The holiday season is upon us, and to celebrate what Andy Williams crooned "the most wonderful time of the year," we set out to find the best seasonal holiday events – light shows, Christmas markets and holiday home tours. Our readers had four weeks to vote for their favorites, and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights: A Longwood Christmas in Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
A Longwood Christmas has been voted Best Botanical Garden Holiday Light Display four years in a row — Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens
During A Longwood Christmas, Longwood Gardens celebrates the nostalgic traditions of the season. The outdoor gardens are sheer magic with more than half a million lights by way of illuminated trees, glowing orbs and dancing fountains. Outdoor fire pits and music add a note of holiday cheer. Inside, the celebration continues with elegantly adorned spaces featuring thousands of colorful poinsettias, living wreaths and towering trees inspired by the horticultural grandeur of Longwood.
Full list of winners: Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights »
Best Historic Holiday Home Tour: Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Graceland brings a little rock n' roll to the holiday season — Photo courtesy of Elvis Presley's Graceland
"You don’t have to love Elvis to spend an afternoon in his grand house," says 10Best contributor Melanie Reffes. Every year, more than 600,000 people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off with a lighting ceremony in mid-November, after which visitors can tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a life-size nativity scene and Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are on display during this special time of year.
Full list of winners: Best Historic Holiday Home Tour »
Best Holiday Market: Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Carmel, Indiana
This is the second win for the Carmel Christkindlmarkt — Photo courtesy of Carmel Christkindlmarkt
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt brings a bit of Saxony, Germany to Indiana during this annual festive event. The market features the only Glühwein Pyramid in the U.S., standing 33 feet tall with more than 3,000 lights.
Full list of winners: Best Holiday Market »
Best Holiday Parade: Philadelphia Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Mummers Parade dates back to the 1800s — Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
The Mummers Parade, one of the longest running traditions in the nation, has roots dating back to the 1800s as a celebration of the New Year in Philly. The colorful procession along Broad Street features performances by comics, string bands and fancy brigades in their spectacular costumes.
Full list of winners: Best Holiday Parade »
Best Hotel for the Holidays: The Roosevelt New Orleans in Louisiana
The Roosevelt in New Orleans is a sight to see — Photo courtesy of Hilton
During the holidays, the lobby at The Roosevelt New Orleans gets adorned with 135,572 lights, 1,004 feet of garland, 698 hand-tied bows and 2,200 glass ornaments decorating 44 Christmas trees and 3,328 feet of winter white branches.
Full list of winners: Best Hotel for the Holidays »
Best Public Holiday Lights Display: Holiday in Paradise in West Palm Beach, Florida
Enjoy a Holiday in Paradise in West Palm Beach — Photo courtesy of City of West Palm Beach
Holiday in Paradise is home to Sandi, a 35-foot-tall, 700-ton holiday tree made 100% out of sculpted sand in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. The city’s annual holiday festival includes entertainment pop-ups, sing-alongs with Sandi, a spectacular light show and a synchronized dancing water show.
Full list of winners: Best Public Holiday Lights Display »
Best Theme Park Holiday Event: An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri
An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City is bigger and brighter than ever. — Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City
Branson's Silver Dollar City gets decked in 6.5 million colorful, twinkling lights during its annual holiday celebration, An Old Time Christmas. It’s bigger and brighter than ever with festivities centered on an 8-story-tall special effects Christmas tree, with 1,000 other decorated trees around the park, two Broadway-style holiday productions and an illuminated parade featuring Rudolph and his reindeer friends.
Full list of winners: Best Theme Park Holiday Event »
Best Zoo Lights: PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo offers the Best Zoo Lights this year — Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
During the annual PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, some four million LED lights illuminate the night. Visitors can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, watch a Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, drool over a gingerbread village, munch on s'mores or ride the North Polar Express train.
Full list of winners: Best Zoo Lights »
Congratulations to all these winning nominees! Remember to visit 10Best.com daily to vote in our Readers' Choice contests.
