You don’t need snow to have a festive spirit. You’ll find plenty of holiday magic from quaint villages to bustling metropolises, from dazzling light displays to boat parades. Here is the best Christmas town in every state.
Alabama: Andalusia
During the holidays, Andalusia’s downtown transforms into something out of a Hallmark movie. The town’s main square becomes “Christmas in Candyland.” The town employs a snow-making machine. There is snow tubing, outdoor ice skating, miniature train rides, and light shows. At the heart of the town square stands a towering Christmas tree where Santa Claus appears every Saturday.
Alaska: North Pole
Okay, while it’s not the actual North Pole, this Alaskan town located near Fairbanks feels close enough, and that’s why it’s one of the world’s most popular Christmas towns. During the holidays, there’s an overabundance of Christmas spirit. Its winter festival offers numerous activities, including crowning the King and Queen of the North Pole and a fireworks show.
Arizona: Prescott
Known as Arizona’s Christmas city, Prescott kicks off the holiday in early December with a Christmas parade featuring floats, pets, and Santa. That’s followed by the courthouse lighting, a gingerbread village display, and the Annual Frontier Christmas at the Sharlot Hall Museum with an 1800s vibe. Also, check out Wildlights and Animal Sights at the Heritage Park Zoo.
Arkansas: Eureka Springs
Every December, this small town that’s filled with Victorian homes and buildings is transformed into a Christmas village. The celebration begins with the Christmas Parade of Lights, followed by holiday concerts and caroling. There are tours of some of the most magnificently restored homes, which feature lavish holiday decorations. Check out the Christmas market.
California: Nevada City
The historic town of Nevada City is nestled in a valley and located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. It gets a good dousing of snow. During the holidays, the town resembles something straight from the pages of a Charles Dickens novel. You’ll find glowing gas lamps, carriage rides, Christmas carolers, bagpipers, and vendors donning period costumes.
Colorado: Georgetown
This former mining town in the Rockies is an hour west of Denver. The town is renowned for its Christmas shops that can be enjoyed year-round. During the holidays, the area is transformed into a winter wonderland. Activities include the annual tree lighting, vintage carriage rides, chestnut roasting, a bonfire, visits with Santa, and the annual Historic Georgetown Christmas Market.
Connecticut: Essex
The historic district of Ivoryton is one of three villages in Essex. Its residents join forces to create a Christmas village that boasts around 400,000 lights that “dance” to choreographed music played over a local radio station. There’s also the annual tree lighting of the largest tree in the entire state, a petting zoo, and appearances by Santa.
Delaware: Newcastle
The Newcastle Historical Society, which works to preserve its colonial history, brings the area its annual Spirit of Christmas event, held the second weekend of December. Newcastle is transformed into the most charming Christmas town in the state. Activities include tree lighting, caroling, musical performances, and tours of historic houses.
Florida: St. Augustine
While you’re unlikely to find snow, St. Augustine has Christmas spirit in abundance. The most spectacular event is the Nights of Lights, which uses 3 million white bulbs to illuminate the city. It’s a modern spin on the Spanish practice of lighting a candle in the window for Christmas, which could be seen by horseback or from the water.
Georgia: Albany
Albany is famous for its Christmas parade, which features a different theme every year but always includes Santa. In Albany, you’ll find endless holiday lights, a Christmas train, a community Christmas market, reindeer games, music, and holiday workshops.
Hawaii: Honolulu
Escape the snow and enjoy comfortable temperatures for Christmas, beautiful tropical scenery, and lots of holiday cheer in Honolulu. The Waikiki Holiday Parade is an awesome blend of holiday festivities in Hawaiian culture. Santa Claus arrives by Outrigger Canoe on Waikiki Beach. The Honolulu City Lights celebration begins with a tree lighting, a block party, and an electric light Parade.
Idaho: Coeur d’Alene
With a white Christmas practically guaranteed, Coeur d’Alene features the world’s tallest living Christmas tree at 162 feet. Other attractions include a show with 1.5 million lights and night cruises to the North Pole, which features a holiday theater production and visits to Santa’s workshop. The Holiday Light Show features the biggest on-the-water holiday light display in America.
Illinois: Woodstock
While the historic town of Woodstock is well-known for its Groundhog Day festivities, it’s equally renowned for its Christmas celebration. This Victorian Christmas setting features strolling carolers, carriage rides, performances of the Nutcracker ballet at the opera house, and holiday lights. The other staples are the Annual Christmas Tree Walk, Lighting of the Square, and Christmas Parade.
Indiana: Santa Claus
With a name like Santa Claus, you know Christmas is a big deal here. This town of only about 2,500 residents puts on a nearly month-long celebration. Attractions include breakfast with Santa, Santa’s Candy Castle, where you can roast chestnuts over an open fire, live reindeer, a Christmas-themed fireworks show, and the story of Rudolph told via LED light display.
Iowa: Keokuk
The City of Christmas at Rand Park in Keokuk grew from a nativity scene in 1989 to nearly 100 displays and a million lights today. The celebration kicks off in late November and continues every evening until 1 AM through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check out Santa’s workshop, his barn with reindeer and elves, and the international Christmas display.
Kansas: Atchison
Atchison, about 45 minutes northwest of Kansas City, hosts an annual Christmas parade and a Christmas tree-lighting celebration that begins when Santa arrives in spectacular fashion. There is also a Mr. and Ms. Winter Wonderland pageant. Other attractions include horse-drawn sleigh rides and special activities for the kids, including a coloring contest.
Kentucky: Bardstown
Bardstown is called America’s most beautiful small town, but it’s even more spectacular during the holidays. Light Up Bardstown begins by illuminating the town’s Christmas tree and Main Street. Kids can enjoy face-painting in Christmas Corner. Throughout December, the 1818 mansion known as “My Old Kentucky Home” gets beautifully decorated, and costumed performers sing the titular song.
Louisiana: Natchitoches
Natchitoches was famously featured in the film “Steel Magnolias.” The town hosts one of America’s longest-running holiday celebrations that lasts six weeks and features over 300,000 lights and 100 famous set pieces. The city honors both the holiday and its Creole heritage with parades, fireworks, a children’s Festival, carriage rides, a 5K race, historic home tours, and live performances.
Maine: Kennebunkport
In true Maine fashion, Santa Claus arrives in Kennebunkport by lobster boat as part of the annual Christmas Prelude. This picture-perfect town is decked out with holiday lights and a dusting of snow for the many festivities hosted throughout the holiday season. There are seashore holiday trolley rides, winetasting, and lobster bakes.
Maryland: Annapolis
Celebrate nostalgia as the 18th-century historic district of Annapolis offers guided tours and candlelit strolls during the holidays. The entire city decks out its evergreens with garlands and beautiful decor. Trees are illuminated along the harbor. There’s a lighted Boat Parade on the second Saturday of December, as boaters display their holiday decorations.
Massachusetts: Taunton
If you’re looking for a magical winter wonderland holiday experience, one of the most charming small towns in the Berkshires is Taunton. Taunton’s Lighting of the Green & Lights On Festival is considered the best display in all of southern New England. In early December, there are many night festivities and fireworks throughout the month.
Michigan: Frankenmuth
Called “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” this old-world Germantown is home to the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Frankenmuth has a Christmas vibe year-round but is exceptionally impressive during the holidays. The entire village is lavishly decorated, from lampposts to storefronts. There are carolers, visits with Santa, Christmas concerts, and more.
Minnesota: Red Wing
You won’t find any Scrooges here. Practically every resident of Red Wing joins in the holiday spirit by coming out for the town’s Holiday Stroll event. It begins with a pancake breakfast, then includes parades, baby reindeer, live penguins, sleigh rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday tunes, and a live Nativity scene.
Mississippi: Canton
Canton illuminates its historic Courthouse Square with 200,000 lights during the holidays. There’s fun stuff for kids galore, including an interactive Christmas village offering the chance to become a “certified elf,” making reindeer food, and roasting marshmallows. There are animated holiday displays, storytime with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, horse and buggy rides, and more.
Missouri: Branson
Branson is already a music and entertainment capital and offers a practically endless list of Christmas events during its month-long Ozark Mountain Christmas Festival. There are parades, light shows, and the Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride through the Ozark Mountains. The 1880s-themed park Silver Dollar City is decked out as it hosts its An Old Time Christmas festival.
Montana: Bigfork
Montana’s ultimate Christmas village is Bigfork. The entire community goes all out to celebrate the holidays. Snow is practically guaranteed, and the town is decked in lights. Activities include a holiday wine stroll, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and s’mores and hot drinks around the campfire. The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts features performances of “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Nebraska: Minden
More than a century ago, Minden began hosting Nebraska’s Christmas City, when lights were hung to honor the arrival of the Civil War veterans’ organization Grand Army of the Republic. Today, Minden hosts the Christmas Traditions Festival beginning in late November. There’s a lighted Christmas parade, photos with Santa, a children’s carnival, and the crowning of Miss Christmas City.
Nevada: Virginia City
For a nostalgic Wild West Christmas experience, Virginia City feels like time hasn’t changed. Throughout December, Virginia City is decked out for a Victorian-inspired celebration called Christmas on the Comstock. There’s a parade, and kids can visit Father Christmas. For adults, they can take part in the “Grinch Made Me Do It” saloon crawl.
New Hampshire: Jackson
A white Christmas is practically guaranteed in Jackson. It offers New England small-town charm. Enjoy sleigh rides and view a classic covered bridge. Around Thanksgiving weekend, festivities begin with the Traditionally Yours festival and continue throughout the holiday season. Take the self-guided Inn-to-Inn Cookie Tour of a dozen local inns while enjoying a signature cookie served at each one.
New Jersey: Cape May
This Victorian seaside town transforms into something out of a Dickens novel during the holiday season, from its garland-entwined gas lamps and buildings. Ride the trolley, and you’ll feel like you’re back in time as you view the holiday lights. Take holiday house tours, and listen to the Ghost of Christmas Past tales.
New Mexico: Madrid
Who says you can’t decorate cacti with Christmas lights? Madrid is a former mining town and home to only 300 but is overflowing with Christmas spirit. Madrid’s celebration dates back nearly a century, when miners pitched in to create a spectacular, morale-boosting event. Today, thousands attend from everywhere to see Madrid’s dazzling displays and testament to its perseverance.
New York: Skaneateles
In the Finger Lakes region, you’ll find the charming, opalescent town of Skaneateles, which hosts an annual Dickens Festival, beginning right after Thanksgiving through December 23. Performers are costumed as characters from “A Christmas Carol.” Watch a mini-performance of Dickens’ famous novella. Events include a parade, a live bagpiper, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more.
North Carolina: McAdenville
McAdenville has been dubbed “Christmas Town U.S.A.” Residents turn this small town into a spectacular holiday scene that features more than a half million red, green, and white lights that stretch for 1.3 miles. This over-the-top lighting tradition started in 1956. It begins with a special lighting ceremony in which a local elementary school student flips the big switch.
North Dakota: Garrison
North Dakota’s “Christmas Capital,” Garrison, transforms into a Victorian Village for three weekends during the holidays to host its Dickens Festival. Attendees wear Victorian attire and participate in various events, including top hat decorating, a fruitcake toss, a quilt show, and more. Ride in a double-decker “Queen Elizabus” and enjoy a performance of “Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge,” a locally-written play.
Ohio: Medina
You’ll find Castle Noel, the largest indoor Christmas Museum in Medina, which offers Christmas year-round. December is the best time to visit. Check out props from dozens of Christmas films. Ride the Ralphie slide from “A Christmas Story.” Events include the Candlelight Walk with a tree lighting, photos with Santa, and more. It’s by a holiday parade and additional events.
Oklahoma: Muskogee
The Castle of Muskogee is transformed into a magical place during the holidays. There is a massive drive-through light display. Participants can ride Christmas ponies or Cletus the Camel to experience the vibes of the Wisemen. Hop on a train that rolls through the village and view Honor Heights Park, which is illuminated with more than 1.2 million lights.
Oregon: Hood River
The Hood River Holidays is a month-long celebration that begins with a tree lighting and a parade. It’s one of Oregon’s most popular holiday attractions. Take a ride on the Mount Hood Christmas train. Elves walk through the aisles singing songs, handing out treats, and helping Santa hand out gifts.
Pennsylvania: Bethlehem
Bethlehem has been nicknamed “Christmas City” and is one of the country’s top destinations for celebrating the holidays. Take a Bethlehem By Night Bus Tour to check out the holiday lights strung on historic buildings and decorated trees. During the day, stroll Christkindlmarkt, a market with pop-up German shops selling artisan goods like wooden toys and treats.
Rhode Island: Newport
A top attraction in Newport is seeing its stunning Gilded Age mansions, such as The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House, lavishly decorated for the holidays. At night, the illuminated Boat Parade is a must-see and hear with its Caribbean Christmas music on the steel paou. The Holiday Evenings event features these mansions under candlelight with live music and refreshments.
South Carolina: Aiken
Holiday events in Aiken kick off on Thanksgiving morning with the annual Blessing of the Hounds in Hitchcock Woods. In the evening, visitors can take part in the Night of a Thousand Candles through downtown streets, joined by carolers, elves, and Santa. Stroll the thousands of lights at Hopeland Gardens and enjoy carriage rides.
South Dakota: Deadwood
The Old West town of Deadwood is magical year-round but becomes something extra during the holidays. Its Victorian-era buildings are illuminated and even capped with a dusting of snow. There is a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Outlaw Square featuring a guest appearance by Santa Claus. You’ll also find outdoor skating, ice bumper cars, and food and entertainment options galore.
Tennessee: Gatlinburg
There are numerous holiday events in Gatlinburg. Just a few include the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, the Festival of Trees, Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, and the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show. Take the Trolley Ride of Lights to see the many holiday light displays. If that’s not enough, Pigeon Forge is nearby, with many Christmas events.
Texas: Wimberly
The most charming Christmas town in Texas is Wimberly. The festivities kick off on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Events include a tree lighting ceremony and the Holiday Trail of Lights. There’s an eight-acre walk-through display that includes a Yule Log for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows to provide a fun family evening.
Utah: Ogden
Starting over Thanksgiving, Ogden hosts a Christmas village in its downtown park that is modeled after Santa’s workshop. It begins with a grand opening that is followed by an electric light Parade. As visitors stroll through this winter village, they’ll discover 60 elf-sized tiny cottages. Visitors can enjoy displays and dazzling lights, plus entertainment, food and drinks, and gift shops.
Vermont: Woodstock
Woodstock is one of the most postcard-perfect towns in America. You’ll find the quintessential Vermont Christmas here, where snow is practically guaranteed. There are many holiday events. Most popular is Wassail Weekend, which celebrates the 19th-century Norse cultural tradition with a parade of more than 50 horses and riders in period regalia. Enjoy a magical sleigh ride.
Virginia: Alexandria
This historic old town feels like it’s right out of a real-life Dickens Village. Events begin with the annual Tree Lighting in front of City Hall. There’s an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus and musical performances. Following, there’s the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade. In the evening, there’s the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
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Washington: Leavenworth
At the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains, the Bavarian village of Leavenworth is transformed into the quintessential Christmas town during the holidays. At the Christmas Lighting Festival, costumed Christmas characters stroll the town delivering old-fashioned Christmas caroling amid the twinkling of holiday lights. Every Friday throughout December, Saint Nicholas welcomes children with songs and offers fruit.
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West Virginia: White Sulfur Springs
If you’re looking for a white Christmas, you might find it in the small town of White Sulfur Springs during the holidays. The town hosts an annual Christmas parade. Its most famous resort, the Greenbrier, offers fun winter activities such as sleigh rides, Christmas light viewing on a trolley, and photos with Santa. Grown-ups can enjoy the Merry Mint Mixology.
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Wisconsin: Ripon
Over the first weekend of December, Ripon hosts its annual Dickens of a Christmas, which features numerous events, including the Dickens Holiday Parade, which kicks everything off on Friday evening. Downtown, you’ll find the spectacular “Living Windows” display. There are visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
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Wyoming: Jackson Hole
Step back to the Wild West in Wyoming’s top Christmas town. You’ll find a winter wonderland in Jackson Hole. Enjoy a sleigh ride at the National Elk Refuge. There’s world-class skiing and snowboarding at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. On Christmas Eve, Santa drops in at the base of the Aerial Tram. On Christmas day, hit the slopes with Saint Nick.
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