Dec 24th, 2011 at 9:00AM: As it has done every year for the past 56 years, NORAD is once again tracking Santa this holiday season. But for Christmas 2011, the military organization that watches the skies above North America, has added the ability to follow St. Nick's progress on your iPhone, iPad, and Android devices as well.
The satellite tracking went live earlier today and has been following Santa's sled as he's made ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
SantaClaus posts
NORAD tracking Santa on your iPad and smartphone
Dec 24th, 2011 at 9:00AM: As it has done every year for the past 56 years, NORAD is once again tracking Santa this holiday season. But for Christmas 2011, the military organization that watches the skies above North America, has added the ability to follow St. Nick's progress on your iPhone, iPad, and Android devices as well.
The satellite tracking went live earlier today and has been following Santa's sled as he's made ...Video of the day: Santacon in New York City
Nov 30th, 2011 at 6:30PM:
If you haven't heard of Santacon before, this year's holiday season is as good a time as any to hear of it. Santacon is, in a nutshell, this: It's a mass gathering of people who come together in cities across the world, all dressed in Santa costumes. They parade on streets and drink in bars and have a jolly good time spreading cheer and singing naughty Christmas carols. Widely known as Naughty ...
Winter holiday celebrations in Russia
Dec 31st, 2010 at 4:00PM:
In most of the western world, Christmas and Hanukkah have come and gone, but in Russia, presents are being wrapped in anticipation of tonight, New Year's Eve. In the days of the Soviet Union, religious celebrations were frowned upon, so Russians shifted their winter celebrating to December 31 and combining the traditions of gift-exchanging and New Year's revelry into one night. In the Russian ...¡Feliz Navidad! More Christmas traditions from Spain
Dec 25th, 2010 at 10:30AM: Merry Christmas from Madrid! Last year I covered some of the big Spanish Christmas traditions. This year I'd like to talk on a more personal level about how I and my in-laws celebrate. I'm married to a Spaniard. A Castilian to be precise, as regional identity is important here. Living in Madrid we have a very Castilian Christmas. My five-year-old son is pretty much Castilian too, although he's got ...Christmas with Jesse James
Dec 25th, 2010 at 10:00AM: Christmas can be a stressful time. In fact, statistics show that you're more likely to have a heart attack on Christmas than any other day of the year. Hanging out with family too much can be hazardous to your health.
Some families, of course, are more hazardous than others. Most people don't have the emotional baggage that Jesse James, Jr., did. He was the son of the famous outlaw but didn't ...Photo of the Day (12.24.10)
Dec 24th, 2010 at 6:00PM:
For Santa, Christmas Eve must be a royal pain in the ass. First of all, he obviously has to work at an unreasonable, unfathomable pace. He is also forced to grapple with potentially uncooperative reindeer and salty elves--not to mention children who just won't go to bed. One imagines that by the time Santa hits Apia he's ready to jet back to the tundra and hibernate for a good long month.
...Holiday World offers exclusive roller coaster photos online
Dec 13th, 2010 at 12:30PM: Holiday World is known for its roller coasters, including The Voyage, which has been named the world's top wooden roller coaster for the past four years.
The holiday-themed park plays host to thousands of coaster enthusiasts each year, and many of them like to capture photos of the coasters from different angles. In fact, park officials say, some coaster enthusiasts beg for a behind-the-scenes ...Holiday World owner Will Koch dies suddenly
Jun 15th, 2010 at 8:30AM: Theme park fans and the attractions industry are mourning the death of Holiday World owner and president Will Koch.
Koch died suddenly at his home Sunday night. He was 48.
"Will was not only our leader, he was our dear friend," park spokeswoman Paula Werne said in a statement. "Our park family is in mourning for this sweet man who worked tirelessly to bring fun and happiness to so many ...Holiday World 'auctions' staff members for charity
May 10th, 2010 at 11:00AM: You can learn what it takes to maintain a roller coaster or make perfect cotton candy if you place the winning bid in one of 15 auctions to benefit flood relief efforts in Nashville. Holiday World and Splashin' Safari theme park in Southern Indiana has launched the auction packages, with bids open through Monday, May 17.
Each of the packages gets you four (and in some cases, more) tickets to ...Santa Claus to seals: 5 California sights worth visiting
Apr 26th, 2010 at 3:30PM:
You already know the Southern California's top tourist attractions by heart. Disneyland. Hollywood. Hearst Castle. Ever wonder what else is out there? Here are five great lesser-known attractions to check out on your next visit to the Golden State.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Wildlife is often entertaining, and you will get more than your money's worth (it's free) by making a ...8 new thrill rides opening in 2010
Apr 23rd, 2010 at 2:00PM:
Whether you're an avid thrill seeker or just looking to have a little fun, thrill rides and roller coasters offer riders endless good times and plenty of excitement. With the economy on the forefront of most American's minds, many amusement parks have scaled back or delayed production of new rides. Luckily, not every park is afraid of the economic downturn, and these eight new rides opening ...Turkey wants Santa's bones back
Dec 30th, 2009 at 1:30PM: A Turkish archaeologist is campaigning to have the bones of St. Nicholas, the model for the legend of Santa Claus, returned to the saint's hometown in Turkey. Saint Nicholas was the bishop of the Roman town of Myra, modern Demre in what is now Turkey, in the 4th century. He came from a rich family and was famous for giving money to the poor. People would leave their shoes out for him to put money ...Track Santa's Ride Tonight!
Dec 24th, 2009 at 8:00AM: Tonight's the night that every kid, big or small, has been waiting for since this time last year. It's the night that Santa takes to the skies and delivers toys to the world, and this being the 21st Century, it is now easier than ever to track the jolly man in the red suit. A host of high tech gadgets will be employed to make sure you know exactly when he'll be paying a visit to your neighborhood. ...Photo of the Day (12/23/09)
Dec 23rd, 2009 at 6:30PM:
When I saw this photo last week while looking for Santas from around the world, I knew I'd found today's Photo of the Day. Although this fellow appears among the other Santas, here he is again-- center stage.
The cultural mix of this Santa shot is superb. Taken by Carpetblogger in Azerbaijan, this is an excellent look at how elements of culture travel. As Carpetblogger explains, although the ...Santa crawl around the world: Ho! Ho! Ho! from Gadling to you
Dec 18th, 2009 at 4:00PM:
Last Saturday night, Times Square was literally a Santa free for all. I first noticed the Santa madness as I approached from the direction of the Empire State Building while walking along Broadway. Along the way, a group of five Santas passed me. Then another group of Santas strolled by. Then there was a lone Santa and a Santa with Mrs. Claus. There were also elves.
By the time I reached 42nd ...How honest and trusting are New Yorkers?: The unattended fruit stand test
Dec 2nd, 2009 at 2:30PM: How honest are people in New York City? What happens when a vendor leaves his fruit stand unattended for at least thirty minutes after the Macy's Thanksgiving parade? Gadling knows because Gadling was there.
Not long after watching the last gigantic helium balloon and Santa Claus travel on down 7th Avenue with his hearty "Ho! Ho! Hos from our vantage point on 57th Street across from Carnegie ...Five ways to make a dollar go further in New England this holiday season
Nov 11th, 2009 at 3:00PM: New England was made for the holiday season. Sure, it's a bit chilly up there in the winter, but bundle up, and it's impossible not to be sucked in by the charm of one of the oldest corners of America. If you're looking for a great way to maximize your spending power this Christmas (who isn't?!), check out five great ideas from New England Inns and Resorts. There's plenty of variety ... but little ...Put your Paws Up for the holidays this year
Oct 20th, 2009 at 1:00PM: While the rest of the world is trekking out to Rockefeller Center to see the tree or hanging around Times Square while waiting for the ball's big drop, head the other way. "The Last Best Christmas Vacation" package from the Paws Up resort in Montana pulls together everything you'd want in a traditional winter holiday celebration ... along with the luxurious touch that you'd expect at a remote, ...Coolest plastic Christmas tree in America to be lit Nov 30
Oct 7th, 2009 at 4:00PM: More than 30 feet tall and made of a quarter of a million forest green DUPLO® bricks, the LEGOLAND® Christmas tree is by far the most fun in the United States. Regular trees die, and most plastic trees are so ... well ... plain – they just look like trees. The LEGOLAND tree, on the other hand, is something to be celebrated. At 5:30 PM on November 30, 2009, Tori Spelling McDermott (of ...World's tallest water ride open for thrill seekers at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
May 11th, 2009 at 3:00PM: Several days ago I wrote about Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, in Santa Claus, Indiana. At the time of writing, I knew they had some cool rides, but it wasn't until I took a closer look at their site that I noticed they just opened the highest water ride in the world - The Pilgrims Plunge. You really need to see the video to get an idea just how insane this thing is - 10 passengers at a ...
