The holiday season is upon us, meaning you now have carte blanche to enjoy as many freshly baked snickerdoodles and mugs of mulled wine as you like. But where to enjoy said festive treats? The best Christmas towns in the USA are a fine place to start. As these charming destinations string up lights and trim their trees, it’s the perfect time to plan an atmospheric getaway.
The hallmarks of a Christmas town go beyond the expected decor, offering traditional markets, convivial programming, and an overall magical mood. And while powdery white snow makes for a particularly storybook feel, there are plenty of Christmas towns that can achieve that sense of wonder no matter the weather. Ahead, 19 holly jolly locales across the states to head for this season.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Colorado’s snowcapped Rocky Mountains offer a postcard-worthy backdrop for Christmas towns like Crested Butte, where brightly painted historical buildings and festive flurries give the sense you’re strolling around inside a snow globe. During the holiday season, visitors can savor the decked-out downtown after a day of Nordic skiing, dog sledding, or even ice fishing. One of the region’s most distinct traditions is Santa Ski Day, an annual excursion where hundreds of people dress up as Santa Claus and ski or snowboard down the mountain together.
Where to Stay: The Eleven experience in Crested Butte is unmatched. The high-end, experiential travel company has two luxury lodges in town: Sopris House and Scarp Ridge Lodge, both offering Old West design nods like copper hot tubs, wood-paneled bars, and fireside dining.
Kennebunkport, Maine
It’s hard to throw a stone in Maine without hitting a charming small town, particularly during the holiday season when the state s quaint coastline is aglow with cheery trimmings. Take Kennebunkport, for example, with its famous Christmas Prelude. This celebratory series of events takes place over 11 festive days, and includes everything from lobster trap tree lightings to an annual hat parade.
Where to Stay: With its crackling fireplaces and quintessential East Coast aesthetic, the White Barn Inn, Auberge Collection is a perfect home base for your Kennebunkport excursions—it’s in the heart of downtown.
New York, New York
New York City—land of Home Alone, Miracle On 34th Street, and Elf—welcomes millions of tourists each year, all in pursuit of legendary holiday landmarks, from the Rockefeller Tree to window displays along Fifth Avenue. Escape the crowds with an in-the-know reservation, like the Sunday Brunch at Ned’s Club Downstairs (nicknamed “Ned’s Feast”), where you can savor an extravagant roast surrounded by decorations and live music. If it’s twinkly lights you seek, check out the Wall Street Christmas Tree for a setting that’s far more lowkey but just as majestic.
Where to Stay: It doesn’t get much cozier than a room with a view at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. This iconic property is beloved for its towering Christmas tree in the Contour Bar, and this holiday season, the hotel’s fragrance partner Diptyque takes residence with a curation of themed cocktails, a gifting suite, and even a branded cookie and hot cocoa cart in the lobby.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate aboard a historic steam train in New Hope, or riding an open-air wagon through the holiday light show in Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Bucks County is a cozy enclave for holiday happenings. One of the region’s most vibrant celebrations is at Peddler’s Village, where visitors can peruse 65 specialty shops, ride a 1920s carousel, and take in the impressive display of gingerbread houses.
Stay Here: Position yourself in the heart of Peddler’s Village with a room at The Golden Plough Inn. This property is made up of several historic buildings, including an old post office and 19th-century stone buildings that once served as a stagecoach stop.
Chicago, Illinois
As a city that’s largely defined by its incredible architecture, it’s unsurprising that Chicago doubles as one of the best Christmas towns in the country. There is the standard holiday fare: ice skating, holiday markets, Christmas lights, and heaps of festive dining. Escape the wintry chill and head for the Music Box Theatre to catch its double feature of It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Or, if you’re sufficiently wrapped up, take a stroll through the magnificent Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden (mulled wine in hand).
Where to Stay: In the heart of downtown right by Millennium Park Ice Rink, The Langham, Chicago is decked out in seasonal decor. Their holiday afternoon tea features themed sandwiches and treats, and the hotel even has a resident Santa Claus in its second-floor lobby for the little ones.
Helen, Georgia
This charming mountain village in northeast Georgia hits its stride during the holiday season. Its Bavarian-style buildings and abundance of twinkly lights make it feel like you’re inside a Hallmark movie, and events like Christmas markets and parades spread the cheer. When you’re not shopping for ceramics and handcrafted ornaments, swing by one of Helen’s several wineries for an atmospheric toast to the season.
Where to Stay: About 40 minutes southwest of Helen, Dahlonega Inn on Main offers a bed breakfast experience in a colonial inn that dates back to 1846. The town itself is also a holiday destination, with carriage rides and Christmas-themed afternoon teas.
Woodstock, Vermont
Blanketed with snow and bedecked in festive decor, Woodstock is a quintessential New England Christmas town. The landscape is encircled by dense forest and rolling hills and looks especially charming come winter as its residents decorate for the holidays. Travel back in time with a visit to the Billings Farm Museum where you can dip your own candles and make mince pies within a cheery farmhouse parlor dressed in Victorian-era decor. And don’t miss Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend complete with carriage rides, ornament making, an organ concert, an artisan and food market, and a magical horse parade.
Where to Stay: Twin Farms offers a powdery respite on 300 acres of Vermont countryside. During the winter, the property’s 28 cottages and suites serve as an elegant home base for days spent cross-country skiing and Christmas shopping in Woodstock.
Solvang, California
Founded by Danish immigrants in the early 20th century, Solvang is as storybook as they come. Naturally, the town shines extra brightly during the holidays, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony accompanied by ballerinas and carolers. The Julefest Parade is also a highlight, with parade floats that travel along the village streets. On other days of the week, visitors can peruse craft markets, go for a trolley tour, catch the nightly light music show, and swing by Santa’s Village for a photo with Mr. Claus.
Where to Stay: Alisal Ranch has been a luxury working ranch since 1946 and welcomes guests onto its expansive 10,500 acres. After an afternoon strolling Solvang’s Dutch-inspired bakeries and galleries, head back to Alisal for a hot chocolate by the campfire.
Leavenworth, Washington
With its Bavarian architecture and towering mountain peaks, Leavenworth resembles a European alpine village. This small town in the Cascade Mountains comes to life during the holidays with over half a million lights illuminated throughout the streets and festive programming. On any given day, visitors can enjoy live carolers, Santa costumes from around the world, a gingerbread house exhibition, and plenty of snacks and hot cocoa to go around.
Where to Stay: Posthotel occupies the riverfront in the heart of downtown Leavenworth and is distinguished by its alpine wellness traditions. The property is owned and run by a family that has resided in the area for five generations, lending the experience an intimate, in-the-know touch.
Newport, Rhode Island
This coastal town has long been admired for its Gilded Age mansions, scenic cliff walk, and maritime culture (it’s known as the sailing capital of the world, after all). And come Christmas, the entire town lights up as holiday cheer spreads across its cobblestone streets. There are countless activities to choose from, including holiday bubbly cruises, themed afternoon teas, nutcracker performances, an illuminated boat parade, and much more.
Where to Stay: Castle Hill Inn, a seaside Relax Chateaux haven, sits on an exclusive 40-acre peninsula and is made up of cottages, a historic mansion, and elegant harbor houses. The property goes all out for the holidays, including a handsomely dressed tree beside a roaring fireplace.
Seneca Falls, New York
If a screening of the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life is required viewing for you each holiday season, you might want to make your way to the town that likely inspired the film: New York’s Seneca Falls. The town is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes region and Christmas festivities here are centered around the film, from special presentations and parades to visits from original cast members.
Where to Stay: Inns of Aurora Resort Spa is an exquisite collection of historic homes that have been restored and brought together to form a 350-acre destination that’s ideal for a wintry holiday getaway.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There are few displays of nature more magnificent than the Grand Teton Range in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Come winter, the entire landscape is covered in powdery white snow and Christmas cheer can be felt from the tops of the ski slopes all the way down to the valley floor. Visitors can soak in the beautiful setting with a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the National Elk Refuge followed by a trot around the town square to enjoy freshly baked goods and hot cocoa beneath twinkling lights.
Where to Stay: In the wild foothills of the Grand Tetons, Amangani is a year-round resort that channels the Old West with its redwood and sandstone architecture, and mesmerizes thanks to its unobstructed views of the valley.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Famous for its summers—and underrated for its winters—the remote island of Nantucket is the perfect place for a Christmas-themed escape. Due to the Historic District Commission’s requirement of cedar shingles as the choice material for all buildings in town, the entire island feels plucked from a storybook and feels all the more romantic in winter if snow sweeps across the cobblestone streets and street lamps. Be sure to catch Nantucket’s annual Christmas Stroll complete with a tree lighting on Main Street, caroling, historic house tours, and plenty of food and shopping to fuel your yuletide cheer.
Where to Stay: Greydon House is located within a former sea captain’s house directly off the wharf in town. The Roman and Williams interiors are rich and a nod to the Old World, offering each stay a luxuriously nostalgic touch.
Park City, Utah
This breathtaking mountain town has long been a favorite amongst outdoor enthusiasts, especially in the winter when powdery snow transforms the landscape into a storybook setting. After a day on Park City’s world-renowned slopes, make your way to the historic downtown for an afternoon of cozy shopping. Festivities are held throughout the season and include everything from an electric parade and holiday sing-along to their ‘North Pole Express’ train ride (a 90-minute trip on the Heber Valley Railroad complete with live entertainment, hot cocoa, and cookies).
Where to Stay: The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection spans 4,000 private acres of rugged mountain wilderness, with 46 accommodation styles ranging from creekside houses to suites with living grass roofs and outdoor fireplaces.
Grapevine, Texas
Lovingly referred to as the ‘Christmas Capital of Texas’ this festive town (situated between Dallas and Fort Worth) features well-preserved 19th and 20th-century structures and several local wineries offering tastings and tours. During the holidays, Grapevine goes all out with over 1,400 events stretched out across 40 days. Go for a spin on the Peace Plaza ice rink, admire the floats and marching bands at the Parade of Lights, and catch a light show put on by the town’s fleet of 400 drones.
Where to Stay: Just 30 minutes southwest of Grapevine, the two Michelin key Bowie House, Auberge Collection is a design-led property that takes inspiration from its cowboy-friendly location (think: cowhide armchairs, elevated Texas cuisine, and over 400 pieces of artwork).
Middleburg, Virginia
About an hour west of Washington D.C. and planted in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, Middleburg oozes charm with its rolling countryside and historic roots. Come Christmas, the town pivots into celebration mode with its decor and festive programming (think: parades, progressive food and wine tastings, and tree lightings). And because this is an equestrian town, don’t miss out on unique events like the Hunt and Hounds Parade and atmospheric horse-drawn carriage rides.
Where to Stay: The Red Fox Inn Tavern has been a mainstay in the village since 1728, and is now made up of five restored historic houses, offering a total of 22 beautiful rooms, suites, and cottages.
Cape May, New Jersey
Victorian elegance meets the Atlantic coastline in Cape May, a National Historic Landmark City that hits its stride during the holidays. Visitors can stroll along Washington Street Mall to take in the Christmas cheer while picking up treats and gifts. One especially beloved tradition here is the candlelight house tour where visitors meander along gaslit lanes to explore historic churches, hotels, and inns to see how they’ve decorated their interiors for the holidays. (Cue the garland greens and twinkling lights!)
Where to Stay: Beach Plum Farm Cottages invites guests to its 62 acres of land, where one can enjoy a drink by the fire pits, take a tour of their working farm, or simply relax beside the glow of a tree in a private cottage.
Galena, Illinois
Perched along the Mississippi River in the northwest corner of Illinois, Galena is a quaint town with a lovely historic district. During the holidays, the streets are aglow with Christmas cheer and picturesque decor. From traditional tree lightings and firework shows to clever festivities like an ugly sweater food tour, there’s something cheery to do for everyone.
Where to Stay: Inn at Irish Hollow is a bed and breakfast set on a large working farm and is made up of a historic inn, cottages, and suites. The interiors channel rustic English countryside style with wood-burning stoves and stone fireplaces keeping guests extra cozy.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Offering a southwestern spin on holiday cheer, Santa Fe’s seasonal traditions are best experienced at the Canyon Road Farolito Walk. Here, visitors and locals alike stroll through the historic adobe neighborhood surrounded by hundreds of lanterns (farolitos) and pinion bonfires. The sound of holiday music fills the air and the road’s many galleries keep their doors open longer for Christmas Eve visitors. There’s also the Winter Spanish Market (Dec 7 and 8) offering handcrafted goods, accompanied by artist demonstrations and traditional New Mexican music and food.
Where to Stay: The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe delivers an enchanting atmosphere for a holiday getaway with its Kiva, piñon‑wood fireplaces, and handcrafted festive displays.
