National Park Holiday Celebrations

The National Park Foundation has announced some of the best U.S. national parks for 2010 holiday festivities.

On December 9, 2010, the holiday season will kick off in Washington, D.C.’s President’s Park with the National Christmas Tree Lighting.

The event can be viewed on December 9th LIVE at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT at www.thenationaltree.org.

Across the U.S., there will be holiday festivities in local national parks.  Here are more:

• ARIZONA: Petrified Forest National Park: Hot drinks, cookies, treats and holiday cheer at the Painted Desert National Historic Landmark.

• CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park: Christmas in the year 1901 with captains, wives, and crews aboard the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier.

• HAWAII: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:  Na Leo Manu Heavenly Voices – Home for the Holidays, free evening of festive Hawaiian music.

• KANSAS: Fort Larned National Historic Site: “Christmas Past” historic sounds of the season.

• MARYLAND: Thomas Stone National Historic Site:  A 18th Christmas tour by candlelight.

• MISSOURI: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield: A memorial procession and illumination tour.

• NEW JERSEY: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: The Glenmont Estate dressed for the holidays including a tree, banquet dinner and other decorations.

• NEW YORK: Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site: Christmas organ concerts.

• NORTH CAROLINA: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site: “Christmas at Connemara” celebration with folk musicians and storytellers.

• TEXAS: Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park: A 1920s small town Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home.

For a full event listing, visit the National Park Foundation site.

Video courtesy of National Park Foundation