(bright music)
- [Laura] It's the
holiday season,
and that only means
one thing for sure.
Santa is gearing up
to travel all over,
delivering presents
far and wide.
- [Dean] It's "Christmas
Around the USA,"
Taking a closer look at how we
celebrate around the country.
♪ It the best time of year ♪
♪ For good times and cheer ♪
♪ Happy holidays,
happy holidays to you ♪
♪ Happy holidays ♪
♪ Happy holidays to you ♪
- Hello, and happy holidays.
I'm Dean Cain.
- And I'm Laura MaKenzie.
Welcome to "Christmas
Around the USA."
- We are celebrating the
holidays in over 25 states,
each with different traditions,
oh, and food.
- Ah, who could forget the all
important Christmas dinner?
- [Dean] And desserts.
- [Laura] And we definitely
have some help along the way
in the true holiday spirit.
- That's right.
We have Elizabeth Stanton
hosting our Christmas concert,
which is quite the event,
as well as breaking down
the more interesting
and intricate holiday meals.
- Well, I think it's time
we get to the first stop
on this merry adventure.
- Yes, let's head on
over to the Big Apple
and see how they
celebrate in the big city.
- [Laura] New York City,
the city that never sleeps,
and I'm willing to bet it's
Santa's secondary headquarters,
a great place for him to stay up
and make sure he is seeing
who winds up on the
nice list this year.
- [Dean] From snowy strolls
through Central Park
to the various outdoor
ice skating rinks,
oh, and in true
New Yorker fashion,
the last minute shopping.
No matter where you turn,
the city is filled
with holiday cheer.
- [Laura] New York
City has always been
filled with excitement,
but come the holiday season,
it takes on a whole
new festive approach.
The building facades
turn into light shows
to celebrate the occasion,
bringing New Yorkers and
tourists alike together
to embrace the holidays.
- [Dean] There is one
tradition that seems to be
one of the oldest, however,
and that's the lighting of
the tree at Rockefeller Center
and getting in a little
bit of ice skating.
Every year, one tree
is hand selected,
standing over 75 feet tall
and covered in
over 50,000 lights.
- [Laura] That's spectacle is
what brings everyone together
ringing in the holiday season.
- [Dean] So if you
can brave the cold
and love a great spectacle,
not to mention some
pretty amazing pizza,
I'd say Christmas in New York
is definitely one
to add to your list.
Okay, let's head on over
now to our nation's capitol
because I hear they know how
to celebrate the holidays.
- Well, maybe Montel
Williams can tell us
a little bit about that.
- I can't wait to show you
Christmas in Washington DC.
Plane, train, automobile,
whichever you choose,
let's head up north.
Here we are in the nation's
capital, Washington DC,
where Christmas glows with a
certain presidential spirit.
What could be more beautiful
than these marble monuments
twinkling in Christmas lights?
And it's not just the
monuments of sparkle
this time of the year.
The White House
Christmas tree Lighting
is the most star studded
holiday event in the Capitol
with live performances from
artists like LL Cool J,
Patti LaBelle, Billy
Porter, Chris Stapleton,
Kristin Chenoweth, and H.E.R.,
with all new performers
every single year.
Washington DC brings
out all the stops
with celebrity guests
and much, much more.
- Five, four, three, two,
one, Merry Christmas!
(crowd clapping)
- [Montel] Christmas
in the nation's capitol
brings everybody into
the holiday spirit.
- I think it's time we
head over to our stage
and see what's going on with
our co-host, Elizabeth Stanton.
- I can't wait to see
our first performer
kick off our Christmas
celebrations.
- Thank you, and happy holidays.
I'm here live on our stage,
ready to bring you
some amazing performers
that are bound to ring
in the holiday season.
(audience applauding)
Let's take a look
at a fresh take
on an English traditional
Christmas carol
that goes all the way
back to the 1600s.
We have "God Rest
Ye Merry Gentlemen"
performed by Blake Lewis.
(audience applauding)
- Happy holidays.
(audience applauding)
♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪
♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪
♪ Remember Christ our Savior ♪
♪ Was born on Christmas Day ♪
♪ To save us all
from Satan's power ♪
♪ When we have gone astray ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Comfort and joy ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Oh comfort and joy ♪
♪ In Bethlehem, in Israel ♪
♪ The blessed Babe was born ♪
♪ And laid within a manger ♪
♪ Upon this blessed morn ♪
♪ To which His Mother Mary ♪
♪ Did nothing take in scorn ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Comfort and joy ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Yeah, oh, comfort and joy ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
(Blake beatboxing)
♪ Oh, yeah ♪
♪ Merry, merry
Christmas, y'all ♪
♪ Happy holidays ♪
♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪
♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪
♪ Remember Christ our Savior ♪
♪ Was born on Christmas Day ♪
♪ To save us all
from Satan's power ♪
♪ When we have gone astray ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Comfort and joy ♪
♪ Oh tidings of
comfort and joy ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Comfort and joy ♪
♪ Comfort and joy ♪
♪ Hey, happy holidays ♪
♪ Yeah, ooh ♪
(audience cheering)
- Thank you, Liz.
What an incredible performance.
- We'll be right back with
even more holiday cheer
right here on "Christmas
Around the USA."
(bright music)
(bright music)
- Welcome back to
"Christmas Around the USA."
Let's continue our
trip around the country
to a state that everyone
flocked to back in 1848.
- Everybody wanted to
jump in on the Gold Rush,
and once they got there,
most people decided to stay.
Let's hand it off to our
co-host, Montel Williams,
to take a closer look.
- Well, thanks so
much, Laura and Dean.
Look, we're off to the
Golden State of California.
California from
beaches to big cities
to the beautiful
snowy mountains,
it's tough to choose where
to start in this state.
You have plenty of options,
so we might as well start with
a little Christmas shopping
or a nice walk down
the
beautifully decorated
Rodeo Drive.
In fact, you'll come to
realize that pretty much
everywhere you look
it's covered in
Christmas decorations
from shopping centers to hotels
and, of course,
the neighborhoods.
And it's been like
this for so long,
as long as we can remember.
California is one
of the few states,
where come Christmas Day,
you can find yourself
enjoying the beach and surfing
or marveling at the
mountains while you're skiing
or maybe even doing
both in the same day.
There's one standout tradition
dating all the way back to 1907
that you absolutely must see,
and that's the Christmas Boat
Festival in Newport Beach.
Here you'll see wonderfully
illuminated boats
sailing all around,
lighting up the water
in a magical display
of Christmas cheer.
You might even see Santa
arrive on a jet pack.
Whether you hop aboard a boat
or you sit back and watch
hundreds of them pass you by,
you're in for a
very special treat.
Christmas in California
is really hard to b*at.
- Our next holiday
destination is definitely fun,
especially if you like
sledding and ice skating
during the holidays.
New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Wait, wait a minute.
Sledding in New Orleans?
- Yep, if you know where to go.
And here's radio
DJ, Fresh Johnson,
to show us around the
NOLA Christmasfest.
- Here are just a few ways
that New Orleans celebrates
the holiday season.
This is your go-to family
friendly destination
for carnival rides, gingerbread
houses, and Christmas trees,
and a few particular standouts,
ice slides and a real
life ice skating rink.
You know, all the good stuff.
Y'all, I'll be candid, this
is my first time on skates.
Wish me luck.
So the good news
is I didn't fall.
The bad news, I may
not make the cut
for the Winter Olympics,
but it's all good
because they're so
much more to see.
- Wow, that looks
like a lot of fun.
- It does, but come on, Fresh.
New Orleans is not really famous
for cold weather sports, right?
- Chances are you
are not gonna get
a white Christmas
in New Orleans,
but don't mistake that for
a lack of holiday spirit.
This city has cheered
to spare year round,
and that's double true
during the most wonderful
time of the year.
- [Dean] Yes, there
is so much happening
during the holidays
in New Orleans.
- [Laura] Another
fun thing to do
is just stroll through
the neighborhood
to see how this
beautiful city decorates.
You're gonna find some
pretty spectacular houses.
- [Dean] And if you want
an even closer look,
you can take a holiday home tour
run by the Preservation
Resource Center.
- [Laura] After that, you
can head to Canal Street,
decked out with wreaths,
trees, and holiday imagery,
drawing visitors in droves to
enjoy the sparkling lights.
- [Dean] Celebration in the Oaks
is another New Orleans
holiday family favorite.
This incredible light festival
has enchanted park visitors
since the 1980s.
Today, this city park remains
a not to miss highlight
for the season.
- [Laura] In New Orleans,
hotels go big for
the holidays, too.
♪♪
When it opened 125 years ago,
The Roosevelt wowed the city
with an over the top decoration
of its block long
lobby for Christmas.
It's a tradition that
continues to this day,
making it a local icon
of the holiday season.
- [Dean] Perhaps more
than anything else,
New Orleans is known
for its amazing food.
And, of course, they have
something extra special
cooked up for the holidays.
It's the Réveillon dinner.
- [Laura] In French, the word
Réveillon means awakening.
The Creoles celebrated
the start of Christmas
in the early 1800s with a feast.
- [Dean] These days,
restaurants all over town
offer Réveillon menus throughout
the month of December,
and be sure to
bring your appetite
because when they say
feast, they mean it.
- [Elizabeth] Christmas
dinners around the USA,
New Orleans.
The weather may be cooler
around the holiday season,
but this Christmas
meal down south
is bound to heat things up.
Looking for some spicy
tasty Cajun cuisine
to ring in the holiday season?
Around Christmas time,
a Cajun classic adorns
the dinner tables
of many Louisiana homes.
A spicy steamy pot of gumbo
filled with andouille sausage,
chicken, seafood, okra,
oysters, crab meat, peppers,
onions, celery, and more,
gumbo makes for a
mouthwatering holiday feast.
There's nothing like
a good bowl of gumbo
to fill you up and bring
your family together
for the holidays.
- Hmm, is it just me,
or could you go for a
little gumbo right now?
- Ooh, sounds so good,
but stick around because
there's a lot more
"Christmas Around
the USA" after this.
(bright music)
(bright music)
Well, D, for our next stop
on this little sleigh ride,
we're gonna head down to
a more tropical climate.
- Ooh, Hawaii, Puerto Rico?
- Close, Florida.
- Ah, that was my next guess.
Florida.
Now, just because it
isn't snowing down south,
that doesn't stop them from
enjoying the holiday season.
- [Laura] The state may
be filled with palm trees
rather than your
traditional Christmas trees,
but that hasn't
stopped Floridians
from decorating
them all the same.
You might even say
they're even more creative
than the snow covered
states this time of year.
- [Dean] From city squares
to practically every
building you see,
even the harbors see
some holiday cheer.
Although it may be warmer,
that does not stop them
from filling the streets
with that Christmas spirit.
- [Laura] There's one thing
about celebrating the holidays
in a state filled with beaches.
Turns out Santa has a hobby
none of us knew about,
and it's not just
relaxing in the sand.
Every year, the
masses come to join in
or just watch the spectacle
that's the Surfing Santa event.
(crowd cheering)
- Merry Christmas.
Let's take a picture.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho!
Merry Christmas.
- [Dean] Now, how
did this get started?
Cocoa Beach local,
George Trosset,
called up his son
with this wacky idea.
Let's dress up in
Santa Claus attire
and hit the waves
on Christmas Eve.
- [Laura] Well,
word quickly spread,
and now thousands of Santas
join the Trossets every year
to celebrate Christmas.
The tradition quickly
grew from three
to more than 500 surfing Santas.
Eventually, even a group of
skydiving Santas joined in.
- [Dean] And the best part,
onlookers bring toys to
donate to children in need
come Christmas time.
What an amazing way to celebrate
in the spirit of Christmas.
- [Laura] So if you want
a white sand holiday
instead of snow,
Florida is the place to go.
- [Elizabeth] Christmas dinners
around the USA, Florida.
Let's check in and see
how this tropical state
celebrates the holidays.
Well, more importantly,
how they eat.
Come Christmastime
down in Florida,
you won't often find gingerbread
cookies or fruitcakes
or any of those
traditional holiday treats
on the dinner table.
Not to say they aren't great,
but down south they have an
affinity for key lime pie
with graham cr*cker crust
and the perfect zingy,
tangy and perfectly balanced
sweet filling.
Outside of the whipped cream,
of course, that's pure sugar,
but that whipped cream
is the closest you'll get
to a white Christmas in Florida.
- You know, when we
picture Christmas,
for a lot of us,
we think of snow.
- Yes.
- Well, this location has snow
at least six months every year.
- Ah, Alaska.
Can we go ice fishing?
- Yes.
- Yes!
Up and up we keep on going
as close to the North Pole
as we can get, Alaska.
Here live native reindeer.
- [Laura] Dasher,
Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen.
And who can forget our Rudolph?
Come to a reindeer farm
and meet them yourself.
- [Dean] There's not just
reindeer here in Alaska.
In Alaska, residents celebrate
Christmas in January,
and they celebrate with Selaviq.
- [Laura] In Selaviq,
day after day,
parishioners visit
their neighbor's homes,
sing to them, and lift
their Christmas spirits
all while spinning a wooden
star, the beacon of Bethlehem.
And to finish it all off,
a feast at every home.
What a way to celebrate.
- [Dean] Top it all off with
a visit to the North Pole.
Alaska, a year round
Christmas village,
and wow, what a
Christmas in Alaska.
- Dean, I don't know about you,
but Christmas music
is what gets me
into the spirit
for the holidays.
- Absolutely.
I could not agree more,
and I think we're due
for another performance.
So let's send it over
to Elizabeth Stanton
and see what's
going on on stage.
- Now we have a
Welsh Christmas Carol
dating back to the 16th century.
Let's welcome a trio of
very talented singers
performing "Deck the Halls."
Here's The Sugarplums.
(audience applauding)
(upbeat music)
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong, ding ♪
♪ Ding dong ♪
♪ Deck the halls with
boughs of holly ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la
la la la la la la la la la ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪
♪ Ding, ding ♪
♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪
♪ Troll the ancient
Yuletide carol ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la
la la la la la la ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding ♪
♪ See the blazing
yule before us ♪
♪ Fa la la la ♪
♪ Strike the harp
and join the chorus ♪
♪ Follow me in merry measure ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪
♪ While I tell of
Yuletide treasure ♪
♪ Fa la la la la, la la la ♪
♪ Fa la la ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Ding dong, ding
dong, ding dong ♪
♪ Sing we joyous all together ♪
♪ Sing we joyous all together ♪
♪ Sing we joyous all together ♪
♪ Fa la la la la la ♪
♪ Fa la la la la la ♪
♪ Fa la la la la la ♪
♪ Fa la la la la la ♪
♪ Fa la la la la la la ♪
(audience applauding)
- Another incredible
performance,
but stick around, we have even
more performances to enjoy
and states to celebrate.
- Right here on "Christmas
Around the USA."
(bright music)
(bright music)
We're traveling all
across the country.
- Kind of like Santa.
- Yes, very much, but
without the reindeer.
Speaking of which, I think
it's time we head to the desert
where you will be hard
pressed to find one.
- That's true because
we are going to Arizona.
We've seen our snowy holiday
cities and towns around the US,
but to the Southwest, Christmas
in Arizona is a world away.
- [Dean] From the Grand Canyon
to wild west frontier towns,
Arizona has a lot to offer.
- [Laura] But how do
you get a Christmas tree
out here in the desert?
One year, an Arizona
town took a unique spin
on this Christmas quandary.
- [Dean] Story has
it that one year,
without a Christmas
tree in sight,
residents got the bright
idea to make one themselves
with what they had lying around.
- [Laura] What better
way in the wild west
than a tumbleweed tree?
So began the
tradition every year
to save a tree and
decorate some tumbleweed.
Merry Christmas, Arizona.
- You know, I think it's time
we head home for the holidays,
but not my home,
your home state, Laura.
- Oh, well, I can
definitely show you around.
I mean, we have barbecue, we
have history, and the Arch.
We are off to Missouri,
or as we say, Missouri.
Off we go to Missouri.
Come on and meet
us in St. Louis.
From its iconic Arch to
the historic naval ships
and the old Victorian and
Americana architecture,
Missouri is truly
a sight to see,
but come the holiday season,
the city and suburbs become
snow covered wonderlands
with one interesting hobby
locals love to partake in,
bird watching.
So grab a comfy spot
and a pair of binoculars
and enjoy some aviary
Christmas magic.
Christmas in Missouri is
a nature lover's dream.
- [Elizabeth] Christmas dinners
around the USA. Missouri.
We all love the classics.
Well, this is one of the
oldest traditional meals.
Let's take a look.
Here in the gateway to the West,
food is what the
holidays are all about.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Missourian's love the holiday
classic, Christmas fruitcake.
Fruitcakes have been around
since before the
dawn of Christmas
and have at times even been
outlawed for being too decadent.
But Missourian's
love a good fruitcake
and these cakes last
one heck of a long time.
Why?
The sugar and boozy contents
from these cakes from
honey dried fruits and rum
make them last
for quite a while.
One family claims to have been
passing a homemade fruitcake
down generations after
generations for 141 years.
These cakes hit their Christmas
heyday in the Middle Ages
but the oldest fruitcake
found so far was uncovered
in an Egyptian tomb,
dated to be a whopping
4176 years old.
For the Trappist Monks
of Assumption Abbey,
near Ava, Missouri,
baking is no
commercial enterprise.
It's a way of life.
Their delicious fruitcakes
are made with raisins,
pineapple, currants,
orange and lemon peel,
walnuts, wine and rum,
spicy and delicious.
These fruitcakes are sure to
wet your holiday appetite.
- You know, Dean,
this state doesn't
sound like a bad spot
to spend the holidays.
Tropical beaches,
amazing mountains
and some incredible Christmas
traditions, all their own.
- Well with all of
that in the mix,
there's only one
place I can think of
and that is Hawaii.
- Yes.
- [Dean] Mele Kalikimaka.
Let's make our way
across the Pacific
to the most tropical of
all the states, Hawaii.
- [Laura] While there's
no snow to be found
in this tropical oasis of Hawaii
here islanders
celebrate Christmas in
true Hawaiian style.
Now how does Santa
get to Hawaii?
Well, he can't exactly
buy a plane ticket.
- [Dean] No, no, no
planes necessary.
In Hawaii, Santa arrives
by outrigger canoe
pulled by what you wonder?
Who else?
A team of loyal
Christmas dolphins.
Yes. Santa and Mrs. Claus
know how to travel in style.
- [Laura] And they're
headed to the main event,
a Kalua pig roast.
Hope you're hungry for
some Christmas ham.
Slow cooked to perfection
in a natural sand pit.
This native Hawaiian tradition
produces tender juicy pork
that's sure to be
a Christmas dinner
you won't soon forget.
- [Dean] As the
Kahlua pig roasts,
enjoy time with family
and friends on the beach
on one of the most beautiful
islands in the world.
Mele Kalikimaka to one and all.
- [Laura] Let's
check in with co-host
Elizabeth Stanton to see
how our concert's doing.
- Thanks, Laura and Dean.
From her new holiday
album, "Winterlicious,"
we have, "I Wish Every Day was
Christmas" by Debbie Gibson.
(audience applauds)
(Christmas music)
♪ Ooh, yeah ♪
♪ Christmas ♪
♪ Why do you come and go ♪
♪ Why do you take your glow ♪
♪ Why does it fade away ♪
♪ And why can't you stay ♪
♪ Christmas ♪
♪ You're the best
part of the year ♪
♪ You bring so much
joy and cheer ♪
♪ And I don't want
things to change ♪
♪ I want Christmas every day ♪
♪ So we can laugh
and share a smile ♪
♪ Sit out the back,
keep by the fire ♪
♪ Sing and dance for
no other reason ♪
♪ Than it's Christmas season ♪
♪ Fill the world
with peace and love ♪
♪ See friends and
family, share a hug ♪
♪ If you wanna know
what my wish is ♪
♪ I wish every day
was Christmas ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Mm yeah yeah yeah yeah ♪
♪ December ♪
♪ A time that I
always treasure ♪
♪ It doesn't get any better ♪
♪ And if I had a say ♪
♪ It'd be Christmas every day ♪
♪ So we could laugh
and share a smile ♪
♪ Sit out the back,
keep by the fire ♪
♪ Sing and dance for
no other reason ♪
♪ Than it's Christmas season ♪
♪ Fill the world
with peace and love ♪
♪ See friends and
family, share a hug ♪
♪ If you wanna know
what my wish is ♪
♪ I wish every day
was Christmas ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Oh I wish every
day every day ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ We can see a light parade ♪
♪ Feel the love that
Christmas made ♪
♪ It always comes
and goes too fast ♪
♪ When I just want
things to last ♪
♪ I said, Christmas ♪
♪ Why do you come and go ♪
♪ Why do you tease me so ♪
♪ If you wanna know
what my wish is ♪
♪ I wish every day
was Christmas ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ If you wanna know ♪
♪ If you wanna know ♪
♪ I wish every day
was Christmas ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪
♪ I wish every day ♪
♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Fill the world
with peace and love ♪
♪ See friends and
family, share a hug ♪
♪ If you wanna know
what my wish is ♪
♪ I wish every day
was Christmas ♪
(audience applauds)
- All right.
We'll be right back with
even more performances,
delicious meals and
unique state traditions.
- Right here on "Christmas
Around The USA."
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
Hello, and welcome back to
"Christmas Around The USA."
- All right, let's head
off to our next state.
And you know, we are
flying through these.
- Just like Santa.
- That's right. We
are, just like Santa.
And next is a Midwest state
filled with college towns and
some pretty amazing scenery.
- Nebraska. Let's take a look.
- [Dean] The great
state of Nebraska.
Here in the heartland, Christmas
brings the family together.
And what better way than to
celebrate Nebraskan history
over at Buffalo Bill's ranch.
- [Laura] In North
Platte, Nebraska,
Christmas is on at the
Buffalo Bill Ranch.
The air is alive with
the Christmas spirit,
the scent of chestnuts
roasting on an open fire,
steaming apple cider
and delicious Christmas cookies
wafting through the air.
It's hard to keep your
mouth from watering.
Since it became a state
historical park in 1965,
William F. Buffalo Bill
Cody's house has been restored
and a wealth of Cody
memorabilia is on display.
- [Dean] Christmas at the Cody's
invites visitors into
the Buffalo Bill mansion.
Decorated to the hilt
with holiday spirit.
Visitors take in the glory
of the old frontier days
when "Buffalo Bill's Wild West"
was the wildest show in town.
- [Laura] Visitors can take a
hayride through the grounds,
a tour of the barn,
and even get to
meet Santa himself.
- Okay, let's jet over
to the Centennial State
named because they
got their statehood
a hundred years after
America's independence.
- Could be because the capital
is a mile above sea level.
Might have just taken people
that long to get there.
- I'm not too sure about that
but I know someone who'll
be the best tour guide.
Let's check in with
Montel Williams.
- It may be home
to Mile High City,
but it didn't take
them a hundred years
to scale up to Denver.
I can say that this state
brings Christmas to
whole new heights.
Here's Colorado.
Let's scoot on over
to the Rocky Mountains
and see Colorado in all
its Christmas cheer.
The Rocky Mountains offer
some of the best skiing
in the United States
featuring top spots like
Vail, Aspen, and Telluride.
Grab your snowshoes.
Here, foot upon foot of
snow graces the slopes.
There's nothing quite like
these beautiful mountains
to send you careening
into the Christmas spirit.
Colorado skiers know
how to celebrate.
Have you ever seen Santa
after Santa after Santa
skiing down a mountain?
Come on over to Crested Butte
where you'll see
countless Santas skiing
making this one of the
largest skiing Santa events
in the world.
With so many Santas
in one place,
you'll have to believe
you'll get whatever's
on your wishlist.
- [Laura] And if you can't
get enough winter fun,
Elizabeth Stanton recently found
one of the best places in
the country for skiing.
Sun Valley, Idaho.
- Sun Valley was created
over 85 years ago
in 1936
with a summit of 9150 feet
and over 2000 acres of terrain.
When seen from above,
this looks a bit like
what I imagine the North
Pole might look like.
It's no surprise this wound up
being America's first
travel ski destination.
But it's not just the amazing
landscape and mountain
that first brought
tourists to this town.
One of the biggest sells
has to be the invention
that changed the
sport of skiing.
The first chairlift.
And it was fashioned right here
by repurposing a banana hauler.
Wow, what a beautiful
day to go skiing.
(upbeat music)
The ski slopes are incredible.
Even a group of Santas
joined in. The spirit of
Christmas is everywhere
you look. What a way to
celebrate Christmas!
Tada.
All right, let's go inside
for some hot chocolate.
This is work. (laughter)
All right, let's go.
We had such a great
day on the mountain
but now it's time to
kick back and relax.
- That looks like a blast.
You know, Dean,
I think we should take a look
at another famous
skiing destination.
- Mm. Switzerland.
- In the US.
- Switzerland's not--
No no. Switzerland's
not in the US.
That's right.
Can I have a hint?
- Sure.
Bison.
- Well, that's easy.
Wyoming.
- Yes.
(laughter)
- Wyoming, home of
Yellowstone National Park.
But it's also home to
extreme winter sports
near Grand Teton Mountain.
Snow mobiling, skiing,
whitewater rafting,
and some beautiful sights to see
like waterfalls and
of course bison.
If that wasn't
enough, stick around.
And if you're lucky, at
certain times of the year
you'll even catch
the Aurora Borealis
over the famous mountain peaks.
And if you're lucky, you might
just find another outpost
for Santa and his reindeer.
Christmas in Wyoming
is every outdoorsman's
picture perfect holiday.
Okay, let's take a
break from the slopes
and head over to our
co-host, Elizabeth Stanton.
- Thanks, Laura and Dean.
Based on the 1843 French poem
we have one of the
most iconic songs
with renditions dating
back to the 1800s.
Here's "Oh, Holy Night,"
performed by Brandon Rogers.
(audience applauds)
♪ O holy night ♪
♪ The stars are
brightly shining ♪
♪ It is the night of our
dear Savior's birth ♪
♪ Long lay the world in
sin and error pining ♪
♪ Till he appeared and
the soul felt its worth ♪
♪ A thrill of hope the
weary world rejoices ♪
♪ For yonder breaks a
new and glorious morn ♪
♪ Oh fall on your knees ♪
♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh night when
Christ was born ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh night ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh fall on your knees ♪
♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh night when
Christ was born ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh night ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh divine ♪
(audience applauds)
- Alright, we'll be right back.
- With even more
"Christmas Around The USA"
right after this.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
- We're back.
Welcome to "Christmas
Around The USA."
Now our next stop is home
to over 29 million people
spanning over
265,000 square miles.
- Wow, that is a
lot of chimneys.
- Let's see how they like to
spend the holiday season in--
- [Both] Texas.
- [Dean] Texas.
Christmas cheer rings out
in every corner of the state.
- [Laura] Whether it's
the San Antonio River Walk
or Christmas trees in Addison.
Texas knows how to light up
the night with Christmas cheer.
- [Dean] But the commotion
come the holiday season
isn't just decorations,
it's the food.
- [Laura] Let's send this
over to Elizabeth Stanton
to break down what the
talk of the town is
during Christmas time.
- Christmas dinners
around the USA.
Texas.
Let's head over and see what's
cooking during the holidays.
At Christmas time in Texas
it's not Turkey and ham that
folks feast on for dinner.
Texans enjoy a quintessential
Mexican delicacy
come Christmas.
Tamales.
Every Christmas,
The line for tamales
wrap around the block
of favorite tamale
shops across the state.
This staple is made
from freshly ground corn
complete with a savory
filling of meat or vegetables
and a corn husk to
wrap it all up in.
If you have a sweet tooth,
enjoy tamales filled
with dried fruit.
Feliz Navidad from Texas.
- Let's head south-east.
Right off the shores
of the Atlantic.
Filled with fine arts, state
parks and massive mountains.
Not to mention some
great holiday traditions.
- All right, then let's check in
for a North Carolina Christmas.
- That's what I was thinking.
- North Carolina.
Here we are, nestled in the
beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
- [Dean] These mountains
attract tourists
from all over the world
to ride the scenic
Blue Ridge Parkway.
Some visitors even ship their
motorcycles from overseas.
This thrill ride is
their gift for Christmas.
- [Laura] Through the Misty Air,
we go to find Chimney Rock.
What better place to see
Santa than in his element,
climbing down the chimney.
- [Dean] Legend has it that
Santa climbs down the chimney
bringing Christmas gifts
to all the good children,
reads messages and wishlists
and sneaks some late night
cookies and milk as he goes.
- [Laura] At Chimney
Rock, spot Santa himself,
along with one of
his trusty elves,
rappelling down the chimney.
- [Dean] You might
even get an autograph
from the one and
only Santa Claus.
I hear his payment is in the
form of cookies and milk.
All right. Maybe it's
the time of the year
or all the decorations
that we've been seeing,
but I cannot get some
of these Christmas songs
out of my head.
- Well, that's a
good thing, right?
- Well, yeah, I guess it is,
but I'm ready for a new one.
- Okay, then let's send it
over to Elizabeth Stanton
and see what song is up next.
- And that'll be
stuck in my head.
- Thanks guys.
We have a special
treat for everyone.
Let's welcome singer
and songwriter
with his original
track "North Pole".
Here's Will Makar.
(audience applauds)
♪ It's a hundred
degrees in December ♪
♪ And it's not
gonna let up soon ♪
♪ I'm writing my
letter to Santa ♪
♪ For some air
conditioning in my room ♪
♪ Staring out of my window ♪
♪ Waiting for a
cloud to appear ♪
♪ Just give me a sign
that it's winter ♪
♪ I'm in a need of
change this year ♪
♪ I've been dreaming
of a white Christmas ♪
♪ Since so long ago ♪
♪ I ain't waiting for
the snow to fall ♪
♪ I ain't waiting
for Santa to call ♪
♪ I'm heading straight
to the last place ♪
♪ It's Christmas at all ♪
♪ Up to the North Pole ♪
♪ Oh heading up to
the North Pole ♪
♪ I bought my ticket
on the Polar Express ♪
♪ I brought my invite
to be Santa's guest ♪
♪ There'll be every kind of
toy for good girls and boys ♪
♪ And a mountain of
coal for the rest ♪
♪ I'll bake cookies
with Mrs. Claus ♪
♪ Sipping egg nog with
elf and the boys ♪
♪ Go party in a workshop ♪
♪ Dance up on a rooftop ♪
♪ And Rudolph's nose gets
red when it's large ♪
♪ I've been dreaming ♪
♪ Of a white Christmas ♪
♪ Since so long ago ♪
♪ I ain't waiting for
the snow to fall ♪
♪ I ain't waiting
for Santa to call ♪
♪ I heading straight
to the last place ♪
♪ It's Christmas at all ♪
♪ Up to the North Pole ♪
♪ Oh way up to the North Pole ♪
♪ Oh where we're going going ♪
♪ There's no more dreaming
at the North Pole ♪
♪ There's no more dreaming
at the North Pole ♪
♪ I've been dreaming
of a white Christmas ♪
♪ Since so long ago ♪
♪ I ain't waiting for
the snow to fall ♪
♪ I ain't waiting
for Santa to call ♪
♪ That's why I've been
dreaming of a white Christmas ♪
♪ Like they did in the song ♪
♪ I ain't waiting for
the snow to fall ♪
♪ I ain't waiting
for Santa to call ♪
♪ I'm heading straight
to the last place ♪
♪ It's Christmas at all ♪
♪ It's finally Christmas eve ♪
♪ It's only dropped
about ten degrees ♪
♪ I need that white
Christmas please ♪
♪ I ain't waiting for
the snow to fall ♪
♪ I ain't waiting
for Santa to call ♪
♪ I'm heading straight
to the last place ♪
♪ It's Christmas at all ♪
♪ Yeah I'm spending my
Christmas at the North Pole ♪
(gentle music fades out)
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
(bells ring)
(screen whooshes)
- We'll be right back with more
"Christmas Around the USA".
- And food.
Lots of food.
- Oh, yes.
(bright cheerful music)
(bright cheerful music)
- Christmas is often associated
with evergreen trees,
frigid climates, and a warm
fireplace to escape to inside.
- Well, our next stop instead
has tropical rainforests,
warm weather, and waterfalls.
And with a location
as beautiful as this,
you'll wanna stay outdoors.
- Yeah. Let's take a peak
at Puerto Rico.
(cheerful festive music)
(sledge swoops)
(upbeat music)
- [Laura] Off we go
again across the ocean
to the island of Puerto Rico.
- [Dean] Puerto
Rico is home to one
of the longest Christmas
celebrations in the world
Here, there aren't just
12 days of Christmas,
there are almost
two whole months.
From Thanksgiving all the
way through late January,
Puerto Rico is alive with
the Christmas spirit.
- [Laura] Puerto Rico is home
to the tradition of parrandas.
Parrandas involves a group
of merry carolers arriving
at a neighbor's doorstep all
in the middle of the night.
They wake up their sleeping
neighbors with their singing
and don't stop until
they're allowed inside
and given something
to eat or drink.
And this carries on
all the way 'till dawn.
- [Dean] These make for some
of the sweetest memories
of the holiday season.
Like this celebration
with the Alvarado family
in the aftermath
of Hurricane Maria.
Singing together brings out the
true spirit of the holidays.
- [Laura] After all that's
singing and celebrating,
everyone's ready for some
delicious Puerto Rican food.
To mark the end of
the Christmas season,
Puerto Ricans celebrate
with the San Sebastian
street festival,
where there's dancing and music,
and a parade of
people dressed up
with enormous heads
representing different figures
in Puerto Rican culture.
- [Dean] Feliz Navidad
from Puerto Rico.
(upbeat music continues)
- Okay, let's take a
trip to the very end
of the Appalachian Trail.
Can you guess?
It's known for lighthouses
and Christmas lobster.
- I knew it after you said,
"The Appalachian Trail."
Te, no, Maine.
- Maine.
(cheerful festive music)
Let's head all the way up
to the very northeastern tip
of the US to the state of Maine.
The ski slopes are incredible,
and once a year
Santa's helpers gather
to celebrate this
winter wonderland.
- This is my first Santa
Sunday and I love it.
I'll definitely be back.
Ho, ho, ho!
- [Laura] Santa Sunday is
something you have to see
to believe.
The spirit of Christmas
is everywhere you look.
- [Skiers] Ho, ho, ho!
- [Laura] Skiing in that
classic big red suit.
-So there's nothing like
seeing over 200 Santas
on the slopes to get you
in the holiday spirit.
(bright cheerful music)
- [Laura] After a long
day of festivities,
Mainers like to curl up with
their famous Maine co*n cats
for some hot,
world-class seafood.
And here's Elizabeth Stanton
to tell you all about it.
(bright cheerful
music continues)
- Christmas dinners
around the USA.
Maine.
Check the line,
we're going fishing
for a whole new
Christmas dinner delight.
Mainers are famous for
their love of seafood.
Whether it's lobster rolls,
crab cakes, or mussels,
Mainers know how to
eat some seafood.
Come the holidays, that's
when they crank it up a notch
when there's snow on the ground
and a warm clam chowder
cooking on the stove.
That's when it feels
most like Christmas.
A classic clam chowder includes
clam juice, flour, onions,
pork fat, butter, clams,
potatoes, milk and cream,
and cooks up into one
delicious, hearty holiday meal.
There's nothing quite like
a clam chowder Christmas.
(cheerful festive music)
- Our next destination is
known for southern hospitality,
the birthplace to many
influential Americans
and your favorite fruit.
- Mine? Peaches.
- Oh.
- Peaches.
We must be going
- [Hosts] to Georgia.
(bright upbeat music)
- [Dean] Down we go to
Georgia to celebrate Christmas
in the Deep South.
- [Laura] Atlanta has so much
to offer come Christmas time.
Whether it's ice skating
at Atlantic Station,
or enjoying a Bavarian Christmas
market in Centennial Park,
Atlanta knows how to
bring people together
and celebrate in style.
- [Dean] Some all-natural
Christmas charm,
Atlanta residents head
to the city's beautiful
Botanical Gardens.
Atlanta's Botanical
Gardens are a sight to see
all year round, but
over the holidays, wow!
The garden nights and holiday
lights offer stunning displays
to bring the people out in
droves for the holiday spirit.
- [Laura] Add some
hologram glasses
to enhance the light
displays and train rides,
and you're sure
to have a
holiday celebration
for all ages.
(bright upbeat music)
- [Dean] Let's send it
over to Elizabeth Stanton
and see what's
going on on stage.
(audience applauds)
- Starting the
holiday season off
with her album Winterlicious,
we have "The Gift" by none
other than Debbie Gibson.
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
(gentle piano music)
♪ I'm warm enough
to face the night ♪
♪ With nothing but your
love wrapped 'round me ♪
♪ I'm coming from
a place of light ♪
♪ I'm nothing like
the way you found me ♪
♪ Stay a moment and play ♪
♪ I'm needing this
day to melt the cold ♪
♪ And all my fears fade away ♪
♪ 'Cause your love
is all there is ♪
♪ Your love is December's kiss ♪
♪ I just tore up,
tore up my list ♪
♪ 'Cause your love is the gift ♪
(gentle piano music continues)
♪ I've wanted far
too much too long ♪
♪ By all the glitter
I was blinded ♪
♪ But now I sing
a different song ♪
♪ 'Cause in the heart
is where I find it ♪
♪ All the things that I need ♪
♪ Are the things
they can't see ♪
♪ Or take away ♪
♪ Right here is
where they'll stay ♪
♪ 'Cause your love
is what I'll miss ♪
♪ Your love is December's kiss ♪
♪ I just tore up,
tore up my list ♪
♪ 'Cause your love is the gift ♪
(gentle piano music continues)
♪ Da, da, da ♪
♪ Da, dum, dum ♪
(gentle piano music continues)
♪ Ooo ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Ooo ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh ♪
(gentle piano music continues)
♪ 'Cause your love
is all there is ♪
♪ Your love is December's kiss ♪
♪ I just tore up,
tore up my list ♪
♪ 'Cause your love is the gift ♪
♪ Yeah, your love is the gift ♪
(gentle piano music fades out)
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
(bright upbeat music)
- Stick around
for even more incredible
holiday traditions coming up.
- Right here on "Christmas
Around the USA".
(bright upbeat music)
(bright upbeat music)
- Our next state is home
to over 10,000 lakes
and Lake Superior, the
largest great lake.
Come the holiday season, they
make pretty good ice rinks.
- Let's skate over
to Minnesota, hey?
(bright upbeat music)
(sledge swoops)
- [Dean] Let's hang
around up north
and head over to Minnesota.
- [Laura] Bundle up for
Christmas in Minnesota.
Ice fishing, snowmobiling
and winter festivals
make the holidays
in Minnesota one of the most
wonderful times of the year.
- [Dean] But outside of
all that outdoors fun,
it's something that happens
inside on the dinner table
that we might need a
little more explanation
from Elizabeth Stanton.
- Christmas dinners
around the USA.
Minnesota.
Hungry?
Minnesotans have just
the thing for you,
an unusual holiday meal that's
not for the faint of heart.
Madison prides itself as the
lupus capital of the world.
Here every Christmas
they eat lupus.
Now, what is lupus?
It's a traditional
Scandinavian delicacy.
Dried cod is soaked in a lye
solution for days and days.
Lye like the soap?
Yep, that's the one.
But then it's soaked in water
and end result being a
perfect little morsel
of extremely tender fish
as the lye breaks down
all the chewy proteins.
Like I said, it might
not be for everybody,
but up in Madison, Minnesota,
it is a delicacy come
the holiday season.
(title whooshes)
- Time to check in on our
next home for the holidays.
From the Rocky Mountains
and the Great Plains,
at first glance you
might think you're
in your own little North Pole.
- Filled with glacier parks
and snow-capped peaks,
we're heading to Montana.
(bright upbeat music)
(sledge whooshes)
- [Laura] The big,
beautiful state of Montana.
Here in the Big Sky state,
take in the gorgeous
spectacle of nature.
- [Dean] Whether it be
at Glacier National Park
or the Lewis and Clark Caverns,
or Big Horn Canyon, Montana is
a beautiful sight to behold.
Come Christmas, the ice
is thick enough to climb.
- [Laura] Ice climbers
from all over come to the
Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival
for the holidays.
Meet climbers,
see heart pounding climbing
feats on the silver screen
and hear real life
tales from the crags.
- [Dean] The Bozeman
Ice Climbing Festival
is a fascinating spot
for climbers and
land lovers alike.
Merry Christmas from Montana.
(bright upbeat music)
- Okay, it's time
to check back in
and see how our concert's
going with Elizabeth Stanton.
- Elizabeth, take it away.
- Thanks, Laura and Dean.
Let's bring up this incredible
singer and performer
with his rendition of this
classic carol, "The First Noel".
We have Elliot Yamin.
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
♪ The First Noel ♪
♪ The Angels did say ♪
♪ Was to certain
poor shepherds ♪
♪ In fields as they lay ♪
♪ In fields where they lay ♪
♪ Keeping their sheep ♪
♪ On a cold winter's night ♪
♪ That was so deep ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪
(gentle music)
♪ They looked up ♪
♪ And saw a star ♪
♪ Shining in the East ♪
♪ Beyond them far ♪
♪ And to the Earth
it gave great light ♪
♪ And so it continued ♪
♪ Both day and night ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Noel, Noel ♪
♪ Born is the King ♪
♪ Born is the King ♪
♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
(screen whooshes)
- We'll be right back with
more holiday traditions.
- On "Christmas Around the USA".
(bright upbeat music)
(bright upbeat music)
(cheerful music)
All right, we're back
with even more "Christmas
Around the USA".
- And I am ready
for our next stop.
Where are we heading, Laura?
- Well, this state is famous
for being framed where our
nation's four great lakes-
- To Michigan!
- I had more to say.
- Oh, but I know.
It's Michigan.
- You're very confident.
Is that your final answer?
- I was born there.
That's my final answer.
It's Michigan.
- He's right.
- And so it is.
We're off to Michigan.
(Laura chuckles)
(bright upbeat music)
(sledge swoops)
The holidays in Michigan.
- [Laura] What better place
to dive into Christmas
than a real live
Christmas village
in Frankenmuth, Michigan?
- [Dean] Here in
Michigan's Little Bavaria,
it's festival season
all year round.
Frankenmuth celebrates Bavarian
classics like Octoberfest,
including wiener dog
races, classic cars
with the Autofest and
the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl,
the world's largest
festival for dogs.
Frankenmuth is always
festive, but around Christmas,
now this is something magical.
- [Laura] The epicenter
of Christmas cheer
in Michigan lies at
Frankenmuth Village.
Visitors can shop at Bronner's
Christmas Wonderland,
the world's largest
Christmas decoration store,
which houses a
whopping seven acres
of Christmas decorations.
- [Dean] Visitors from all
over the world stock up
on Christmas goodies
at Bronner's,
whether it's ornaments, trims,
trees, Christmas lights,
garlands, stockings, advent
calendars, or wreaths,
Christmas spirit is in
no short supply up here
in the heart of Michigan.
(bright upbeat music)
- Well, if you've ever
been to this next location,
you'd know it's famous
for its national parks
and it's skiing.
- Some say it looks a
little bit like Mars.
- Skiing and Mars?
Yes, we're going to Utah.
(bright upbeat music)
(sledge swoops)
Christmas out west to the
majestic state of Utah.
- [Dean] Here in Utah,
winter time brings out the
gorgeous mountain scenery.
Whether it's checking out
the Bonneville Salt Flats,
skiing in Park City
or venturing south towards
jaw-dropping rock formations,
there are unforgettable
sites to see no matter
where you go.
- [Laura] Listen closely
around Christmas time
and you'll hear angelic
voices ringing out
in celebration of the holidays.
Every year, Salt Lake
City's Tabernacle Choir puts
on the biggest show of
its 75 performance season,
ranked as one of
the 10 best choirs
in the world with
over 360 members.
- [Dean] Around the holidays,
their Christmas concert
includes "Carol of the Bells",
"Hark the Harold Angels Sing",
"Deck the Halls with
Boughs of Holly",
and many, many more.
Joy to the world indeed.
(bright upbeat music)
We have Elizabeth Stanton
standing by on our stage
ready to bring out the
next holiday performance.
- Let's welcome the whimsical
workings of a magician
who brings the magic
of Christmas to life.
Here's Murray SawChuck.
(audience applauds)
(audience cheers)
- Hey, everybody, how are you?
Merry Christmas
and Happy Holidays.
One of my favorite things
about Christmas is breakfast.
I love getting up as a
kid, having breakfast,
and I always did this trick
where I take a handkerchief,
I put it inside my
fist just like this.
Every year I'd do it.
My family knew what I was
doing, but they'd go with it.
I'd snap my fingers
and go, "What color does the
handkerchief change into?"
And they'd go, "I don't know."
And go, "Well, it
changes into an egg.
And the red handkerchief's
actually here in my pocket."
And they'd always clap,
and they always loved it
and hopefully it fooled
you guys right now.
But I always like
to teach tricks.
I'm gonna teach
you how this works.
First of all, you get
a red handkerchief.
Second of all, you get an egg
and you cut a hole in
the back of the egg.
It's super simple
just like that.
An egg and two
handkerchiefs, all right?
So when you go
shopping, the idea's
that I would get
two handkerchiefs
but make sure they're
the same color.
If not, it probably
won't work, all right?
First thing you do is
take this red handkerchief
and you roll into a tiny
ball just like this.
This is so you can
actually manipulate it
a little bit easier, right?
That goes in the right
pocket, all right?
The egg goes in the
right pocket as well.
Why? Because I'm
right-handed, all right?
So if you happen
to be left-handed,
my suggestion's to put the stuff
in your left pocket, all right?
Then what you do is basically
something called palming.
I need to teach you, all right?
It's kinda where you
hold an egg right here
in the palm, top
and bottom, hold together, and
your fingers wrap around it.
So when you hold it like this,
you can't see it, all right?
At least you
shouldn't, all right?
And the red handkerchief
goes in the left pocket.
Second of all, I wear a
hoodie that has big pockets
so I can get my hands in
and outta the pockets,
that's very important.
So here's how you start.
You pull up the red handkerchief
and you wave it up and down.
It's called misdirection, okay?
Or, you can just
smack 'em in the face
and they go blind
for three seconds.
(audience laughing)
I don't advise that though.
When you take the egg,
you sneak it right out.
Put it right down by your side.
Don't start waving it
around looking for a taxi,
it's not the time.
(audience laughing)
Then you take the
red handkerchief,
and you push it into
the old fist of mystery.
Well, it's not
much of a mystery,
'cause I've already told
you it's going into the
egg, exactly.
So make sure you push
it all the way in there.
Don't be sloppy.
'Cause if for some reason
when you push it all the way
in here, but for some reason
it doesn't go all the way in,
it's gonna come out with
half the handkerchief
hanging out the back of it.
Looking like Humpty
Dumpty with a cape.
And if he had a cape,
he wouldn't have fallen.
Snap the fingers
like this, boom.
There's your egg, reach in here.
Bam, red handkerchief,
just like this.
(audience laughing)
Red, green, same color.
If you're closing your eyes.
But the reason, if you have
a green handkerchief here,
you have to have a green
handkerchief inside the egg.
Very similar.
Oh, you don't, you don't
understand what I'm doing?
Well, here's what you, if
you get caught with this
and they do see the hole,
just use your magic powers
and snap your finger, and then
just take the hole right off.
(audience exclaiming)
See, there's no hole anymore.
And take the egg, and
then you just cr*ck it.
So you have a real
egg, just like that.
(audience clapping)
Merry Christmas, you guys.
Happy Holidays.
(gentle cheerful music)
- We have even more
'Christmas Around The USA'.
- Coming up right after this.
(gentle cheerful music)
(gentle cheerful music)
- Welcome back to
'Christmas Around The USA'.
- We're exploring the entire
country to find the most
interesting holiday traditions,
and the best holiday meals.
- Not to mention, some great
performances along the way.
But, but I have to
know, I have to know.
Where are we off to next, Laura?
- Well, Dean, you have a
50/50 sh*t at this one.
We're going to a state
that ends in Dakota.
- Well, North Dakota, the
only state I haven't visited.
- That's right.
Good guess.
- Oh, I got it right.
All right.
It's a little holiday
magic right there.
(gentle cheerful music)
- [Laura] North Dakota is
known for its farmlands,
and beautiful wide open spaces.
What better way to take it
easy and enjoy the holidays
than in the good old fashioned
small towns of North Dakota.
In the town of Medora,
you can come enjoy an old
fashioned cowboy Christmas,
complete with hay rides
and holiday buffets.
Visitors are transported
back to the Wild West
in cheery Christmas fashion.
So, if you are looking for
a nice and quiet Christmas,
North Dakota is the place to go.
Because I'm almost positive
there's more animals
than people out here.
- Well, I think we would both
get some coal in our stockings
if we didn't visit the other
state that ends in Dakota.
- Ah, that's a risk
I don't wanna take.
And I also hear they
have some incredible
Christmas food down there
- Sold.
To my dad's home
state of South Dakota.
(gentle bright music)
- [Laura] South Dakota
is famous for its
incredible landmarks,
and breathtaking scenery.
Of all the places in the
USA, where else can you see
historical icons faces
carved into mountainsides?
Like at Mount Rushmore, and
the Crazy Horse Memorial.
The beautiful Rocky
Badlands, an incredible place
for all kinds of critters,
both day and night.
You can even go panning
for nuggets of gold.
Christmas in South Dakota is
perfect for any history buff,
or someone who just has
an adventurous spirit.
(gentle bright music)
- Let's check in with
co-host, Elizabeth Stanton,
and see what's up next.
- The holiday season
is all about giving.
This magician has a
gift for everyone.
Here's Murray SawChuck.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
(gentle playful music)
- What's up you guys?
Merry Christmas,
and happy holidays.
This is my favorite
time of year.
And I love memories
of Christmas.
And one of my fondest memories,
and funniest memories,
is wrapping a present
for my mom for Christmas.
And she really wanted
a pair of shoes.
And so I actually
wrapped a pair of shoes.
(gentle playful music)
But what I didn't remember is,
I forgot to put the
shoes inside the box.
Well, this is exactly
what happened.
She opened it for Christmas Day,
and there was nothing
inside the box.
Nothing at all.
And I thought, oh no.
And I remembered I left
the shoes underneath my bed
'cause I didn't want
her to see them.
She wanted these
shoes for a long time.
As a magician, though,
I knew what to do.
I took back the box, I
did this, and I said,
mom, here's your shoes.
And she got herself a brand new
pair of shoes for Christmas.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
- Now it's time to head
over to a state filled
with snow capped volcanic
mountains, rainy days,
and tons of parks.
- Ooh, you almost had
me there with volcanic.
but we've seen Hawaii.
- Yeah.
- So it has to be Washington?
- Did the rain give it away?
- That was a good hint, yes.
But something tells me
this time of the year,
it's covered in snow instead.
(gentle bright music)
- [Dean] Here in Washington,
the coffee capital of the USA,
Christmas brings out some
of the most classic ways
to celebrate the holidays.
- [Laura] Whether it's
enjoying the beautiful
Mount St. Helens,
touring Puget Sound,
grabbing some fresh fish
at Pike Place Fish Market,
whale watching, or
dancing in the rain.
Washington transforms into a
wonderland during the holidays.
- [Dean] Especially when
you get what Seattleites
hope for, a snowy Christmas
in the Pacific Northwest.
When there's snow on the ground
and Christmas cheer in the air,
it's the perfect time
for a sleigh ride.
Visitors slide through the
beautiful mountain scenery,
and on through to a
magical Christmas village.
- [Laura] This is Washington's
Bavarian Christmas village
in Leavenworth.
Since the early 1960's, it's
been a top tourist destination
in the Pacific Northwest.
Beginning in the early morning,
complete with complimentary
breakfast snacks
and warm wool blankets,
you'll board a horse pulled
sleigh ride adventure that
takes you on a beautiful tour
of the Cascade Mountains,
all the way to Red Tail farm.
- [Dean] Your sleigh will
bring you all the way
to the authentic German
town of Leavenworth,
where you'll enjoy live
outdoor entertainment,
handcrafted food and beverages,
and browse local artisans wares.
- [Laura] What a way
to celebrate Christmas.
(gentle upbeat music)
Okay, you ready to
spice things up?
Down to the land of the
famous chili peppers,
which, coincidentally,
are green and red,
spreading holiday
cheer all year.
- Now you're
talking my language.
Let's go to New Mexico.
(gentle upbeat music)
- [Dean] Christmas
in New Mexico.
Here in the Southwest, the
unforgettable scenery takes you
to a timeless way to
celebrate the holidays.
- [Laura] Here, with the warm
days and cold desert nights,
New Mexicans and visitors alike
enjoy the incredible
rock formations.
Explore the eye-poppingly
bright white sands
at White Sands
National Monument.
Take in the beauty
of the Rio Grande,
and the great Gorge Bridge.
And behold the mighty
crags of Shiprock.
- [Dean] In Santa Fe, the
Christmas season is celebrated
as a community.
Kicking off with the
Christmas Lighting Ceremony
at the Santa Fe Plaza, all the
way through to Christmas Eve,
when revelers come to
ring in the holiday
with the annual Christmas
Eve Farolito walk.
- [Laura] On this night,
locals and visitors
head into the chilly
night to take in
beautiful local treasures,
the crisp night air,
and most of all, each other.
The Christmas Eve Farolito
walk is illuminated
by luminarias.
Small paper bags each with a
candle illuminating the night.
- [Dean] While most
businesses are closed,
the galleries remain open.
And strollers enjoy
over 100 art galleries
as they stroll down the canyon.
A beautiful way to celebrate
the most wonderful time
of the year.
- Okay, let's head over to our
co-host, Elizabeth Stanton.
- Now, with an
all original song,
here's 'Winterheart'
by singer-
songwriter, Brandon Rogers.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
♪ I wish it was colder ♪
♪ Oh, so I could hold you ♪
♪ By the fireplace ♪
♪ And wait 'till ♪
♪ Christmas comes ♪
♪ To melt my winterheart ♪
♪ Mm, hm, hm, hm, hm ♪
♪ 'Cause these
colored lights don't ♪
♪ Feel quite the same ♪
♪ When there's no snow to ♪
♪ Lead the way ♪
♪ For Christmas to come ♪
♪ And melt my winterheart ♪
♪ Oh yeah ♪
♪ Oh yeah, oh ♪
♪ All right ♪
♪ I remember that
day in December ♪
♪ We walked on the ice
steppin' light as a feather ♪
♪ We felt what we knew
would never be the same ♪
♪ Frost on my lips like
an old winters kiss ♪
♪ Made it's way to my chest ♪
♪ That's where it left me ♪
♪ A message that
sunshine will never do ♪
♪ Oh, and I miss the way your ♪
♪ Face turned every
shade of blue ♪
♪ And I'd flame fire for you ♪
♪ 'Till Christmas comes ♪
♪ To melt my winterheart ♪
♪ Oh, oh ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ I remember that
day in December ♪
♪ We walked on the ice
steppin' light as a feather ♪
♪ We felt what we knew
would never be the same ♪
♪ Oh, frost on my lips
like an old winters kiss ♪
♪ Made it's way to my chest ♪
♪ That's where it left me ♪
♪ A message that
sunshine will never do ♪
♪ Oh, and I miss the way ♪
♪ Your face turned
every shade of blue ♪
♪ And I'd flame fire for you ♪
♪ 'Till Christmas comes ♪
♪ To melt my winter ♪
♪ Heart ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
- Thank you so much.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
(gentle cheerful music)
- Stick around, we have
even more holiday adventure.
- On 'Christmas Around The
USA', right after this.
(gentle cheerful music)
(gentle cheerful music)
- Welcome back to
'Christmas Around The USA'.
- Our next stop is known for
its changing of the seasons.
And I think it's
time we check out
how they spend their
holiday season.
- We are off to New England.
(gentle music)
We are dreaming of a white
Christmas, in New England.
- [Dean] A storybook
classic Christmas
in snowy, cozy Northeast.
What better place to
curl up as you watch
the snowflakes pile high
through a frosty window pane.
- [Laura] Cozy Winter times
aren't the only great part
about Christmas in New England.
Where else can you
tour holiday mansion
after holiday mansion?
Christmas in New England
is a bit nomadic,
traveling to all of its
close neighboring states
come the holiday season
- [Dean] In towns and villages
scattered across the region,
from Maine to Connecticut,
to Vermont, to Massachusetts,
and Rhode Island, there are
plenty of decorated homes,
big and small, to flock
to come Christmas time.
- [Laura] For jaw-dropping
Christmas elegance,
New Englander's come
to the Breakers Mansion
in Newport, Rhode Island.
Home to 30 Christmas
trees, and so much more.
Those looking for something
a little more down to earth,
visit Olde Mistic Village
in Mystic Connecticut.
Featuring traditional
tavern dances,
horse drawn carriage rides,
and even a visit
from Santa Claus.
- [Dean] And finally, there's
old Sturbridge Village.
Whisking visitors back
to the New England
of the early 1800's,
with sleigh rides, caroling,
gingerbread and hot cider,
along with musical performances,
and Christmas dinners.
- [Laura] Now that's what
we call a wholesome holiday.
Well, I think it's time for a
little more Christmas music.
- Oh yes, and we have
Elizabeth Stanton
standing by on our stage
ready to bring out the next
holiday performance.
- We have an acapella
version of a song
that has lived on the
charts every holiday season,
selling millions of
copies year after year,
here's 'Silent Night'
performed by The Sugarplums.
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
♪ Silent night, ♪
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ 'Round yon Virgin ♪
♪ 'Round yon Virgin ♪
♪ Mother and child ♪
♪ Mother and child ♪
♪ Holy infant ♪
♪ Holy infant ♪
♪ So tender and mild ♪
♪ So tender and mild ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪
♪ Peace ♪
♪ Peace ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly ♪
♪ Peace ♪
♪ Peace ♪
♪ Silent night ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Son of God ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Love's pure light ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Radiant beams ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ From Heaven above ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Heavenly hosts sing ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Alleluia ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Christ the Savior ♪
♪ Christ the Savior ♪
♪ Is born ♪
♪ Is born ♪
♪ Christ the Savior ♪
♪ Christ the Savior ♪
♪ Is born ♪
♪ Is born ♪
(audience clapping)
(audience cheering)
- I think it's safe to say
we had an absolute blast.
- I think we did too.
Exploring all
around the country,
seeing new ways to
celebrate the holidays,
and an appreciation
of the classics.
- We hope you had as
much fun as we did.
Thank you to our co-host,
Elizabeth Stanton,
and all our performers
for rocking in the season.
- Have a Merry Christmas
wherever you are.
- And a happy New Year.
(gentle cheerful music)
(gentle cheerful music)
(gentle cheerful music)
Christmas Around the USA (2022)
Moderator: Maskath3