It’s that time of year again. The sleigh bells are a-ringing, and the Christmas carols are blaring at your local big-box department store. Christmas might seem like it comes a bit sooner each year, seeing as how retailers tend to set up their holiday displays and start advertising their Black Friday deals at increasingly earlier dates each year – all of which is warmly received by those with good cheer in their hearts – but have you ever dreamed of visiting a fictional Christmas towns like the one featured in The Nightmare Before Christmas? Certainly, that is where the Christmas spirit shines the brightest, right?
If you’re a die-hard fan of this Winter Solstice holiday, you can thoroughly indulge your appreciation for eggnog, sparkling lights, and red-green décor by visiting one of the many festive Christmas towns that can be found throughout the United States. From snow-covered mountains to towering illuminated pines to cheerful gift shops full of stocking-worthy trinkets and freshly baked treats, you can discover the true meaning of Christmas by visiting one or more of these family-friendly destinations.
Join Viewcation as we explore 16 of the best Christmas towns in America. If you want to make sure that you get added to Santa’s ‘nice’ list, you’d be wise to stick around and learn about these merry must-visit locales.
North Pole, Alaska
It would be absurd if we didn’t mention this Jolly little town first, considering it’s reputation as being the home of the old Saint Nick himself. North Pole, Alaska, is where the spirit of Christmas and it’s famed patriarch live all year round. Just looking at the place, you’d think that it was the set of some Hallmark holiday movie, but during the holiday season, visitors to this frigid little village can meet the Santa himself over at the Santa Clause House. While there, they can also get personalized letters from him and take selfies with the biggest Santa statue n the planet. The town also is home to an annual Christmas on ice exhibition, which showcases fantastic ice sculptures made by some of the most talented ice artists from across the globe. There is even an ice slide and maze for the little ones and the young at heart alike to appreciate.
Vail, Colorado
It’s hard to think of a better place to spend the holidays than a pristine snow-covered ski town in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Vail is famed for it’s world-class slopes, cobblestone roads, and quaint cottages. During the Christmas season, you can admire the colorful lights that illuminate the town, take in unparalleled views of the mountains, and pay a visit to the charming Kris Kringle Market to pick up a few last-minute gifts to put under the tree.
St. Augustine, Florida
If the cold puts you off, what could be better than spending Christmas out in balmy St. Augustine? There you can witness the historic city’s renowned light displays while taking a tour of the surroundings via golf cart as part of the town’s Nights of Lights Tour.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
One of the most highly acclaimed attractions in Pennsylvania is Koziar’s Christmas Village and consider as one of the best christmas towns. There you will find over a million lights bringing a dash of Christmas mirth to the town’s buildings, barns, and inviting landscape. Plus, the town’s reflective lake only adds to the breathtaking beauty and ambiance of the village. It’s practically impossible to not be wowed with this town’s uplifting holiday display.
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Williamsburg, Virginia
Take a step back in time and visit the historic colonial town of Williamsburg where you’ll not only discover a plentiful cornucopia of history but also holiday celebration that is rich and inviting. One of our top recommendations if you pay this storied town a visit during the holiday season is taking the 18th century-inspired Christmastide tour. You can follow that up by soaking up the yule-tide tradition over at the annual Lighting of the Cressets. If you’re a crafty sort, you could always attend a colonial period wreath-making workshop to get into the spirit of things while rounding out your evening by listening to time-honored Christmas carols over in the valley.
Rock Hill, South Carolina
This former-confederate town absolutely loves the holiday season. So much so in fact that every year it changes it’s name to ChristmasVille. If you plan on visiting this historic city during Christmastime, you can really get a feel for the holiday spirit that is Rock Hill’s lifeblood. The city also holds an annual outdoor arts and food festival where visitors can take part in various fun events under a flood of twinkling Christmas lights.
Leavenworth, Washington
One step inside this beautiful Bavarian mountain town, and you’ll feel as if you just slipped into a real-life winter wonderland. Aside from spectacular views that’ll make you double-check that you didn’t just get teleported to Europe, the village also hosts annual sleigh rides, lighting ceremonies, and even has it’s own reindeer farm – so make sure you stop by to say hello to Rudolph before you make your way back home just in time for New Years.
Clifton, Ohio
Christmas light lovers will be pleasantly pleased when they visit this cozy Midwestern Christmas haven. Over at Clifton Mill, more than four million white and red lights glisten and gleam. You can also visit a 100-foot waterfall made entirely out of festive lights as well as a miniature Christmas village while you’re in town. Before you head on out, be sure to stop on by the Santa Clause Museum, where you can find a vintage toy collection like none other. And if you want to deliver a letter to old Saint Nick, you can find him working at his workshop, which is always a favorite stop for younger visitors.
Santa Clause, Indiana
As you would expect, Santa Claus lives up to it’s name. While in town you can visit the Santa Clause Museum and Village, track down the 15 Santa statues on it’s grounds, and enjoy a sweet treat over at Santa’s Candy Castle, just to name a few of the many fun activities awaiting you in this town that bill’s itself as “America’s Christmas Hometown”. For an extra dose of Christmas cheer, take a leisurely drive through the Santa Claus Land of Lights.
McAdenville, North Carolina
McAdenville or Christmas Towns USA, as it is sometimes affectionately called, holds annual tree lighting and yule log burning ceremonies during the holiday season. The town itself is also decorated in a very over-the-top fashion featuring lights, garlands, wreaths, and a myriad of Christmas trees. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants that embrace the Christmas spirit as well, so it’s especially worth visiting if you live anywhere nearby.
Woodstock, Vermont
If you’re looking to celebrate Christmas this year New England-style, why not book a trip to this cozy little town in Vermont. Taking a walk down the city’s picturesque main street, taking a wagon tour of the town’s covered bridges, and visiting Billings Farm for fun, family-friendly Victorian-esque Christmas festivities are just a few things you can do in this idyllic northeastern town.
Helen, Georgia
It’s no wonder why this Bavarian town sees flocks of visitors every holiday season. Taking a stroll through this place feels like you’ve been sleighed away to an authentic German Christmas Village. A must-visit pitstop while you’re in town is Chistkindlmarkt, but the town has plenty of other star attractions as well, including their Christmas parade and annual breakfast with Santa event.
New York, New York
The Big Apple might not be a quaint mountainside village, but it certainly knows how to dish out a truly unforgettable Christmastime experience like none other. The enormous tree over at Rockefeller plaza, ice skating in Times Square, and the numerous Christmas shops that pepper the metropolis are just a few reasons why New York earned it’s spot in this video.
Newport, Rhode Island
For those that love touring beautiful homes, then a visit to Newport is a must during the holiday season. This historic New England city has all the charm and comforts of a small town, but it’s also home to some of the most dazzling homes of the Gilded Age that you’ll ever get a chance to feast your eyes on. These architectural works of art are especially gorgeous when they are adorned with lights, trees, and other season-appropriate decorations.
Branson, Missouri
There is something so special about spending Christmas in the Ozarks. The holiday fun and festivities kick off in November and extend through New Years, so you and your family will have ample time to plan your trip. One of the most difficult things, however, will be choosing what activities and sights you wish to add to your itinerary. From Branson’s celebrated holiday live-shows to the musical city’s enthusiastic Christmas light walks and displays to a real-life ride on the Polar Express, you and you’re family will have no shortage of Holiday cheer to choose from when paying Branson, Missouri a visit and on of the best christmas towns in America.
San Antonio, Texas
Here’s another one for all of you cold-adverse Christmas lovers out there. While you might not typically think of San Antonio as a premier Christmas towns destination, it certainly isn’t lacking in festivities. From caroling to shopping to even tamale-making, there is more than enough