In America, the long-awaited holiday season is fast approaching. In the weeks leading up to December 25, many cities and towns are transformed into Christmas magic, adorned with sparkling lights, beautifully decorated trees, skating rinks, and Christmas markets. Locals and tourists alike are tempted to share in the fun. Unfortunately, cold temperatures and snow are average. So bring a stole, hat, warm coat, and winter shoes. Here, we discuss 42 best places to visit in the USA during Christmas.
His average December low temperature in New York City, NY, is 0 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in Boston, Massachusetts, drops to -2 degrees Celsius. And, of course, don’t forget to bring a little Christmas spirit of your own. Here are four cities where you can enjoy a unique Christmas experience.
“Home for the Holidays” is a familiar refrain in December. However, Christmas time has become a popular travel time, with an increasing number of Americans and international travelers.
It’s easiest to take a vacation between Christmas and New Year. Work tends to be slow in the office because many people are on vacation. Also, many families were scattered across the country, so the Christmas holidays are fun. In some cases, it’s affordable to travel during Christmas.
Here are some of America’s most popular places to visit during Christmas. Some of these destinations are the usual suspects – New York City, Chicago – although others may surprise you. You can use this information to plan your Christmas trip or simply get into the Christmas and travel spirit.
1. New York (USA)
New York is the place to visit for Christmas in America. Starting with the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, the city will be bustling with Christmas decorations, including a tree with a height of about 15m decorated with about 30,000 lights in Bryant Park.
“Christmas Spectacular,” which is held for a limited time at Radio City, one of the largest theaters in the United States, also known for the Tony Award ceremony, is an event that you would like to see at least once.
Nearly 150 vendors open each year at Union Square Market’s “Holiday Market,” selling tree ornaments, Christmas gifts, pretzels, and sandwiches.
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn’s upscale residential neighborhood, each Christmas has its decorations. Tourists come from all over the world to see the rows of houses. One of the joys of decorating a home is seeing the owner’s tastes. Remember to visit quietly.
The festive atmosphere reaches its peak in New York City around Christmas time. The Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan is a great place to start your vacation. Stroll, rollerskate, and dine among Art Deco office buildings and sidewalks. This street is a delight to the eye, with spruce Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and decorations.
There is also a popular skating rink. Then, take the elevator up to his 70th floor at 30 Rockefeller Center to the Top of the Rock observation deck for stunning panoramic views of New York City. Look out for the Hanukkah or Christmas lights on the top floor of the Empire State Building. Or grab a cocktail at Bar SixtyFive in the Rainbow Room.
Leave Rockefeller Center behind and join a time-honored New York City tradition. That is, at New York City’s top department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys, and Macy’s for Christmas. Browse the beautifully decorated window displays.
Finally, remember to visit nearby Bryant Park. During the Christmas season, the park comes alive with a vast skating rink and more than 100 stalls selling crafts, artwork, and snacks.
2. New Orleans (USA)
New Orleans is lined with historic old buildings and remnants of former French and Spanish colonies, where different cultures mix and create a unique atmosphere. Unfortunately, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit directly, and New Orleans had a dangerous image due to the damage and subsequent deterioration of security. Still, it is gradually recovering and becoming a city that artists are paying attention to.
Jackson Square in New Orleans
In New Orleans, Christmas events are held in various places from November, and the town shines with Christmas lights.
Among them, the park in New Orleans, New Orleans City Park, is named “CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS” this time of year and is transformed into a Christmas color. In addition, many large oak trees are decorated as Christmas trees, and various illuminated monuments will make the holiday mood more exciting.
Food is unique in New Orleans. It would be nice to have a Christmas dish that is different from others.
3. Branson, Missouri (Nearby Hotels)
Known for the famous Ozark Mountain Christmas Festival, Branson celebrates Christmas in style. Here, you can experience month-long holiday festivities with live music, festive lights, and fun parades. This Midwestern city and country music capital offers drive-thru light displays and an illuminated nativity scene atop Mount Branson.
The Polar Express Train Ride on the Branson Scenic Railway is popular with families. In addition, the legendary Kings Castle presents holiday classics with talented singers and dancers.
4. Natchitoches, Louisiana (Nearby Hotels)
A small Louisiana town that knows how to celebrate Christmas the right way, Natchitoches has over 300,000 lights, and 100 set pieces downtown. Set along the banks of Cane River Lake, the city hosts a six-week-long Christmas festival that began in 1927. The festival passes through the historic district with a boat parade, fireworks, and a holiday market selling Nazitoches, meat pies, and romantic rides.
5. Santa Claus, Indiana (Nearby Hotels)
What better Christmas destination than the city called Santa Claus? With a population of about 2,500, it still needs to top the holiday season. A three-week festival takes place in this town. After roasting chestnuts over an open fire at Santa’s Candy Castle, visit the Santa Claus Arts & Crafts Show and check out the Santa Claus Christmas Parade.
There’s a Christmas store, a Christmas museum, a letter-to-Santa activity, and an LED light display that tells Rudolph’s story.
6. Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Nearby Hotels)
A small town in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lancaster boasts a festive atmosphere among Amish farms. Lancaster Central Market offers horse-drawn carriages, singing carolers, and gift shopping. Watch a tree lighting ceremony with tuba accompaniment, ride the Strasburg Railroad for cookies and milk, and watch “The Night Before Christmas” read by Victorian-dressed actors.
7. Fredericksburg, Texas (Nearby Hotels)
In the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg offers a taste of small-town Texas. Time-honored celebrations include carolers, parades, concerts, and the performance of the Nutcracker, so soak up the Christmas charm at one of the many holiday events held here.
Located west of Austin, this three-day festival welcomes out-of-state visitors who want to shop for gifts at over 150 boutiques, admire a 30-foot Christmas tree in the middle of the Marktplatz, and taste mulled wine.
8. Woodstock, Vermont (Nearby Hotels)
Woodstock Comes to Life with Spiked Churches, Covered Bridges, and Ice-skating Rinks Dotting Woodstock at Woodstock Wasser Weekend. Admire colonial New England architecture and beautiful river views, then enjoy village wagon and sleigh rides, holiday craft fairs, and performances by local theater and opera troupes.
Let the carolers take you to the snow-covered streets to watch decorated horses run around downtown with riders dressed in Victorian attire.
9. Leavenworth, Washington (Nearby Hotels)
Leavenworth’s beauty will amaze you as this Bavarian-inspired town sits in the middle of a fairytale, surrounded by the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. In a planned fairytale village with steep roofs and trees lit by half a million Christmas lights, you can skip a flight to Europe and enjoy sizzling sausages, mulled hot mulled wine, and roasted nuts. I can do it. Join the week-long Christkindlmarkt festival to see handbell concerts and outdoor trees on the ceiling.
10. Seaside, Florida (Nearby Hotels)
If you want to escape the Christmas chill, head to Florida Seaside for a coastal holiday celebration. Located on Florida’s Emerald Coast, Seaside is known for its fresh seafood, charming boutiques, and candy-colored homes. Winter offers a tranquil atmosphere with the Post Office and the iconic Coleman Beach Pavilion, enveloped in 4,500 lights.
Here, you can take scenic walks and drives, photograph palm trees adorned with twinkling lights, and participate in the city’s turn-of-the-century ceremonies during the annual parade of Claus and Christmas tree lights.
11. Solvang, California (Nearby Hotels)
A destination like Denmark, Solvang is a Danish village located in California. In this small town, about 150 boutiques selling Danish products such as clogs, quality toys, porcelain, and lace are decorated with traditional Christmas decorations.
After spending a few hours shopping for gifts, join us for our annual Julefest celebration. The whole family can get into the holiday spirit with parades of dancers, vintage car displays, and horse-drawn carriages. Also, take advantage of the Nativity Pageant that brings the Christmas story to life.
12. Frankenmuth, Michigan (Nearby Hotels)
Be mesmerized by the charm of Frankenmuth, Michigan. This small Bavarian town boasts a traditional Christkindmarkt in December. Experience whimsical light displays, tours of holiday-themed historic homes, and dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the popular Zender restaurant.
If you need to do some Christmas shopping, head to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas-themed wonderland with over 96,000 square feet of retail space packed with over 300 Christmas trees.
13. Chicago
The Windy City certainly has thriving weather conditions to offer a white Christmas – or an icy one. But in Chicago, see the millions of lights on the Magnificent Mile and enjoy the German in Chicago at the famous Kriskin Doll Markt, a German Christmas market filled with holiday crafts, traditional wooden toys, and more. German food and drink, including enjoying the culture.
Like New York City, Chicago has a Christmas tree, established in the Dairy Plaza, open to much fanfare each year. Also, check out the annual ‘Christmas Around the World’ exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry.
14. Colorado
A Christmastime ski vacation makes sense for many travelers because the snowy slopes and cozy chalets evoke a vacation spot. Colorado is one of the most popular places to go skiing in the United States, home to the chic resort towns of Aspen, Vail, and Steamboat Springs.
You can celebrate a Victorian Christmas at the ski resort of Breckenridge. Santa trackers also know that Colorado has a Noad, a government agency that tracks Santa’s gift course on Christmas Eve. Need help figuring out where to stay?
With our guide on saving money on ski trips, you can find family-friendly ski deals and discounts on where to stay. Or have a city Christmas in Denver, see the zoo lights at the Denver Zoo, let the kids ride the holiday carousel, and have high tea at the Brown Palace.
15. Florida
Florida is the obvious choice for vacation. Most states are still warm and sunny in December, ideal for those who want a white Christmas made of sand rather than snow. Christmas travelers to Florida want to visit Walt Disney World in addition to beach destinations. Walt Disney World is decked out in true Disney style. Take the kids to Mickey’s Merry Christmas party or watch the candlelit procession at Epcot.
Also, check out Christmas in Miami. In Miami, it has a Latin flavor. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, you can find boat parades and festive light displays in many cities across the state, including St. Augustine’s Night of Lights.
Another great reason to visit Florida for Christmas is that the small town of Christmas near Orlando has become a favorite place to postmark holiday mail.
16. Alaska
To head to Alaska for the holidays, you have to commit to the idea of a cold white Christmas. But for some people, Alaska is the North Pole. In fact, since 1952, thousands of children who have written to Santa with Christmas wishes have sent letters to Santa Claus House at the North Pole, Alaska (near Fairbanks).
Of course, Santa Claus House also writes letters to children, but it’s a fascinating prospect for children who are moved by St. Nick’s story. In addition, wintertime is prime time for catching Alaska’s Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
Alaska has many Christmas festivals and events, including Christmas-themed ice sculptures. Adventurous types can even try dog sledding. Indeed, if you can handle the cold and snow, Alaska offers a picture-perfect place to spend Christmas.
17. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace features a giant Christmas tree and a free sound and light show with more than 350,000 LED lights. Boston is an ideal starting point for your vacation. Walk the cobblestone streets and listen to the chime of bells and Christmas carols. Quincy Market serves chowder and hot drinks to warm you up.
Here are a few restaurants and his ten or so grocery stores. Finally, visit Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. There is a beautiful Christmas tree and an ice skating rink surrounded by twinkling lights.
18. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is known as the “City of Brotherly Love” all year round, but it’s especially true during Christmas. First, head to the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. This seasonal park overlooks the Delaware River and features an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, fire pits, a sparkling Christmas tree, and chalet-style lodges selling drinks and food, including hot apple cider.
Next, head to Macy’s historic Wanamaker Building. Dating back to the 1950s, Macy’s Christmas Light Show uses more than 100,000 LED lights. The show runs every 2 hours every day, starting the 4th Thursday in November after Thanksgiving.
19. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth’s historic New England seaside city is perfect for celebrating a nostalgic American Christmas. Horse-drawn carriages come and go along the street, lined with red brick buildings on both sides. The Music Hall hosts a variety of performances for the Christmas season. The oval Puddle Duck Pond is popular for ice skating.
And at the Strawbery Banke Museum, a 4-hectare (4-hectare) re-creation of life in those days, candlelight Strolls take you through the grounds and old folk houses. This reenactments old Christmas traditions by relatives dressed in period costumes.
20. Durham, North Carolina
Another great place to enjoy the holidays is Durham, North Carolina, which offers plenty of Southern charm every Christmas season. Enjoy a candlelit Christmas at the Duke Homestead, a National Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, while costumed guides lead visitors through ornate light displays and late 1800s decorations. Another Christmas tradition – now going on for over 40 years – is Ella David Wood III’s comedy musical “A Christmas Carol” at the Durham Performing Arts Centre.
21. Fort Worth, Texas
It may not look like a Currier & Ives winter landscape, but Christmas in Texas still has a unique aesthetic and feel. During December, you can experience the only Drive Thru Light Park in Texas as the Texas Motor Speedway is transformed into a celebration of the Gift of Lights. The holiday event features 1.5 miles of more than 500 dazzling displays and 2 million twinkling lights leading to Santa’s Village.
22. Omaha, Nebraska
Looking for a Christmas experience that will take you around the world? Head to Omaha, Nebraska, where tourists flock from all over the United States to enjoy festivals and events inspired by countries like Germany, Greece, Mexico, and Ireland.
For example, the German American Association hosts a Christmas dinner and program featuring schnitzel, lederhosen, and traditional song and dance. In contrast, St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church hosts a “Greek Christmas” event featuring classic dishes, pastries, live music, and folk dancing.
23. St. Paul, Minnesota
From late November to mid-December, São Paulo’s European Christmas Market is inspired by the open-air German and Austrian Christkindlmarkts during Advent. You’ll find handmade gifts and decorations from local vendors and enjoy traditional European food and drink at this Christmas market and others in the area.
24. Kansas City, Missouri
In Kansas City, Missouri, Christmas celebrations begin before Thanksgiving. The season kicks off with three main events over three days: Christmas in the Sky at Longview Lake Beach, Plaza Lighting Ceremony, and Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Crown Center.
The lighting ceremony, a Kansas City tradition since the 1800s, features a 100-foot-tall fir adorned with ornaments made from wood from last year’s tree. The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ceremony commemorates Mayor George Shelley, who served from 1878 to 1879. Mayor Shelley is known for buying Christmas trees and preparing meals for the poor with his own money.
25. Scottsdale, Arizona
In Arizona’s arid desert landscape, Christmas takes on a distinctly Southwestern feel. Outside Scottsdale, you won’t find fir trees adorned with red and green ornaments. But you’ll find the world’s largest — and possibly only — tumbleweed Christmas tree and lighting ceremony.
You can even go ice skating at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which has top-of-the-line Christmas decorations and lights, and you can even get snow at night as you glide across the ice.
26. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan, has some of the best Christmas markets and villages in the city’s heart. Inside Cadillac Square, enjoy a traditional holiday market in the comfort of its own: Each of the 20 vendors has its own see-through, heated booth that resembles an igloo. Meanwhile, you can enjoy pop-up Cadillac huts at the Downtown Detroit Christmas Market, with roaring fireplaces, games, ski lodge-themed rides, gourmet snacks, and festive cocktails.
27. Baltimore, MD
Baltimore lets visitors walk through the real-life “Miracle on 34th Street.” In the 1990s, 34th Street resident Bob Hosier decorated his home with Christmas lights. His neighbors followed suit; today, the small Baltimore neighborhood is fully decked out with decorations and lights in a holiday display that draws visitors across the United States.
28. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
With its deep German heritage, Milwaukee considers St. Nick’s Day the true start of the holiday. The children woke up on the morning of December 6th to find their stockings stuffed with small presents and treats. However, if you like something less mundane, you might enjoy the city’s festivities on Brady Street on December 23rd. You can celebrate with a beer run and wrestling match, with the lucky winner going home with their own Festivus pole.
29. San Antonio, Texas
Like many others near the Texas-Mexico border, San Antonio’s Christmas traditions are steeped in Latin American and Hispanic culture. San Antonio offers the Vagabond Vargas Extravaganza, the largest vagabond festival in the United States. The event is held annually at the Lila Cockrell Theater and features artists worldwide.
30. Tulsa, OK
The Tulsa Lantern Festival of Lights, held annually in downtown Xixi Festival Park, is a traditional Christmas celebration around traditional Chinese festivals. Every December, the park transforms into a display of magnificent Chinese lanterns of all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes, including a 400-foot dragon lantern and a giant panda bear lantern. Tursanites and tourists can also enjoy traditional Chinese food, acrobatic performances, children’s activities, and live music performances.
31. New Orleans, Louisiana
Like Mardi Gras and Carnival, Christmas in New Orleans is full of solemnity and tradition. Many city center restaurants offer Reveillon (“awakening”) dinners, including prix-fixe menus and traditional Christmas dishes. The annual event was started by 19th-century French colonists, whose families fasted all day to prepare for Christmas Eve’s midnight mass before returning home for a big, over-the-top feast.
Another Christmas Eve tradition is the Bonfires on the Levees, 30-foot-tall bonfires that line the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. The flames are kept up throughout the night in celebration of Santa Claus – or Papa Noel as he is known here – coming to town.
32. Indianapolis
Locals and visitors can enjoy various light shows throughout Indianapolis during the holidays. Winterlights in Newfields offers a dazzling array of choreographed lights that you can enjoy walking the garden paths while sipping a cup of cocoa or stop by the Indiana Historical Society to catch a glimpse of 80 at the organization’s annual Tree Festival evergreen trees with different decorations.
Instead of watching the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racing fans can enjoy a two-mile drive along the track, check out more than 2.5 million twinkling lights — and enjoy a chance to drive through the famous Yard of the Brickyard Bricks when lit up.
33. Phoenix, Arizona
In December, Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden lights up Las Noches de Las Luminarias with more than 8,000 light bags and thousands of twinkling white lights. It wasn’t your typical light show: This year’s installation, “Electric Desert” from Klip Collective, brought the garden’s palms and cacti to life as colored lights moved, danced, and pulsated in harmony with original music.
Families will also enjoy “Holidays at the Heard,” a half-mile nature trail walk at the Heard Museum, complete with lights and decorations (and a few dinosaurs!).
34. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis’ festive light displays run amok, most notably in the lobby of the famous Peabody Hotel, the “Starry Night” trail at Shelby Farm Park, and the “Zoo Lights” at the Memphis Zoo. However, the city loves the holidays so much that the Graceland Christmas event starts even before Thanksgiving.
This year’s televised house lighting ceremony at Graceland took place on November 15 and featured country music stars Scotty McCreery and Marty Stuart.
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35. Sacramento, California
At the Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, the Global Winter Wonderland lets visitors “travel the world in a day.” There, you’ll find the first and largest Lantern Festival outside of China, world-class entertainment from cultures around the world, carnival rides, a meet and greet with Santa, and international cuisine.
36. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh takes Christmas seriously, hosting the annual “Christmas on Salem Street” event in the city’s historic district, which includes tree lighting, the arrival of Mrs. and Mrs. Claus in a carriage, cookie decorating, Christmas carols, and a parade.
Visitors can also stop at the Angus Barn for a meal against jaw-dropping Christmas decorations. As part of the holiday tradition, the elves who frequent the festival distribute free hand-decorated gingerbread cookies along with the Christmas cheer.
37. Nashville, Tennessee
Christmas in Nashville can only be discussed by mentioning the Gaylord Opryland Resort and its month-long country Christmas celebration. The resort is filled with lavish holiday displays and decorations, more than 3 million twinkling lights, a Dr. Seuss-themed stage show, a Nutcracker playground made of ice, and an indoor rink for skating and tubing.
But, for a different vibe, hop on a Redneck Christmas Lights Adventure for two tours on the Redneck Comedy Bus, including eggnog and singing. It’s BYOB, so fill up a cooler with your adult beverage and climb aboard.
38. Louisville, Kentucky
The Giant Cavern in Louisville—originally a limestone quarry where miners worked—is a large cavern created by the world’s largest indoor bike park that also offers a zip line and ropes course. Around Christmas, the caverns are transformed with a drive-thru light display called “Louisville Lights.” With more than 3 million lights and 85 displays along 17 miles of underground passages, it is the world’s largest fully underground light show.
39. Jacksonville, FL
In the Sunshine State, where temperatures average in the 60s, some Floridians celebrated Christmas at Jacksonville Beach with the state’s biggest light show. Instead, in the halls of the December Deck, locals’ “deck chairs” cover American Red Cross lifeguards alongside elaborate festive displays and led beach chairs.
40. Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, you can enjoy a lutefisk dinner on Christmas Day, a popular event in and around the Twin Cities. These dinners started as part of Nordic holiday traditions but are now a key part of the standard Minnesota Christmas meal.
For the uninitiated, Lutefisk — “lye fish” — is a dried white fish that turns gelatinous after being soaked in a mixture of water and lye for a week. This dish is usually served with boiled potatoes, green beans, melted butter and bacon, horseradish, or cheese.
41. Charlotte, North Carolina
In downtown Charlotte, you can visit a German-style holiday market that turns a local park into an idyllic Christmas village. Wander from shop to shop, searching for handmade crafts and toys while enjoying live German music and performances and sampling pies, sausages, roasted nuts, and mulled wine.
42. Cleveland, Ohio
Christmas in Cleveland wouldn’t be complete without a performance of the holiday classic Black Christmas by Cleveland’s very own Langston Hughes. The dramatic version retells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ to music and dance in a black church.
