From ice skating rinks to Christmas markets, these airports make vacation journey enjoyable

It is probably the most fantastic time of the yr … to be at an airport. No, significantly. Hear us out.
For a lot of causes, vacation journey may be difficult, however your time on the airport would not need to be depressing. The airport may be an virtually jolly a part of the vacation journey expertise when you finish at one which will get into the vacation spirit. There are just a few airports that pull out all of the stops, full with festive actions and facilities that go nicely past a well-decorated Christmas tree or menorah show.
This time of yr, sure airports worldwide host ice skating rinks, full Christmas markets and even flights to the “North Pole.” Listed here are a number of the most spectacular methods to get within the vacation spirit whereas transiting by way of airports this vacation season.
Ice skate at no cost at Denver Airport
In the event you’re out west and nonetheless wish to get your ice skating repair glad, Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) has you coated because of its pop-up ice skating rink on the out of doors plaza close to The Westin Denver Worldwide Airport resort.
The rink is open between 11 a.m. and seven p.m. each day from Nov. 18, 2022 by way of Jan. 1, 2023. You may get free skate leases from the on-site skate store, which sits contained in the resort by the Tivoli Faucet Home restaurant and brewery.
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Browse Munich’s well-known Christmas market
After a two-year hiatus, Europe’s custom of charming Christmas markets returns to Munich Worldwide Airport (MUC) from Nov. 19 by way of Dec. 26, 2022.
Right here, you possibly can top off on handblown glass ornaments, artisan crafts and mulled wine. If purchasing is not your factor, you can even make your technique to the ice skating rink, take heed to reside music or, relying on while you move by way of, get pleasure from a magic present, face portray or perhaps a go to from the massive man himself.
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Associated: The Munich Airport has its personal full-fledged Christmas market
Reenact ‘House Alone’ at Chicago’s O’Hare
Whereas in Chicago, preserve a watch out for Santa on the adorned Chicago Transit Authority’s Allstate CTA Vacation Prepare, which has been round since 1992 (minus just a few years in the course of the coronavirus pandemic).
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Go to a Christmas cabin on the Helsinki Airport
In case your flights take you close to Gate 40 on the Helsinki Airport (HEL), you possibly can pop right into a free Christmas Cabin with an elf door, a Finnish sauna and the sights and smells of the vacation season.
Do you have to hope to see the Finnish Christmas Cabin however will not make it by way of the airport in the course of the vacation season, don’t fret: It is there year-round.
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Fly to the ‘North Pole with United
These quick flights take off, fly round and provides the youngsters and their guardians an unbelievable inflight expertise earlier than touchdown on the “North Pole,” the place Santa and his elves (on this case, United workers and volunteers) greet youngsters and throw an superior vacation luncheon.
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Try Singapore Changi’s Festive Village
In the event you occur to fly by way of Singapore between Nov. 4, 2022 and Jan. 2, 2023, you should definitely go to the show-stopping Changi Festive Village. As if Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) did not have already got sufficient you are able to do — the large slide is one in all our favourite must-dos — the airport comes alive across the holidays because of its seasonal village.
Once you’re not busy exploring the brand new “Avatar”-themed “The Means of Water” set up within the Departure Corridor’s Terminal 3, partake within the Changi Festive Village’s in a single day in-airport glamping program or stroll by way of the Jurassic Mile, a blinding (and impressively lengthy) gentle show. There’s even an underground carnival, do you have to wish to play video games or get pleasure from just a few rides.
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Final-minute vacation journey suggestions
We hope you may encounter vacation magic and pleasure regardless of which airports you transit by way of this season, but when your journey finally ends up feeling prefer it was orchestrated by the Grinch as a substitute of Buddy the Elf, listed below are some tricks to preserve you transferring:
Further reporting by Madison Blancaflor and Samantha Rosen.