Many holiday-themed events can be found locally through park and recreation agencies

Nearly three in four U.S. adults plan to attend a holiday-themed event in their community this year, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse Poll. Respondents report that they are looking forward to these events with 90 percent of parents indicating they are likely to attend one or more holiday activities in their community.

Key Findings:

• Nearly three in four U.S. adults plan to attend a holiday-themed event in their communities this year, with half very or extremely likely to do so.
• More than three in five Gen Zers (61 percent) and millennials (63 percent) are very or extremely likely to attend holiday events this year.
• Four in five (80 percent) adults living in urban areas are likely to attend holiday-themed events in their communities, compared to 68 percent of those in the suburbs and 67 percent in rural areas.
• The vast majority of parents (90 percent) are likely to attend a holiday-themed event, and 70 percent of them are very or extremely likely to do so.

“Park and recreation agencies play a huge role in bringing the community together during this festive time of year,” said Kevin Roth, NRPA vice president of research, evaluation and technology. “Many community events held during the holiday season are organized by local park and recreation agencies and provide many social and economic benefits, as they strengthen communities and bring people together.”

Many community holiday-themed events are organized by local park and recreation agencies. These events, which are typically free, provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to gather with friends and family and celebrate the holiday season. Anyone interested in attending a community-sponsored holiday event should contact their local park and recreation agency.   

The 2022 Engagement With Parks Report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, shows the public’s affinity toward their local parks and recreation is strong, with 275 million U.S. residents having visited a local park or recreation facility at least once during the past year. Results from the survey show that equitable access to high-quality park and recreation opportunities is a vital factor in a superior quality of life for all.

To view the interactive charts with the survey results, click here.

To view the full-size infographic, click here.

Each month, through a poll of 1,000 U.S. residents focused on park and recreation issues, NRPA Park Pulse helps tell the park and recreation story. To learn more about NRPA’s Park Pulse and see results from previous polls, click here.

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About the National Recreation and Park Association

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.