Although there are numerous activities that you can do in any of the main cities of the country during the Christmas season, here we will focus on the cheap or free activities that you can attend with the whole family in five of the main cities of the country.
The Angels
In Los Angeles you can find everything: from the illuminated Arboretum, the city's ceremony to light the Christmas tree, as well as the enchanted forest at Descanso Gardens.
We share below three alternative and cheap activities to enjoy with the family.
Christmas Tree Lane
Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is lit in early December each year.
It is a tradition that is more than 100 years old and evokes a time when there were no holograms or giant helium balloons.
It's simple, elegant and free!
Keep in mind that hundreds of people travel by car to that area and traffic can be heavy.
We recommend starting the tour at East Altadena Drive and ending at Woodbury Road.
Candy Cane Lane (November 11 to December 31)
If you like to do things from the comfort of your car, Candy Cane Lane is a good option.
For $20, you and your family or friends can enter a tunnel of Christmas lights that shine to the beat of music for 1 mile.
If you have a larger group and they arrive in a commercial vehicle such as a van, the entry fee increases to $40.
Visit the website for more details.
Lights in Sleepy Hollow
Torrance's Seaside neighborhood, known as Sleepy Hollow, will mesmerize you.
Every square meter is covered in Christmas lights and decorations from 6:00 pm.
Park your car and walk.
We assure you that you will want to take many photos.
Details have not been shared yet, but usually the event starts in early December.
Find more details on their website.
Miami
Miami is one of the few places in the United States where you'll find palm trees wrapped in lights.
Below, we recommend three activities for you to enjoy to the fullest with your family and friends.
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Zoo Lights Miami
The Miami Zoo dresses up for Christmas!
You will be able to see Santa Claus, drink hot chocolate and eat cookies while admiring the thousands of Christmas lights.
Visit the website to see if there are any themed events, such as Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.
Tickets are between $16.95 and $23.50.
Enchanted Place in North Miami
For more than 30 years, the residents of this neighborhood have agreed to illuminate their homes as best they can.
As a result, you will see millions of Christmas lights and you will have the opportunity to take some great pictures.
Find more information on Facebook.
Bayfront Holiday Village
An ice rink for skating, hot chocolate, eggnog, the Christmas tree, a North Pole cocktail club and Christmas memorabilia make this a place to remember.
Visit the organizers website for more details.
Chicago
Chicago has always been known for its cold winters.
The snow and scarce vegetation that characterizes winter makes the Christmas lights stand out even more.
Michigan Avenue is embellished with dozens of decorations.
Macy's windows tell a story about State Avenue and the city's Christmas tree is lit in Millennium Park.
In addition to this, there are three other events you won't want to miss:
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Lincoln Park Zoo Christmas Lights (November 19-January 1)
This is one of Chicago's most traditional events and it never disappoints.
The Christmas lights form silhouettes of jumping frogs, fire-breathing dragons, penguins, and other well-known animals.
You might get lucky and you might even see the live polar bear!
Tickets are free on Mondays, but from Tuesday to Sunday they charge $5 dollars per person.
We recommend purchasing tickets online at the Lincoln Park Zoo website.
Christkindlmarket (November 18 to December 24)
This Christmas market, in the best style of those you find in Eastern Europe, has become so popular that the organizers of the event opened two alternative branches in Aurora and Wrigleyville.
Admission is free and we recommend that you go hungry, as the idea is to eat Bratwurst, drink wine or hot chocolate while you buy decorations for the Christmas tree.
You can find out more details on the official page.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade
This is the ideal event for the youngest members of the family.
For the past 30 Christmases, Michigan Avenue has said goodbye to cars for a couple of hours to make way for Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, caravans of tin soldiers, giant helium balloons, music and dancers.
It is one of the largest parades in the nation and culminates in a beautiful fireworks display.
If you can't make it downtown, you can also watch it on ABC7 Chicago.
Find out more details on the official page.
houston
Like the other big cities in the country, Houston has a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a botanical garden illuminated with Christmas lights and streets with hundreds of lights.
But not even at Christmas can its special relationship with space affairs be omitted.
We highlight three affordable events for you.
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Galactic Lights at the Space Center (November 12 to January 1)
We think that a combination of Christmas lights with the space center is the dream of every boy and girl.
Although it is not the most expensive experience, it is not the cheapest either.
Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children.
Find more information on their website.
Christmas Lights in River Oaks (Late November to late December)
This neighborhood stands out for its extravagant lighting.
Each home is decorated in the best Whoville style.
As the name of the neighborhood says, it has oak trees from which hundreds of lights hang.
We recommend that you leave the car parked and walk to avoid rushing and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
We recommend that you start the tour on Kirby Street.
Houston Zoo Lights
Even though most of the animals will be sleeping, the Houston Zoo is decked out to welcome you, your friends, and your family.
Santa Claus, gingerbread houses, thousands of LED lights of all sizes, shapes and colors will mesmerize you for a long time.
Admission is between $20 and $30.
Find more details on the website.
New York
The city that never sleeps is not far behind.
In fact, most movies depict New York as a Christmas paradise with events everywhere.
You can skate at Rockefeller Center while you see the famous Christmas tree and walk through the windows of Macy's while light flakes of snow fall around you.
Siegfried Layda (Getty Images)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 24)
Although other cities also have this parade, none does it as well as New York.
The famed Macy's store is loved by locals and its show is broadcast across the nation.
It has countless giant balloons, flotillas, clowns, bands and… lots of celebrities.
Even Broadway gets involved in this 2.5 mile show.
Santa's Village at American Christmas (November 6 to December 24)
Have you ever thought where they keep the gigantic bows, 4-meter-tall tin soldiers and other Christmas decorations that hang from the buildings and main icons of the city during the Christmas season?
Well, now you can visit the workshop where these pieces are built and the place where Christmas magic is stored throughout the year.
The best?
It costs between $11.20 and $16.54.
Visit the website for more details.
Bryant Park Winter Village (October 28-March 5)
Admission to Bryant Park Winter Village is completely free and if you bring your own ice skates you also don't have to pay to use the huge skating rink (we recommend making a reservation).
There are 170 stores where you can find whatever you want to eat, drink or buy.
And if you go with someone who can't stand the cold, you can even rent an igloo!
Find more information on the website.