December
7 - 31,
2007 11th Annual Festival of Lights - Kauai, Hawaii
The 11th annual festival of lights runs from Decemeber 7th to December 31st.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Opening Night on December 7 at the Historic County Building. The Festival begins at 6:00 p.m. with caroling by the Kauai Chorale. Next, Santa arrives and with assistance from all keiki (children), leads a spectacular Lighting Countdown of the hundreds of thousands of lights that will illuminate the Historic Park. The doors then officially open for viewing of the interior of the Historic County Building and its illuminated Christmas decorations. Not only will visitors see the spectacular decorations, they will also hear the beautiful voices of the Kapaa Middle School 8th Grade Choir. This is followed by the Lights on Rice Parade at 6:30 p.m., a unique showcase of island lighted floats.
Festival of Lights runs through December 31, 2007. Visitors can enjoy the Christmas decorations within the Historic County Building between 6:00-8:00 p.m. every Friday-Sunday. Families can also visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Docents, along with Auntie Josie, will be present to provide background on the collection. For more information, please call 808-828-0014.
December
8,
2007 Wassail Celebration - Woodstock, VT
Wassail is Woodstock's way of ushering in the Christmas period. It is a mid-December weekend of events from children's plays to bell ringing. The culmination is a performance of the Messiah (in which the public is invited to participate). But, the event that really draws the crowds is the annual parade of horses and riders. Riders dress in colorful period costumes evoking the look of a small Vermont town at the turn of the century. It is estimated that around 5,000 visitors come for the event each year.
December
15,
2007 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade - Fort Lauderdale, FL
For the first time ever, the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be taking on a new route taking the procession through the heart of the city's downtown. Approximately 1 million spectators are expected to gather along the parade's 12 mile route this year in order to see the wonderfully illuminated seafaring vessels as they snake down the new river. Also added for the 2007 celebration is an ice rink and motorcycles on the water. If that doesn't sound like a unique photo-op, I don't know what else does!
December
24,
2007 Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade - Winter Park, Colorado
The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade is one of the most beloved Winter Park traditions. The event begins with Christmas carols around the bonfire at the base of Winter Park Resort, next to the Zephyr Lift. At 5:30 pm, a procession of torch-bearing skiers begin their way down Lower Hughes trail, followed by Santa Claus and his helpers. A spectacular fireworks display and snowcats adorned with Christmas colors light up the slopes in a Christmas tree formation to conclude the festivities. Immediately following the show, visitors are welcome to attend Christmas Eve interdenominational services located in the lower level of the Balcony House and Catholic Church services located in West Portal Level 4.
