10 Best American Christmas Towns That Look Like Santa’s Workshop Brought to Life
It’s that time of the year again when the Christmas jingles are endlessly looping in malls all over the country. As the holiday spirit starts to settle in, many people are planning their Christmas festivities, and for some, that includes traveling.
Some towns go all out when it comes to the holidays, with markets, lights, or a display of thousands of decorated trees. If you want to travel somewhere that loves to celebrate the Christmas season as much as you do, here are 10 of the best US cities to celebrate Christmas.
1. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been known as the “Christmas City” since 1937, so you won’t be surprised to find a lot of Christmas magic here. The town sparkles with millions of Christmas lights and holiday decorations on every corner.
A Christkindtmarkt springs up every year, featuring local artisans and their handmade goods while carolers stroll the streets. Other seasonal events include the Christmas City Stroll, the Trees of Historic Bethlehem tour, and the Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour.
Just a 30-minute drive away, detour to Koziar’s Christmas Village, which twinkles over one million Christmas lights.
2. North Pole, Alaska
North Pole, Alaska, may be nearly 2,000 miles away from the actual North Pole, but it pretends so well that it basically is the real thing. The street names are all Christmas-themed: Snowman Road, Holiday Lane, and Santa Claus Lane, with candy cane-shaped street lights.
The Santa Claus House, open year-round, is the place to go for unique toys, baked goods, gifts, and made-in-Alaska items that you can have shipped straight from the North Pole. Stop in and visit with the reindeer and get your picture taken with the world’s largest Santa at nearly 50 feet tall.
3. Duluth, Minnesota
Inspired by the TV Series “Fargo,” we made a trip to Duluth in the perfect season to match the white landscapes captured by Hollywood and the whole package of Christmas. I remember the sweetest surprise being served free hot chocolate near a chilly lake event.
Duluth is known as the “Christmas City of the North” and has fun holiday activities all season long.
Bentleyville is the largest walk-through Christmas light display in the USA, with over 5 million lights on display. Tour the Glensheen Mansion, a 20th-century mansion with 39 rooms all decked out for the holidays, including 27 Christmas trees. This city even decorates the Lake Superior Zoo.
Drive through the neighborhoods to enjoy the Christmas Lighting Challenge, which has evolved from a contest into a beloved holiday tradition.
4. Park City, Utah
Go to Park City for the world-class skiing, but if you can rough the crowds, it throws an amazing Christmas celebration every year.
The festivities kick off with an Electric Light Parade, in which trolleys, bicycles, and cars glow like Christmas trees. Then, walk down Main Street for the Snow Globe Stroll and see the beautiful tree in Miner’s Park.
Even if you aren’t staying there, visit the Stein Eriksen Lodge just to see their giant gingerbread house constructions.
5. Santa Claus, Indiana
It would almost be false advertising if Santa Claus, Indiana, didn’t step up its name. It starts with the town post office, where letters to Santa pour in by the hundreds of thousands each year.
Start your trip with a visit to the Santa Claus Museum and Village where you’ll find Santa Claus Church, a 22-foot Santa Claus statue. Go to Santa’s Candy Castle which has an enormous selection of candy. In town, Holiday World is a full-blown, holiday-themed amusement park.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, Santa Claus Brewing Co. has a selection of holiday-themed beers and delicious meals waiting for you.
6. Leavenworth, Washington
Germans take Christmas seriously—just look at their pop-up markets around the holidays. In the northwest corner of the USA, Leavenworth looks more like a German village than a small American town, and it’s absolutely gorgeous at Christmas time.
From December to February, this Bavarian-style town is decorated with more than half a million Christmas lights. German festivals are held year-round, but at Christmas, you’ll find carolers, gingerbread house displays, photos with Santa, and other fun holiday-themed activities.
The Nutcracker Museum houses over 6,000 nutcrackers, some over 500 years old. Explore handmade gifts at the Christkindlmarket and discover beautiful ornaments at the Kris Kringle store.
7. Branson, Missouri
The place known as “America’s Christmas Tree City” takes its annual holiday celebrations seriously. Nearly 700 gorgeously decorated trees are displayed throughout the town. Join the Christmas Tree City Tour to see the best ones.
There are multiple drive-thru light displays, live holiday entertainment, and a gingerbread Christmas Village, elaborately decorated, that stands more than 3 feet tall.
Silver Dollar City, an Amusement Park, an 1880s-themed park, transforms each year into an Old Time Christmas Festival with 1000 trees and 6.5 million Christmas lights.
8. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Each year, the capital of New Mexico celebrates the holiday season with its Santa Fe Winter Indian Market, an annual American Indian art market with hundreds of artists from over 200 tribes across North America. Attend the community celebration at Cathedral Park with live music, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa himself.
Stroll through Canyon Road during December to see thousands of farolitos (small paper lanterns) lining the street, illuminating galleries and shops.
On Christmas Eve, attend the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, where the streets and homes are bathed with candlelight.
9. St. Augustine, Florida
This historic Florida city may not get cold, but the holiday events are plentiful.
During Nights of Lights, 3 million little white lights illumine the Spanish colonial buildings and parks for 20 city blocks from the end of November until the end of January. Take a trolley ride through the historic district to see them all.
Attend a Christmas tree tour or Vilano Holiday Village. The Village has a Christmas market, delicious food, live performances, and a token Santa and Mrs. Claus.
10. Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg attracts visitors year-round thanks to its reputation as a living history museum, but if you can only visit once, go during the holiday season. This town loves Christmas!
Festivities are on the agenda all season long, including Christmas markets on Main Street, a lighted boat parade, and even cookies with Santa. Stop by the Jamestown Settlement to experience what Christmas would have been like in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Allison Manning
Allison Manning is the creative mind behind Simply Stunning Content. With more than 20 years of writing experience under her belt, she is a master of creating captivating content that connects with audiences of all types. When she’s not working on new content you can find her cooking, reading, or listening to a very eclectic library of music.
When she’s not working, she prioritizes her family above everything else. Whether it’s spending quality time with her loving husband, three amazing kids, or her faithful dog, family is where she finds her joy and inspiration. She strives to make every piece of content she creates simply stunning.
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