COASTAL LIVING NAMES THE TOP 10 COASTAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Birmingham, AL (December 15, 2008) - From boat parades to festive trains, Coastal Living names the best places to spend the holidays by the shore in its December issue, on newsstands now. For the full story visit http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10/holiday-celebrations-top-10-00400000033762/

1. Holidays on the Harbor, Punta Gorda, Florida - No white Christmas here. Instead, this town hosts a county-wide outdoor party (November 22–December 31) with activities that take advantage of December’s mid-70s temperatures. Take a canal cruise to view docks and homes decorated for the season.

2. Christmas Boat Parade, Newport Beach, California - Thousands head to Balboa Island every year for this century-old maritime tradition. Swanky yachts, small schooners, and even kayaks deck their hulls and parade through Newport Harbor. Landlubbers can catch the action from almost anywhere on shore. One popular spot, the Balboa Fun Zone, offers commentary on the parade along with harbor history.

3. Christmas New Orleans Style, Louisiana - This month long Creole Christmas offers something for everyone: cooking demonstrations with area chefs, caroling in Jackson Square, gingerbread house workshops, holiday home tours, and Reveillon dinners (an 1800s Creole tradition) at classic New Orleans restaurants. Christmas Eve highlights include a cruise on the steamboat Natchez and a midnight mass at St. Louis Cathedral.

4. Christmas in Edgartown, Massachusetts - Visit this Martha’s Vineyard town and you can’t help but get in the holiday spirit. Victorian inns trimmed in red and green hold open-house tours. Donaroma’s Nursery promises an “Evening of Enchantment,” with trails of lights, activities, and exhibits throughout the grounds. Warm up with a hearty bowl at the annual chowder contest. Other highlights include the parade down Main Street, and tree lighting and carols at the Village Green.

5. Christmas Ship Festival, Seattle, Washington - Each night Argosy Cruises takes passengers on a Northwest tour filled with cheer. Aboard the Spirit of Seattle , passengers visit with the man in red and sing along with carolers.

6. Christmas Tree Ship, Vermilion, Ohio - On December 6, this town on the southern shore of Lake Erie re-creates a Great Lakes tradition. The Christmas Tree Ship completes a voyage that ended in disaster 96 years ago when a fishing schooner sank in a December storm. A local icebreaker unloads its cut-spruce cargo in historic Harbour Town. Pick out the perfect tree, then enjoy live music and lunch with Santa.

7. Holiday Train, Alaska - The Alaska Railroad welcomes the season with this festive tour along the Kenai Peninsula. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, carolers, and elves entertain passengers on their way from Anchorage to Seward.

8. Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, South Carolina - James Island County Park lights up for this Lowcountry celebration through January 4. A three-mile driving tour passes more than 2 million twinkling lights. Park your car and roast marshmallows around one of the fire pits, visit Santa’s Village for the Enchanted Walking Trail and a 50-ton sand sculpture, or take a ride on the old-fashioned carousel.

9. St. Augustine, Florida - Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse for a bird’s-eye view of the town lit for Nights of Lights, a display of 2 million twinkling bulbs that remains through January. On December 7, private homes open their doors for a Christmas Traditions tour.

10. Holiday Lights, Shore Acres State Park, Oregon - Friends of Shore Acres had no idea they were starting a tradition 21 years ago when they strung a few lights on a bluff top park overlooking the Pacific. Today tens of thousands visit Coos Bay, touring gardens filled with holiday and maritime luminaries.


A national magazine that celebrates life along the coast, Coastal Living ( www.coastalliving.com) is the source of inspiration and information for people who live or dream of living a coastal lifestyle. Marking 11 years of publication in 2008, Coastal Living serves a total audience of 3.5 million.

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