National Christmas Tree Day

Museum of Science & Industry

Chicago, Illinois

75th Anniversary 

Christmas Around the World

National Christmas Tree Day is being observed today! It has been observed annually on December 8th since 2015.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Christmas Around the World.   This Christmas tradition began in 1942 with a single tree and today there is a giant four story Christmas tree in the grand domed hallway entrance to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  There are more than 50 trees decorated by volunteers in a style representative of the featured country.   On weekends there are also live performances which you can attend.

Each tree has a descriptive plaque describing the customs depicted on the tree.   There are also dolls, manger scenes, and other traditional decorations at the base of the trees.  If you want to learn more, the gift shop has a book which you can purchase to learn more about the Christmas customs across the globe.

We just visited the museum last weekend, spending hours enjoying the Christmas Around the World exhibit, as well as other parts of the museum.   If you plans include some time in the Chicago area this holiday season, we encourage you to visit the museum with your family to see this amazing display.  Congratulations to the Museum of Science and Industry for celebrating this milestone anniversary of bringing the spirit of Christmas from around the globe to the Chicago area.   A special thank you to the volunteers that made this possible.

Follow Us On

       

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

Where have you explored? 

#FoodTravelChat

Join us every Wednesday evening at 8pm EST for lively conversation about food travel brought to you by @FoodTravelist It's a tasty world & we're dishing it up!

Final Days Christmas Around the World

Museum of Science & Industry

Chicago, IL

Christmas Around The World

The Museum of Science and Industry’s 73rd annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light features more than 50 trees and displays,each decorated by local volunteers and reflecting their ethnic heritage.  The main tree in the museum rotunda has a Disney theme in honor of the temporary exhibit Treasures of Disney.  If you haven't seen them yet, check out these exhibits now through January 4th.

Christmas Around the World

Take the escalator up to the main museum level and enter a world of Christmas trees and other exhibits that transports you to lands far away.   See how trees are decorated in the land of your ancestors.   Learn about cultures and other holiday traditions as you stroll through the trees.

There are also ethnic singers and dancers performing live on stage throughout the day.   Rest awhile while watching one of their shows.

How do You decorate Your Christmas Tree?

This is a family tradition that can be passed down from generation to generation.  When we were children, we visited the MSI to see the Christmas tree exhibit. Years later, our growing family returned to see the trees.   Their children too will someday visit the museum to travel around the world without leaving home.

Guess the Country

Click on the image if you need a closer look ...   based on the decorations on this tree, can you guess what country it might be seen in?


Check out our Twitter profile page for some more images from our visit to the museum.


Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Holidays of Lights - Part 1

This week's #FriFotos theme is #LIGHTS and what better example than Holiday Lights.   We were so excited about sharing some of our photos and videos from this special time of year. Here's some inspiration for you. 

We posted this image taken at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, IL.   Each November - December, they feature "Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Lights" exhibit.  This image lighted house was part of Ecuador's tree.

Nashville, TN

Our next example is a video taken at Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland in Nashville, TN.  This selection features Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Wizards in Winter.  This is one of Nashville's holiday traditions.

    Gaylord Opryland Nashville, TN  

Another holiday tradition can be seen at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN.  The hotel has an expansive interior holiday light display in their 4.5-acre indoor garden.  Guest's rooms overlook this expansive atrium.   You don't need to be a guest at the hotel to see this exhibit, but they do have some Christmas in the Country packages that you might be interested in.

Outside the hotel cars line up to view the nativity set which tells the story of the first Christmas.  

Finally they have ICE! which takes chunks of ice, some talented artists, and brings to life an indoor exhibit to thrill the whole family.  The theme changes each year but the finale is the nativity scene made out of ice.

All of these activities and more are fun for the entire family.  If you aren't staying at the hotel, plan on spending several hours there exploring the holiday lights and other attractions.

 

We hope we've given you some ideas for #FriFotos and perhaps for some holiday traditions you can add this year or next.    Contact us if you'd like more information.


If you like Travel & Photography join us each Friday!

Follow #FriFotos on Twitter and Facebook



(For those that don't know:  #FriFotos is a weekly photo forum by @EpsteinTravels @TravelDesigned @CharlesYap. Theme is revealed every Tuesday 12pm ET.)    Recently, @spencerspellman joined the team as a permanent co-host.  We even had the chance to co-host one week earlier this year.)



Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc