The holiday season brings a bounty of good cheer and good times no matter where you roam. From the Caribbean vibe of the Florida Keys to the beautiful mountains of North Georgia to the vineyard-filled Napa Valley, each of these destinations delivers a spirited holiday experience. See which of these intriguing holiday getaways works for you then get ready to party!
An Island Christmas at Playa Largo | Key Largo, FL
Throughout the holiday season, Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo is serving up a jam-packed month of holiday festivities and activities. Most notably, guests can enjoy the resort’s winter wonderland-themed pop-up roller skating rink – watch out for polar bears and bring your jacket, it might be pool weather outside, but it will feel like winter at the ballroom turned indoor rink.
Also, every weekend in December you’ll find an island-inspired holiday market featuring locally crafted and curated goods. More fun awaits with artisan holiday craft classes, a holiday escape room, building and decorating island-themed gingerbread houses, holiday dishes and beverages at each on-site restaurant and more.
For an extra special experience, book one of the resort’s suites where you can order a Christmas tree with all the trimmings for delivery to your room.
If you stay through New Year’s Eve, you’ll have three diverse resort celebrations to choose from to ring in the new year. Dance the night away at a Havana Nights Beach Party. Dress things up at an Elegant Masquerade. Or enjoy a blast from the past 80s celebration. https://www.playalargoresort.com/play/holidays
Celebrate Christmas at a Snow Globe-like Resort | Barnsley Resort, GA
Escape to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and enter a snow globe-like reality at Barnsley Resort. The storybook site is home to a 55-room Inn, as well as a charming village setting with 39 cozy cottages. Each cottage is unique while offering hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplaces and clawfoot bathtubs.
Guests can explore the sprawling 3,000-acre grounds and watch how the famed gardens sparkle with an array of more than one million holiday lights at the historic Manor House Ruins. Additionally, the resort offers several holiday-themed events, such as gingerbread house making, visits from Santa Claus, wreath crafting workshops and an exquisite Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas day brunch, inspired by the season in the intimate setting of the Rice House restaurant.
For more information and to book, visit www.barnsleyresort.com/accommodations/event-calendar
Southernmost Beach Resort | Key West, FL
If staying warm through the holidays is your goal, consider celebrating Christmas in Key West. Here you’ll find a Caribbean-esque vacation with palm trees sparkling with white lights, sailboats decked out with colorful holiday lights and conch cottages with creative holiday displays.
Some special holiday activities on the island include the famous annual lighted boat parade, a trolley tour of Christmas lights through Old Key West, charity sailings with Santa to benefit children in need in the Florida Keys, and all-day water adventures on Christmas Day complete with a festive breakfast before snorkeling, paddle boarding, jet skiing, or kayaking the day away.
Just a few minutes away from Duval Street and Old Key West, Southernmost Beach Resort brings the magic of the winter season. Enjoy a host of holiday activities for the whole family, like a Snowman Sandman Building Contest and resort-wide Candy Cane Hunt. Also on the schedule are the “12 Days of SOMO” – daily celebrations that include festive poolside games and daily holiday-inspired cocktails like Jingle or Mingle Sangria and Naughty Margarita. www.southernmostbeachresort.com
Making Merry at the Meritage Resort & Spa | Napa, CA
During the merry-making season, The Meritage Resort and Spa transforms into a spectacular winter village in the heart of Napa Wine Country. Experience a nightly 6 pm tree lighting ceremony complete with snow, ice skating, s’mores roasting fire pits and VIP igloos, along with special events like Tinsel Tea, Bubbles and Blitzen, weekends with Santa and more, there’s no shortage of the festive spirit at this beloved Napa resort.
The ice rink, adorned with twinkling lights, is open daily through January 7th. Enjoy the resort’s on-site tasting rooms rink side or upgrade the experience by reserving a cozy igloo or fire pit.
For those seeking a fun New Year’s Eve party, the Meritage Resort & Spa has everything you need. Ring in 2024 with a night of hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a balloon drop, plenty of bubbly and a live performance from San Francisco’s own, Entourage The Band.
Recover from your New Year’s Eve celebration at on-site tasting rooms, relaxing pools and Spa Terra nested in a 22,000-square-foot Napa Estate Cave. www.meritageresort.com