26 charming Christmas towns in the US

If you’ve ever watched The Nightmare Before Christmas and yearned to visit the fictional Christmas Town—a magical place sprinkled with lights, laughter, and holiday cheer—you’re in luck. From snow-powdered mountains to towering pines to themed gift shops and fresh baked goods, these destinations in the United States have it all. Take a look and get some virtual travel inspiration for your post-pandemic bucket list.

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1) North Pole, Alaska

How could it not take the No. 1 spot? Where the spirit of Christmas—and Santa—live year ‘round, North Pole, Alaska looks like a Hallmark movie set. But over the holidays, visitors can meet Santa Claus himself at Santa Claus House, get personalized letters from him, and take photos with the largest Santa statue in the world, which towers at 50 feet. The area also hosts an annual Christmas in Ice exhibit that displays fabulous ice sculptures made by artists around the world—including an ice maze and ice slide!

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2) Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll step back in time upon visiting Colonial Williamsburg, where the history and holiday celebration are rich. Enjoy an 18th century-esque Christmastide tour of the city, the tradition of the Lighting of the Cressets, attend a colonial period wreath making workshop, listen to stories and carols in the valley, and more.

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3) Santa Claus, Indiana

Another list given, Santa Claus lives up to its namesake. Visiting the Santa Claus Museum & Village, hunting down the (over 15!) Santa statues on its grounds, and delighting in a homemade confection from Santa’s Candy Castle are just a few of many activities to indulge there. Drive through the Santa Claus Land of Lights for some extra (and safe!) festive fun.

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4) Vail, Colorado

Vail is a quintessential winter-kissed village. Its location in the mountains gives it an enamoring snow halo, and its quaint, low-lit shops and restaurants complete the storybook dream. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you can also enjoy the slopes at the local ski resort or try a snowmobile tour.

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5) McAdenville, North Carolina

Also referred to as Christmas Town, USA, McAdenville typically holds traditional tree lighting and yule log ceremonies, but the pandemic halted them. The town, however, will still be decorated in its festive, over-the-top lights and garb, and the local merchants will still be open for business. So we say it’s worth a visit, especially if you live nearby.

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6) Natchitoches, Louisiana

Throughout the month of December, Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish), the oldest settlement in Louisiana Purchase territory, hosts the Christmas Season with a myriad of events and, most notably, more than 300,000 lights and 100-plus set pieces displayed at dusk every night. The schedule of events has been altered slightly due to the pandemic—learn more here.

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7) Durango, Colorado

Like Vail, the city of Durango has winter wonderland charm, but its main attraction is its scenic railroad tours. Families with kids will love the Polar Express-themed ride, during which staff reenacts the beloved tale. If you’re kidless, you might prefer the Cascade Canyon winter train route, most thoroughly enjoyed while sipping coffee or hot chocolate.

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8) Frankenmuth, Michigan

This Bavarian-inspired hidden gem celebrates Christmas year-round, which explains why it’s home to the world’s largest holiday store: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. It’s the size of one and a half football fields! While you’re there, you can also enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit Christkindlmarkt, where local artisans sell all kinds of treasures and goodies.

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9) St. Augustine, Florida

If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays without bundling up, check out St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights. Every year, the tropical city illuminates in an award-winning light display to be marveled by all who come and go.

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10) Bernville, Pennsylvania

People flock to Bernville to visit Koziar’s Christmas Village, an eight-acre family property that’s annually adorned with more than 1 million lights. According to their website, they’re open for the 2020 season and some events will require ticket admission, which is limited.

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11) Newport Beach, California

Another destination for the easily frigid, Newport Beach offers a warm holiday getaway and a one-of-a-kind Christmas Boat Parade. Participants decorate their boats to the nines, coast along the beach, and compete for the honor of first prize.

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12) Leavenworth, Washington

Though the Bavarian village of Leavenworth typically hosts a lighting ceremony to mark the seasonal illumination of the town, plans have been adjusted this year due to the pandemic. There will be no crowd-drawing ceremony, however, the town will still be lit, and shops open for you to pass through and view.

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13) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The holiday season brings lots of light festivals, but not as many candle-lit celebrations. Myrtle Beach’s Brookgreen Gardens displays over 2,700 hand-lit candles every year as part of the ever-popular Nights of a Thousand Candles. Crowd control accommodations are being made this year to meet social distancing guidelines.

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14) Branson, Missouri

Also known as America’s Christmas Tree City, Branson is stacked with things to see and do during the holidays. Check out the town’s event lineup (featuring concerts, a Christmas cruise, and more) and book a trip on the Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride, where you can take in the views and watch the classic film.

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15) Whitefish, Montana

A picturesque Christmas town (think wreathed lampposts, festive store fronts, and a steady sprinkle of snow) with world-class ski slopes, Whitefish is where to go for a classic holiday celebration. The town’s annual Christmas Stroll will still take place this year, complete with wagon rides, chestnut roasting, ornament decorating, and carols.

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16) Woodstock, Vermont

From Dec. 11 to 13, Woodstock will host Wassail Weekend, its annual holiday festival. With ticket admission, you can participate in all the festivities, including historic farmhouse tours, shopping for locally made foods and antiques, breakfast with Santa, and more.

17) Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This year, a socially distanced version of the yearly Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth will host a modified “Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars” at the historic Strawbery Banke outdoor museum. Costumed role-players will lead guests through a viewing of the museum’s beautifully decorated buildings and recreate traditions of times past.

18) Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Known for being the backdrop of Norman Rockwell’s famous painting, “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas (Home for Christmas),” the city lives up to the hype. Unfortunately, its annual holiday festivities have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but it’s still a place worth putting on the bucket list.

19) Solvang, California

This Danish-setteled town is marked by a giant windmill and dozens of quaint storefronts that are typically decked out for its annual Julefest (Yule Fest), where activities like holiday concerts and light shows take place. This year, plans for JuleFest are still underway, but the official website says it will be held in some capacity.

20) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem’s historic SteelStacks host the area’s ultimate holiday destination, the Bethlehem Christkindlmarkt, where more than 50 of the nation’s finest artisans’ work is featured, along with live music and a virtual cooking class with St. Nick himself. Tickets are limited this year, so it’s ideal to book them ASAP.

21) Newport, Rhode Island

Christmas in Newport is a two-week long festival that celebrates the “non-commercial” elements of the holiday season, and 2020 would mark its 50th year, but festivities are currently on hold due to the pandemic. Usual activities include historic walking tours, live music, and local art displays.

22) Blue Ridge, Georgia

If you’re looking for small-town, Southern holiday cheer, Blue Ridge is where it’s at. During the months of November and December, plenty of heartwarming events will take place—regular showings of It’s a Wonderful Life at the community theater, a Christmas parade and tree lighting, and Blue Ridge train rides with Santa are on the list.

23) Duluth, Minnesota

Visitors go to Duluth specifically for Bentleyville, a massive lights display that thankfully, has adapted to become a drive thru event this year. Admission is $10 per car at the gate, and the show is open every day from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27. There’s also the Duluth Winter Village, but its 2020 operation plans are currently unclear.

24) Franklin, Tennessee

Have you ever wanted to chat with Jacob Marley or Ebenezer Scrooge? How about try a Victorian-era Christmas treat like sugar plums? All of that and more is available at Franklin’s annual Dickens of a Christmas festival, which is unfortunately cancelled this year. Hopefully, it can return in 2021.

25) Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a great place to visit any time of year, but it’s extra special during the holiday season. Indulge in holiday shopping, the Winter Lights display at the North Carolina Arboretum, and take a tour of the iconic Biltmore estate while it’s decorated for Christmas—the 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees won’t disappoint.

26) Essex, Connecticut

Though the much anticipated North Pole Express and Santa Special Elf Academy Train rides have been postponed to 2021, the cozy ambiance of Essex and the acclaimed Griswold Inn will still offer a relaxing and enjoyable New England holiday.