Palm Springs, Local Events, Big Sky, MT, Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Tahoe, Taos, NM, Tybee Island, Park City, UT

Enjoy Cheerful Holiday Events in Our Spectacular Destinations

Published on Dec 02, 2023

Get ready to create unforgettable holiday memories with loved ones as you embark on a journey to our spectacular destinations across the United States! Natural Retreats has carefully curated a comprehensive list of the most exciting holiday events taking place in various locations, like Big Sky, Palm Springs, Taos, and more. Enjoy these joyful festivities with friends and family as you make the most of this special time of the year!

 

Annual Big Sky holiday event with fireworks Big Sky's Torchlight Parade & Fireworks event boasts skiers carrying lit torches down the mountain.

BIG SKY

Experience the magic of Big Sky's Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Show! Every year on Christmas Eve, Big Sky Resort hosts this incredible event where skiers carry torches down the mountain, accompanied by festive music. The torchlight parade illuminates the mountain peaks, creating a mesmerizing holiday tradition.

After the parade, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over Lone Peak Mountain that can be seen from miles away. Join us for an unforgettable experience this holiday season!

 

Not in Big Sky on Christmas Eve?

Consider the 26th Annual Big Sky Christmas Stroll! From December 8-9, you and your loved ones can enjoy a weekend filled with family-friendly events, entertainment, and holiday cheer. The streets of Big Sky will come alive with festive activities, including photos with Santa, wagon rides, holiday caroling, and so much more.

Plan your visit
Ice is coming down from the ceiling at the Ice Castles The Ice Castles in Park City make for the ideal backdrop for family photos and other special occasions.

PARK CITY

Get ready for an amazing holiday experience in Park City! Just 30 minutes away in Midway, you'll find the Ice Castles—a Winter wonderland that will leave you in awe. Explore ice caverns and get lost in a frozen maze where surprises await at every turn. Marvel at the incredible ice sculptures hand-carved by a world-renowned artist, hidden within the ice cascades. Thrill-seekers of all ages will love racing down the exhilarating ice slides or squeezing through passageways that are just the right size for a little crawling adventure.

Make your visit even more special by booking a private alcove within the castle. It's the perfect setting for a proposal!

And why not add a sleigh ride to your Ice Castles adventure? During January and February, you can enjoy a magical trail ride before being returned to the castle.

Visit the Ice Castles this Winter

 

BRECKENRIDGE

Partake in all the excitement at Breckenridge's Ullr Fest—the ultimate Winter celebration! This incredible event, now in its 60th year, attracts visitors from around the globe who come together to honor the mighty Norse god of snow, Ullr. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience on December 7-9, filled with a Main Street torchlight parade, lively music, incredible fireworks, an Ullr bonfire, and much more. Revel in the magic of Winter and don’t miss out!

 

Start a new tradition
Dollywood sign with snow all around it Dollywood is filled with millions of lights, festival decor, and holiday activities for the whole family.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

Welcome to a joyous celebration unlike any other—voted America's Best Christmas Event for more than a decade—at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas! This enchanting event, held annually in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is filled with more than 6 million dazzling holiday lights, a delightful nightly parade, and a fantastic lineup of more than a dozen award-winning live shows. You can even take a train ride around the park with the Express Light Experience. Indulge in all the traditional rides and captivating attractions while savoring delectable holiday food, drinks, and decor. From late November to early January, this extravaganza will fill your heart with Christmas cheer.

 

Enjoy the festivities

 

Like to do something a little different this holiday season?

Dive into the festive SEAson at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies! This annual event in Gatlinburg is a delightful celebration of the holidays, featuring underwater decorations and activities for all ages. With more than 10 million gallons of water teeming with vibrant fish, you and your family can enjoy enchanting music and dazzling light displays throughout the entire aquarium. Marvel at the captivating Santa and Elf Dive shows before taking memorial photos with Santa. From late November to early January each year, you can make unforgettable memories at this underwater event.

 

Enjoy a holiday experience like no other
Bicycle on the beach with presents strapped to it Tybee's festive parade features a variety of holiday-themed bicycles and decor, as well as live music.

TYBEE ISLAND

Join us in supporting local Tybee Island charities and celebrating the holiday season in style at the 14th Annual Tybee Tour de Lights Bicycle Christmas Parade! On December 16, participants can bring bikes or golf carts decked out in holiday cheer, for a festive ride through town.

Ride to A-J's Dockside Restaurant, where your $25 registration fee includes oysters, appetizers, select drinks, a contest for the best-decorated bikes and carts, a parade, door prizes, and live entertainment! Don't forget to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win amazing prizes!

Watch the parade or join in on the fun

 

PALM SPRINGS

Don’t miss out on this Palm Springs event—Barry Manilow's A Gift of Love VI! From December 12-17, experience the magic at McCallum Theater for the 6th year in a row. This show features five spectacular Christmas concerts with proceeds benefiting 25 amazing Coachella Valley charities.

Expect delightful surprises like last year when he welcomed a children's choir, Santa Claus, and even snow!

 

Book this enchanting experience now

 

POST-HOLIDAY BLISS

If starting a new holiday tradition isn't your thing, check out these alternatives to keep the festive spirit alive after the holidays.

Friends enjoying a glass of wine Cheers to the annual Winter Wine Festival held in the picturesque town of Taos.

 

TAOS

Calling all wine enthusiasts—join us at the delectable Taos Winter Wine Festival February 1-3! Get ready to indulge in a fantastic lineup of 30 winery partners who are set to kick off an incredible weekend. Taos' finest restaurants will serve delectable tastes alongside reserve wine at the beautiful El Monte Sagrado Resort. And that's not all! There will be a thrilling silent auction featuring wine lots from each participating winery. Trust us, you don't want to miss this!

To top it all off, the Grand Tasting will showcase all 30 participating wineries, pairing the best wines with tantalizing bites from Taos and Taos Ski Valley's most renowned restaurants. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

 

Cheers to Taos>>>
Christmas market with snow coming down Whether you're exploring a new city or relaxing at the beach, enjoy some bonding time with family and friends.

 

LAKE TAHOE

Join us for an exhilarating Lake Tahoe experience. Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the lake as you cruise around, enjoying the dazzling lights adorning homes along the shore. No matter the weather, the Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave cruise operates year-round, ensuring you never miss out, even in the Winter. On the chilliest of Tahoe days, central heating and a cozy fireplace in the boat’s cabin will keep you cozy. Book a private romantic cruise for 2, or bring the family along for a beautiful trip around the lake!

 

Take a cruise>>>

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NATURAL RETREATS

No matter which experience you choose, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy.
And if you need a place to stay, our services are just a click away. 
Travel Inspired. Travel well. Travel on!