Around the world, you’ll find classic holiday tales coming to life with tours, performances and attractions that keep the magic of the season alive.
Enjoy these classic Christmas stories on a new level with a trip to one of these destinations.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Everyone’s favourite Christmas villain is up to his old antics again, this time at Universal Orlando Resort.
Take a trip to the recreated Whoville for this year’s Grinchmas, where you can meet Cindy Lou for a reading of the classic Dr. Seuss tale, enjoy musical performances by Whoville characters and catch a holiday show by the Grinch himself. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get in the festive spirit, whether you’re creating a holiday ornament, decorating your own gingerbread cookie or taking a picture with the Grinch and his dog, Max.
As night falls, don’t miss the magical lights that twinkle on the distinctly Seuss-ical Christmas tree.
“The Gift of the Magi”
The heartbreaking tale of lovers Jim and Della, who sacrifice their most prized possessions to give each other a Christmas present to remember, is a classic holiday tale set in a nondescript city – though many would assume the author drew inspiration from his surroundings in New York.
While you won’t find Jim and Della’s actual apartment in the Big Apple, you can see the famed booth where O. Henry (the nom de plume for author William Sydney Porter) penned this classic Christmas tale.
Head to Pete’s Tavern in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, where the second booth near the front welcomes bibliophiles with a plaque that reads, “In this booth, O Henry wrote… Gift of the Magi in the year 1905.”
“The Nutcracker”
No matter where you live, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to catch a performance of the famed “Nutcracker” ballet at a theatre near you.
A winter favourite for local ballet companies, “The Nutcracker” will be also played during the festive season at the Royal Opera House in London, New York City Ballet and The New National Theatre in Tokyo among others.
If you’d rather see where it all started, though, head to where Clara first went on her magical adventure: The historic Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Fittingly, performances of “The Nutcracker” will run throughout the season.
“The Polar Express”
The magic of “The Polar Express” lives on throughout the US and the UK, thanks to a number of train companies that offer holiday-themed train rides during the month of December.
Experience magical and historical train ride in the UK. With two options for North and South of England you could immerse on a magical train ride to the “North Pole”. Book your tickets for this season on Weardale-Railway website.
Believe in the spirit of Christmas again with a Polar Express train ride through the Grand Canyon, where your journey to the North Pole to see Santa will take you along the South Rim of this natural wonder. Or take a ride through the Great Smoky Mountains as chefs serve cookies and hot cocoa. At your destination, Santa awaits with a souvenir silver sleigh bell that you can ring as you sing Christmas carols on the ride back to the station.
“A Christmas Carol”
Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale about the angry old Ebenezer Scrooge and his otherworldly Christmas Eve visits quickly became a holiday classic after the English author published “A Christmas Carol” in 1843.
Explore London through Dickens’ – and Scrooges’ – eyes with “A Christmas Carol” walking tour, fittingly led by a tour guide dressed in full Victorian garb. The walking tour highlights both the author and the tale, and to top it off, you can catch one of many Christmas-themed performances throughout London. While West End brings the ballet classics such as Nutcracker to life, smaller theatres throughout the city have pantos (a huge Christmas tradition in the UK) with stories such as The Dick Whittington and other popular fairy-tales.
