While it seems that the Grinch has taken over holiday celebrations this year, canceling the holidays all together cannot happen. Across the U.S. outdoor celebrations are continuing.
At Army Base Fort Hood, the holiday tradition of Nature in Lights at the BLORA Ranch, a five and a half mile holiday lights attraction will continue from November 13, 2020 – January 3, 2021.
Cost:
- Car, Mini-van, and Truck: $20
- Limos, 15-Passenger Vans and RVs: $35
- 24-Passenger Van: $55
- 47-Passenger Van or Bus: $80
Navy Base Little Creek’s MWR Fitness is continuing their Reinder Run 5k complete with wearing holiday attire! Registration can be completed by December 4th. The run is completed outdoors and masks must be worn if cannot maintain 6 feet of social distance.
Navy MWR is hosting two virtual events in December. The Virtual Scavenger Hunt and Virtual Murder Mystery will be completed on Zoom. Because they are virtual, the event is open to all authorized Navy MWR Patrons after 18 and older or at least 17 years old and on active duty at any base.
Portsmouth MWR is hosting a virtual Gingerbread House contest. All the supplies to build the gingerbread house are available at the River’s Edge Recreation are available for pickup, or create with supplies at home. All pictures of the creation are submitted to their Facebook messenger. Planning ahead to New Years’, they are also planning a Happy Noon’s Year Eve. Who wants to stay up late when you can celebrate early and have an early bedtime! Yes!
MCCS Camp Pendleton is creating a drive-through Winter Fest Express. The drive through includes a free Tree from Trees for Troops, a holiday treat, children’s gifts, and a holiday box. Two additional events of Santa Cruise where you can do a “drive-by” visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
Navy MWR Bahrain has a host of activities to celebrate the holidays while maintaining social distance. A drive-in holiday movie, drive-through Winter Wonderland, a Command Tree Decorating Contest, and online-hosted holiday bingo series. These creative activities allow for families or quarun-teams to celebrate in their own cars or homes while still promoting community holiday spirit which can be challenging when stationed far away from loved ones.
S’mores Holiday Fun at MCCS Lejeune has plans for a scavenger hunt and s’mores over a firepit for each family allowing for appropriate social distance while enjoying the outdoors and an outdoor visit with Santa, holiday cheer, and ooey-gooey s’mores.
In true New Orleans fashion, the holiday in December is the time to plan (via Zoom meetings and online groups) the continuation of the Mardi Gras season. In lieu of parades, this year families are asked to decorate their house as a float – yup House Floats! And in lieu of throwing beads, face masks are being thrown – from a distance or down a shoot to follow social distancing rules. Can’t keep that NOLA spirit down!
Christmas Tree lightings around the world are being hosted by MCCS and MWR and streamed on social media so everyone can enjoy them from a safe distance. Check out your bases’ social media pages to what they are doing. Even if you don’t watch it “Live,” the beauty of streaming is that you can watch it whenever is convenient for you or your family.
Whatever, wherever, and however you celebrate the season, have a healthy and safe holiday season!
What is your base doing to support the holidays this season? Let us know so we can share it!
Unfortunately I have tried several times to get information from the MCCS Camp Pendleton site to get information on their Winter Fest Express, but every time it says “Nothing Found Here”. Is there another way I can get info on this (or any other San Diego County event)?
Thanks.
Events happening at Camp Pendleton through MCCS can be found here: https://www.mccscp.com/ and Navy MWR Events in the San Diego bases/area can be found here: https://sandiego.navylifesw.com/ Thanks for visiting!