Halloween has come and gone, and that means the holiday season is just around the corner. In anticipation of what Andy Williams crooned “the most wonderful time of the year,” we’re looking for North America’s best seasonal events – light shows, holiday parades, Christmas markets and festive hotels – and we need your help.
Vote for your favorites once per day until voting ends on Monday, December 2 at noon ET. The 10 winners in each category will be announced on Friday, December 13 in plenty of time for Christmas.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
Lights take center stage at these botanical garden events — Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden
During the winter season, a different kind of color lights up botanical gardens across the United States. Instead of spring flowers, visitors find twinkling holiday lights, often accompanied by a range of other holiday activities and events. Which botanical garden puts on the best seasonal lights show?
Vote: Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights »
Best Holiday Historic Home Tour
See what Christmas was like in decades past — Photo courtesy of George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Ever wondered how Thomas Jefferson spent his holidays or what a Gilded Age Christmas tree might have looked like? These 20 historic houses – handpicked by 10Best Local Experts from around the country – pull out all the stops for their holiday tours.
Vote: Best Holiday Historic Home Tour »
Best Holiday Market
You don’t have to go to Europe to shop in a traditional holiday market — Photo courtesy of iStock / spyderskidoo
You don’t need a passport to have a traditional Christmas market experience. Christmas markets are a holiday tradition from Europe brought over to North America by immigrants who moved across the Atlantic. Today, cities and towns across the country host holiday markets inspired by those of Germany, complete with traditional food, music and holiday treats.
Best Holiday Parade
These parades are totally travel-worthy — Photo courtesy of iStock / TimMcClean
Holiday parades, like these 20 nominated by 10Best Editors and Local Experts, bring holiday cheer in the form of festive floats, dancing elves, Santa and his sleigh and millions of twinkling lights. Which holiday parade do you look forward to the most?
Best Hotel for the Holidays
There’s no place like a festive hotel for the holidays — Photo courtesy of iStock / EasyBuy4u
Sometimes it’s nice to be home for the holidays. But sometimes it’s nice to get away. These hotels deck their halls and crank up the holiday cheer to a whole new level. Which is your favorite?
Vote: Best Hotel for the Holidays »
Best Public Holiday Lights Display
These lights displays shine brightly in December — Photo courtesy of iStock / martin-dm
Temperatures are dropping, snow is falling and the smell of turkey is in the air. The holidays are upon us. 10Best Local Experts and Editors have combed the nation for the 20 best, brightest and most beautiful holiday lights shows put on by neighborhoods, cities and parks, and now it’s your turn to help crown the winner of the Best Public Holiday Lights Display of 2019.
Vote: Best Public Holiday Lights Display »
Best Theme Park Holiday Event
Which theme park throws the best holiday party? — Photo courtesy of Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
These 20 American theme parks pull out all the stops as they deck their halls – and attractions – for the holidays. Winter visitors enjoy parades, seasonal live entertainment, visits with Santa and plenty of holiday cheer.
Vote: Best Theme Park Holiday Event »
Best Zoo Lights
These zoos are known for their family-friendly lights shows — Photo courtesy of Jamie Pham / Los Angeles Zoo
Each winter, zoos across the U.S. get into the holiday spirit with their own festive seasonal displays. Once the sun sets and the animals go to bed, these 20 U.S. zoos celebrate the season with some of the best lights displays around. Which zoo hosts your favorite event?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, December 13.