Montage sets out six-resort holiday programme
Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced its 2026 festive programme across six luxury destinations in the United States and Mexico. The 15 October release details seasonal dining, family activities, performances and private experiences at Montage Laguna Beach, Healdsburg, Deer Valley, Big Sky, Palmetto Bluff and Los Cabos. The scale of the programme means the six hotels are not offering identical holidays; each has built its calendar around its climate and local setting.
For affluent travellers considering an extended Christmas or New Year trip, the key decision is whether they want coast, countryside, desert or mountains. A Californian seaside stay will have different daily rhythms from a ski-focused retreat in Utah. Event schedules and prices can change, so reservations for rooms and special experiences should be confirmed separately rather than assuming a hotel booking includes every celebration.
Laguna Beach pairs Christmas with a private boat outing
At Montage Laguna Beach, the programme includes a life-size gingerbread display from 23 November through 3 January, afternoon teas and seasonal meals. One of its more unusual options is a four-hour private outing aboard the charter yacht APERITIVO during Newport Beach's boat-parade period from 16 to 20 December. The resort lists a starting price of $3,200 per charter, with champagne, treats and warm blankets forming part of the proposed experience.
The boat outing offers a way to view one of Southern California's well-known waterfront traditions from the water rather than from a crowded shoreline. Travellers should verify capacity, exact departure arrangements and cancellation conditions with the property. Harbour traffic, weather and local operating rules may affect the trip. The wider resort programme includes Christmas dining and a cabaret-themed New Year's Eve event for those preferring celebrations ashore.
Healdsburg offers wine-country gatherings
Montage Healdsburg has built its holiday schedule around Sonoma County's food-and-wine culture, with a tree-lighting event planned for 3 December. The resort also lists Thanksgiving supper at Hazel Hill, seasonal afternoon teas, family workshops and a five-course New Year's Eve dinner. One event combines mahjong, wines and small dishes in support of the local food pantry, illustrating the hotel's emphasis on gatherings connected to its community.
This is a different proposition from a large urban holiday celebration. Wine-country guests may value quiet mornings, scenic drives and long meals rather than an intensive event schedule. Several dining occasions require advance reservations and carry separate prices. The hotel's events are intended to enhance a stay, not imply that every visitor must take part. Planning a few significant activities can leave room to explore the region independently.
Palmetto Bluff brings Lowcountry traditions to Christmas
At Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, a seasonal transformation of the Hush speakeasy runs from late November through December. The programme includes music, themed cocktails and social evenings, while an interactive gingerbread shop and cocoa station bring a more family-focused element to the inn. The village lighting, a Southern supper and an oyster roast reflect the food and hospitality traditions associated with the surrounding Lowcountry.
The resort's calendar can be particularly suitable for multigenerational groups, as children may enjoy guided activities while adults choose culinary events or quieter time outdoors. But it is worth checking access, timings and age restrictions. Some dinners are priced separately for adults and children, and the setting may encourage visitors to spend a significant part of their stay on the estate. Advance coordination avoids schedule conflicts.
Deer Valley turns to après-ski and performance
Montage Deer Valley in Park City is emphasising mountain rituals, performances and events for families. Its twelve-day countdown from 13 to 24 December includes wildlife experiences, tastings and performances associated with Utah arts organisations. The Après Lounge is planned as a ski-in, ski-out Veuve Clicquot setting with champagne, caviar and charcuterie, while festive breakfasts and dinners offer additional reasons to remain at the hotel after a day on the slopes.
Ski conditions are outside the hotel's control, so it is sensible to build a holiday that does not depend entirely on fresh snow every morning. Guests should establish the availability of rental equipment, lessons and transfers before arrival. The resort's indoor experiences can provide alternatives when conditions are poor, but popular dining times and performances may still fill well ahead of the Christmas week.
Big Sky blends mountain markets with family activities
Montage Big Sky in Montana has planned an outdoor festive market on selected dates from late November into early January, with crafts and seasonal food forming part of the appeal. The property's calendar also includes snow-season rituals around firepits, guided children's sessions and dinners. For New Year's Eve, adult and family activities are separated, allowing groups with different interests to choose an appropriate celebration.
The landscape is a major reason to visit Big Sky, and the best holiday may combine planned resort experiences with time in the surrounding mountains. Travellers should check winter travel conditions and the requirements for excursions away from the hotel. Family activity places and evening events may be limited, particularly on the busiest dates. Confirming the details in writing will be more useful than relying on a general outline of what the resort offers.
Los Cabos celebrates beside the Sea of Cortez
Montage Los Cabos offers a warm-weather alternative, with a Christmas village lighting event on 22 December and an oceanfront night market the following day. Mexican-inspired seasonal dining, family activities and tastings form part of the schedule, while the New Year's programme includes a central-lawn celebration and fireworks over the Sea of Cortez. For guests, this creates a very different festive setting from snowy mountain resorts.
The programme makes good use of the coastline, but dining experiences and tasting events have individual prices and may need advance booking. A guest considering boat excursions or other water activities should arrange them independently where required and pay attention to weather and sea conditions. A seaside location can make a holiday feel unhurried, provided the itinerary does not become overfilled with consecutive fixed-time events.
Making a high-season reservation work
Montage's wider traditions include seasonal dining, children's craft programmes, Santa appearances and menorah lightings during Hanukkah. The group is using common themes without requiring every hotel to follow exactly the same calendar. This gives returning guests a sense of familiarity while allowing each destination to present local culture and scenery. The official programme was announced in October so travellers have time to make choices ahead of peak travel dates.
The practical approach is to reserve the accommodation first, then secure the particular meals and experiences that matter most. Prices published for individual activities should not be confused with room rates or the total cost of a stay. Families may also want to confirm childcare arrangements, accessibility and the ability to change activities. The festive launch offers a wide selection, but a successful holiday ultimately depends on matching it to each group.
