Arizona Event Proves That Hot Air Rises

Arizona

The 25th annual Thunderbird Balloon Classic, Nov. 5 to 7 at Westworld in Scottsdale, begins with a Desert Glow hot-air balloon show at sundown, with the McDowell Mountains as the backdrop. Commercial and specially shaped balloons will be illuminated in time to music. The display is followed by a skydiving exhibition and fireworks. The launch of more than 130 balloons will begin at about 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Also planned: live entertainment, a family fun center and arts and crafts booths. For more information, contact the Thunderbird Balloon Classic, 15249 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85306; telephone (602) 978-7797.

Georgia

Fantasy in Lights takes place Nov. 19 to Dec. 26 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. Beginning at 6 p.m. each night, visitors drive for five miles past thematic holiday light and sound vignettes. There’s Santa’s Workshop, the Twelve Days of Christmas, Firefly Cove, the March of the Toy Soldiers and more. Holiday decorations are for sale at the Christmas Village. Nov. 21 is the annual March of Dimes Night Walk, the only time visitors are permitted to walk through the wonderland. For more information, contact Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2000; tel. (800) 225-5292.

Illinois

The 10th annual Chicago Humanities Festival, Nov. 4 to 7 and Nov. 12 to 14, is an ambitious offering of more than 120 concurrently running programs including concerts, plays, lectures, readings, discussions and films, organized around the theme “New and Old.” The festival takes place at 20 sites around the city, including the Art Institute, Chicago Children’s Museum, Field Museum, Chicago Historical Society and several libraries. Among the many participants: political analyst David Gergen, feminist writer Germaine Greer, novelists Fay Weldon and Scott Turow as well as biographers, archeologists, composers and architects. There’s a tribute to Duke Ellington on the first weekend and one to Noel Coward on the second. For more information, contact the Chicago Humanities Festival, 500 N. Dearborn St., Suite 1028, Chicago, IL 60610; tel. (312) 661-1028.

Maryland

At the eighth annual Annapolis by Candlelight, Nov. 5 and 6, visitors can tour 15 private homes in the historic district, the only opportunity during the year to get inside these lovely restored houses. From 5 to 9 p.m. luminarias will mark the path to the various sites. The homes span three centuries of architectural styles. This year’s highlight is the Upton-Scott House, a mid-18th century Georgian mansion. Restaurants in the historic district will offer special dinners and discounts for tour takers. Early reservations are suggested. For more information, contact the Historic Annapolis Foundation, 18 Pinkney St., Annapolis, MD 21401; tel. (410) 267-7619.

New Jersey

Cape May, known for its finely restored Victorian buildings, plans an ambitious schedule of holiday events beginning Nov. 19 and running through Jan. 1. One of the most popular outings is the Evening Trolley Ride past brightly lit houses. Other events include a Candlelight House Tour, Sunday caroling through town, wassail parties, holiday teas and dances. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May, P.O. Box 556, Cape May, NJ 84-5508.

Mexico

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in cemeteries all over Mexico on Nov. 1 and 2. Families decorate the graves of loved ones with marigolds, candles, photos and the deceased’s favorite food and drink, and hold an all-night vigil. The most elaborate commemorations take place in Janitzio, Michoacan; in the state of Oaxaca; and in Mixquic, a tiny village 20 miles southeast of downtown Mexico City. For more information, contact the Mexican Government Tourism Office, 2401 W. 6th St., 5th Floor, Los Angeles 90057; tel. (213) 351-2069.

Denmark

For only the sixth time in its 156-year history, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen will be open during the holidays, Nov. 19 to Dec. 23. Visitors will find thousands of twinkling lights in the famous gardens as well as a large Christmas market. Restaurants will feature traditional Danish Christmas dishes such as roast duck and goose, and glogg, a hot mulled wine. Tivoli Lake will be iced for skating and illuminated by Tiffany & Co. New York artisans. For more information, contact the Scandinavian Tourist Boards, P.O. Box 4649, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-4649; tel. (212) 885-9700.

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