National Park Foundation Announces 2010 National Park Holiday Celebrations

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Park Foundation, the official charity of American's national parks, announced some of the best national parks for visitors to participate in holiday festivities this year.  Each year, the holiday season is kicked off in grand style in Washington, D.C.'s President's Park with the National Christmas Tree Lighting which can be seen December 9th LIVE at 5pm ET/2pm PT at www.thenationaltree.org.  In addition, there are many other exceptional holiday festivities to take part in local national parks across the country.

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ARIZONA: Petrified Forest National Park – Holiday Open House – Enjoy hot drinks, cookies, treats and holiday cheer at the Painted Desert National Historic Landmark.

CALIFORNIA:  San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park - Turn the clock back to Christmas in the year 1901, where you will meet and talk with captains, wives, and crews aboard the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Lamplit guided tours

HAWAII:  Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park   - Na Leo Manu Heavenly Voices - Home for the Holidays – Enjoy a free evening of festive Hawaiian music.

KANSAS:  Fort Larned National Historic Site – "Christmas Past" visitors enjoy historic sounds of the season

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

MISSOURI:  Wilson's Creek National Battlefield hosts a memorial procession and illumination tour.

NEW JERSEY:  Thomas Edison National Historical Park – Holidays at Glenmont Estate – Visit the Glenmont Estate when it is dressed up for the holiday season, including a tree, banquet dinner, and other decorations.

NEW YORK:  Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site features Christmas organ concerts.

NORTH CAROLINA: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site – "Christmas at Connemara" features a festive celebration folk musicians and storytellers.

TEXAS:  Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park – Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – Relive a 1920's small town Christmas

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Ellipse at President's Park - Santa's Workshop – Meet Santa and his elves in their workshop while listening to holiday music performances.  

These and many other national parks offer an exceptional variety of holiday celebrations and festivities.  With lights, music, and holiday cheer to be found at many of the 393 national parks throughout the country, there's no reason to miss out on the season's festivities.  For information on events in a national park near you, please go to the full listing of national parks at National Park Foundation or the National Park Service.

About the National Park Foundation

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land. www.nationalparks.org

MEDIA CONTACT:  Marjorie Hall, 202.354.6480, [email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation