Holiday Traditions Celebrated In National Parks

Carols, craft demonstrations, and candlelight tours are just some of the special festivities taking place in national parks this holiday season. The 2008 National Park Service website, available by clicking on the link below, lists more than 50 events featuring holiday sights and sounds.

“National parks are wonderful places to reflect and refresh during the holiday season,” said Director Bomar. “Visitors can celebrate this special time of year in a variety of ways. They can enjoy the majesty of a large natural area, experience traditional celebrations of bygone eras at historic sites, or simply lounge by the fireplace in a rustic lodge after an outdoor adventure. There is something for everyone.”

The website “Celebrate the Holiday Season in America’s National Parks” provides a comprehensive state-by-state listing of special events. Commemorations at National Park Service sites showcase the meaning of the holidays throughout America’s history and provide a way to connect with significant people and places in the country’s past.

Children can make Victorian cards, take carriage rides, or learn crafts. Families can attend plays and concerts or learn about various ethnic, cultural, and religious holidays celebrated around the world. Visitors can admire the luminaries and period decorations at historic sites. Overall, National Park Service sites are great places to make or continue holiday traditions.