By Towles Kintz

For the AJC

The nation’s holiday celebrations are as culturally rich and diverse as its varied landscape. The four ports featured here offer travelers interesting options for celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s in locations that might not spring immediately to mind when considering a holiday getaway.

St. Augustine, Fla.’s vibrant Jewish community begins the season of Hanukkah with a festival that is as culturally and religiously mindful as it is celebratory, while a Christmas festival in Lake Charles, La., lights up the bayou. Baltimore’s rich African-American heritage gives heft to Kwanzaa’s significance as a season of unity and tradition, and New Year’s celebrations in Destin, Fla., allow revelers to set the stage for a happy 2010.

St. Augustine’s Grand 
Hanukkah Celebration

St. Augustine’s largest menorah lighting takes place in the Plaza de la Constitucion Dec. 5. After the lighting of the 10-foot-menorah, blessings, prayers and traditional songs round out the family celebration. Potato latkes and doughnuts will be served, and there will be a free raffle. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

● Stay: Casablanca Inn. A historic inn on the bay. $99 to $319. 24 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine. 800-826-2626, www.casablancainn.com

● Eat: LaPentola Restaurant. A Mediterranean restaurant serving pastas located downtown. Entrees $10.95 to $28.95. 58 Charlotte St., St. Augustine. 904-824-3282, www.lapentola
restaurant.com

● Info: St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. 904-829-5681, www.stjohnscountychamber.
com.

Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting 
Festival, Lake Charles

Parades, Irish dancers, Christmas music and a ceremonial tree-lighting kick off Lake Charles’ annual holiday festival Dec. 5.

In the weeks that follow, festivalgoers can participate in a gingerbread house competition, Christmas carriage rides, home-lighting contests and a Santa’s workshop.

Towns surrounding Lake Charles, including Sulphur and Vinton, also offer their own holiday celebrations. Sulphur’s seventh annual “Christmas Under the Oaks” celebration will take place Dec.5-6 and Vinton’s parade will be held Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.

● Stay: C.A.’s House B&B. The turn-of-the-century Colonial style home is located in Lake Charles’ downtown historic district. Those with children should inquire about C.A.’s carriage house. Average price for the season is $185. 624 Ford St., Lake Charles. 866-439-6672, www.waltersattic.com

● Eat: Steamboat Bill’s. Featuring authentic Cajun cuisine, this award-winning restaurant gets kudos for great crawfish, gumbo and seafood. Entrees $10-$24. 1004 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles. 337-494-1070, www.steamboatbills.com.

● Info: Lake Charles Visitors Bureau. 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles. 800-456-SWLA, 
www.visitlakecharles.org.

Kwanzaa in Baltimore

This vibrant city, rich in African-American culture and history, is an excellent place to celebrate Kwanzaa, a weeklong holiday from Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Leading up to the holiday, the Baltimore Museum of Art (www.artbma.org) celebrates Kwanzaa Family Day on Dec. 20 with special family performances and hands-on art-making activities. Then on Dec. 27, several venues throughout the city host events filled with African drumming, dancing and storytelling. The celebration begins at the Publick Playhouse (www.pgparks.com ) in nearby Cheverly, which also offers instruction in African drum-making and dance and educational courses on African culture and heritage, at 3 p.m. $10 adults, $8 students, $5 for children 5 and younger.

● Stay: Brookshire Suites. A sleek, modern hotel well suited for couples and families. $144-$170. 120 E. Lombard St., Baltimore. 410-625-1300, www.harbormagic.com

● Eat: Obrycki’s. Award-winning Maryland crab cakes bring locals to this Fell’s Point favorite. Entrees $17 to $33. 1727 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. 410-732-639, www.obryckis.com/

● Info: Baltimore Area Visitor’s Center. 410-659-7300, www.baltimore.org.

New Year’s Eve 
celebrations in Destin

Quiet, romantic getaways and fireworks-studded parties abound on Florida’s Gulf Coast for New Year’s Eve. A peaceful evening walk on the beach might suit some, but partygoers may want to gather where the action is at Harborwalk Village 
(www.harborwalkdestin.com)
or the Village of Baytowne Wharf (www.baytownewharf.com). At Harborwalk Village, revelers can watch a 100-pound ball covered in 700 LED lights slowly descend over the harbor at midnight, when a grand finale of fireworks and music sets the tone for 2010. In addition to fireworks, the celebration at Village of Baytowne Wharf features musical performances by Mustang Sally and The Return, a Beatles tribute band.

● Stay: Henderson Park Inn. Spacious, romantic beachside suites with private balconies, kitchenettes and fireplaces. $169-$1,200. 2700 Scenic Highway/U.S. 98 East, Destin. 866-398-4432, www.hendersonparkinn.com

● Eat: Onano. This Rosemary Beach favorite serves fresh seafood, handmade pastas and decadent desserts. Entrees $20-$37. 78 Main St., Rosemary Beach. 850-231-2436, www.onanocafe.com

● Info: Destin Chamber of Commerce. 850-837-6241, www.destinchamber.com

Provided by Demand Studios