Best towns to spend christmas in usa

The holidays are a regular part of life for the residents of these Christmas towns. No wonder why you’ll meet so many jolly locals while exploring the best Christmas towns in the USA.

All across the country, you’ll see the unique ways people celebrate Christmas. For these 30 towns, one day is much too short, and some even go as far as making Christmas a permanent part of their town identity.

Travelers planning Christmas vacations in the USA will not be disappointed with these Christmas towns. Find the nearest town to you and see what makes it feel like Christmas all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: What is the most Christmassy town in the US?

There are a lot of amazing Christmassy towns in the US, but one that always stands out is North Pole, Alaska. Every year, North Pole hosts a big celebration on Santa Claus Lane with live music, food, and of course, plenty of Christmas spirit.

2: What is the best small town for Christmas in the US?

Here are some of the best small towns in the USA for Christmas:

1. Woodstock, Vermont - This quaint New England town is straight out of a postcard with its covered bridges and snow-capped mountains.

2. Frankenmuth, Michigan - This German-themed town is known for its Christkindlmarkt, an outdoor market with traditional German food, drinks and gifts.

3: Where are the year-round Christmas towns in USA?

Some of the United States towns where you can get into the holiday spirit no matter what time of year include Santa Claus, Indiana; North Pole, Alaska; Frankenmuth, Michigan; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

No offense to Perry Como, but with so many great places to go for Christmas, we're going to have to respectfully disagree. The festive weeks of December make for one of the best times to travel to a new destination, with city squares and charming towns pulling out all the stops to make visitors feel extra merry and bright. Lights hang from every storefront and lamppost, hotel lobbies get decked out with perfectly trimmed trees, and parks turn into makeshift ice skating rinks—all set to the backdrop of snowy mountains and iconic skylines. So you could stay home for the holidays, why would you?

Having said that, winter travel does look a little different this year due to lingering COVID restrictions and the emergence of the Omicron variant. We usually have our sights set on Europe in December (those Christmas markets are pretty epic, after all), but there are plenty of places to visit in the U.S. that have just as much holiday cheer—minus the hassle of crossing international borders during a pandemic. Whether they're New England towns with major storybook vibes, or some of the biggest and brightest metropolises in the country, celebrating in these cities is well worth the price of a domestic airline ticket or road trip. And let's face it: You haven't really experienced true Christmas spirit until you see it through the shiny lens of Las Vegas.

Here are the best places to go for Christmas in the U.S., from Charleston, South Carolina, to Alaska. As always, remember to read up on local travel restrictions and vaccination requirements before hitting the road this year.

This article was been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Duluth has a lot to offer Christmas lovers, including a winter village where local small businesses sell unique goods and there are hot drinks and firepits to warm you up, and a scenic holiday train ride around Lake Superior, but the big draw is Bentleyville, a massive walk-through light display. Located in downtown Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park, the event features over 5 million lights and free sweet treats, including cookies, popcorn, and marshmallows you can roast over a fire. Santa and Mrs. Claus are on-site to visit with families.

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9. Williamsburg, VA

Historic Williamsburg was restored in the early 1900s when museum founders fashioned the colonial city into the living-history museum it is today. The site recreates the former capital in the 18th century, with all employees dressed in period costumes year-round. At Christmas though, Williamsburg pulls out all the stops, offering a roster of historical celebrations in addition to an ice pavilion, a Christmas market, and the chance to have cookies with Santa. Don’t miss the charming window displays in Merchants Square, and, for something more out of this century, check out the Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration.

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10. Branson, MI

Carrying the distinction of 'America’s Christmas Tree City,' Branson is fur real about getting decked out for the holidays. Local businesses display over 700 colorful evergreens and creative trees made from go-kart tires, wine bottles, library books, and more. To find the best ones, follow the town’s Christmas Tree City Tour. Other must-see experiences include a scenic Polar Express train ride through the Ozark Mountains and An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City Amusement park, which features 6.5 million lights, 1,000 decorated trees, and Broadway-style shows. Why ride a sleigh when you can go on a rollercoaster, instead?

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12. Big Spring, TX

If you're in Texas, then Big Spring is the place to be for the holidays. Often called the Light Poinsettia Capital of Texas for the huge light festival it throws with large poinsettias every year, the city offers a Christmas parade and multiple events over Christmas time. Enjoy more than one million colorful lights from the warm comfort of your car at the Comanche Trail Festival of Lights or take the kids to experience a magical Christmas Tree Forest at the Heritage Museum, where they can also meet Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch on the first Saturday in December.

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13. Durango, CO

Durango has a lot going for it this time of year. In addition to being a great ski destination, the town transforms its historic steam train, the Durango & Silverton, into a can’t-miss holiday attraction. Board the Polar Express-inspired trip for a scenic ride through snowy mountains where kids will see Santa Claus in his workshop, meet two of his reindeer, and interact with characters from the book. For some time on the slopes, head to the nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area (an easy 30-minute drive from Durango), which boasts having 'The Most Snow in Colorado' (an annual accumulation of 430 natural inches)!

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14. St. Augustine, FL

Want to enjoy the Christmas season and warm weather at the same time? Head to St. Augustine to see America’s oldest city decked out in lights, candles, and holiday decor from November to January. Line up for the city’s Christmas parade, see boats all lit up in the Holiday Regatta of Lights and hop aboard Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour, where you’ll see over three million twinkling lights stretching across nearly 20 blocks. If you prefer, trade your Christmas trees for palm trees and spend a day relaxing on the beautiful St. Augustine Beach.

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15. Newport, RI

Not to be confused with our earlier entry, Newport Beach, this Ocean State gem is the perfect holiday destination to reenact your favorite scenes from The Gilded Age (a Christine Baranski side-eye is fully encouraged). See the famous mansions—The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House—decked out and dressed up for Christmas with gorgeously decorated trees, garlands, wreaths, and fresh floral arrangements. Don’t miss the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree or impressive outdoor lights display at The Breakers. For a unique take on a classic tale, check out the 'Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff' where the audience follows the dancers through the mansion, feeling like part of the story. Throughout December, Christmas in Newport, a 52-year-old tradition, offers concerts, tree lighting, craft fairs, candlelight house tours, and more.

What is the most Christmassy town in the US?

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in USA?

What is the best small town to visit for Christmas?

Where is the most magical Christmas town?