Airports around the country are bringing in various forms of entertainment to share the holiday spirit with travelers and employees.
At Philadelphia International (PHL), for instance, Santa will visit each of the seven concourses and pose for photos through Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 4 to 8 p.m.; he’ll also be at baggage claim areas Dec. 18-24 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Other activities will include a visit from Ben Franklin and his new bride, Betsy Ross, Dec. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the B/C Connecter and the new D/E Connector; carolers will also sing throughout the airport from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21, and 4 to 6 p.m. Dec 22 and 23.
And Philadelphia Marketplace Food & Shops’ annual gift wrap continues through Dec. 24 and benefits the Liberty USO, to which Marketplace has pledged a $5,000 donation. Liberty USO volunteers will wrap gifts for free from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily across from the food court between Concourses B and C.
As part of the Arts at the Airport Program at Nashville International (BNA), students from local schools will be performing.
On Dec. 18, Donelson Middle School students will bring their music to the third level near Southwest Airlines at 10 a.m.
Later that day, members of Brentwood Baptist Church will take over the spot at 6 p.m.
Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) will also have visiting musicians. The airport has a year-round program that features 11 performances a week, which range in genre from rock to classical, and jazz to country.
For the holidays, there will be four extra performances on the airports stage, which is in the center of the concourse across from Gates 9 and 10. On Dec. 18, the Austin Square and Round Dancers will perform at 11 a.m.; the next day the Judy Lee Dancers strut their stuff at 11 a.m., followed by a choir made of the airport’s TSA employees at noon; and Dec. 22 will feature the Austin Jazz Workshop.
Local students also helped get the airport into the holiday spirit. Pupils from Del Valle Elementary put holiday-themed artwork on display at Baggage Carousel 3. Decorations include five life-size snowmen, a giant Texas armadillo with a Santa cap, garland and wreaths. The exhibit will be on display until January.