Friday, November 28th, 2008
Even with cheap flights and cheap hotels, your wallet could probably use a break this time of year. So here’s our second roundup of free holiday events to help you celebrate the season on the cheap.
BOSTON — From strolling with historic characters to performances of the Nutcracker, Boston has lots of events to celebrate the season. We’ve listed a few of the free ones below. You can see all the events online.
- Sparklefest Holiday Parade: Santa and others parade from the Inn at Harvard down Massachusetts Avenue. Sunday, December 21, 12-1 p.m.
- Skating rink at the Charles Hotel: Free skating and skate rentals during the grand opening Sunday, December 7, 12-8 p.m.
- Tree lighting ceremony: Local and national performers and carolers join Santa for holiday entertainment and the lighting of Boston’s official non-denominational holiday shrub. December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Boston Common.
PHILADELPHIA – Light displays, children’s programs and events celebrating Chanukah and Kwanzaa are part of Philly’s holiday celebration. Learn more.
- Holiday Light Show: 100,000 LED lights illuminate to create holiday images, accompanied by music from the Wanamaker Grand Organ. November 28-January 1 at Macy’s Center City.
- Sharing the Heritage Holiday and Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration: If you bring an unwrapped gift to donate, you’ll get free admission to this event featuring discussions, films and performances about Kwanzaa. The African American Museum in Philadelphia. December 20
- Holiday Railroad: More than a dozen model trains traverse snow-covered mountains and wind through miniature towns at this display at Reading Terminal Market. November 28-December 31.
DENVER – The Mile-High City has plenty of holiday happenings. See them all online.
- City & County Building Holiday Lights: 600,000 lights illuminate the building and the bell tower plays carols. Nightly November 23 - January at 6 p.m.
- Parade of Lights: Eight marching bands, giant balloons and brightly lit holiday floats wind through downtown Denver. December 5 at 8 p.m. and December 6 at 6 p.m.
- Denver Christkindl Market: Vendors from Germany and throughout Europe offer traditional handcrafted items and food. At 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street through December 23. Note: It’s free to enter the market and browse, but if you want to shop, bring your wallet.
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Tags: Boston, cheap hotels, Christmas, holiday, light, lights, Philadelphia. Denver. cheap flights, skating, Travel
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Friday, November 21st, 2008
‘Tis the season for holiday travel. And while that may bring visions of flight delays and long security lines, don’t despair. CheapTickets wants to spread some holiday cheer. We’ve compiled a list of free holiday events in a selection of cities across the country, and we’re sharing them here in a two-part series. Consider it our holiday gift to you.
If you’ve got airline tickets and hotel reservations for one of these warm-weather destinations, you’ll have plenty of ways to celebrate:
LOS ANGELES
- The Light of the Angels: This seven-minute multimedia light display runs nightly December 4-31 at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. at NOKIA Plaza. A key feature of the program is a 37,500-pound tree with 11,000 lights.
- Marina del Ray Holiday Boat Parade: A fireworks show kicks off the event just before 6 p.m.; then boats decorated with lights circle through the harbor. December 13.
- DWP Light Festival: From Thanksgiving weekend to the end of December, this mile-long Crystal Springs Drive route in Griffith Park turns into L.A.’s most awesome display of holiday lighting. Open 5 -10 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — San Diego has a ready list of 25 free activities for holiday travelers to enjoy. Here are a few highlights:
- Coronado Christmas Open House and Parade: Santa arrives by ferry, and a concert follows the parade.
- Balboa Park: Free organ concerts with holiday music. Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. And don’t miss the "Whoville" decorations outside the Old Globe Theater in honor of the production "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
- La Jolla Christmas Parade and Festival: December 7
- Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights: Over 100 brightly lit boats parade along Mission Bay. December 13
- Horse-drawn carriage rides: In Escondido. December 1, 8, 15, and 22; 5-9 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS
- Cathedral Christmas Concerts: Local choirs perform holiday music in the historic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Select evenings at 6 p.m. from December 1-22.
- Cooking Demonstrations: Celebrated local chefs share their secrets for making delicious recipes. Select days at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. December 2-20.
FORT LAUDERDALE
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Tags: airline tickets, CheapTickets, Christmas, Fort Lauderdale, holiday, hotel reservations, La Jolla, Los Angeles, new Orleans, parade, San Diego, Travel
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Monday, November 10th, 2008
The holiday travel season is here, and CheapTickets has great deals for people who want to celebrate at sea.
Cheap cruises offer an easy and affordable way to combine holiday celebrations with vacation, and there are plenty of sailings over Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah. Here is a sample:
- Seven-night Eastern Caribbean: Cruise to St. Maarten and St. Thomas aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas. Enjoy three pools, a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink and plenty of other activities. Cruise leaves November 23, and prices start at $499.
- Four-night Bahamas: Sail to Nassau and a private Bahamas island aboard the Monarch of the Seas. Let the teens hang out in the ship’s special teen lounge while you lounge at the spa. Rooms start at $389 for this November 24 sailing.
- Ten-night Southern Caribbean: Leave the cold behind when you visit St. Lucia, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands and more. You’ll celebrate the holidays in style with four restaurants and a Champagne and Caviar Bar. The Celebrity Galaxy leaves December 19, and prices start at $649.
Four-night Thanksgiving cruises start at just $229, and four-night December cruises start at $319. With cheap cruises from CheapTickets, your holiday travel can be easy and affordable.
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Tags: Caribbean, Celebrity, cheap cruises, CheapTickets, Christmas, cruise, Hanukkah, holiday, Royal Caribbean, Thanksgiving, Travel
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