Are you looking for the best Christmas towns in the USA? We are here to help!
There are so many beautiful towns in America where you can experience the magic of Christmas.
Although big cities like NYC or Boston have loads to offer, visiting a small Christmas town in the US is the perfect thing to do if you like to stay away from the crowds.
Christmas markets, carols, delicious Christmas food… you will find them all! There is no better place to get in the holiday spirit!
In this article, you will discover the best US Christmas towns to visit in December! The list includes famous spots as well as hidden gems.
They can be visited as a family or on a romantic getaway. No matter what, pack all your Christmas outfits because you’re about to have loads of fun!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is another Christmas town in Vermont that is worth visiting. It is bigger than Stowe which is ideal for people who don’t like small villages.
Church Street is the place where you will find most of the Christmas activities. It’s covered in lights and such a beautiful place to discover in the evening.
But the main reason why you should visit Burlington in winter has nothing to do with the usual Christmas activities! Burlington is the place where you can ride the Polar Express. It’s the ultimate Christmas train!
Stowe, Vermont
This small American town is known for being an excellent destination in the fall but guess what, it’s also one of the cutest Christmas towns in the USA!
As a general thing, Vermont is one of the best states to visit during the holiday season. It’s cute, festive, snowy and has this very unique New England feel.
Roaming around downtown is an excellent thing to do. You will get to discover the beautiful Christmas lights as well as the cute local craft shops.
There also is a Christmas lights contest organized so you can be sure to be in for a treat in terms of lights.
As Stowe is an important skiing location, you can be sure to get a white Christmas here!
WHERE TO STAY: When it comes to accommodation in Stowe at Christmas time, opt for Field Guide Lodge. It’s a very cute inn and they fully decorate it for Christmas. It’s super cool!
READ MORE: 10 Incredibly Romantic getaways in Vermont with jacuzzi
Durango, Colorado
The main attraction in the town is the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge railroad that takes you through breathtaking sceneries in the wilderness of the San Juan National Forest.
Today, this railroad is a national historic landmark. If you are traveling with a guide, they will bring out the true significance of this railroad to the people in the town.
During the Christmas holiday, you can visit Durango to enjoy this train ride (Polar Express) that makes you feel like you are stepping into the Wild West, or mingle with the locals to enjoy the fantastic (although laid back) decor and lights display.
While on this ride, you can visit a farm to choose a Christmas tree, cut it and bring it with you.
Leavenworth, Washington
Located in the state of Washington, a couple of hours away from Seattle, Leavenworth is the perfect destination if you want to get a European-themed Christmas while staying in the United States.
This German town will make you feel like you are in Bavaria for a while. As you roam around downtown, you will discover the beautiful German-themed local shops.
Although it is a great place to visit all year round, the magic truly takes place in December. German music, Christmas lights, sausage stands, sleds for kids… it truly is the best town to spend Christmas in the USA!
You can also visit the Gingerbread Factory and the Nutcracker Museum. It’s very good fun!
Park City, Utah
The main street in Park City Utah looks like a scene from a movie at night during the Christmas holidays.
The town is built at the base of the Wasatch Range, offering skiers a breathtaking view of the city as they come down the beautiful ski slopes.
Visit the annual tree lighting ceremony at Canyons Village or take a scenic train ride around the town. At night, Park City transforms into a shopper’s paradise.
There are dozens of small, beautiful, and well-decorated shops lining up each side of the road.
Asheville, North Carolina
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina.
Not only are the surroundings the perfect mountain winter getaways but you will also have access to many festive activities.
Christmas lights are absolutely everywhere and several displays and performances take place in December.
You can admire them in many different places including downtown and the North Carolina Arboretum.
Another amazing spot worth checking out is the Biltmore Estate. They put up over 30,000 lights and candles, making it a magical Christmas spot!
In terms of shopping, you will find cute local shops where you can buy unique gifts.
Finally, you can also participate in the National Gingerbread House Competition.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
If you have seen Norman Rockwell’s painting “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas” you already know what awaits you in the town during Christmas.
Every year during Christmas time, beautiful vintage cars line up the streets as the owners try to recreate images in the painting.
Every house seems to be buzzing with Christmas decor, spectacular lighting display, and the mood in the air is delightfully eccentric.
The people in this town take Christmas seriously and the town has been mentioned repeatedly as being among the best Christmas towns in the US.
Craft fairs, street performances, amazing lighting, and decorations bring about a vibrancy you cannot find in other places.
Vail, Colorado
The location of Vail makes this one of the most stunning places to visit during Christmas.
The effortless blend of the mountain with the little town during this time is breathtaking.
You can visit the town for winter sports (skiing, snowmobile, sledding), and to enjoy a spectacular display of Christmas lighting and decorations.
Vail looks as if it popped right out of a storybook. There are free concerts, parades, fireworks, lantern walks, and other attractions at almost every corner you come across while walking inside the town.
READ MORE: 10 Small towns in Colorado To Visit ASAP
McAdenville, North Carolina
NC is home to some of the best Christmas towns in America. The most famous one is McAdenville.
It’s a very small town with less than 1,000 inhabitants but when it comes to the holidays, there is nothing small about it.
The festive spirit is so important here that McAdenville was nicknamed “Christmas Town USA”.
Every single house is decorated and there are more Christmas trees and lights that you can count!
Visitors from all over the US come here in December to discover this magical winter wonderland.
The displays of holiday lights are amazing. There are half a million Christmas lights!
The Yule Log parade and the tree lighting ceremony are events you shouldn’t miss.
Darby, Montana
Darby town is the perfect location for people seeking to enjoy their Christmas holiday the old-fashioned cowboy way.
Horseback riding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, sledding are some of the activities you can engage in here.
Darby may be a small town, but it is a beautiful town that attracts tourists throughout the year.
However, during Christmas time, the decorations and the Christmas merry transform this town into one of the most beautiful places to visit in the US.
You can stay in a luxury cabin inside Triple Creek ranch.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Koziar’s Christmas Village is the heart and focus of Bernville during the Christmas holiday. Here, you will find the best display of Christmas lights in Pennsylvania.
The Koziar’s know how to put on a show, and what started as a family hobby has blossomed into a tourist attraction venture.
With over a million lights in one location, in different colors, and working harmoniously, the 8-acre farm is a sight to behold (especially at night).
If you are with your spouse (or partner), be sure to check out the Kissing bridge.
Branson, Missouri
This is a great destination to visit with kids because it contains endless attractions and activities that will keep them preoccupied.
You can even hop onto a Christmas cruise from Branson, or enjoy the Polar Express train ride.
Concerts, parades, street performances, music, light display, and delicious local foods are some of the attractions you can expect to see this Christmas holiday.
You can also go snow tubing at the Wolfe Mountain, ride on the Polar Express, see live reindeer at the Promised Land zoo, take a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle or eat with Santa during your visit.
The Christmas season begins immediately after Halloween and lasts till New Year’s Day.
Santa Claus, Indiana
When a town names itself after Santa, you know that you will be in for a real Christmas treat.
This small Southwestern Indiana town does not disappoint if you are looking for Christmas cheer. Everything in this quaint little town has a Christmas theme.
You can expect lots of light displays (especially at night), sleds (being pulled by real reindeer sometimes) in the streets, roller coasters, water parks, and much more when you visit during the holiday.
Music, dances, lots of food, loads of gifts and other attractions are popular here at Christmas.
There is a holiday-themed amusement park for your kids as well.
Do not forget to visit the Santa Claus Museum and Village to get an even more interesting outlook on this town.
Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine is known as “The Christmas Capital of Texas”.
Well, that already says a fair bit about what you will be in for!
Spending Christmas in Grapevine is ideal for people who truly love all things Christmas and want to try it all.
This magical Christmas town in Texas organizes 40 days of festive events.
Everything you can think of, you will find it here including:
- Victorian Markets
- North Pole Express train
- Christmas movies at the Historic Palace Theatre
- Holiday lights everywhere…
If you are traveling with kids, make sure to join the Elf Adventure. You will be given the Grapevine Christmas Passport. It’s very good fun.
READ MORE: 8 Beautiful Small Towns in Texas to visit this year!
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is the oldest town in Louisiana, dating back to 1714. It has retained most of its European influence through the beautiful and well-preserved architecture and lifestyle.
Every year during Christmas, the town arranges for the most spectacular display of lights you have ever seen.
The Christmas festival lasts for 6 weeks and has over 300,000 lights and more than 100 set pieces on display every night. It is called the festival of lights.
Carriage rides, parades, an annual gala, and home tours are other attractions you may be interested in while visiting this town during the Christmas holiday.
Helen, Georgia
If you want to see (or be part of) a German Christmas tradition, this is the town you should visit during the holidays.
Everything is recreated to reflect a more cheerful and colorful aura, with traditional markets (the Christkindlmarkt), breakfast with Santa events, and parades that reflect the Bavarian style.
Shop for gifts, enjoy local delicacies, see the annual parade and attend a local performance to make and keep sweet memories of this Bavarian town.
St. Augustine, Florida
Florida might not be the first place that comes to mind when we think of Christmas. Yet, it’s actually quite a cool place to spend the holidays.
The weather is warm and there are some beautiful small towns to visit.
The best Christmas town in Florida is St. Augustine.
Known as the oldest city in the US, St. Augustine is a stunning historical small city and the end of the year is the perfect time to visit.
The most famous Christmas event in St. Augustine is the Nights of Lights.
It starts at the end of November and lasts until the end of January. It was listed by National Geographic as one of the top 10 holiday light displays in the world!
There are various trolley tours that you can take in St Augustine to explore the town. This is the most popular activity and a great way to see the lights.
READ MORE: 13 Best Beach Towns in Florida for an amazing vacation in the Sunshine State
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City. This should already give you an idea of what you are in for.
Located in the central part of the state, you can easily get there by car from Phoenix. There also is a small regional airport but there aren’t that many flights.
In terms of Christmas events, you will be in for a treat. Here are some of the best ones:
- Parade and courthouse lighting.
- Valley of the Lights in Prescott Valley
- Wild-lights and animal sights at Heritage Park Zoo
- Arizona’s largest Gingerbread village
Make sure to also check out Prescott Gateway Mall. They have loads of Christmas activities including “Enchanted Christmas”, an indoor holiday light attraction.
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