10 festive airports that go all out for the holidays

When the humongous aluminum reindeer come out, you know the holiday season has arrived in Charlotte.

Wilbur and Orville, who made their first appearance at Charlotte Douglas International Airport several years ago, are 25 feet tall and weigh about 1,500 pounds each. Each contain more than 3,000 lights and 125 metallic stars.

“They’re massive and we assemble them like puzzle pieces,” said Lauri Golden, the airport’s customer engagement manager.

Everywhere across the country, airports are decking their halls for the winter holidays. They’re busting out trees, garlands, wreaths and ribbons, calling up the choirs and carolers.

And, yes, assembling the reindeer.

“The regular travel day, we know it’s on and off planes, it’s flagging down whoever is the lucky soul to pick us up at the airport or drop us off,” Golden said. “How can we add some special pixie dust along the way?”

Here are some airports where the season shines bright.

This year, the airport also has a new 20-foot Christmas tree in Terminal 5, in addition to a collection of 9-foot trees decorated with ornaments from local cultural organizations. Massive inflatable ornaments dangle over the O’Hare Family Lounge.

The towering reindeer, named after the Wright brothers, can be found in the atrium of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. They are joined by flocks of lit-up aluminum doves and new large-scale ornaments. Nearly two dozen trees — the “Festival of Trees” — vie to be voted the favorite by passengers.

San Antonio may not have the biggest airport in Texas, but it may have the biggest holiday spirit. This season, travelers can expect holiday music with local school choirs (an annual tradition), visits from “Santa and Mrs. Claus,” a holiday music playlist in rotation and … real reindeer?

Tonya Hope, public relations manager for San Antonio, said at least one and sometimes two of Santa’s trusty steeds will be greeting travelers as they arrive in the baggage claim area of Terminal B on Dec. 16 and Dec. 22. Check the airport’s social media to stay tuned for more updates.

For its “grand holiday takeover,” Orlando International Airport is welcoming travelers with massive (45-foot and 55-foot) trees. The largest has more than 550 branches, a 6-foot drum for a base and takes roughly 11 hours to install and decorate, according to airport spokeswoman Angela Starke.

“As a tourist destination, we try to bring in a variety of performances to meet different musical tastes,” Starke said in an email.

Santa takes a break from Christmas prep at Indianapolis International Airport the Saturday after Thanksgiving when he crosses the tarmac on a fire truck and meets more than 1,000 kids.

The Holly Jolly Jetway event, an annual gathering, also features the Grinch, elves on stilts, the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Indianapolis Ballet and vintage typewriters for letters to Saint Nick.

Festivities continue with daily musical performances from Dec. 12-24.

Reagan National Airport set up its holiday trees before Thanksgiving and offered a sorry-not-sorry “to all the cotton-headed ninnymuggins” who might be offended.

Both DCA and Washington Dulles International Airport will observe National Cookie Day on Dec. 4 and offer hot cocoa sampling late the morning of Dec. 12. The airports will also feature visits from Santa, musical performances and gift-wrapping on various dates in December.

In previous years, the Denver International Airport went all out for the holidays with an ice rink and a “Santa’s Layover Lounge” pop-up bar. The rink won’t return this year, but travelers can still expect festive music and decor. From Dec. 4 to 22, a pianist will play in the airport’s Great Hall — where you’ll find a 24-foot-tall Christmas tree — from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and carolers will roam the concourse from Dec. 15 to 24.

Every year, Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport applies its Midwest charm to the holidays, from decorations to its previous Make-A-Wish flights to the North Pole.

Don’t miss the bright red mailbox — marked with a sign “North Pole Air Mail Only” — where kids can drop a letter to Santa Claus with their Christmas wishes.

Travelers can check the Airport Foundation MSP website for a schedule of the airport’s live performances (even ballerinas dancing “The Nutcracker”!) and therapy animals.

Markets at different concourses include samples, promotions and appearances from visiting llamas and dogs. A pre-security market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 23.

For anyone who wants to shop from the everyday retail spots — where prices must be the same as they would be in town, with no markups — two hours of parking will be free with a purchase of at least $20 at pre-security stores or restaurants.