The Most Festive Towns in the U.S.A.
It’s that time of year again… hot cocoa, twinkling lights, shopping, feasting, and lots of good cheer! The holiday season is a magical time – but do you want to do something extra special this year? Have you ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie (admit it, we all have) and thought, “I want to spend Christmas there!” While we can’t guarantee you’ll have a whirlwind romance with a bakery owner/carpenter/Christmas tree farm owner, you’re bound to have a festive, unforgettable holiday in any of these top five Christmas towns!
In no particular order…
Woodstock, VT – This New England town is as pretty as a postcard, especially during the holidays. For the ultimate Christmas experience, head to historic Billings Farm in Woodstock in early December for Wassail Weekend, three days packed with holly jolly fun! Horse-drawn sleigh rides, breathtaking decorations, Christmas movie nights, live music, and of course, wassail punch make this weekend a Christmas lover’s dream come true. Billings Farm also has activities for the rest of the holiday season – ice skating, candle dipping, music, sleigh rides, all set against the beautiful snowy backdrop of New England in winter.
Park City, UT – Fancy a bit of skiing with your holiday? Head to Park City, Utah, for a mix of adventure on the slopes and Christmas charm. Known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, Park City turns into a Christmas wonderland for the festive season. The city blazes with bright lights, kicking off with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony followed by the Park City Electric Parade at the end of November. Ride the North Pole Express (complete with a special gift from Santa!), take part in a torchlight parade, take in a special holiday musical performance – there’s no shortage of ways to spend the perfect Christmas in Park City!
Helen, GA – If you wouldn’t expect to find a tiny Bavarian town in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, then you’ve never heard of Helen, Georgia. This quirky town is modeled after a Bavarian village and overflows with Christmas charm. Parades, Christmas markets, charming old-fashioned decorations – you can even have breakfast with Santa! For something completely extraordinary ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster, a rollercoaster that whips through town and flies through the mountains. You can pretend you’re Santa on his sleigh! If that sounds too exciting for you, opt for a carriage ride through town to admire the sights instead.
Bethlehem, PA – Officially known as “Christmas Town U.S.A.,” Bethlehem is a festive dream come true. The town boasts two traditional German-inspired Christmas markets, the Christmas Huts and the Christkindlmarkt. And there’s so much more than just shopping on offer at the Christkindlmarkt: ice skating, performers and entertainers, and delicious holiday delicacies make this market one of the premier Christmas markets in the country! The rest of the town features strolling musicians, a live advent calendar, horse-drawn carriage rides, historic walking tours, and delicious goodies galore!
Leavenworth, WA – Possibly the reigning queen of American towns modeled after Bavarian villages, Leavenworth is a traditional Christmas dream come true. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, this charming little town goes all out for Christmas, covering the town with over half a million Christmas lights. The snowy mountain landscape and picture-perfect town filled with decorations, roasted chestnuts, carolers, Christmas markets, and tons of activities for kids of all ages make Leavenworth a world-famous destination for Christmas cheer.
Whether you spend your days skiing, sledding, shopping, or curled up by the fire with a cup of something hot and sweet, you’ll have a holiday to remember in any of these magical Christmas towns. Need help planning your festive getaway? No need to write a letter to Santa to ask for help – we’ve got you covered!
