to celebrate with the entire family — like driving through Prairie Lights on its closing night or attending the Dallas Stars hockey game. More Dallas ideas.

Last but not least head to Texas to Ring in the New Year San Antonio Style. I’m a great fan of San Antonio and love the Riverwalk area. You can Ring in the New Year with San Antonio’s biggest New Year’s Eve party downtown. Spend your New Year’s Eve at the Celebrate San Antonio festival in downtown San Antonio.  Enjoy live music, entertainment, great food and libations.  The Celebrate San Antonio party is held on South Alamo Street between Market and Durango Street and in La Villita. More on Celebrate San Antonio.