The Best Christmas Towns in the US to Visit in December
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Twinkling lights, snow-dusted rooftops, and small-town charm that feels like it was made for a Hallmark movie—some American towns just get Christmas. Whether you’re dreaming of carolers in candlelight, browsing European-style holiday markets, or sipping cocoa as a horse-drawn sleigh glides past, the country is full of places that go all-in on the magic of the season.
From Bavarian villages in the Pacific Northwest to New England hamlets wrapped in fir garlands and nostalgia, these Christmas towns deliver the full festive fantasy—complete with twinkle-lit streets, cozy traditions, and more holiday spirit than you thought possible.
Planning a December getaway or just daydreaming about your ideal snow globe escape? Here are the best Christmas towns in the US to visit this holiday season.
Leavenworth, Washington
This Bavarian-style village tucked into the Cascade Mountains looks like it was built just for Christmas. Each December, it transforms into a twinkling snow globe with alpine architecture, snowy peaks, and over half a million lights. The highlight? The Village of Lights, where the entire town glows nightly from Thanksgiving weekend through December. Carolers, glühwein, and holiday markets complete the European-inspired charm.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
It’s not called Christmas City USA for nothing. Bethlehem leans into its festive name with colonial charm, Moravian traditions, and one of the best Christmas markets in the country. The Christkindlmarkt, held at SteelStacks, features artisan gifts, live music, and glassblowing demos. Don’t miss a candlelit stroll through the historic district, or a ride in a cozy horse-drawn carriage.
North Pole, Alaska
In this tiny town outside Fairbanks, it’s Christmas all year—but in December, the magic feels extra special. Streets have names like Santa Claus Lane, and the Santa Claus House (complete with a 42-foot-tall statue) is the heart of town. Expect snowy landscapes, reindeer sightings, and plenty of holiday kitsch. Kids can even get letters postmarked from the real “North Pole.”
McAdenville, North Carolina
This small town near Charlotte is nicknamed Christmas Town USA, and it lives up to the name. Each year, residents go all out decorating their homes with over 500,000 lights. The whole town glows from early December to Christmas Eve, and you can stroll or drive through the festive streets. It’s a tradition that’s been lighting up the South for over 60 years.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is a Bavarian-themed town that feels festive year-round, but it really shines at Christmas. The star attraction is Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, open 361 days a year. During the holidays, the entire town decks the halls with lights and hosts ChristKindlMarkt weekends, carriage rides, and tree-lighting ceremonies that feel straight out of Europe.
Woodstock, Vermont
If you’re craving a white Christmas in a classic New England town, Woodstock is hard to top. Its historic streets are lined with twinkle lights and wreaths, and the whole town turns out for the annual Wassail Weekend, a 19th-century holiday celebration with carolers in period dress, sleigh rides, and a horse parade. Add cozy inns and covered bridges, and it’s pure Vermont magic.
Solvang, California
Christmas meets Danish charm in this warm-weather village in California wine country. Solvang’s Julefest (pronounced yule-fest) runs all December and includes a tree lighting, parade, candlelight tours, a holiday market, and even a nisse adventure (Scandinavian elf hunt!). Think festive vibes with a side of sunshine and gløgg.
Helen, Georgia
This alpine-style town in the Blue Ridge Mountains turns into a cozy Christmas village come December. The Christkindlmarkt on the marketplatz brings handmade ornaments, mulled wine, and European flair to the South. Carolers, light displays, and mountain views add to the charm—and if you’re lucky, you might even get a rare Southern snowfall.
Grapevine, Texas
Calling itself the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine hosts more than 1,400 holiday events throughout the season—and somehow it never feels over-the-top. Expect parades, twinkle-lit streets, and the magical North Pole Express train ride, complete with singing elves and cocoa. Downtown is decked in millions of lights, and you’ll find everything from vintage-style ornament workshops to a massive ICE! exhibit at Gaylord Texan.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope is one of those charming river towns that feels like it was made for the holidays. It teams up with nearby Lambertville, NJ, to create a cross-state winter wonderland. The biggest draw? The North Pole Express on the New Hope Railroad—an old-fashioned train ride complete with Santa visits and holiday tunes. Boutiques, galleries, and wine bars glow with lights and holiday decor.
Park City, Utah
A ski town with serious Christmas spirit, Park City’s historic Main Street is lit up with festive lights and snow almost guaranteed. The Electric Parade, where holiday-themed vehicles cruise through town, kicks off the season, and on Christmas Eve, you can watch Santa ski down the mountain during the Torchlight Parade at Park City Mountain. Cozy up in a slope-side lodge afterward for ultimate holiday vibes.
Breckenridge, Colorado
This Victorian ski town sparkles with alpine charm and snowy magic. Its Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas—yes, dozens of people in Santa suits sprinting down Main Street—signals the start of the season. The whole town transforms into a winter postcard, with snow-covered buildings, carolers, and twinkling lights against the mountain backdrop.
Jackson, Wyoming
Known for its Wild West soul and jaw-dropping winter landscapes, Jackson makes for a rustic yet magical Christmas escape. The town square glows with antler arches wrapped in lights, and the nearby National Elk Refuge offers sleigh rides through herds of elk in the snow. Add log cabins, art galleries, and cozy fireside dining, and it’s a holiday setting like no other.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
The main reason to visit this little Pennsylvania town during the holidays? Koziar’s Christmas Village—one of the most extravagant light displays in the country. Set on a dairy farm, the entire property is covered in more than a million lights, with walkways that wind past animated displays, themed buildings, and photo ops galore. It’s kitschy, nostalgic, and totally delightful.
Nevada City, California
This Gold Rush-era town in the Sierra Nevada mountains hosts one of the country’s most charming Victorian Christmas celebrations. Picture cobblestone streets filled with carolers in hoop skirts and top hats, stalls selling roasted chestnuts and handcrafted gifts, and live performances. The Victorian Christmas Festival runs multiple weekends in December and draws visitors from all over Northern California.
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
This lakeside village may fly under the radar, but it’s one of the coziest places to spend the holidays in the Midwest. Think festive inns decked out in garlands, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and snowy woodland trails. The Old World Christmas Market at the Osthoff Resort channels a European feel, with international vendors, traditional food, and mulled wine under a heated tent.
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