“Airports see more sincere kisses than wedding halls” … At this time of year when loved ones jet in for Christmas and New Year or families constellate to fly out to warmer places, there’s no happier place than the airport.
We asked the biggest – and smallest – airports around the world to tell us of their Christmas plans and found carolers carolling, mothballed Santa hats getting an airing, evergreens decorated and jolly old Saint Nick rostered for special pre-Christmas-Eve appearances.
Around the UK
London Heathrow Airport
Throughout the festive period, across all terminals, keep an eye out for these yummy treats!
• Kids Eat Free at select restaurants across all terminals
• Airside Passenger Ambassadors will dole out chocolates to children
• Arts-and-crafts activities across all terminals where teams will help passengers make everything from gift tags to Christmas cards
• Christmas Character Visits including Pingu, The Snowman and Peppa Pig
• Santa and his elves visit the airport – Santa and his helper will be giving out sweets during each of their visits
• Christmas Carol Company – The Christmas Carol Company specialises in performances of traditional and popular Christmas music. These will be performing across all terminals
On December 1, Terminal 2 will celebrate its first Christmas. A 2D vinyl Christmas Tree will be placed onto the outside of the terminal and will include interactive lights. Passengers can tweet the hashtag #T2Christmas and the lights will flash for 15 seconds.
Glasgow Airport
On December 6 the Royal Scottish National Orchestra chorus singers will sing their hearts out beside the Christmas Tree in the terminal.
East Midlands Airport
The terminal is decked and there’ll be a gospel choir performance on Saturday December 20th in the check-in hall.
Europe
Copenhagen Airport
Santa will be handing out chocolates between 12pm and 3pm on December 5, 9, 18 and 19. One of his elves will give out treats between 1pm and 4pm on December 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 17.
On December 5 from 9am to 10am the AFUK Theater Group will perform Christmas dance, music and theatre. And on December 12, the Sct. Annæ choir will sing Christmas favourites between 10:30am and 11:45am.
Munich Airport
Munich Airport is staging its own Winter Market in the MAC Forum until December 28.
Get festive! Munich Airport’s popular Winter Market will take place from Nov. 22 to Dec. 28. @CdnTravelPress pic.twitter.com/QqpyuoRcW5
— Greg Coates (@Greg_CTP) November 17, 2014
Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport recently announced 19 new routes for winter. Before those flights take to the skies, the Christmas / New Year period will be an emotional affair as emigrants return and families reform. Children from local schools and surrounding communities will perform Christmas Carols in the mornings, and in the evening there are performances by local adult groups. On Christmas Eve, the Dublin Gospel Choir will raise the rafters of T2 with its rousing repertoire.
Cork Airport
Cork’s 12 Days of Christmas festivities including the legendary Christmas Jumper Charity fundraiser kick off on Friday December 12.
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport will partner with Ryanair to operate ten 40-minute Santa flights on December 13 and 14. Santa will transfer from his sleigh to board the aircraft 15,000ft above sea-level. Tickets are on sale at shannonairport.ie.
Ataturk Airport
Istanbul’s airport will be decked out for the New Year and its Cakes & Bakes shop will be selling special New-Year-themed cookies to kick off 2015.
In Turkey on Turkey Day. @ Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) http://t.co/Wq0ITHy0Wr — Kafi Drexel (@kafidrexel) November 27, 2014
North America
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
The world’s third-busiest airport is preparing for a busy holiday season. Giant, walk-in snow globes are dotted around terminals. The globes are so big, families can step inside for unique photo opps! Plus:
- “Holiday helpers” will assist travellers with a quicker check-in
- Luggage porters will be on hand to help with bags and cases
- Complimentary coffee vouchers will be given to those who use the Airport Valet parking service or who arrive at DFW by DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit).
Look for these life-size snow globes at #DFW this holiday season, step inside and snap a photo! #DFWCheerStartsHere pic.twitter.com/T9i8LDzMqj — DFW Airport (@dfwairport) November 21, 2014
Denver International Airport
The US’s largest airport (by area) is featuring Roaming Dickens Carolers between December 11-24 from 10am-6pm Daily. Find them, em, roaming around the main terminal, performing in various spots such as security checkpoints and baggage claim. Six Poinsettia trees will be installed on November 28 (on either side of the entrance to the A bridge, one on both level 6 cross walks, between east and west, and two on level 5, south security).
Orlando International Airport
At Orlando International, airport bosses have put the customer at the heart of their Christmas plans, focusing on comfort, ease and speed. Enhanced amenities, new stores and services, more electrical charging stations on airsides and more ambassadors on hand to help passengers navigate the airport are topped off by this stellar Christmas tree:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! #christmas #christmastree A photo posted by @mattpeters24 on
Vancouver International Airport
There’s lots and lots of seasonal entertainment planned at YVR. Performers such as the Vancouver Opera, Jennifer Scott Duo, Steinway Young Artist Program, St. Andrews School Choir, Silver Belles and school children from a number of Elementary schools will sing their hearts out around the airport. There’s a FREE gift-wrapping service post-security. You’ll need proof of any YVR retail purchase and it’s happening at the following locations:
- Domestic Departures, C Gates 7am-3pm (Customer Care Counter – C-Pier – near Monks)
- International Departures, D Gates 9am–3pm (Customer Care Counter – West Wing)
- U.S. Departures, E Gates 7am–3pm (Customer Care – Near the Victoria’s Secret Store)
Asia
Changi Airport
Mickey Mouse and his friends have moved into Changi until January 5 2015. There’s a three-storey, interactive Neuschwanstein Castle at the departure hall (Terminal 3). Visitors at the Castle can collect tickets before each show, which can be turned into a special Disney gift at the redemption booth. Roving performers will hand out goodies for guests airport-wide at various times of the day. See snowy Swiss chalets (T3 transit area), traditional Japanese cottages (T2 transit area), Broadway-styled New York City (T1 transit area) as well as Spanish costumes on larger-than-life Mickey and Minnie Mouse topiaries (T2 public area).
Look what sprouted in #ChangiAirport T3! A huge dose of #MickeyMouseClubhouse bouncy fun this holidays! @FansofChangi pic.twitter.com/SDjzFsvxm9 — Kelvin Ang (@3Cheekiemonkies) November 13, 2014
Hong Kong
At HKG, the airport is decked out in these glittering, golden Christmas trees.
Merry Christmas from HKG… A photo posted by Roger Price (@antwerpenr) on
Australia
Sydney Airport
iPad-toting volunteers work throughout T1 and T2 helping travellers through Sydney Airport. Over Christmas and Lunar New Year, they’ll be joined by an additional 50 Red Ambassadors. There’s also charity events and singalongs galore.
#Festive fun at the launch of the Community #Christmas #Appeal with Santa and helpers plus @melanie_dyer from @thevoiceau. Thanks for your support, keep those donations coming – supports @varietyaustralia – the children’s #charity #selfie A photo posted by Sydney Airport (@sydneyairport) on
Auckland Airport
With their minds focused on helping others, Auckland Airport will commence the 12 days of Christmas donations on December 11 and continue until Christmas Eve. Last year, generous travellers dropped NZ$120,000 into donation globes throughout the airport and bosses passed it along to the charities that had applied for a slice of Christmas cheer.
(Feature: Eden, Janine and Jim)
