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Riverchase Galleria
3000 Riverchase Galleria
Hoover (Birmingham), Alabama 35244
205/985-3020

Riverchase Galleria, Alabama’s number one tourist attraction, is giving visitors many opportunities to celebrate this season. On November 12 at 7pm, Santa arrives at Riverchase Galleria for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, with a special performance by the Birmingham Ballet. Children and parents alike will listen for the bells at the end which means Santa is on his way to light the tree. Visitors will also enjoy the daily Magic Snow Show in the food court beginning November 13. On Black Friday (November 26), shoppers who spend $100 before noon will receive a $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card. Pet nights with Santa, November 22, 29 and December 6 from 6-9pm, gives visitors an opportunity to include every member of the family in a picture with Santa. Merrier Fridays are celebrated December 3, 10,&17 from 4-8pm in the food court, where shoppers will receive a $10 mall gift card when they spend $100 that day. “Forever Homes for the Holidays”, December 6-12, 10am-7pm, features local Humane Societies bringing lovable dogs and cats that are ready for their Forever Homes. Finishing the season is Birmingham’s Biggest Blood Drive (Red Cross), December 28-30 from 11am-7pm. For more information on holiday events, visit www.riverchasegalleria.com.

For your next vacation head to Orange Beach Alabama and check out the vacation rentals available on HomeAway.com. Whether you’re a single traveler ready to explore the area, or a family of four who visits each year, you’ll find a vacation rental better suits your travel needs.

Fall in love with having extra space to sprawl out in, the flexibility to come and go as you please, and a central location. Take advantage of having your own kitchen to cook meals in – a smart way to save money on your trip.

Visit HomeAway.com today!

Planning an Arizona vacation? Before booking that hotel room check out Arizona vacation rentals on HomeAway.com. From luxury house rentals to more affordable apartments, you’ll find vacation rentals are economical lodging alternatives.

Enjoy having extra space to sprawl out in, your own kitchen for cooking, and comfortable home amenities. Strapped for cash? Consider cooking most meals at home, in your own private kitchen instead of eating out for every meal. Whether alone or traveling with a group, you’ll find a vacation home is the best way to travel. Visit HomeAway.com today.

The High Country Holidays in Flagstaff bring together the warm memories of past holidays with new traditions for family and friends to embrace.

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Flagstaff is abuzz with plenty of holiday spirit and residents and visitors alike will share in the joy of the season.

With crisp mountain air and roaring fireplaces, Flagstaff will warm your soul and refresh your spirits.

We invite you to experience the High Country Holidays and make Flagstaff your new holiday tradition.

For the most up-to-date information on holiday events,
visit www.flagstaffarizona.org/holidays

or call the Flagstaff Visitor Center at 800-842-7293.

Sedona - Holiday Tree Lighting:

Watch the annual tree-lighting ceremony, listen to holiday music and visit with Santa in uptown Sedona. Sponsored by the City of Sedona, Sedona Main Street Program and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Festival of Lights, December 11:  Thousands of glowing luminaries light up Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village during this 35th annual celebration. Entertainment includes musicians and dancers. Visit www.sedonachamber.com for more information.

Mariner’s Village/Alley & Dana Wharf - Join us to celebrate the holiday season. The three areas of the Harbor, Dana Wharf, Mariners Village and Mariner’s Alley will all host holiday activities geared to families and children. Santa is anxious to hear your Holiday wishes and is available for photos (bring your camera).

Boat Rides with Santa - Saturday Dec 4th & Sunday, Dec 5th, 10am-2pm. Dana Wharf Sportfishing Docks

36th Annual Boat Parade of Lights "Jingle Bell Rock" - Friday, Dec 10 & Saturday Dec 11 - 7:30pm, Friday, Dec 17 & Saturday Dec 18 - 7:30pm

You can view the parade FREE from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of our restaurants to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Dana Point Harbor is at 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA.

Find out why more people find comfort at Colorado vacation rentals than hotel rooms. Booking a condo or cabin rental is just as easy finding a hotel and often just half the price.

Enjoy having extra room to relax in, comfortable amenities and your own kitchen to cook meals in. Colorado vacation rentals make it easy to enjoy a ski vacation.

Rent a condo on the slopes and be a few short steps from the lift. Not to mention, vacation rentals have plenty of storage space to store your ski equipment. Visit HomeAway.com today.

Bring the family out to enjoy a morning of fun at Park Meadows on November 13th, where they’ll be treated to live entertainment, holiday choirs, an appearance by Miss Colorado, the Denver Broncos’ mascot Miles, Denver Nuggets’ mascot Rocky, and many more surprises! Visiting Santa? Save time with Santa’s Express Pass and receive special offers from Santa when visiting him in his Rustic Alpine Mountain Village. And this holiday season, when visitors arrive at Park Meadows –Colorado’s Only Retail Resort, they’ll have the opportunity to win a trip for four to Vail, one of the world’s best ski resorts. Visit the Santa Village, Guest Services, or participating businesses, to enter to win the trip or a variety of great prizes including dinners, ski passes, luggage and more.

Consider Florida vacation rentals before booking your usual hotel room. HomeAway.com has a wide selection of Florida vacation rentals for most budgets. Choose from affordable condos, waterfront beach houses, upscale villas and more.

Enjoy having extra room to relax, privacy from other travelers and comfortable amenities to make you feel at home. Save money by cooking meals in your own kitchen, or by staying in.

Search now for your ideal rental on HomeAway.com.

Located on beautiful Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, Bayside Marketplace will be open extended hours this holiday season with great shopping, dining and entertainment in a beautiful waterfront setting! Bayside will be open on both Thanksgiving and Christmas days with live musical entertainment, which will also be featured every evening throughout the holiday season. Gift shopping is fun at Bayside Marketplace with over 150 unique shops and international dining overlooking the Bay.

On New Year’s Eve, Bayside Marketplace is THE place to be, with live entertainment all day on the Marina Stage and a spectacular fireworks display that night. Throughout the holiday season and beyond, Bayside is your Miami Heat fan destination! Every Heat home game will be featured on the Marina Stage.

Come out to watch the game on their giant projection screen, while enjoying great music from their celebrity DJ, fun and prizes!

For more information, visit www.baysidemarketplace.com. 

Located just minutes from downtown Miami, Village of Merrick Park “Goes Green” as its 50-foot tree is lit with 55,000 LED lights. The holiday season kicks off on November 18th with a night of festivities including musical performances and holiday character greetings including Santa Clause and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Throughout The Garden, live entertainment including stilt walking toy soldiers and jugglers will entertain holiday visitors. Children will delight in the sugar cookie decoration station provided by Whole Foods Market. Miami’s luxury shopping paradise will offer a variety of events and live music throughout the season. Village of Merrick Park’s merchants offer an array of specialty holiday items and gift selections that can satisfy even the most indulgent wish lists this year. For detailed performance and event information visit the center’s website.

Jumpstart your holiday shopping in tropical Hawaii during “Thanksgetting Day” at Ala Moana Center. All visitors will be greeted at 6am with a special “cheat sheet” flyer highlighting door-buster specials and happenings throughout the day, including complimentary gift wrapping, entertainment, bottled water and more. Guests can even download a voucher for complimentary valet parking Thanksgetting Day on the center’s website. Ala Moana Center has not one, but five lighted trees that flash every hour from November 13th to December 23rd, to your favorite holiday tunes including Mele Kalikimaka. Kids will love visiting with Santa and riding the candy cane train. Inspired by The Christmas Gift of Aloha storybook, this sing-along journey is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays with the little ones. Mom and dad can even enter to win a Personal Santa who will shop, wrap and deliver up to 10 presents (valued to $1,000) to one lucky winner!

Located on the beautiful island of Maui, Whalers Village welcomes holiday travelers with the spirit of Aloha during a variety of special events and activities in December including free photos with Santa beachside on Friday’s and Saturday’s, the first 2 weekends in December! And of course, no Hawaiian holiday is complete without free hula lessons, lei making classes, holiday jazz performances, Tahitian and Polynesian Dance Shows, Frosty the Stickman Show and the traditional Mele Kalikimaka Show (Christmas Show)! And don’t forget to check out the daily films showing at Whalers Village Museum.

Check the center’s website for details, dates and times.

Looking for a holiday retreat? Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, Oakbrook Center is offering visitors a Holiday Shop & Stay Package through December 31. Travelers can select from 11 Oakbrook area hotels to receive overnight accommodations along with a delightful assortment of gift cards, spa certificates, gift items, special offers and services such as shuttles, valet parking concierge services and more! A perfect package for serious holiday shoppers!

For travelers seeking a unique culinary adventure, Oakbrook Center has you covered with a special dining package offering a $20 GGP gift card with any $50 purchase Monday-Thursday at participating restaurants. In addition, diners will receive over $100 in future savings on dining at the center. Special shopping incentives apply for November 26th and 27th, along with free gift wrap for up to 5 packages on Mondays through December 20th. Terms and conditions apply to all promotions and special offers. Visit www.oakbrookcenter.com for details.

Located at the top of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place is making Friday’s Merrier this holiday season.

On Friday December 3, 10, and 17, Mrs. Claus will be visiting to read favorite holiday stories to the kids.

The first 100 children will receive a mini plush toy! All kids can register for a chance to win “My American Girl” doll and outfit, a one-of-a-kind gingerbread house from foodlife and other great prizes!

Mom and dad will receive a $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card with purchases totaling $100 or more on those Fridays as well!

Kick off the holidays in New Orleans with a special outdoor showing of the holiday classic, Polar Express on Friday, December 3rd. The movie will be shown at Riverwalk Marketplace’s Spanish Plaza, located along the mighty Mississippi River. Then celebrate the holiday season at Riverwalk with Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana for the annual Chanukah at Riverwalk celebration.

Chabad-Lubavitch’s Chanukah event features music, food and a 12-foot Menorah lighting is on Sunday, December 5th. This December will be the 20th year Riverwalk has hosted the Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony on Spanish Plaza.

Chanukah at Riverwalk entertains visitors with traditional Israeli music, dancing, food and the lighting of the 12-foot menorah.

Located in the heart of the Inner Harbor, Harborplace & The Gallery, Baltimore’s historic retail and dining destination has a multitude of festive activities planned for visitors from around the world.

Santa Claus is coming to town, and this year he’s bringing some of his Baltimore friends! Santa arrives on November 19th and will be ushered in by a cast of characters who have shaped the quintessential quirkiness of Charm City. His Baltimore home-away-from-home has been transformed with an exciting and environmentally green design featuring LED lights choreographed to music to create one-of-a-kind holiday light shows nightly.

Of course, the holidays aren’t complete without one of Baltimore’s most highly anticipated annual events - Merry Tuba Christmas when hundreds of festively dressed tuba and euphonium players will assemble for a special holiday concert. Over 200 musicians come together from not only the Baltimore area, but Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia! Plan to countdown to 2011 at the Harborplace Amphitheatre, featuring an evening of live music culminating in a spectacular fireworks show over the waters of the Inner Harbor at midnight.

Harborplace and The Gallery offers holiday shoppers national names, local shops and artisans, along with regional cuisines. For further holiday event information and schedules, log on to www.harborplace.com. 

"Believe in the Magic" Features Santa, Dancers and Celebrities on The Las Vegas Strip.

Fashion Show’s annual “Believe in the Magic” holiday production features a 35-foot Christmas tree, Fashion Show elves (dancers), artificial snow that falls from the mall ceiling, and, of course, Santa.

The show is free and unfolds on the Fashion Show runway in The Great Hall (near Nordstrom).

Santa remains at Fashion Show through December 24th and is available daily during center hours for photos.

Santa is located in Fashion Show near the entrance to Nordstrom.

HOLIDAY IN OLD-WORLD VENICE AT THE GRAND CANAL SHOPPES Located across from Fashion Show on The Strip, The Grand Canal Shoppes shine with awe-inspiring décor featuring the riches of old-world Venice including tapestries, sconces, chandeliers and wrought-iron embellishments over The Grand Canal. Live entertainment is presented daily with performances by The Venetian Trio, Streetmosphere talent and Living Statues. Dining at The Grand Canal Shoppes offers a gourmet taste of the holidays by signature chefs including David Burke, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, and more. After shopping the center’s 80 unique boutiques, top off the day with a serenading Gondola ride through the festive waters of The Grand Canal.

The Shoppes at The Palazzo continues the tradition of beautiful European decorative work of Panache Designs.

The unique décor features a whimsical and luxurious approach to holiday with artistically dressed topiaries adorned with hand-painted urns creating a piece of art in itself.

The topiaries will line the hallways with warmth and compliment the beautiful craftsmanship of The Shoppes at The Palazzo.

Score big and look into Las Vegas vacation rentals instead of instantly booking your usual Vegas hotel room. While the buffets may be worth waiting in line for, having your own kitchen to cook meals in isn’t a bad hand either.

Enjoy relaxing in your own vacation home. Discover the extra room, privacy from other travelers and comfortable amenities Las Vegas rentals provide.

Whether for business or pleasure, you’ll be more at ease in a vacation home.

Visit HomeAway.com today.

South Street Seaport’s historic pier and cobblestone streets offer a perfect location to take in the sights and sounds of a New York City holiday.

The Chorus Tree Lighting Ceremony begins on Friday, November 26th at 6pm.

The event features a countdown to the illumination of thousands of twinkling white lights affixed to the 50-plus-foot Chorus Tree, a performance by Darlene Love singing her hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with The Big Apple Chorus and a small-town parade heralding the arrival of New York City’s most acclaimed Santa Claus.

Kids can enjoy Story Time with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays through December 19. Of course Seaport Marketplace also greets visitors with more than 100 retail shops, colorful carts, cafes and restaurants, to make holiday shopping truly memorable for visitors from around the world.

Be sure to shop December 2-5th for special Friends and Family Discount Days to save even more from participating retailers.

Call 212-SEA-PORT or log on to www.thenewseaport.com

Pioneer Place is celebrating two important arrivals this holiday season! First, November 11th, shoppers will delight with the arrival of the first H&M store in Oregon.

The international fashion retailer is known world-wide for offering fashion-forward apparel and classic basics. Then Santa arrives at Pioneer Place on Saturday, November 20th! He’ll greet good little boys and girls daily through Christmas Eve.

On Monday nights from November 29-December 13, Santa will even greet furry, four-legged friends for holiday-hugging photographs. Proud pet owners are invited to treat their favorite fuzzy companion to a special visit with Santa to celebrate the season.

On Fridays, December 3, 10, and 17, all holiday shoppers who spend $100 or more will receive a $10 GGP Shop Etc. gift card.

Best of all – Pioneer Place offers tax-free shopping to out of town visitors.

Visit www.pioneerplace.com for Santa hours and event schedules.

Getting a jump on holiday shopping this year? Then you’ll want to be at The Woodlands Mall on November 13th for Santa’s arrival and the Early Shopper Reward offer of a $10 GGP Shop Etc. gift card with a minimum purchase of $75 or more. Shoppers will discover several new stores this holiday season including well-known retailer Forever 21, Shasa-offering trendy styles for young women, and Fanzz-featuring collegiate and national sports-related apparel and gifts. On Friday, November 26th, there will be shopper perks handed out randomly throughout the mall. Visitors could win a spa package or a variety of small gifts for adults and children. Monday nights will find Santa welcoming furry friends for Pet Night Photos and Fridays feature Story Time with Mrs. Clause. Check the mall’s website for further details, dates and times of all events.

November 19th, Santa arrives at North Star Mall to kick off a season of fun and festivities, in a parade escorted by a full marching band and mascot characters. Santa will welcome visitors and kids with genuine Texas hospitality throughout the holidays, while various musical performances and entertainment fills the air with magic, laughter and song. Pet owners are invited to bring their beloved furry friends to North Star for St. Nick’s Pet Pics and kids will delight in Story Time with Mrs. Clause that bring the fantasy of the holiday season alive. Don’t forget to get your picture next to the world’s largest cowboy boots sparkling for the holidays as well. For further details on Santa’s schedule and performances, visit the center’s website.  For further holiday event information and schedules, log on to  www.northstarmall.com

The Shops at La Cantera will once again host Holiday Mingle & Jingle on December 2nd featuring an evening of merriment and exclusive holiday offers.

The event will benefit local charities and offers cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, socializing and shopping!

Exclusive holiday offers ranging from special discounts at participating stores to fabulous prizes will be enjoyed by guests.

Tickets are sold by local charities. For ticket information, visit the centers website.

And don’t forget to visit Santa when he arrives November 26th!

For further holiday event information and schedules,
log on to www.theshopsatlacantera.com

Your Bavarian Getaway transforms itself into a virtual snow globe of Christmas Magic. Leavenworth welcomes you with Roasting Chestnuts, Holiday Characters, Old Fashion Caroling and a pure simple Christmas that brings a true feeling of wonder.

With Sleigh Rides, tubing on Ski Hill, performances of Christmas Harp Concerts by Bronn Journey, a Living Nativity, Choral Music from Village Voices, Amahl and the Night Visitors performing at the Festhalle, one of the largest nutcracker collections anywhere at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, there are opportunities for Holiday cheer everywhere. Santa Claus, Saint Nick and Father Christmas as well as Frosty, Rudolph, and other Christmas characters and strolling carolers are all part of the atmosphere. The lights and decorations on all the buildings, shops and restaurants set against the majestic Cascade Mountains all around Leavenworth truly make it a magical setting. Come Monday – Friday and experience the lights without the lighting ceremony.

Elves have stocked the shelves for your early Christmas shopping. 100 shops and restaurants are at your service to satisfy every taste and the most challenging shopping list. Accommodations are available from rustic cabins, cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels. Visit www.leavenworth.org for more information or call 509-548-5807.

Conveniently located just 2-hours north of Seattle, and 1.5-hours south of Vancouver, B.C., Mt. Baker Lodging is your source for private, self-catered, fully equipped Mt. Baker area cabins, cottages, condos, chalets, and executive vacation home rental accommodations, located in the mountain villages of Glacier and Maple Falls, at the magnificent gateway to the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, and the adjacent Mount Baker Ski Area!

The Mount Baker Recreation Area is a year-round playground! SUMMER Guests enjoy great hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, backpacking, freshwater fishing (lake and river), small game hunting, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, nature viewing, tennis, and golf. WINTER Guests enjoy spectacular downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sledding. Don't forget your camera...the photography is unsurpassed year-round!