The turkey is barely carved, the last slice of pie has been devoured, and the calendar has officially flipped its switch: the holiday season is here, and it’s kicking off with a flurry of activity across the country this weekend.
From colossal retail sales to dazzling light displays, this is the first great wave of festivities, offering families a chance to swap out post-Thanksgiving couch surfing for community cheer. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, the next few days are packed with opportunities to do just that.
A Shopper’s Weekend, Beyond the Big Box
While Black Friday traditionally focuses on doorbuster deals at major retailers, the post-Thanksgiving weekend has evolved into a full-scale economic celebration. Of course, shoppers will be looking for those big discounts, with many entertainment complexes and attractions rolling out special promotions to kick off their holiday seasons. For instance, the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is already advertising deals on access passes to its various attractions to encourage a festive weekend of indoor play.
However, the real charm of this weekend often lies in supporting smaller enterprises. Saturday marks the annual push for **Small Business Saturday**, urging communities to invest in local shops and artisans before turning their focus to online deals. Then, cap the weekend off with a visit to a local gallery or studio for **Artists Sunday**, a nationwide movement encouraging the purchase of handcrafted or original art as gifts.
Parades and Lights Galore
For many, the holidays don’t truly begin until the floats roll by and the first major switch is flipped. The country is absolutely ablaze with tree lighting ceremonies and parades this weekend. On Black Friday itself, the magic happens in San Antonio, Texas, where the spectacular **Ford Holiday River Parade** glides through the famed River Walk, illuminating the entire waterway for the season.
Further west, in places like Salem, Oregon, the Black Friday celebration includes a popular downtown holiday parade, which culminates in the city’s official Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Across the nation in Boise, Idaho, you can catch the annual **Boise Holiday Parade** on Saturday morning, featuring local bands, festive floats, and a heartwarming dose of community cheer.
If you’re closer to the Southern states, Houston, Texas, is celebrating with several tree lighting events throughout the weekend, providing a warm-weather backdrop to a typically chilly tradition.
The Season of Spectacular Displays
Beyond the single-night ceremonies, many major family destinations and resorts are unveiling their seasonal transformations this weekend, offering all-day immersive experiences. In California, several major theme parks, from Disneyland Resort to Universal Studios Hollywood, have already begun their holiday overlays, complete with themed decorations and special entertainment like Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
And for a quieter, yet equally dazzling experience, regional light displays are now opening their doors. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, for example, is transforming into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, offering free tours of its illuminated grounds, alongside ticketed attractions like snow tubing and ice exhibits.
Of course, the biggest lighting of all is still on the horizon. The iconic **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony** in New York City is slated to take place the following Wednesday, December 3rd, officially marking the grand opening of the urban holiday spectacle.
So, lace up your comfortable shoes, grab a mug of hot cocoa, and enjoy the whirlwind weekend. The holiday season has arrived, and it’s shining brighter than ever.