English
Stays
Car Rental
Rewards
Travel Guide 
Contact
Top 20 Cities in the United States for Christmas Celebrations
Sparkling cities, festive cheer, and America’s Christmas magic shine brightest here!
As December approaches, American cities light up in ways that make even the Grinchiest hearts sparkle. In Chicago, the Christkindlmarket fills Millennium Park with European-style holiday cheer, while Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, decks its historic streets with twinkling lights and horse-drawn carriage rides. From Alaska’s North Pole, where a 50-foot Santa greets visitors under candy cane lamp posts, to Leavenworth, Washington, with its Bavarian-style light displays, these 20 cities offer Christmas celebrations that are as unique as they are festive.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nicknamed “Christmas City, USA,” Bethlehem brings the holiday spirit straight from Europe. Inspired by German Christmas markets, the city dazzles with handcrafted gifts, live music, glass-blowing demonstrations, and seasonal food. Don’t miss a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown to see the spectacular decorations. And if you’re there for a longer stay, the Winter Light Spectacular at Lehigh Valley Zoo, just 30 minutes north, is a must-visit with its thousands of lights and digital displays.
Fun fact: Bethlehem’s Moravian settlers have celebrated Christmas for over 275 years!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Bethlehem through our curated list:
8.6
Very good
10.0
Superb
Greenville, South Carolina
This charming mountain town knows how to do Christmas in style. Greenville’s Main Street transforms into a festive wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, giant gingerbread houses, and a public vote for the “best” display. Don’t miss Kringle Holiday Village and the Greenville Christmas Market for last-minute gifts. Ice skating outdoors adds an extra cozy, snowy feel—even if South Carolina isn’t exactly a winter wonderland!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Greenville through our curated list:
9.0
Superb
9.1
Superb
Denver, Colorado
Denver goes big with lights, markets, and family-friendly fun. The Denver Zoo Lights attracts kids and adults alike, while downtown Denver offers ice skating, shopping, and festive dining. The Mile High Tree on 16th Street Mall towers at 110 feet, glimmers spectacularly, and the Christkindlmarket brings one of the top German-style holiday markets in America right to Colorado.
Bonus: Denver’s snow-covered Rocky Mountains make a perfect holiday backdrop.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Denver through our curated list:
6.7
Pleasant
7.2
Good
North Pole, Alaska
Yes, there’s a real North Pole in Alaska, and it’s as festive as its name suggests. Home to the 50-foot Santa Claus statue, candy cane lamp posts, reindeer displays, and even a post office where you can mail letters with a North Pole postmark, this town is a holiday dream. And if you’re lucky, you can catch the Northern Lights dancing across the sky—a Christmas spectacle that’s literally out of this world.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in North Pole through our curated list:
10.0
Superb
7.8
Good
Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville blends natural beauty with holiday sparkle. The North Carolina Arboretum is famous for its stunning light displays, while the Biltmore Estate dazzles visitors with over 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees and millions of lights.
Bonus trivia: Biltmore Estate is America’s largest privately-owned home, making its holiday displays impressively grand!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Asheville through our curated list:
10.0
Superb
8.9
Very good
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Just 20 miles from Atlanta, Sandy Springs turns into a festival wonderland during the holidays. Sparkle Sandy Springs showcases parades, ice skating, live music, Christmas markets, and a tree-lighting ceremony—all powered by local schools, businesses, and organizations. It’s the ultimate example of a community coming together to spread Christmas cheer.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Sandy Springs through our curated list:
9.1
Superb
8.0
Very good
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s charm comes alive at Christmas, offering something for everyone. The Festival of Trees features 16 creatively decorated trees, the Sound of Charleston highlights gospel music traditions, and Aquarium Aglow adds a mesmerizing light show to the mix. With its cobblestone streets and historic buildings, Charleston is a perfect mix of southern elegance and festive cheer.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Charleston through our curated list:
9.4
Superb
8.1
Very good
Franklin, Tennessee
If you want a Victorian-style Christmas, Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas festival delivers. Streets come alive with actors dressed as characters from A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, while live music, a parade, and tree-lighting ceremonies complete the experience. It’s like stepping into a 19th-century Christmas postcard.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Franklin through our curated list:
9.1
Superb
9.6
Superb
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas isn’t just for neon lights and casinos—during Christmas, the city glows with holiday cheer. The Bellagio Conservatory features a 42-foot Christmas tree, The LINQ Promenade dazzles with outdoor displays, and The Cosmopolitan hosts rooftop ice skating. Don’t miss the Fountains of Bellagio, which choreograph holiday tunes like “Carol of the Bells” to a magical water show.
Fun fact: Even the casinos get into the festive spirit!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Las Vegas through our curated list:
10.0
Superb
7.7
Good
Newport Beach, California
Ever celebrated Christmas on water? Newport Beach hosts America’s largest at-sea holiday festival, with over 100 boats decked out in lights cruising the harbor. The celebration lasts five days, and awards are given for the best-decorated boats. It’s a unique, sparkling twist on Christmas by the sea.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Newport Beach through our curated list:
6.7
Pleasant
9.6
Superb
Branson, Missouri
Branson transforms into a dazzling holiday town with 1,500+ decorated trees and festive attractions. Visitors can ice skate at the Branson Ferris Wheel, enjoy drive-through light displays, and explore Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-themed amusement park with holiday shows. Branson proves that Midwest towns know how to do Christmas big!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Branson through our curated list:
8.1
Very good
9.0
Superb
Natchitoches, Louisiana
One of Louisiana’s oldest settlements, Natchitoches, lights up with over 300,000 lights during its Christmas festival, running from November through January. The highlight? Traditional Natchitoches meat pies—a savory treat you won’t forget. The historic setting adds southern charm to the festive glow.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Natchitoches through our curated list:
7.8
Good
7.7
Good
Dallas, Texas
Dallas shows that you don’t need snow to celebrate Christmas in style. Holiday at the Arboretum offers a 50-foot tree, millions of lights, and a charming Christmas village. Ice skating, drive-through light shows, and Dallas Zoo Lights make this Texas city a surprising holiday hotspot.
Pro tip: Texans do Christmas big—even without the frost!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Dallas through our curated list:
8.6
Very good
7.8
Good
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth’s laid-back vibe pairs perfectly with holiday cheer. Explore downtown Bentleyville Tour of Lights with 5 million sparkling LEDs, enjoy holiday treats by a fire pit, and take the holiday train ride for beautiful views of Lake Superior. It’s cozy, charming, and quintessentially Minnesota.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Duluth through our curated list:
7.8
Good
10.0
Superb
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago brings European charm to Christmas with the Christkindlmarket, a 51-foot Christmas tree at Millennium Park, and ZooLights with 2.5 million LEDs. Heated igloos at The Godfrey Hotel provide a warm spot to enjoy drinks while soaking in the festive energy.
Bonus: Chicago’s Magnificent Mile glitters like a winter wonderland.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Chicago through our curated list:
8.5
Very good
8.8
Very good
Santa Claus, Indiana
True to its name, Santa Claus, Indiana, is America’s Christmas hometown. The town has answered thousands of letters to Santa since the 1920s. Highlights include traditional chestnut roasting, candy castles, reindeer exhibits, and the 1.2-mile-long Santa Land of Lights. It’s a small town that truly delivers big on holiday magic.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Santa Claus through our curated list:
6.9
Pleasant
7.6
Good
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit, a quaint beach town near Boston, offers an affordable yet festive Christmas. Christmas by the Sea festival includes parades, bonfires, arts & crafts, concerts, tree lightings, and fireworks. Don’t miss the local food scene—lobster rolls might just outshine the gingerbread cookies!
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Ogunquit through our curated list:
9.6
Superb
8.7
Very good
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-inspired town that goes all out for Christmas. Village of Lights: Christmastown features millions of twinkling lights, carolers, festive markets, and a photo-op with Santa. Thanks to its Alpine architecture, it feels like a European holiday postcard come to life.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Leavenworththrough our curated list:
7.7
Good
9.4
Superb
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport celebrates Christmas in quirky style. The town builds a Christmas tree out of lobster traps for an 11-day celebration and showcases Santa arriving on a lobster boat. Foodies can indulge in fresh seafood at local favorites like Scales or The Highroller Lobster Co.—a Christmas tradition you’ll never forget.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Kennebunkport through our curated list:
9.7
Superb
8.0
Very good
Williamsburg, Virginia
Step back into the 18th century for a historic holiday. Williamsburg celebrates Christmas colonial-style, with period costumes, traditional markets, and ice-skating. Historic streets lined with Christmas trees and festive displays make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time—just with more cocoa in hand.
Start your holiday right by booking your hotel in Williamsburg through our curated list:
9.5
Superb
8.4
Very good
Next post 2026 World Cup Dallas Travel Guide – Complete Fan Guide 2026
Previous Post 10 Best Restaurants in Chicago
About Author
