Winter Holiday Events in Border States
Heading to any of the border states of the U.S. for the winter months? There are plenty of holiday-themed events from California to Florida to give you a merry spirit without having to contend with snow and ice roadways. So put a wreath on your RV, set your compass for warmer climes and get ready to enjoy the holidays!
CALIFORNIA
111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights — Newport Beach, CA
Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the event features beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes moving through Newport Harbor each evening from December 18th to the 22nd, starting at 6:30 p.m.
When: December 18 – 22, 2019
Nearby RV parks:
- Newport Dunes RV Waterfront Resort and Marina, 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Canyon RV Park, 24001 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92808
- Waterfront RV Park Huntington Beach, 21871 Newland Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios — Berkeley, CA
The Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios offers a diverse assortment of fine art and artisan craft, with all work handcrafted. This self-guided tour presents a unique opportunity to meet the artists, to buy original and creative gifts, and to see working craft studios, giving viewers a glimpse into the creative process.
When: 11/30/19 – 12/1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Marin Park, 2140 Redwood Hwy, Greenbrae, CA 94904
- Tradewinds RV Park Of Vallejo, 239 Lincoln Rd West, Vallejo, CA 94590
- San Francisco RV Resort, 700 Palmetto Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044
ARIZONA
Tempe Fall Festival of The Arts — Tempe, AZ
The Tempe Festival of the Arts consistently ranks among the Top 100 Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine and has received the prestigious Pinnacle Award from the International Festival and Events Association. The event showcases over 350 artists from around the country and includes live music, street performers and food vendors.
When: 12/6/19 – 12/8/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Apache Palms RV Park, 1836 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Good Life RV Resort, 3403 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85213
- Val Vista Village RV Resort, 233 N Val Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213
Scottsdazzle — Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza Event includes an array of concerts, entertainment, shopping opportunities and more happening throughout the Old Town Scottsdale area. Some of the events include a tree-lighting ceremony, wine-tastings and an immersive dessert tasting experience.
When: 11/8/19 – 12/21/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Black Canyon Campground, 19600 E St Joseph Rd, Black Canyon City, AZ 85324
- Towerpoint Resort, 4860 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205
- Desert Shadows RV Resort, 19203 N 29th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027
NEW MEXICO
River of Lights — Albuquerque, NM
At the River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, visitors can enjoy the magic of millions of twinkling lights and nearly 600 dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk through light show! River of Lights was voted 8th Place in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in 2018.
When: 11/30/2019 – 12/30/2019
Nearby RV parks:
- Isleta Lakes & RV Park, 4051 Hwy 47 SE, Albuquerque, NM 87105
- Route 66 RV Resort, I40 Exit 140, Albuquerque, NM 87121
- Coronado Village RV Resort, 8401 Pan American Freeway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Christmas on the Pecos — Carlsbad, NM
Christmas on the Pecos is an evening boat ride through a fairyland of twinkling lights created by more than 100 Pecos River homeowners and corporate sponsors who spend hours creatively decorating backyards and boat docks with millions of lights. The dark river, usually illuminated by only the stars and moon, reflects what has become one of New Mexico’s grandest holiday light shows
When: 11/29/19 – 12/23/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Bud’s Place RV Park & Cabins, 900 Standpipe, Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Carlsbad RV Park & Campground, 4301 National Parks Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Carlsbad KOA Holiday, 2 Manthei Rd, Carlsbad, NM 88220
TEXAS
Holiday Events in the Christmas Capital of Texas — Grapevine, TX
Grapevine has 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, with millions of lights, animated characters and more starting in November and running through December. Events include Lightshow Spectacular in Whoville, Hometown Holiday at the Settlement to City Museums, and ICE!® and Lone Star Christmas.
When: November — December, 2019 (dates vary by event)
Nearby RV parks:
- The Vineyards Campground & Cabins, 1501 N Dooley, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Northlake Village RV Park, 13001 Cleveland-Gibbs Rd #79, Roanoke, TX 76262
- Traders Village RV Park, 2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Santa’s Wonderland — College Station, TX
Santa’s Wonderland offers a variety of holiday-themed activities, from Santa’s Hayride Tours and VIP Horse and Carriage Rides to Frostbite’s Mountain and 25,000 square feet of covered shopping, along with live music and Texas cuisine.
When: 11/8/19 – 12/30/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Hidden Creek RV Resort, 5780 State Hwy 21 East, Bryan, TX 77808
- Brazos Valley RV Park, 2190 Hwy 21 East, Caldwell, TX 77836
- Aggieland RV Park, 3203 Colson Road, Bryan, TX 77808
LOUISIANA
93rd Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival — Natchitoches, LA
The annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival, one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the country, includes a Christmas Festival Day Parade, live musical entertainment, arts and crafts, and fireworks each Saturday, along with 300,000 Christmas lights and 100-plus illuminated set pieces along the scenic Cane River Lake and Historic Downtown Landmark District.
When: 11/23/19 – 1/6/20
Nearby RV parks:
- Nakatosh Campground, 5428 Hwy 6, Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Grand Ecore RV Park, 1071 Tauzin Island Rd, Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Toledo Bend RV Resort and Cabins, 114 Shamrock Lane, Many, LA 71449
Festival of the Bonfires — Lutcher, LA
The Festival of the Bonfires in St. James Parish is a modern take on the French and German traditions of lighting bonfires during the holidays. The three-day event includes great food, live entertainment, crafts, Santa’s Very Merry Forest and carnival rides throughout the weekend, with each night highlighted with a single bonfire lighting.
When: 12/13 – 15/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Poche Plantation RV Resort, 6554 Louisiana Hwy 44, Convent, LA 70723
- Sugar Hill RV Park, 9450 Highway 44, Convent, LA 70723
- R & S Mobile Home & RV Park, 1174 E Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068
MISSISSIPPI
Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival — Gulfport, MS
The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival features over 1,200,000 lights, live entertainment, free heated trolley rides and nightly visits from Santa Claus through December 23rd.
When: 11/29/19 – 12/30/19
Nearby RV parks:
- Campgrounds of the South, 10406 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503
- Baywood RV Park & Campground, 1100 Cowan Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507
- Country Side RV Park, 20278 Hwy 49, Saucier, MS 39574
Christmas in the Orchard — Richton, MS
A unique family-friendly Christmas experience, Christmas in the Orchard is a truly authentic holiday special event with live Christmas music, Dickens carolers, , hayrides, Christmas drama and a candlelit dinner in a beautiful atmosphere.
When: 12/1–10/19
Nearby RV parks:
- De Soto/Turkey Fork, Richton, MS 39476
- Lake Perry, 18 Lake Perry Road, Beaumont, MS 39423
- Maynor Creek Water Park, 1351 Reservoir Rd, Waynesboro, MS 39367
ALABAMA
Christmas Lights Festival — Montgomery, AL
Come December, the Montgomery Zoo becomes a Winter Wonderland during its Christmas Lights Festival. Thousands of sparkling and twinkling lights and festive decorations set the scene, with visitors taking a leisurely stroll, a brisk train ride, or viewing the lights from atop the Zoofari Skylift Adventure Ride.
When: 12/12 – 12/25/19
Nearby RV parks:
- The Woods RV Park & Campground, 4350 Sassafras Circle, Montgomery, AL 36105
- Kountry Air RV Park, 2133 Hwy 82 West, Prattville, AL 36067
- Montgomery South RV Park & Cabins, 731 Venable Rd, Hope Hull, AL 36043
Christmas at the Falls — Gadsden, AL
When: 11/20 – 12/23/19, 12/26/19 – 1/5/20
Noccalula Falls and the City of Gadsden kick off the holiday season with Christmas at the Falls. Walking trails and train rides give visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy millions of lights throughout the park, along with activities such as cookie decorating, visits to the petting zoo and one-on-one time with Santa himself!
Nearby RV parks:
- Noccalula Falls Campground, 1600 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
- The Cove Lakeside RV Resort and Campground, 4122 Old Pump Station Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
- Chesnut Bay RV Resort, 4507 CR 147, Leesburg, AL 35983
FLORIDA
Lighting of the Village Holiday Celebration—Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Celebrate with the locals as Fishermen’s Village illuminates over one million lights and traditional holiday themed decorations during its 2019 “Lighting of the Village”! Festivities include he arrival of Santa courtesy of Punta Gorda Fire Chief Ray Briggs’ Antique Fire Truck at 5 PM, followed by a a ribbon cutting ceremony, parade with the Lee County Pipes and Drums, and other events.
When: 11/16/19 – 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Nearby RV parks:
- Sun N Shade RV Resort, 14880 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33955
- Shell Creek RV Resort, 35711 Washington Loop Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33982
- Gulf View RV Resort, 10205 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Nights of Lights— St. Augustine, FL
Nights of Lights has been listed among the top ten holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic, with millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City. Options to view the lights include tour the lights by trolley, by train, on a horse-and-carriage tour, aboard 6 or 12-passenger boats, on a walking tour and via a luxury 8-seat golf cart
When: 11/23/19 – 1/31/20
Nearby RV parks:
- Compass RV Park, 1505 St Rd. 207, St Augustine, FL 32086
- Stagecoach RV Park, 2711 CR 208, St Augustine, FL 32092
- North Beach Camp Resort, 4125 Coastal Hwy (SR A1A), St Augustine, FL 32084
To find more RV parks, visit the Good Sam website.
Recent Articles
