Fun Freetime - Best and Worst Cities for Outdoor Socializing

Americans are increasingly looking for comfortable places to meet friends outdoors, whether that means a restaurant patio, rooftop bar, beer garden or neighborhood brewery. However, many say their own city still does not provide enough appealing or accessible places to gather.

Nearly one in five Americans have wanted to socialize outside but had nowhere good, legal or comfortable to do it, while almost one-third say they would go out more often if their city offered better outdoor social spaces.

To find where outdoor socializing is easiest, Maxwell Social ranked 45 major U.S. cities using the number of patios, rooftop bars, beer gardens and breweries per 100,000 residents, along with local search interest in outdoor venues. Researchers also surveyed 1,000 American adults about their outdoor social habits and preferences.

Key Takeaways:

• Long Beach, California, ranks as the best major U.S. city for outdoor socializing, followed by Oakland, California, and Atlanta, Georgia.

• California claims the top two positions, with Long Beach ranking first and Oakland second. The state also has Sacramento at No. 11 and San Francisco at No. 12, placing four California cities among the national top 12.

• Texas has five cities in the bottom 10, more than any other state. Dallas ranks No. 37, El Paso No. 38, Fort Worth No. 39, San Antonio No. 41 and Houston No. 43.

• New York City shows the largest gap between reputation and the data. It ranks No. 40 overall but was named the best U.S. city for casual outdoor socializing by 16% of survey respondents.

• Los Angeles shows a similar perception gap, ranking No. 44 despite 11% of Americans naming it among the country’s best cities for outdoor socializing.

• Long Beach ranks first despite placing only 35th for outdoor venue search interest. It ranks first for beer gardens, third for breweries and sixth for patios per capita.

• Oakland ranks second overall after placing first for breweries, fourth for beer gardens and fifth for patios per capita, despite ranking last for rooftop bars.

• Mesa, Arizona, ranks 10th overall despite placing 44th for outdoor social venue search interest. It has the most rooftop bars and the second-most patios per 100,000 residents.

• Denver records the highest outdoor social venue search interest, with 13,099 searches per 100,000 residents, followed by Washington, D.C., with 12,551 and San Francisco with 11,637.

• Virginia Beach has the most patios, at 44.1 per 100,000 residents. Mesa has the most rooftop bars at 21.6, Long Beach has the most beer gardens at 12.4 and Oakland has the most breweries at 18.1.

• Nearly one in five Americans, 18%, have wanted to socialize outdoors with friends but had nowhere good, legal or comfortable to do it. The figure rises to 22% among Gen Z.

• Almost one-third of Americans, 31%, say they would go out more often if their city had better outdoor social spaces. Among Gen Z, that figure rises to 41%.

• Nearly two-thirds of Americans, 65%, would visit a bar or restaurant more often if it had a patio, garden or other outdoor space. Meanwhile, 19% have been asked to leave, quiet down or pour out a drink while socializing outdoors during the past year.

• The top 10 cities are Long Beach, CA; Oakland, CA; Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, MD; Portland, OR; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; and Mesa, AZ.

• The bottom 10 cities are Memphis, TN; Dallas, TX; El Paso, TX; Fort Worth, TX; New York, NY; San Antonio, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; and Phoenix, AZ.

You can view the full study here:
https://www.maxwellsocial.com/soiree/best-cities-for-outdoor-socializing 

Music Minute - Kelly Lange: Jealous Green Eyes

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer and author Kelly Lang is celebrating the release of her new album, Jealous Green Eyes, available today. Leading up to the album's debut, Lang released the singles "I Reach for Red," "This Too Shall Pass," "HollyWould," and "Never Met a Man I Didn't Love," the answer song to T.G. Sheppard's signature hit, "I Loved 'Em Every One." Sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, the album takes listeners on an emotional journey through life's highs and lows, featuring songs written throughout Lang's career that explore love, heartbreak, healing, and hope, reminding us to cherish every moment and never let an opportunity for love pass by. 

To purchase/stream: https://KellyLang.lnk.to/JealousGreenEyesPR 
 

“I’ve never been more excited to share new music with you than I am with my brand-new album, Jealous Green Eyes. Every song on this record tells a story from a different chapter of my life, from writing the title track, 'Jealous Green Eyes,' at just 17 years old to my most recent song I wrote, "This Too Shall Pass." This album is a collection of memories, growth, heartbreak, hope, and everything in between. I’ve held onto many of these songs for years because they explore themes that are a little bolder, more mature, and more sophisticated than anything I’ve released before. Jealous Green Eyes has a fun, PG-13 spark and is a little spicier than what you may be used to hearing from me. Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m so excited for you to press play and step into the world of Jealous Green Eyes.” - Kelly Lang

Never one to shy away from pushing the envelope, Lang embraces bold storytelling throughout Jealous Green Eyes. From the tongue-in-cheek "HollyWould," a clever look at just how far someone might go to make it in show business, to "Never Met a Man I Didn't Love," her playful answer song that proves women can have just as much fun as the men, Lang delivers each track with wit, honesty, and humor. Adding to the album's unique appeal, Jealous Green Eyes will also be released on collectible green vinyl, giving fans a special way to experience the project. 

For all things Kelly Lang, visit KellyLang.net.

About Kelly Lang:
Kelly Lang is a celebrated songwriter, singer, producer, author, and performer whose songs have been recorded by country legends including Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Crystal Gayle, George Jones, B.J. Thomas, Jimmy Fortune, Jerry Lee Lewis, T.G. Sheppard, and Johnny Lee. She has recorded duets with icons such as Barry Gibb, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Shaffer, and Lee Greenwood, and has released a string of acclaimed albums, including ‘11:11,’ ‘Shades of K,’ ‘Throwback,’ ‘Obsession,’ ‘Old Soul,’ ‘Old Soul II,’ ‘Dragonfly,’ as solo albums and ‘Iconic Duets,’ ‘Chemistry: The Duets Collection’ and ‘Tender Tennessee Christmas’ with T.G. Sheppard. A member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Lang’s music has also reached national audiences through television, with her song “I’m Not Going Anywhere” serving as the official anthem for Ascension Hospital, and her autobiography of the same name available in print and audiobook. Her popular song “Under a Tennessee Moon” was named an official state song of Tennessee, and she made her solo debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2023. Beyond music, Lang is a painter, speaker, and entertainer, drawing inspiration from her journey as a 22-year breast cancer survivor to create music and art that inspires and uplifts audiences nationwide. Her album, ‘Jealous Green Eyes,’ is available now.

Travel Tidbits - Lost Luggage Data

Delta canceled more flights than any other U.S. airline last week, with JetBlue and American not far behind. Getting there is only half the battle. The other half is your luggage. 

Travel Bulletin, a data-driven travel resource covering airfare trends, airline performance, and airport rankings, analyzed two years of DOT and TSA figures across every major U.S. carrier and the 50 busiest airports.

Notable takeaways: 

• American Airlines canceled 7% of its scheduled flights during last week's disruptions, and it also leads every major carrier in mishandled baggage over the past two years.
• Las Vegas' Harry Reid International (LAS) ranks first among all major U.S. airports in TSA property complaints, at 0.62 per 100,000 passengers. 
• July, December, and January are the three worst months for baggage issues.

Take a look at the rankings and maps, right here.

5 million pieces of luggage were lost or mishandled on U.S. flights from 2024-2025. The airline you fly and the airport you depart from make a bigger difference than your audience probably realizes.

Parenting Pointers - Smart Ways Nurse-Parents Manage Work, School, and Family Life

Nurse-parents live at the crossroads of family and shift work demands, where a schedule that changes by the week still has to fit childcare, school drop-offs, and the everyday needs of home. The core work-life balance challenges aren’t abstract: parenting and nursing career responsibilities collide with sleep, recovery, and the emotional load of patient care. Add continuing nursing education, classes, clinical requirements, exams, and the calendar becomes a constant negotiation with limited time and energy. With the right framework, nurse-parents can protect what matters most and stay steady in all three roles.

Tactics to Protect Time, Energy, and Sanity

When you’re juggling patients, parenting, and possibly school, “doing it all” isn’t the goal, protecting what matters most is. Use the tactics below to reduce work-family conflict and build repeatable routines you can start this week.

1. Write a weekly “non-negotiables” list (then schedule it first): Identify 3–5 immovable items for the week, childcare pickups, sleep blocks, one family meal, one study session, and put them on the calendar before you add anything else. This is a prioritization skill for nurses because it forces trade-offs early, instead of under pressure midweek. If your schedule changes (float, OT request), you move optional items, not the essentials that keep your household stable.

2. Use the “Top 3 + minimums” method each day: Choose your Top 3 outcomes for the day (one work, one home, one school/personal) and define minimums for everything else. Example: “Work: finish med reconciliation charting; Home: pack lunches; School: read 5 pages.” Minimums prevent all-or-nothing thinking and keep progress alive on high-acuity days.

3. Batch household tasks into two 20-minute sprints: Pick two set windows most days, after breakfast and after kids’ bedtime, and do only high-return tasks (laundry swap, quick tidy, prep snacks, set out uniforms). A fixed sprint reduces decision fatigue and stops chores from bleeding into rest time. If you miss a sprint because of a late shift, you don’t “make up” time, you resume at the next scheduled window.

4. Build a “shift-change” transition ritual (7 minutes total): To protect energy, use a short routine between roles: 2 minutes to sit in the car and breathe, 2 minutes to change clothes and wash up, 3 minutes to preview home priorities (what absolutely must happen tonight). Stress reduction works best when it’s consistent, and schedule breathing sessions at the same time each day so it becomes automatic even on chaotic weeks.

5. Set boundaries with a default “yes, if…” script: Burnout prevention often comes down to protecting capacity before you’re depleted. Prepare a standard response for extra shifts, committees, or family favors: “Yes, if I can confirm childcare,” or “Yes, if it doesn’t affect my school deadlines.” This keeps you collaborative without sacrificing sleep or study time.

6. Create two backup plans for childcare and meals: Work-family conflict spikes when one piece fails, school closure, sitter cancels, shift runs long. Draft a Plan A/Plan B for childcare (two contacts plus a drop-off option) and meals (two freezer meals plus a simple “assembly dinner” like wraps). Keep the plans written where your partner or support person can use them without texting you during report.

7. Do a 10-minute “school-work-home” planning huddle twice a week: Pick two fixed days (for example, Sunday and midweek) to review upcoming shifts, kid commitments, and assignment due dates. Tie each commitment to a specific block of time and decide what gets dropped if something changes. Research linking anxiety, stress and negative perceptions with time management skills is a reminder that planning isn’t just productivity, it’s mental load protection.

Compare a Flexible RN-to-BSN Format Built for Shift Workers

Once you’ve put guardrails around your time and energy, the next question is whether school can fit into the life you’ve protected. Pursuing an online degree can make that fit far more realistic for parents, because you can study when your household allows, early mornings, nap times, or after a shift, rather than rearranging your family’s entire routine around fixed class meetings. That flexibility supports steady progress toward career goals without losing the day-to-day presence your kids need. And if you’re already a nurse, earning an online RN to BSN degree can help you enhance your career and improve patient outcomes; a clear breakdown can help you review program details. If your plan still feels fragile, the next section tackles what to do when schedules, childcare, or support suddenly change.

Nurse-Parent Questions, Answered

Q: How do I study when my shifts rotate every week?
A: Use a “minimum viable plan” with two nonnegotiable study windows you can move day to day, like 25 minutes after drop-off and 25 minutes before bed. Batch lighter tasks for post-shift days and save deeper work for a reliable off day. Update your calendar every Sunday in under 10 minutes so the plan stays realistic.

Q: What should I do when childcare falls through at the last minute?
A: Keep a backup list with two people you can text, one emergency sitter service, and one quiet activity your child can do nearby. If you lose the study block, switch to audio review, flashcards, or a single discussion post draft. Progress counts even when the day does not.

Q: Can I really handle school, work, and parenting without burning out?
A: Yes, but aim for steady, not perfect. Since nearly 70% of nursing students report feeling overwhelmed, build in recovery time like one no-school night weekly. Protect sleep when you can, because 7 to 9 hours of good sleep supports focus and patience.

Q: How do I move forward if I do not have much family support?
A: Shrink the weekly goal to something you can finish solo, like one module and one assignment. Ask for targeted help from friends or coworkers, such as one pickup per week or a two-hour swap. Consider forming a small accountability check-in with one classmate.

Q: When should I pause coursework instead of pushing through?
A: Pause when safety, health, or income stability is at risk, or when you miss key deadlines repeatedly despite adjustments. Talk to your program about reduced course loads, extensions, or leave options before you fall behind. A strategic pause is still a plan.

Build a Weekly Balance Plan That Actually Holds

This is the plan-to-action routine that helps you keep work, school, and home aligned even when shifts change and surprises happen. It matters because clear expectations and a simple system reduce last-minute stress for everyone, not just you.

1. Set three realistic weekly goals
   Start with one work goal, one school goal, and one family goal that you can finish in a normal week. Keep each goal specific and small enough to complete without heroic effort, like “finish one quiz” or “plan three easy dinners.” This gives you a clear definition of success when time gets tight.

2. Anchor two movable study windows
   Pick two short study windows you can slide to fit your shift, such as mornings after drop-off and evenings before bed. Protect these blocks by using the 25-minute chunks approach so you can make progress even on low-energy days. Pair each window with one task type, like “review notes” in the morning and “practice questions” at night.

3. Time-box your must-do tasks
   Choose the top two to three tasks for the week and give each a firm container, such as 45 minutes to outline a paper or 30 minutes to prep uniforms and lunches. Using time boxing keeps tasks from expanding and swallowing the rest of your day. If you do not finish, capture the next tiny action and schedule the next box.

4. Choose one scheduling tool and make it shared
   Use a single calendar you will actually open daily, then add shifts, childcare, deadlines, and your two study windows. A shared option like the Cozi family calendar helps everyone see what is coming and reduces repeated check-ins. Keep it simple: fewer categories, clearer decisions.

5. Script a two-minute family check-in
   Use the same short script weekly: “Here’s what my work week looks like, here are my two study times, and here’s what I need help with.” Name one nonnegotiable and one flexible item so your family knows what can move when life happens. End by confirming the backup plan for childcare or quiet time.

Sustaining Nurse-Parent Balance With Systems That Fit Real Life

When shift demands collide with family needs, it can feel like both the unit and home are always asking for more than one person can give. The path forward is sustainable work-life integration built on small, repeatable systems, clear priorities, realistic planning, and communication that protects what matters. Over time, those systems support the empowerment of nurse-parents, strengthening resilience in nursing and parenting while keeping long-term career development within reach. Balance isn’t found in perfect weeks; it’s built through consistent, flexible systems. 

Caring Causes - PTO Today Launches National "1 Hour for Schools" Campaign to Rally One Million Volunteer Hours for America's K-12 Schools

PTO Today, the leading resource for parent groups at schools nationwide, this week announced the launch of 1 Hour for Schools, a national volunteer movement encouraging parents and caregivers to give just one hour of their time to support their local schools.

School communities rely on volunteers to make many of the experiences students, staff, and families value possible—from book fair and field day to family events, enrichment programs, assemblies, and teacher appreciation week. But many schools are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit enough helping hands. According to PTO Today research, 54% of PTO and PTA leaders surveyed had to cancel or scale back school events because of low volunteer turnout. 82% rely on fewer than 10 active volunteers.

Many of those PTO and PTA volunteers are making a significant time commitment, too, with 66% volunteering 360 hours over the course of the school year. At the same time, 74% say fathers are the most underrepresented group among school volunteers, highlighting an opportunity to engage more members of the school community.

The 1 Hour for Schools movement aims to collect one million volunteer hours pledged by parents and caregivers nationwide while showing that just one hour can help strengthen school communities.

"Schools across the country are telling us the same thing: they need more volunteers, but they don't need superheroes—they just need more people willing to give a little of their time," said Charles Field, CEO at School Family Media, parent company of PTO Today. "That's exactly why we created 1 Hour for Schools. We want to show parents and caregivers that even one hour can make a meaningful difference for their child's school."

The national volunteer movement also highlights another important benefit of volunteering: connection. At a time when many parents are looking for ways to build real community, getting involved at their child's school is a meaningful way to meet other families, make new friends, build relationships with teachers, and feel more connected to the school community.

Research shows that volunteering is more than just lending a hand—it can also help families feel a stronger sense of belonging. For parents and caregivers navigating busy schedules, work, and family responsibilities, even a small commitment can be a simple way to get more involved in their child's school community.

One PTO leader from Michigan shared, "I wish more parents and caregivers understood that volunteering at school—no matter how small the role—makes a meaningful difference. It's not about having extra time or special skills; it's about showing up and being part of the school community. When families volunteer, they help create meaningful experiences for students, support staff in ways that truly matter, and show children that their school is something we all help build together."

Through September 30, parents and caregivers can take the 1 Hour for Schools pledge and commit to volunteering at their school in whatever way works for them. Every pledge submitted also gives schools the opportunity to win $3,500 to support their community.

The goal: one million volunteer hours from parents and caregivers across the country who believe that even a small commitment to our schools can create a big impact.

To learn more or take the pledge, visit 1HourForSchools.com.

School Family Media and its family of brands, PTO Today, TeacherLists, EduKit, and School Tool Box, recognize the importance that volunteers make in school communities and are proud to support the 1 Hour for Schools initiative.

About PTO Today

PTO Today is the leading resource for school parent groups, providing tools, resources, and support to help PTOs and PTAs thrive. Serving more than 84,000 K-8 school communities nationwide, PTO Today helps parent leaders build stronger, more connected schools and engage families through its website, print magazine, and vibrant online community. To learn more, visit www.ptotoday.com.

About School Family Media

School Family Media is changing how schools and families prepare for back-to-school. Our nationally recognized platforms, TeacherLists, EduKit, School Tool Box, and PTO Today, simplify back-to-school for schools, teachers, volunteers, and especially families. As a mission-driven company, our goal is to make life easier for school communities and help ensure students are prepared to learn. To learn more, visit www.schoolfamilymedia.com.

Enriching Education - Early Literacy Activities for Young Children: Write to Your Child’s Favorite Author!

 Original post here

Writing a letter to a favorite author is the kind of activity that sounds simple on the surface and turns out to be quietly extraordinary. It takes a child’s natural love of stories and transforms it into something active, intentional, and deeply meaningful. It bridges reading and writing in a way that feels like neither. And it plants a seed about what literacy actually is, not a skill to be drilled, but a living thing that connects us to other people and to the world.

 

Why Author Letters Work as Early Literacy Activities

One of the most important things early literacy research tells us is that young children learn language and literacy best when it is embedded in real purpose and genuine relationships. Worksheets and drills can build isolated skills, but they rarely build on what matters most: the belief that words are worth something. That what you have to say deserves to be written down.

Writing to a favorite author does something no worksheet can. It gives a child a real reason to communicate in writing. There is someone on the other end. That someone created something the child loves. And the child has something to say to them.

For pre-writers, this activity is still deeply valuable as an early literacy activity. A child can dictate their letter while a parent or teacher writes it down. They can illustrate it. They can sign their name, even if that signature looks more like a collection of loops than legible letters. All of it teaches something real about what writing is for, and in the age of technology these important writing skills are becoming lost in our newest generation.

 

What to Do Before You Write: Reading Together First

The letter begins long before anyone picks up a pencil. It begins with the early literacy books themselves. Something deeply special happens when parents read to their children.

Before writing, spend time with your book of choice in a different way. Read it slowly. Pause and notice things you might have moved past before, the way an illustrator uses color to show a character’s mood, the way an author chooses a specific word instead of a simpler one, or anything else that speaks to you and your child. These observations become the material for the letter.

Some questions that help young children find what they want to say:

• What is your favorite part? 
• Why do you think the author made that happen? 
• Is there a character you love? 
• What would you want that character to know? 
• Did this book make you feel something? 
• Can you describe what that feeling was? 
• Is there anything you wish the book had that it didn’t? 
• Is there something you want to ask?

The goal is not to produce a perfectly structured piece of writing. The goal is to surface something genuine, a real thought, a real question, a real piece of your child’s inner life that is worth sharing. You know your child best. Ask the questions they’ll want to answer!

 

How to Actually Send It

Many authors and illustrators can be reached through their publishers, whose contact information is typically listed on the copyright page of the book or on the author’s official website. Some authors are active on social media and have shared that they genuinely love hearing from young readers. Others have PO boxes listed specifically for fan mail.

A few things worth knowing: most children’s book authors receive a significant amount of mail, and responses are not guaranteed. But many authors do respond, sometimes with a postcard, sometimes with a signed bookplate, sometimes with a full letter back. Checking the mailbox in wait itself becomes part of the experience. And when something arrives, the electricity of it is something a child does not forget.

Whether or not a response comes, the value of the activity lives in the making of the letter, not the receiving of one. Make it extra fun by adding stickers, drawings, paper puppets of the book’s characters, or anything else that calls to your child’s creativity.

Early Literacy Books That Tend to Inspire the Best Letters

Some early literacy books seem to generate a particularly strong pull in young readers, the kind of attachment that makes a child want to reach through the page.

A few that tend to spark great letters (and with authors known to love letters by mail):

Any book by Mo Willems, whose Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie characters inspire love in young readers and whose author is genuinely beloved by children who feel like they know him personally through his work.

Books by Jacqueline Woodson, whose language is so precise and so beautiful that even young children sense they are in the presence of something special, even before they can articulate why.

Early literacy books by Peter H. Reynolds, particularly The Dot and Ish, which are about creative courage and tend to make children feel deeply seen, exactly the feeling that makes someone want to write back.

Books by Julia Donaldson, whose rhythmic language children memorize almost involuntarily and whose stories generate the kind of deep familiarity that feels like friendship.

The best early literacy books to write to the authors of are the ones that have already been read more times than you can count. The ones a child reaches for again and again not because they don’t know what happens, but because the world inside them is one they want to return to.

 

What This Activity Teaches Beyond Literacy

There is something worth naming about what writing to an author teaches that goes beyond early literacy skills, important as those are.

It teaches children that the things they love were made by real people. That someone sat down, had an idea, struggled with it, and eventually made something that found its way to this child, in this reading nook, on this particular afternoon.

It teaches them that their response to that thing—their love of it, their questions about it, and their feelings—is worth expressing.

And it teaches them, in the most concrete possible way, that literacy is not just about decoding. It is about connection, and connection is always the way in which children learn best.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, activities like this are exactly the kind of early literacy experiences we believe in, ones rooted in genuine purpose, real relationship, and a child’s natural love of stories. We would love to show you what that looks like in our classrooms! Schedule a tour at a school near you to see these values in action.

 

Keep reading! Parents that read raise children who read! 

• Play Based Learning is the Secret to Kindergarten Readiness
• How to Identify Your Child’s Learning Style
• What Does a Reggio Emilia Nursery Look Like?

Travel Tidbits - Vilnius Christmas Celebrations

Hi Motherhood Moment, While many European destinations are yet to announce their Christmas plans, Vilnius has already revealed the key dates for its 2026 festive season. The celebrations will begin on 28 November with the internationally recognized Christmas Tree Lighting, which was named the most beautiful in Europe four years in a row. As Europe's most famous Christmas markets are becoming increasingly crowded, Vilnius invites travelers to discover a more relaxed alternative to Europe’s busiest Christmas destinations. Christmas-time in Lithuania’s capital is full of local traditions - from its award-winning Christmas Market in Cathedral Square and illuminated UNESCO-listed Old Town to artisan gifts and Baltic winter experiences. More details are included below, and I would be happy to share additional information, images, or comments if needed.   The image gallery is here.   Best, Rugilė       Christmas 2026 Starts Early in Vilnius: Festive Dates Announced for Europe’s Best Christmas Trees   While many European destinations have yet to unveil their festive plans, Vilnius is already inviting travelers to book a quieter winter city break to its consistently award-winning Christmas Market confirmed for late November. The city’s Christmas Tree is internationally recognized, having been named the most beautiful in Europe four years in a row.   Christmas in Vilnius. Photo by GoVilnius   6 August 2026 – Vilnius, Lithuania. In the middle of Europe’s summer holiday season, Vilnius is one of the first destinations in the region to officially announce key dates of its 2026 Christmas celebrations.   The festive season in Vilnius will officially open on 28 November with the Christmas Tree Lighting, while the Christmas Market in Cathedral Square is scheduled to run from 28 November to 27 December 2026.   The announcement comes as travelers increasingly look beyond Europe’s busiest festive hotspots in search of a slower and more authentic Christmas experience. According to Skyscanner's 2026 report, 34% of travelers now seek less crowded destinations, while 32% say overcrowded places negatively impact the quality of their holidays. With Europe's most famous Christmas markets becoming increasingly crowded, Lithuania's capital is inviting travelers to experience a more relaxed festive season.   "For us, Christmas isn't about ticking off attractions - it's about traditions. It's meeting friends at the Christmas Market, choosing handmade gifts from local artisans, or crafting Baltic scented candles together. Locals love escaping the winter cold in a traditional sauna and taking time to enjoy the festive atmosphere. That's the kind of Christmas we invite visitors to experience in Vilnius," said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communication at Go Vilnius.   Vilnius Christmas Tree. Photo by Go Vilnius   This year's Christmas program is already outlined, while the design of Vilnius' award-winning and iconic Christmas tree remains a closely guarded secret. Every year, the reveal is one of the most anticipated moments of the festive season, surprising residents and visitors alike with an original artistic vision from designers.   In 2025, Vilnius was named the European Capital of Christmas, recognising its beloved festive traditions and internationally acclaimed Christmas trees. Each winter, the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town transforms into a winter wonderland, with buildings draped in thousands of lights and festive decorations. Alongside the Christmas market, visitors enjoyed a traditional two-storey carousel handcrafted by artisans, an open-air ice rink in Town Hall Square and a Christmas train that winded through the sparkling Old Town.   Christmas Tree Lighting (November 28). This celebration officially opens the festive season in the city. Every year, Vilnius adopts an original theme for its Christmas tree that sets trends, with past themes including fairy tales, birthday cakes, clocks, and traditional red and gold nostalgia. While this year's concept remains a surprise, Vilnius’ designer trees regularly appear in international rankings of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas trees.   Christmas Market (November 28 - December 27). Set in Cathedral Square beneath the city's iconic Christmas tree, last year’s market featured 48 wooden huts arranged in a promenade style. Here, local businesses and artisans will be serving up a range of delicacies, including brightly colored candies, gingerbread, and mulled wine. The market is also ideal for buying unique Christmas gifts made by artists and artisans, such as scented candles, amber jewellery, and handmade wooden toys. Beyond the Christmas Market, Vilnius offers a full festive program across the city. Visitors can enjoy a traditional two-storey carousel next to the market, take a Christmas train ride through the illuminated Old Town (November 28-January 6), or visit the ice rink in Town Hall Square. The festive atmosphere continues with the Design Square (December 15-20), where local designers present handmade products and unique gifts. The annual Christmas Run on December 5 brings together participants through the decorated streets, while the Charity Market at Town Hall Square (November 28) and Maltesers’Soup Day (December 17) invite visitors to take part in long-standing traditions of giving and togetherness. Festive Christmas buses will bring the celebrations to different neighbourhoods, while the year will conclude with a special projection on the Bell Tower during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Beside city-wide celebrations, local Christmas traditions come alive through sauna rituals at Ivanas Muša Gongą and the Beer Spa, where centuries-old wellness practices meet modern comfort. The city is also home to luxury boutique retreats such as Bokšto SPA and Michelin-recognised restaurants without months-long waiting lists. On snowy days, the UNESCO-listed Old Town and its independent artisan shops become a real-life winter postcard.   As Europe's popular festive destinations continue to attract record crowds, Vilnius offers visitors the chance to experience Christmas traditions affordably and at a slower pace.   ABOUT GO VILNIUS Go Vilnius is the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. The agency provides visitors, investors, and businesses with all the essential information about the Lithuanian capital.