Airport Santa

Whether you miss your holiday flight due to a blizzard or due to your own immersion in Google’s free WiFi, getting stuck won’t suck if you’re at one of the airports gifting travelers with holiday happiness. From present-wrapping to performances to karaoke, here are seven U.S. airports with particularly festive holiday plans for 2009.

 

San Francisco International Airport

SFO

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The You Are Hear live music series returns Wednesdays and Fridays from November 25 through December 31 to fill three terminals with the sounds of favorite Bay Area musicians. SFO bonuses: free gift-wrapping and reasonably priced flu shots at kiosks!

 

Indianapolis International Airport

Indy

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The year-old airport’s Civic Plaza, accessible even to visitors without boarding passes, will spend the weeks until Christmas hosting holiday entertainment from concerts to a Colts road rally.

 

Portland International Airport

PDX

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Portland’s Holidays Take Flight event is in full swing until January 3, already showcasing musicians, sales and promotions, and a drawing for free Alaska Airlines tickets.

 

Sea-Tac Airport

Sea-Tac

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Seattle celebrates the holidays from December 16-24 with carolers, jugglers, character actors, roving game teams, and musicians. Into celebrity spotting? Santa will even drop in (but you didn’t hear it here).

 

Los Angeles International Airport

LAX

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LAX terminals are overwhelming no more, at least on November 20 and 23 and December 24 and 25; they’ve arranged for employees to volunteer as passenger assistants dishing out information and smiles.

 

McCarran International Airport

McCarran

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Festive McCarran holds its annual tree-lighting ceremony on December 4 at 11am near the Aviation Museum—follow the tree’s beacon should you find yourself stranded in Vegas' airport. And if you’re in town on December 2, you can catch McCarran Night at the Gift of Lights drive-thru spectacular; airport employees will be handing out goodie bags to visitors.

 

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Houston

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In Houston, look for the granddaddy of all airport holiday scenes: holiday karaoke. A big hit in 2008, its inaugural year, the singing spectacle returns on December 3, 9, and 19--with more dates possible. Keep your fingers crossed (and your vocal chords warmed up) for a flight delay in Texas.

Airport Santa photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Ishtar