Obviously, New York is Ground Zero for Christmas in America. The Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall, ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza, the huge toy display at FAO Schwartz®, shopping on 5th Avenue, the giant-ass Christmas tree at, uh, Rockefeller Plaza(?)… the list goes on. When an American thinks of Christmas in an urban area, chances are he/she thinks of New York first.
I’ve also had occasion to visit Chicago at Christmas. North Michigan Avenue had a certain ambiance about it, and Chicago decorates her trees with lots o’ pretty lights :). And it was fifty f*cking degrees below zero, to boot.
Mammarasta has been to New Orleans for Christmas and found it indescribably beautiful, and spoke at length about all the special events going on. And there’s the whole Papa Noelle mystique…
I’ve also heard tell that Tampa’s Christmas Lights Boat Parade (for want of the official name) is pretty special, and that Kansas City pulls out all the stops for Christmas, too.
So which American cities put on the best Christmas, all things considered? Include shopping opportunities, decorations on the streets, giant-ass Christmas trees, the general “mood” of the city, special events, local traditions, seasonal microbrews, etc.
Also, now would be a good time for European, Australian & Kiwi Dopers (or Dopers from other “Christian” nations) to beat the drum for your cities’ Christmas mojo. I hear London isn’t too shabby at Christmas, and that Brussels is cool, too…