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Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that means we’re in the middle of the holiday season. In celebration of what Andy Williams crooned “the most wonderful time of the year,” we set out to find America’s best seasonal 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 list of winners:
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights: A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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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 to glowing orbs to 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 Holiday Historic Home Tour: Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
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“You don’t have to love Elvis to spend an afternoon in his grand house,” says 10Best contributor Melanie Reffes. “Make time to peruse the gift shop.”
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 mid-November, after which visitors can tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a live-size nativity scene and Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are on display during this special time of year.
Full list of winners: Best Holiday Historic Home Tour »
Best Holiday Market: Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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During the annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market, small businesses set up festive chalets throughout Market Square, while live performers take to a central stage to provide daly entertainment. The 2020 event had to be cut short due to community safety restrictions, but you can still support the local businesses involved by making purchases online.
Full list of winners: Best Holiday Market »
Best Public Holiday Lights Display: Natchitoches Christmas Festival in Natchitoches, Louisiana
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The 94th annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival returns in 2020 with a limited entry event featuring holiday lights, food vendors, fireworks and live music on Saturdays. Visitors can enjoy some 300,000 lights and 100 set pieces on display along the Riverbank.
“Louisianians come from all over the state to tiny Natchitoches – best known for its yummy meat pies – to enjoy Cajun-accented revelry,” says 10Best contributor Gerrish Lopez.
Full list of winners: Best Public Holiday Lights Display »
Best Zoo Lights: PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio
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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 our holiday winners! The 10Best Readers’ Choice awards will return on January 4, 2021.
10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network, providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world, in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.