Top Towns To Celebrate Christmas in America

GayNrd Editors December 23, 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and to celebrate the season, we have ranked the best Christmas towns in the USA.

Our list of Christmas towns across the country will get you in the holiday spirit. With the best light displays, markets, and festivals – these towns are worth a spot on your Christmas bucket list.

We compared 152 well-known Christmas towns on 21 key metrics. We looked into festive activities, weather, dining, hotels, transport, among other indicators of a joyful Christmas break.

Check out our ranking below, followed by some highlights, and an overview of the top Christmas towns.

Whether you travel this Christmas, have a safe journey, and follow CDC guidelines and state and local recommendations.

Full Data Set: 152 Christmas Towns in the USA

A List of the Best Christmas Towns


41	Alexandria	Virginia	59	76	43	1	71	114
57	Andalusia	Alabama	55	46	66	122	40	55
26	Angel Fire	New Mexico	64	33	82	76	72	2
76	Ann Arbor	Michigan	50	87	133	19	88	83
53	Annapolis	Maryland	55	48	139	35	83	78
117	Asheville	North Carolina	39	116	29	101	87	121
115	Aspen	Colorado	39	106	149	126	67	45
39	Atchison	Kansas	59	64	141	4	59	62
145	Austin	Texas	27	147	79	82	144	143
48	Bardstown	Kentucky	56	54	61	89	30	76
91	Beaufort	North Carolina	46	96	38	49	129	95
92	Beaver Creek	Ohio	46	83	87	70	127	63
12	Bernville	Pennsylvania	71	3	130	40	110	1
65	Bethlehem	Pennsylvania	52	66	58	79	78	71
73	Big Spring	Texas	51	98	121	51	32	66
66	Bigfork	Montana	52	69	96	124	38	21
2	Blue Ridge	Georgia	82	6	12	6	31	8
32	Boothbay	Maine	63	97	42	16	14	27
152	Boston	Massachusetts	20	151	56	119	142	152
124	Bowling Green	Kentucky	37	109	101	95	70	128
63	Branson	Missouri	52	82	59	56	21	107
14	Breckenridge	Colorado	70	18	126	17	52	22
113	Cambridge	Ohio	39	103	128	50	105	129
79	Canton	Mississippi	49	105	40	98	20	61
89	Cape Cod	Massachusetts	47	78	63	97	80	81
56	Cape May	New Jersey	55	79	8	3	104	110
3	Carmel-by-the-Sea	California	77	10	37	26	24	6
108	Cedarburg	Wisconsin	41	117	124	67	95	80
139	Charleston	South Carolina	30	128	3	100	146	150
104	Charlottesville	Virginia	42	108	64	22	112	138
141	Chicago	Illionois	30	126	106	123	118	111
151	Cleveland	Ohio	26	146	123	92	120	149
97	Coeur d'Alene	Idaho	44	102	75	105	65	64
116	Columbia	South Carolina	39	131	19	52	106	137
110	Corning	New York	41	86	68	62	128	135
11	Dahlonega	Georgia	71	24	10	41	37	46
36	Darby	Montana	59	62	99	110	5	13
94	Delray Beach	Florida	45	74	46	106	103	96
38	Denton	North Carolina	59	92	27	5	124	5
101	Denver	Colorado	43	120	127	2	99	133
131	Duluth	Minnesota	34	121	115	118	68	119
102	Durango	Colorado	43	136	50	31	94	100
81	Dyker Heights	New York	48	59	109	108	117	49
77	Essex	Connecticut	49	100	6	85	121	14
25	Eureka Springs	Arkansas	64	90	52	37	2	17
114	Fairbanks	Alaska	39	123	111	115	23	97
134	Fargo	North Dakota	33	125	108	147	35	120
33	Fernandina Beach	Florida	61	52	35	55	39	87
42	Frankenmuth	Michigan	58	25	122	133	3	56
82	Franklin	Tennessee	48	81	47	43	100	116
133	Frederick	Maryland	33	95	26	127	97	151
67	Fredericksburg	Texas	52	58	94	80	64	92
85	Gadsden	Alabama	48	93	23	48	102	104
19	Galena	Illinois	67	16	107	78	6	32
29	Garrison	North Dakota	63	43	152	64	4	18
9	Gatlinburg	Tennessee	71	14	30	69	26	12
149	Grand Rapids	Michigan	26	132	136	114	134	126
84	Grapevine	Texas	48	73	120	96	46	82
107	Greenville	South Carolina	42	137	15	14	101	142
61	Greenwich	Connecticut	53	65	5	30	137	106
27	Hayward	Wisconsin	64	21	118	74	25	40
1	Helen	Georgia	85	2	9	24	8	4
18	Hershey	Pennsylvania	67	31	48	34	28	57
144	Honolulu	Hawaii	27	144	73	87	136	148
45	Jackson	Wyoming	57	84	69	7	53	75
8	Jacksonville	Oregon	73	49	25	28	10	9
28	Kennebunkport	Maine	63	41	22	63	54	51
52	Key West	Florida	56	88	76	38	42	53
125	La Jolla	California	37	129	60	142	96	48
96	Lahaska	Pennsylvania	44	107	28	104	119	33
17	Lake Geneva	Wisconsin	67	27	140	15	33	39
34	Lancaster	Pennsylvania	61	50	57	54	27	85
111	Las Vegas	Nevada	40	127	131	20	131	98
4	Leavenworth	Washington	76	12	31	12	17	44
31	Lewisburg	West Virginia	63	28	36	109	9	69
7	Ligonier	Pennsylvania	74	9	97	23	47	10
49	Lindsborg	Kansas	56	32	86	57	114	73
44	Mammoth Lakes	California	58	53	147	21	62	65
87	Manchester	Vermont	47	68	51	59	109	134
10	McAdenville	North Carolina	71	1	17	58	143	3
43	Milton	Delaware	58	13	102	113	76	47
99	Minden	Nebraska	44	57	145	139	115	31
143	Mobile	Alabama	29	141	16	143	90	140
54	Moultrie	Georgia	55	67	85	61	56	54
132	Myrtle Beach	South Carolina	34	124	20	145	84	117
78	Mystic	Connecticut	49	104	4	121	43	38
35	Nantucket	Massachusetts	61	30	18	71	86	72
50	Naples	Florida	56	61	89	91	50	36
136	Nashville	Tennessee	31	133	77	68	138	144
105	Natchitoches	Louisiana	42	94	92	107	60	99
123	New Castle	Delaware	37	118	72	53	125	139
5	New Hope	Pennsylvania	76	8	24	25	41	29
128	New Orleans	Louisiana	35	140	134	8	132	141
120	New York City	New York	38	139	33	18	133	146
47	Newport	Rhode Island	57	37	21	120	58	59
112	Newport Beach	California	40	77	95	135	116	70
74	North Pole	Alaska	50	71	112	125	13	52
119	Ogden	Utah	38	99	117	83	126	103
16	Ogunquit	Maine	68	63	53	29	16	19
130	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	34	150	98	72	77	124
126	Orlando	Florida	36	134	80	39	130	130
86	Oxford	Mississippi	48	80	44	86	92	77
46	Park City	Utah	57	44	146	47	48	74
129	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	34	115	67	102	107	136
23	Pigeon Forge	Tennessee	64	26	39	99	34	30
6	Pine Mountain	Georgia	74	7	11	90	15	7
68	Port Jefferson	New York	52	23	32	94	148	67
58	Portsmouth	New Hampshire	55	39	71	93	57	94
98	Prescott	Arizona	44	70	83	131	44	102
51	Princeton	New Jersey	56	51	81	13	135	86
146	Rapid City	South Dakota	27	142	148	128	85	113
121	Red Wing	Minnesota	37	72	150	103	93	131
75	Rhinebeck	New York	50	19	45	141	122	79
70	Rock HIll	South Carolina	51	85	14	42	63	115
62	Rogers	Arkansas	53	101	7	27	73	93
150	Salt Lake City	Utah	26	149	151	65	113	145
148	San Antonio	Texas	26	143	110	144	89	122
135	San Diego	California	33	130	55	81	139	132
88	Santa Claus	Indiana	47	17	125	152	140	41
80	Santa Fe	New Mexico	49	114	104	9	79	84
138	Santa Rosa Beach	Florida	30	152	1	84	150	109
122	Seaside	Florida	37	138	2	88	151	37
137	Seattle	Washington	31	119	129	132	98	108
100	Seneca Falls	New York	44	55	103	138	123	60
83	Sewanee	Tennessee	48	112	13	33	147	34
21	Shepherdstown	West Virginia	64	11	49	137	22	11
106	Sheridan	Wyoming	42	135	144	36	36	105
72	Sierra Madre	California	51	34	84	111	145	23
140	Sioux Falls	South Dakota	30	145	105	140	49	125
103	Snowmass	Colorado	43	111	62	146	55	28
20	Solvang	California	65	35	41	66	19	50
40	St. Augustine	Florida	59	42	88	117	11	42
142	St. Louis	Missouri	29	148	74	75	111	147
147	St. Paul	Minnesota	26	113	132	130	141	127
109	Stillwater	Minnesota	41	56	137	116	108	118
118	Stockbridge	Massachusetts	38	122	143	151	51	16
71	Stowe	Vermont	51	40	135	112	69	58
60	Sulphur	Oklahoma	53	45	70	77	81	101
30	Sun Valley	Idaho	63	38	114	32	66	35
127	Taos	New Mexico	36	89	138	148	75	89
93	Thomasville	Georgia	46	110	78	44	91	88
59	Vail	Colorado	54	22	119	136	45	68
13	Valley Junction	Iowa	70	47	142	11	1	26
22	Virginia City	Nevada	64	5	91	129	29	15
64	Wakeeney	Kansas	52	60	100	150	7	43
95	Washington DC	District of Columbia	45	91	65	60	74	123
55	Whitefish	Montana	55	75	93	10	61	90
15	Williamsburg	Virginia	69	36	90	45	12	20
37	Winters	California	59	20	54	46	82	112
90	Woodstock	Vermont	46	29	116	73	152	91
24	Wrightsville Beach	North Carolina	64	15	34	134	18	25
69	Wyoming	Iowa	51	4	113	149	149	24

Highlights

Most Christmas Activities

McAdenville, North Carolina
Helen, Georgia
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Wyoming, Iowa
Virginia City, Nevada

Best For Food

Bernville, Pennsylvania
Angel Fire, New Mexico
McAdenville, North Carolina
Helen, Georgia
Denton, North Carolina

Best Weather Forecast

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Seaside, Florida
Charleston, South Carolina
Mystic, Connecticut
Greenwich Connecticut

Best For Transport

Alexandria, Virginia
Denver, Colorado
Cape May, New Jersey
Atchinson, Kansas
Denton, North Carolina

Best Lodging

Valley Junction, Iowa
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Garrison, North Dakota
Darby, Montana

Top 25 Christmas Towns In The USA

Best Christmas Villages: Where to Go to Celebrate Christmas!

1. Helen, Georgia

You might not expect to find an Alpine village along the banks of Georgia’s Chattahoochee River. But, Helen, once a logging town found at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, reinvented itself long ago as a Bavarian town. In December, you can come to the town to enjoy wreaths and artist-decorated holiday trees at an auction at the Festival of Trees. There is also Kinderfest, the Christkindlmarkt, and a tree lighting in tiny downtown Helen. Learn more about Christmas in Helen here.

Christmas Town Index Score: 85
Christmas Events: 640
Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 0.6%

2. Blue Ridge, Georgia

If you’re looking for bona fide Southern charm, come to Blue Ridge. You can enjoy a train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus – hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s Santa Express. Hear a Christmas story, sing Christmas carols, meet Christmas characters and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Your family can enjoy all that and more in this northern Georgia town.

Christmas Town Index Score: 82
Christmas Events: 580
Christmas Temperature: 46°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 23.1%

3. Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

This gorgeous coastal town is a European-style village with a west coast vibe. The downtown historic district has cool boutiques, art galleries, clothing stores, foodie shops, bakeries, and amazing restaurants.

During the holidays, the town comes to life with entertainment, musical performances, and celebrations like the annual Christmas tree lighting along Ocean Avenue. Enjoy pretty Christmas lights, dozens of wine tastings, and beach sunsets. There may not be snow, but we don’t think your family will be complaining. You can check the events calendar here.

Christmas Town Index Score: 77
Christmas Events: 380
Christmas Temperature: 53.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 0.0%

4. Leavenworth, Washington

On any day of the year, this Bavarian village gives off an Alpine holiday air. But during snowy December, you can find 21 miles of lights along with the homes and fences. There is a Christmas lighting festival, handbell concerts, a lively Christlkindmarkt, harp music, and a weekly festival with carolers, Gluhwein and sledding gathered around the town’s tree.

Christmas Town Index Score: 76
Christmas Events: 160
Christmas Temperature: 29°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 31.9%

5. New Hope, Pennsylvania

This lovely East Coast locale is a great place to spend Christmas. You’re also bound to have a “white Christmas” if you do. In New Hope, you can find the North Pole Express, where you will be treated with Christmas carols, hot cocoa, cookies, and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Christmas Town Index Score: 76
Christmas Events: 1540
Christmas Temperature: 38°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 32%

6. Pine Mountain, Georgia

In the small town of the Pine Mountains, you can find Christmas at Callaway. Callaway Gardens hosts the ultimate Christmas extravaganza. Here you can make merry in the Christmas Village, meet holiday characters and ride through the illuminated forest. Expect to find a sweater-swathed crowd enjoying musical concerts.

Christmas Town Index Score: 74
Christmas Events: 480
Christmas Temperature: 52°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 3.3%

7. Ligonier, Pennsylvania

If you want a snowy Christmas getaway, visit Ligonier in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. Bring your kids to see Santa. You can shop at the Ligonier Country Christmas Market and enjoy the quaint town’s decorations. Here you can experience Overly’s Country Christmas, a pop-up Christmas village with old-fashioned traditions and eats. Sing carols, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, and marvel at the lights.

Christmas Town Index Score: 74
Christmas Events: 280
Christmas Temperature: 38 °F
Chances of a White Christmas: 24.2%

8. Jacksonville, Oregon

The gold rush town of Jacksonville enjoys the holiday season with a Victorian Christmas celebration. In December, Jacksonville’s National Historic District is decorated in greenery and twinkling lights. There are strolling carolers in vintage costumes singing songs while you can make your way among boutiques and antique shops.

Take in the seasonal beauty with Jolly Holly Trolley rides and complimentary hot cider. There are also holiday tours of the 1873 Beekman House, home of a wealthy pioneer family. Not to mention tastings in the many wineries of southern Oregon’s wine country.

Christmas Town Index Score: 73
Christmas Events: 14
Christmas Temperature: 39°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 4.3%

9. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

In Gatlinburg, you can enjoy a Great Smoky Mountain Christmas at the gateway to the famous peaks’ national park. Spend your days skiing and cuddling up in a cozy cabin. Explore the Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main street, where Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales costumed characters and performers tell stories while playing an eclectic mix of Appalachia, Bluegrass, and Country music.

You can also take the Trolley Ride of Lights where you can enjoy illuminations throughout the city and stop by the Great Smoky Christmas Arts and Crafts show for unique gifts. Find more here about celebrating Christmas in the Smoky Mountains.

Christmas Town Index Score: 71
Christmas Events: 200
Christmas Temperature: 45.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 4.3%

10. McAdenville, North Carolina

This town might be called McAdenville, but to the locals, it is known as Christmas Town USA. For the past 63 years, the Charlotte suburb has put on an impressive holiday display.

Here you can find 265 evergreen trees covered in 500,000 lights. There are also more than 160 decorated houses throughout the town. The best part about all of this is that you can view everything for free.

Christmas Town Index Score: 71
Christmas Events: 420
Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 2.3%

11. Dahlonega, Georgia

Southerners from far and wide, like to visit Dahlonega during Christmas. This North Georgia town is covered in twinkling lights and overrun with rambling horse-drawn carriages. This is a month-long celebration featuring everything from a hometown parade to charming tree lighting.

Christmas Town Index Score: 71
Christmas Events: 600
Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 0.9%

12. Bernville, Pennsylvania

In 1948, William M. Koziar started decorating his home in Bernville for the viewing pleasure of his family. Now, Koziar’s Christmas Village is one of the main attractions in the state of Pennsylvania and boasts both indoor and outdoor displays.

Christmas Town Index Score: 71
Christmas Events: 980
Christmas Temperature: 38.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 5.1%

13. Valley Junction, Iowa

In Valley Junction, you can enjoy one of the best small-town Christmases that Iowa can offer. For three Thursday evenings during the season, the historic railroad in the town in the West Des Moines area celebrates with a Jingle in the Junction. The streets are lined with over 150,000 twinkle lights. You can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa, and caroling. There are also 150 unique stores, antique shops, and businesses downtown for some holiday shopping.

Christmas Town Index Score: 70
Christmas Events: 60
Christmas Temperature: 33°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 43%

14. Breckenridge, Colorado

This renowned ski town transforms into a beautiful Victorian-style Christmas town during the holidays. The season begins with the Lighting of Breckenridge on the first weekend in December. Throughout the holidays you can enjoy carriage rides, shopping, and the opportunity to feel like you’ve stepped into an old-fashioned holiday painting.

Christmas Town Index Score: 70
Christmas Events: 340
Christmas Temperature: 19°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 35.1%

15. Williamsburg, Virginia

Want to celebrate the holidays with the Madisons and the Jeffersons? Colonial holiday traditions like caroling by torchlight, fife and drum performances, and interpretive programs set the stage for Christmas in charming Williamsburg.

The activities culminate in a Grand Illumination, celebratory fires works, and a historic gun-salute display. This is best viewed from the town green. For those less historic-minded, the nearby Busch Gardens opens for the holiday season with a Christmas Town where you can take a stroll through European holiday traditions.

Christmas Town Index Score: 69
Christmas Events: 260
Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 1.2%

16. Ogunquit, Maine

The quiet fishing village of Ogunquit becomes lively during the holidays with its annual Christmas by the Sea festival. The boutiques of downtown are dressed up and residents head to the beach to celebrate with a polar bear plunge, bonfire, caroling, and fireworks at Perkins Cove.

In true Maine fashion, all visitors should sample the chowder at the Taste the Season event. You can also enjoy wagon rides, tree lighting, musical performances, and a pajama party.

Christmas Town Index Score: 68
Christmas Temperature: 33°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 10.2%

17. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Lake Geneva is popular with people from Wisconsin and Illinois during the summer months, but Christmas is also a great time to go there as well. Visit the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa where you can find lights, music, daily holiday teas, and gingerbread houses.

The Christmas celebrations in Lake Geneva go on until the end of December. Restaurants offer holiday specials and there are shops to find the perfect gifts for the holidays.

Christmas Town Index Score: 67
Christmas Events: 660
Christmas Temperature: 32°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 29.9%

18. Hershey, Pennsylvania

There’s no better way to celebrate Christmas than with a lot of chocolate. The whole family will enjoy spending the holidays at Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane. Here you can enjoy holiday rides, visit Santa and his reindeer and take in more than 5 million lights decorating the fun-filled chocolate theme park.

Christmas Town Index Score: 67
Christmas Events: 980
Christmas Temperature: 37.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 5.1%

19. Galena, Illionois

Galena is a slice of pure Americana, particularly around the Christmas season. Here you can find an idyllic, garland-lined Maine Street and charming bed and breakfasts. The season starts with a tree-lighting ceremony (Nov. 28th).

This is followed by the Festival of Trees on the 4th and 5th December, which showcases displays of one-of-a-kind holiday trees, wreaths, and other items created by local artists and organizations. You can check the Galena events calendar here.

Christmas Town Index Score: 67
Christmas Events: 160
Christmas Temperature: 30.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 19.9%

20. Solvang, California

You might not be able to go to London or Munich this winter, but you can still get that European feel in Solvang. This small city in California’s Santa Ynez Valley was founded by a group of Danes in the early 1900s. They built this charming Danish community, which is now popular for its Danish businesses and European architecture.

Solvang usually hosts Julefest each holiday season which is complete with festive events and decor. You can check the city’s website for updates about the celebrations this year. You can stay in one of the city’s gorgeous boutique hotels, like the Landsby or the newly opened Winston.

Christmas Town Index Score: 65
Christmas Events: 100
Christmas Temperature: 52°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 0%

21. Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Shepherdstown transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. You can experience the past and present during their Christmas in Historic Shepherdstown. There is also a Holiday Handmade Market held at the War Memorial Building on the weekends starting after Thanksgiving and through the 20th of December.

Expect some Civil War history, carriage rides, Christmas caroling around the community, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a big parade. The town is full of festive decorations as well as a touch of holiday magic.

Christmas Town Index Score: 64
Christmas Events: 940
Christmas Temperature: 39°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 42.1%

22. Virginia City, Nevada

The Old West mining town of Virginia City encourages you to return to frontier times with a month-long Christmas on the Comstock Victorian-inspired celebration. Stroll through the decorated history downtown, watch the parade and take your kids to see Father Christmas.

Adults can partake in the “Grinch Made Me Do It” saloon crawl. There’s also seasonal entertainment at Piper’s Opera House which includes the Comstock Cowboys’ Christmas in the Sierra and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Christmas Town Index Score: 64
Christmas Events: 80
Christmas Temperature: 32.5°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 13.4%

23. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

At the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is the perfect backdrop to a Tennessee holiday. The town is decorated with 5 million lights to create a winter wonderland. You can see the lights by driving around or by taking a ride in the town trolley.

If you like southern hospitality and great food, there are lots of restaurants to choose from. The town has lots of outlets and souvenir shops to buy holiday gifts. There are also many hotels within walking distance of dinner shows and attractions. And if you’re looking to stay with a big group, you can invite your entire family to stay in a chalet in the snow-covered mountains.

Santa shares the spotlight with the famous singer and actress Dolly Parton at the annual Christmas parade. You can visit her Christmas-themed Dixie Stampede dinner show or have fun at her theme park, Dollywood. It has over 4 million lights, Christmas decorations, food, music, plays, and the opportunity for kids to visit Santa. You can find a guide to Pigeon Forge at Christmas here.

Christmas Town Index Score: 64
Christmas Events: 180
Christmas Temperature: 46°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 2.6%

24. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Wrightsville Beach hosts a North Carolina Holiday Flotilla where you can drop your anchor at a boat-filled parade on the water that culminates in a spectacular fireworks show. The flotilla lights up the night and at weekends there is a tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, and a family-friendly festival with food and music.

Christmas Town Index Score: 64
Christmas Events: 160
Christmas Temperature: 51°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 1.3%

25. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The Eureka Springs Christmas parade is held annually on the 4th of December. The entire town transforms into a Victorian Christmas village with a hint of new-school festiveness.

This is the best time of year to enjoy the town’s award-winning fudge, candy, and sweets. Eureka Springs is also a great place to go holiday window-shopping and buy holiday gifts for loved ones and friends. Find more about Christmas in Eureka Springs here.

Christmas Town Index Score: 64
Christmas Temperature: 40°F
Chances of a White Christmas: 7.1%

Top Towns To Celebrate Christmas in America