The Best Christmas Towns in the USA for a Dose of Holiday Cheer
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The holiday season is upon us, meaning you now have carte blanche to enjoy as many freshly baked snickerdoodles and mugs of mulled wine as you like. But where to enjoy said festive treats? The best Christmas towns in the USA are a fine place to start. As these charming destinations begin to string up lights and trim their trees, it’s the perfect time to plan an atmospheric getaway.
The hallmarks of a Christmas town go beyond the expected decor, offering traditional markets, immersive programming, and an overall magical mood. And while powdery white snow makes for a particularly storybook feel, there are plenty of Christmas towns that can achieve that sense of wonder no matter the weather. Ahead, 19 holly jolly locales across the states to head for this season.
Woodstock, VermontPhoto: Getty Images
Blanketed with snow and bedecked in festive decor, Woodstock is a quintessential New England Christmas town. The landscape is encircled by lush forests and rolling hills and looks especially charming come winter as its residents begin decorating for the holidays. Travel back in time with a visit to the Billings Farm & Museum where you can dip your own candles and make mince pies within a cheery farmhouse parlor dressed in Victorian-era decor. And don’t miss Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend complete with carriage rides, ornament making, an organ concert, an artisan and food market, and a magical horse parade.
Where to Stay: Twin Farms
Solvang, CaliforniaPhoto: Getty Images
Founded by Danish immigrants in the early 20th century, Solvang is as storybook as they come. Naturally, the town shines extra brightly during the holidays, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony accompanied by ballerinas and carolers. The Julefest Parade is also a highlight, with parade floats that travel along the village streets. On other days of the week, visitors can peruse craft markets, go for a trolley tour, catch the nightly light & music show, and swing by Santa’s Village for a photo with Mr. Claus.
Where to Stay: Alisal Ranch
Leavenworth, WashingtonPhoto: Getty Images
With its Bavarian architecture and towering mountain peaks, Leavenworth resembles a European alpine village. This small town in the Cascade Mountains comes to life during the holidays with over half a million lights illuminated throughout the streets and festive programming. On any given day, visitors can enjoy live carolers, Santa costumes from around the world, a gingerbread house exhibition, and plenty of snacks and hot cocoa to go around.
Where to Stay: Posthotel
Boothbay Harbor, MainePhoto: Getty Images
It’s hard to throw a stone in Maine without hitting a charming small town, making it all the more worthy of a trip during the holiday season. Take Boothbay Harbor, for example, with its six weeks of festivities for visitors of all ages. The Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens transforms the grounds into a winter wonderland with over 750,000 lights that wind throughout magical woodlands. Also not to be missed is the lighted boat parade (a local holiday tradition) followed by crackling fireworks over the harbor.
Where to Stay: OneSixtyFive
Newport, Rhode IslandPhoto: Getty Images
This coastal town has long been admired for its Gilded Age mansions, scenic cliff walk, and maritime culture (it’s known as the sailing capital of the world, after all). And come Christmas, the entire town lights up as holiday cheer spreads across its cobblestone streets. There are countless activities to choose from, including holiday bubbly cruises, themed afternoon teas, nutcracker performances, an illuminated boat parade, and much more.
Where to Stay: Castle Hill Inn
Seneca Falls, New YorkIf a screening of the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life is required viewing for you each holiday season, you might want to make your way to the town that likely inspired the film: New York’s Seneca Falls. The town is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes region and Christmas festivities here are centered around the film, from special presentations and parades to visits from original cast members.
Where to Stay: Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa
Jackson, WyomingPhoto: Getty Images
There are few displays of nature more magnificent than the Grand Teton Range in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Come winter, the entire landscape is covered in powdery white snow and Christmas cheer can be felt from the tops of the ski slopes all the way down to the valley floor. Visitors can soak in the beautiful setting with a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the National Elk Refuge followed by a trot around the town square to enjoy freshly baked goods and hot cocoa beneath twinkling lights.
Where to Stay: Amangani
Nantucket, MassachusettsPhoto: Getty Images
Famous for its summers—and underrated for its winters—the remote island of Nantucket is the perfect place for a Christmas-themed escape. Due to the Historic District Commission’s requirement of cedar shingles as the choice material for all buildings in town, the entire island feels plucked from a storybook and feels all the more romantic in winter if snow sweeps across the cobblestone streets and street lamps. Be sure to catch Nantucket’s annual Christmas Stroll complete with a tree lighting on Main Street, caroling, historic house tours, and plenty of food and shopping to fuel your yuletide cheer.
Where to Stay: Greydon House
Park City, UtahPhoto: Getty Images
This breathtaking mountain town has long been a favorite amongst outdoor enthusiasts, especially in the winter when powdery snow transforms the landscape into a storybook setting. After a day on Park City’s world-renowned slopes, make your way to the historic downtown for an afternoon of cozy shopping. Festivities are held throughout the season and include everything from an electric parade and holiday sing-along to their ‘North Pole Express’ train ride (a 90-minute trip on the Heber Valley Railroad complete with live entertainment, hot cocoa, and cookies).
Where to Stay: The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection
Georgetown, ColoradoPhoto: Getty Images
Reminiscent of Christmas seasons of yore, Georgetown is a 19th-century mountain town that feels frozen in time. During the winter, visitors are treated to a snowy landscape that’s flooded with cheery lights and the smell of roasting chestnuts. Swing by the Hamill House for their tree lighting and caroling, and get into the spirit of the season with a horse-drawn wagon ride around town.
Where to Stay: Alpine Meadows Home
Grapevine, TexasGrapevine city hall with Christmas decorations and lightsPaulo Almeida
Lovingly referred to as the ‘Christmas Capital of Texas’ this festive town (situated between Dallas and Fort Worth) features well-preserved 19th and 20th-century structures and several local wineries offering tastings and tours. During the holidays, Grapevine goes all out with over 1,400 events stretched out across 40 days. Go for a spin on the Peace Plaza ice rink, admire the floats and marching bands at the Parade of Lights, and catch a light show put on by the town’s fleet of 400 drones.
Where to Stay: Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection
Whitefish, MontanaJust 60 miles from the Canadian border, this postcard-perfect mountain town is breathtaking all year round. During the winter season, locals and visitors alike bundle up for a jolly stroll around town to soak in the excitement (mug of hot cocoa in hand, of course). After a day of snowshoeing in Glacier National Park or exhilarating ski runs, unwind with a visit to the tree lighting ceremony followed by shopping from street artisans and food vendors.
Where to Stay: 10-Acre Eco Home
Middleburg, VirginiaPhoto: Getty Images
About an hour west of Washington D.C. and planted in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, Middleburg oozes charm with its rolling countryside and historic roots. Come Christmas, the town pivots into celebration mode with its decor and festive programming (think: parades, progressive food and wine tastings, and tree lightings). And because this is an equestrian town, don’t miss out on unique events like the Hunt and Hounds Parade and atmospheric horse-drawn carriage rides.
Where to Stay: The Red Fox Inn & Tavern
Dahlonega, GeorgiaThe site of the first major gold rush in the 1830s, this historic town in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains offers an old-time feel. During the holidays, they double down on the nostalgia with traditional programming like carriage rides and Christmas-themed afternoon teas. Other highlights include food trucks illuminated by cheery lights and a painting class set to the tunes of vintage Christmas records.
Where to Stay: The Inn at Serenbe
Cape May, New JerseyPhoto: Getty Images
Victorian elegance meets the Atlantic coastline in Cape May, a National Historic Landmark City that hits its stride during the holidays. Visitors can stroll along Washington Street Mall to take in the Christmas cheer while picking up treats and gifts. One especially beloved tradition here is the candlelight house tour where visitors meander along gaslit lanes to explore historic churches, hotels, and inns to see how they’ve decorated their interiors for the holidays. (Cue the garland greens and twinkling lights!)
Where to Stay: Beach Plum Farm Cottages
Bardstown, KentuckyBilling itself as a ‘Hallmark Movie Town,’ this festive destination is also known as the bourbon capital of the world. When you’re not enjoying a tour and tasting at one of its many distilleries, a Christmas-fueled outing full of festive displays and twinkling lights is in order. If you’re a history buff, pop into Talbott Tavern Restaurant & Inn, which has been around since the late 1700s, for a cocktail from their ‘winter warm-ups’ menu surrounded by authentic decor.
Where to Stay: The Bellwether
Galena, IllinoisPhoto: Getty Images
Perched along the Mississippi River in the northwest corner of Illinois, Galena is a quaint town with a lovely historic district. During the holidays, the streets are aglow with Christmas cheer and picturesque decor. From traditional tree lightings and firework shows to clever festivities like an ugly sweater food tour, there’s something cheery to do for everyone.
Where to Stay: Inn at Irish Hollow
Pella, IowaThis lovely small town was founded in 1847 by Dutch settlers and retains its unique architecture, including the Vermeer Windmill landmark. As all Dutch towns commonly do, Pella comes alive during Christmas with its traditional market full of decorated stalls. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the culture, sign up for a Staphorst Class at Kerstmarkt to paint your very own wooden shoe using traditional techniques.
Where to Stay: Surety Hotel
Santa Fe, New MexicoPhoto: Getty Images
Offering a southwestern spin on holiday cheer, Santa Fe’s seasonal traditions are best experienced at the Canyon Road Farolito Walk. Here, visitors and locals alike stroll through the historic adobe neighborhood surrounded by hundreds of lanterns (farolitos) and pinion bonfires. The sound of holiday music fills the air and the road’s many galleries keep their doors open longer for Christmas Eve visitors. There’s also the Winter Spanish Market (Dec 7 and 8) offering handcrafted goods, accompanied by artist demonstrations and traditional New Mexican music and food.
Where to Stay: Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
