This week I am offering up some wonderful events. What am I saying? I always offer up wonderful events. Not sure why I started off by saying that but it’s out now, I can’t take it back. You will have to forgive me as I am just slightly hassled by the season this year. Lot’s of things that I typically enjoy doing are now getting the fast shuffle.  That is because of my shortage of extra time. I will give you an example. My new best friend has become the holiday gift bag. I like it so much that my list of the top 5 inventions of all time now consists of the automobile, the telephone, the airplane, the micro chip and the holiday gift bag. You scoff? A lazy person’s way out? No, a busy person’s way out. Besides they are less messy and because they are reusable, they are more environmentally friendly. (It’s my blog, I can rationalize this anyway I choose).

There are no delusions this week as far as the events are concerned however. Some things at the holidays are hassle free and these events are some hassle free gems.  I call this a “potpourri” week. Most of the events have a holiday season theme but not all. Lots are parades; some on land, some on a lake, some on a river. Some of the events are indoor and some are out, some you do while sitting and others you do while you run. Some take place in a zoo, on a street, in a city and on the beach. “I do not like Green Eggs and Ham, I do not like them Sam I am!”* (I told you I was frazzled). I think you get the idea. Something for everyone!

So if things are making you frazzled these days you might need to get out there and find some easy to enjoy fun. I hope that you like the events I have highlighted. As always, my job here is to highlight events going on all over the U.S. I recognize that most of you will be unable to get to most of these events listed here due to geographic challenges. That doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get to great events because we have 1000’s of great events taking place this week featured on our web site. You can simply use the search box above and find out what there is to do in your backyard.  And don’t forget, Christmas is supposed to be fun!.

*Thank you Dr. Seuss for one of the greatest works of children’s literature.

Desert Arts Festival

Dec 08, 2012 – Dec 09, 2012

Frances Stevens Park Palm Springs, CA US 92262

Since 1988, features 90 booths, open to all media of original fine art and limited crafts. Be sure to stop by to see these handmade one-of-a-kind pieces.
25,000 Attendees

Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival

Dec 08, 2012

Town of Portsmouth Portsmouth, VA US 23709

Since 1999, features musical performances, children’s activities, re-enactors in period costumes, carolers and strolling characters and more.
100,000 Attendees

Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade

Dec 07, 2012

Downtown Gatlinburg Gatlinburg, TN US 37738

Since 1976, Enjoy lighted floats, marching bands and with more than 100 parade entries including dozens of floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, lots of lights and helium balloons as well as special guest Santa Claus.
75,000 Attendees

Christmas on the Coosa

Dec 08, 2012

Gold Star Park Wetumpka, AL US 36092

Christmas extravaganza with arts and crafts, parades, entertainment, seasonal music, food vendors and a grand finale fireworks display. Also takes place downtown. Parade at 2pm.
30,000 Attendees

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade

Dec 09, 2012

Intercoastal Waterway Pompano Beach, FL US 33062

Since 1963, a fabulous yearly boating event set in Pompano Beach is the Holiday Boat Parade, the nation’s oldest boat parade. Nearly 100 glittering yachts and smaller boats, decorated with lights and fantastic holiday themes, delight the thousands of people who watch from the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway beginning at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach north to Deerfield Beach. This boat parade is a special way of getting into the holiday spirit–South Florida style.
200,000 Attendees

Geneva’s Christmas Walk and Home Tours

Dec 07, 2012 – Dec 08, 2012

Downtown Geneva, IL US 60134

Since 1987. The traditional Christmas Walk begins on December 7 at 6:00 pm when Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage to offer Swedish cookies to visitors. Santa makes his appearance to light the Great Tree on the Courthouse lawn and officially opens his Gingerbread House at 6:30 pm. Enjoy an evening of holiday shopping and dining in historic Geneva and delight in chestnuts roasting, strolling carolers, freshly-made candy canes and hot cider. Your family has the opportunity to be the first to greet Santa this Geneva holiday season. The House Tour takes place on Friday, December 7 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday, December 8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Five distinctive homes decorated for the holidays will open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours. A traditional tea at the Congregational Church in Geneva, and a keepsake decorating and entertaining ideas booklet are also included in the tour.
135,000 Attendees

Electric Parade of Lights

Dec 08, 2012

Downtown Edmond, OK US 73003

This annual event features beautifully decorated lighted floats in celebration of the holiday season.
75,000 Attendees

City of Lights Christmas Parade

Dec 07, 2012

Downtown Idabel, OK US 74745

Welcome the holiday season with a lighted Christmas parade with beautifully decorated floats.
25,000 Attendees

Art Basel Miami Beach

Dec 06, 2012 – Dec 09, 2012

Miami Beach Convention Center Miami Beach, FL US 33139

200 of the world’s leading art galleries for modern and contemporary art from North America, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and Asia will display 20th and 21st century art works. Painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, print, photography, film, performance, video and digital art by more than 2000 artists.
30,000+ Attendees

Christmas Boat Lane Parade on Clear Lake

Dec 08, 2012

Landolt Pavilion at Clear Lake Park Seabrook, TX US 77058

Since 1962, Ring in the holidays with this Clear Lake tradition. More than 100,000 people traditionally enjoy this event from land and from hundreds of boats anchored throughout the Lake The parade features more than 100 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay.
100,000 Attendees

Pinellas Park Holiday Parade

Dec 08, 2012

Downtown Pinellas Park, FL US 33782

Since 1974. Celebrate the season with a beautifully lighted night time parade down Park Boulevard.
45,000 Attendees

Honolulu Marathon

Dec 09, 2012

Ala Moana Beach Park Honolulu, HI US 96814

Since 1972. The Honolulu Marathon starts on Ala Moana Boulevard, which in Hawaiian means “path by the ocean.” This phrase is an appropriate description for the entire race course. At the Starting Line is Ala Moana Beach Park, a local recreation area encompassing over 100 acres of park, beaches, swimming and surfing spots. The second mile of the course runs through downtown along Honolulu Harbor and the historic Aloha Tower, a ten- story clock tower which was the tallest building in Hawaii when it was erected in 1926. Runners turn right into Chinatown and proceed through Downtown Honolulu on South King Street. This historic stretch of the course passes Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil; the gilded statue of King Kamehameha; Kawaiahao Church, built with coral blocks from nearby reefs; Honolulu Hale, city hall; and Mission Houses Museum. Registration fee to participate in race.
60,000 Attendees

Zoo Lights

Dec 07, 2012 – Dec 09, 2012

Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL US 60614

Join us for the brilliance of this annual fun, free, family-oriented holiday celebration, featuring luminous displays and holiday-season activities throughout zoo grounds.
300,000+ Attendees

Christmas in Brown County

Dec 07, 2012 – Dec 08, 2012

Downtown Nashville, IN US 47448

You’ll find the spirit of Christmas in the hills of Brown County during the month of December. The leaves may be gone but their absence reveals the county’s beautiful glacier-carved ridges and hilltops. A quaint setting for enjoying strolling carolers, Christmas art exhibition and sale, holiday performances, open houses, winter art and craft fair and more. Imagine the village of Nashville decorated with white lights, sprigs of evergreen, strolling carolers in Victorian costumes —sing along, they won’t mind—and you’ll feel the season come alive for you and your family. On weekends, horse- drawn carriages offer visitors free rides around village streets. Or you can ride with Frosty and the Elves on a Nashville Express train trip. Takes place throughout town, weather permitting.
45,000 Attendees

Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
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