It’s not the holidays unless you hear some carols. Host an evening featuring your favorite holiday carols to spread tidings of good cheer by inviting a local chorus group to perform holiday classics before the movie.

Have a deer ol’ time at a reindeer-themed event! Feature a craft station for kids to make candy cane reindeer or reindeer-painted handprints. Or, have everyone take part in minute-to-win-it reindeer games – like the balloon antlers competition or cotton ball nose challenge.

Before resolutions kick in, provide everyone with the opportunity to splurge on sugary treats fit for Buddy the Elf with a dessert-only food truck festival before the show. 

It’s never too early to get a head start on your holiday card! Create a themed photo booth filled with fun, festive props for families to snap a jolly pic or two.

“Our Merry Little Christmas Celebration included Santa arriving by fire truck, vendors in chalets, awesome Christmas decorations, and the local scout troupe selling meals as a fundraiser. We also gave away decorated sugar cookies and free popcorn!”

– Ohio County Tourism, INC. 

“We showed ‘Elf’ on our lawn the last Tuesday of November. Each year we light up our park for the whole month of December. We had the lights installed before the movie and lit the trees in holiday lights for the first time and viewed the movie beneath the lights. We had our largest turnout yet of almost 250 people! We also offered complimentary hot chocolate to those attending since it was a bit cold. All the families had a blast!”

– RiverLights

“We have shown two Christmas movies at our annual Hometown Holiday event, which takes place the day after Thanksgiving. The movies are shown on a big screen at our outdoor event venue. The first year we showed ‘Polar Express’ and the second was ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ The kids absolutely loved watching the movies on the lawn!  During the event, families can give their wish list to Santa, take carriage rides through downtown, play games and activities at participating businesses, and enjoy holiday food and beverages.”

– Concord Chamber of Commerce