Celebrate the Holidays in Style at These VIP Holiday Events

Courtesy of The Restaurant at Meadowood, photo by Bonjwing Lee

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TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD – St. Helena, California
For a culinary take on the Twelve Days of Christmas, the three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa, California, has invited 12 internationally acclaimed chefs to prepare special tasting menus at the restaurant. Meadowood’s Chef Christopher Kostow will team up with the likes of Australian Chef Dave Pynt of Michelin-starred modern barbeque restaurant Burnt Ends in Singapore, to prepare a one-of-a-kind tasting menu. Guests can look forward to fare that’s influenced by the natural bounty of Napa Valley. The series runs from December 7 to 22 and should be on your can’t-miss list of VIP holiday events.

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CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCESS AT FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS – Scottsdale, Arizona
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona goes all out for Christmas. Upon arrival, visitors will see a four-story Christmas tree boasting 70,000 LED lights that twinkle to 17 holiday songs at the hotel’s main outdoor plaza. Families can enjoy seeing more than four million Christmas lights displayed throughout the property, a carousel, photos with Santa, train rides and a Ferris wheel.

For a VIP experience, consider booking a luxury rink-side fire pit beside the 6,000-square-foot ice skating rink. Guests who reserve a fire pit receive parking passes and admission to the other attractions, in addition to s’mores and blankets. Even better, stay the night and book the Santa Suite VIP Experience. Inside your room, you’ll find a full-size Christmas tree, tea and hot cocoa, vinyl Christmas classics and will even get a phone call from Mr. Claus himself.

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HOLIDAY TEA AT THE DRAKE HOTEL – Chicago, Illinois
The Palm Court of Chicago’s legendary and historical Drake Hotel offers a festive spin on its famed afternoon tea that has been enjoyed by the likes of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth. Holiday Tea is served in individual teapots and alongside a traditional three-tiered tray that’s filled with tea sandwiches, including the seasonal roasted turkey, cranberry chutney, Brie and gougers, and petit fours like pumpkin tart and hot chocolate mousse cup. Guests will also enjoy traditional English scones accompanied by preserves, lemon curd and English double Devon cream. Choose from a variety of black, green, white, oolong, rooibos and herbal teas. Alcoholic beverages are also available for an extra charge. As you sip and nosh, Christmas carolers and a harpist will play live tunes. A special Little Prince and Princess menu is also available for kids.

Photo by @personkillianphoto

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HOLIDAY BACCHANAL AT THE FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA – Boston, Massachusetts
Every holiday season, the 106-year-old lobby of Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza is transformed into an elegant dining room, complete with tables lining the length of the space and decked out with vases filled with fresh flowers, red candelabras and gold accents throughout, for its Holiday Bacchanal. Often described as Beantown’s “most luxurious affair of the season,” guests can indulge in a lavish five-course menu on December 19 starting at 6:30 p.m. Feast on braised lamb shoulder and Vermont smoked cheddar Croque Monsieur, Nantucket Bay scallops and New England lobster gratin, pickled roasted local baby beets, orange-citrus-glazed Long Island duck breasts and leg confit, and warm flourless dark chocolate cake.

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THE MOST DECADENT NIGHT EVER AT MURRAY’S CHEESE – New York, New York
The title says it all: On December 14, Murray’s Cheese in New York City is rolling out one nice spread at its East Village location on Bleeker Street as part of its Most Decadent Night Ever celebration. Attendees will drink Champagne hailing from France, sample foie gras, caviar, truffles and, of course, indulge in some of Murray’s finest cheeses.

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THE BLVD AT THE BEVERLY WILSHIRE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL – Los Angeles, California
Before strolling Los Angeles’ famed Rodeo Drive for your holiday shopping, consider stopping by THE Blvd at The Beverly Wilshire. Beginning November 29 and running until January 2, THE Blvd and Dom Pèrignon have teamed up to create an exclusive Champagne experience on the hotel’s famous outdoor patio overlooking Rodeo Drive.

The seasonal pop-up will feature a selection of Dom Pèrignon by the glass or bottle, and a small menu of holiday favorites including hot cocoa, festive pastries and caviar. The decked-out patio featuring lush hedges, black and gold ornaments, bistro seating, and a fireside lounge is an ideal place to appreciate the festive bustle of one of the most legendary shopping destinations in the world.

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NEWPORT BEACH BOAT PARADE
Celebrating its 110th year, the Newport Beach Boat Parade kicks off to fireworks and a massive spectacle on December 19 and runs through December 23. More than 100 vessels from super yachts to Duffys will navigate the waters of Newport Harbor starting and ending at Lido Isle. The boat parade is enjoyed from public parks and restaurants located near the water, or even better from one of the boats in the parade. Our favorite way to savor the seasonal floating lights display is to have the good fortune to have friends in high places—homes overlooking Newport Harbor, that is. It’s almost become an art form to host the most elegant and exceptional party during the boat parade, and for sure a lovely holiday tradition.