A Christmas Without Snow: Holiday Fun in Warmer Cities

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Not every city experiences a “White Christmas.” Some are in a part of the country where it’s warm and sunny all year round. If you are fortunate enough to live in one of these cities, don’t think you can’t still get in the holiday spirit. It’s all a matter of knowing what events are happening in your town.

Let’s take a tour through some of the warmer cities in America and see if we can find some great activities for your friends and family come this holiday season.

Tampa, Florida

Busch Gardens: Christmas Town - Ever think you’d see a place in Tampa that has over 1 million Christmas lights? Busch Gardens' Christmas Town is a virtual Winter Wonderland where you’ll find a variety of holiday celebrations at every corner. This is an especially great destination for families. Take your children for a feast with Mrs. Claus and her elves, chill with some penguins (real ones!), or visit Santa himself in Christmas Town’s own version of the North Pole.

Holiday Happenings at the Florida Aquarium - Did you know Santa loves aquariums? Apparently! There are many activities at the Florida Aquarium throughout the year, but check out what’s on the agenda there for the holidays. It’s quite a sight to see elves don scuba diving gear and explore the Coral Reef Gallery. There will also be several exciting opportunities for children to join Santa for breakfast, or partake in activities in the different snow play areas. Hey parents, feel like “letting loose” for the new year? Be sure to make it to the Aquarium for “Aqua-Eve,” where you can enjoy a midnight fireworks display over the channel while sipping on beer, wine and champagne. Check out the upcoming events page at the Florida Aquarium to see what other events are taking place.

Los Angeles, California

Various Ice Skating Locations - Normally, ice doesn’t exist in Los Angeles-- except in cold drinks. Well, thanks to the various skating rinks throughout L.A., this is no longer true. Next to the beach at Santa Monica, there’s 8,000 square feet of ice in the form of ICE at Santa Monica. Feel like skating alongside palm trees and skyscrapers? Check out Downtown on Ice in central Los Angeles. With LA’s variety of skating rinks, it’s never been easier to get your tan on while enjoying one of the most important activities of the holiday.

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L.A. County Holiday Celebration - Los Angeles is a town of entertainment, so it better put on a big show for the holidays. The Holiday Celebration from the L.A. County Arts Commission will not disappoint. Another perfect event for families, the Holiday Celebration is largely focused on music and dance routines from all over the world. You’ll see acts from Korea, Mexico, India, and more. Out of all the attractions in Southern California, this one really showcases LA’s diverse, international community. Every year, about 5,000 people attend the L.A. County Holiday Celebration, and what’s more, they all it do it for free. That’s right, it’s first come, first serve!

Even though you enjoy the luxury of a persistently warm and pleasant climate, you may still feel like you’re missing out on something during the holiday season. Not to fear! There will always be holiday-themed events regardless of what city you live in. Now, we’ve made sure that our friends in Tampa and LA will keep up that holiday spirit.

Do you live in a city with warm weather? Tell us about some of the holiday activities in your community in the comments!