10 Best Christmas Towns in America (2022)

The snow crunching underfoot, the window displays, the soft glow of lights, and, of course, the warm scent of cinnamon… I mean, who couldn’t love Christmas? Sorry, Grinch, but this is definitely the most beautiful time of the year. And these Christmas towns are packed with all the stuff we’ve come to associate with this lovely holiday season.

But what makes these places the absolute best? Whether they’ve got old-fashioned Victorian decorations, the best Christmassy light shows, or fun activities to do in the snow, these villages are the places to be if you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie.

Some of the Christmas towns on our list emanate an Old World vibe, with centuries-old traditions, German markets, or a focus on the history of Christmas; others have kitschy Christmas shops and even a huge Santa statue. And yes, many boast a lot of snow!

Without further ado, let’s see some of the best Christmas towns in America!

Leavenworth, Washington

This Bavarian-inspired town didn’t always have an Old-World vibe — it actually used to be more Old West. However, in the 1960s, after a long period of decline, its officials, inspired by the alpine landscape, planned a makeover.

Once the whole city got a new look, new festivals were created to attract visitors, and Leavenworth slowly turned into a must-see Christmas town. Its main event is open throughout December and features carolers, roasting chestnuts, holiday characters, and kid’s activities.

Charming musical performances and lit storefronts complete the classic Christmassy scene. You may even be inspired to make your own DIY Christmas decoration.

Cape May, New Jersey

While this Christmas town gets an average of 12 inches of snow per year, it’s still a great destination to visit in December. During the holiday season, the place boasts a Dickensian vibe thanks to its lovely buildings decked out with garlands and gaslights.

Take a trolley ride to enjoy the holiday lights, listen to Christmassy stories, and meet Mrs. Claus. Candlelight holiday house tours will take you inside Cape May’s historic inns and homes, and after this, you can visit a decorated “Winter Wonderwalk” at the Physick Estate, a truly Victorian house museum.

This charming Christmas town has a wide range of comfortable accommodations, from affordable B&Bs to seaside hotels like La Mer Beachfront Resort. Even during the winter months, the oceanfront location can’t be beat, with cozy, lovely rooms featuring a view to snuggle up after a day touring the area’s historic buildings.

Vail, Colorado

With its mountain villages blanketed in fresh snow, Colorado boasts plenty of options for Christmas, from Aspen and Telluride to Durango, Ouray, and Breckenridge. But our favorite ski town is definitely Vail, which provides plenty of events to celebrate the holiday season.

For instance, Vail Snow Days is a four-day event where you can enjoy live music. Other options would be the lantern walk and tree lighting — and of course, tons of snowy activities nearby including snowshoeing, skiing, outdoor ice skating, and even snowmobiling and dog sledding.

If you want to truly enjoy the whole vibe of this Christmas town, you should stay at the Sitzmark Lodge, a reasonably priced hotel located right in the center of Vail Village. There you can enjoy the year-round outdoor hot tub and heated pool after strolling through the pedestrian-only dining and shopping area, all dressed up for the holidays.

Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown, Kentucky, nicknamed “the most beautiful small town in the US”, gets into the holiday spirit with its Southern hospitality and vibe, making it one of the best Christmas towns in the whole country.

Light Up Bardstown kicks off the holiday season with the illumination of the town Christmas tree and Main Street, along with “Christmas Corner”, which has cookies, hot cocoa, balloons, and face painting for kids. If you get the chance to visit this small town, make sure you visit My Old Kentucky Home to see it decked out for the holidays.

This town also hosts a parade, a candlelit Christmas Tour of Homes, and a “North Pole Express” train ride. Are you a bourbon lover? You’d better join some of the seasonal events held at the area’s bourbon distilleries!

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Step right into a Norman Rockwell painting: the architecture of this New England small town is exactly as it was when the painter lived here, and as he illustrated it in his painting “Main Street at Christmas”.

Enjoy holiday decorations and shopping as you stroll through this Berkshires Christmas town. Other events include a holiday marketplace at the Berkshire Botanic Gardens and several outdoor light displays, such as NightWood at The Mount, the home of author Edith Wharton, and Winterlights at the historic home of Naumkeag.

Just a few miles up the road from this Christmas town is The Black Swan Lee, a lovely, affordable hotel located on the banks of Laurel Lake. Chill in the peaceful, snowy setting as you admire the view of October Mountain State Park, or take advantage of all the outdoor winter activities the place has to offer.

Keep reading to discover many other charming Christmas towns, including one where a Christmas movie was shot.

Ogden, Utah

You know a destination is Christmas-worthy when one of the most lovely Hallmark Christmas movies was shot there. My Christmas Love was partially filmed on Historic 25th Street, under the shadow of the breathtaking Wasatch Mountains. Truth be told, the view is totally mesmerizing.

But Ogden is also known for its Christmas village, which features tiny cottages fit for elves, built after Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. You can marvel at the holiday lights and displays of each tiny house as you stroll through the winter wonderland-like setting.

Twenty minutes from downtown, there are three ski resorts that get 400 inches of snow each year, where you can enjoy several outdoor winter activities.

Galena, Illinois

Galena is a Christmas town that has a lot to offer: 19th-century buildings, antique shops, and several B&Bs to choose from. This snow-covered farmland of northern Illinois gets all decked out in December, with charming Main Street becoming the most Christmassy thing you’ve ever seen.

The holiday season begins with “Holiday Fire in the Sky”, a lovely fireworks display over the Galena River. During the “Night of the Luminarios and Living Windows”, 5,000 candles are lit along sidewalks, streets, and stairs, while the storefronts provide marvelous window displays and offer extended hours.

If you’re into carols, you should visit the Grant Park gazebo where you’ll see (and hear) carolers singing “Deck the Halls”, “Joy to the Word” and so more.

This Christmas town has many well-appointed accommodations, but the Aldrich Guest House truly stands out. Its great location, just a few minutes away from Grant Park, as well as comfortable rooms and scrumptious breakfasts, make it worth every penny. Elegant yet simply adorned, it’s the ideal spot for a cozy holiday away from the city.

Valley Junction, Iowa

Valley Junction is another great Christmas town you may want to visit this year. Why? Well, one reason would be that this thriving, idyllic village of Valley Junction hosts one of the nicest of the state’s many small-town Christmas celebrations.

Jingle in the Junction is a holiday event you wouldn’t want to miss, which takes place on four Thursday evenings during the holiday season. Over 125,000 twinkling lights adorn the streets, and visitors can enjoy caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, and of course, Santa. Shop for gifts in the downtown’s 150 antique shops, unique stores, and other businesses.

Want a touch of upscale luxury? Try the historic Des Lux Hotel, located in the heart of Des Moines. With its affordable prices, along with whirlpool tubs and in-room fireplaces, you’ll want to spend more holidays in this Christmas town.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

This is definitely one of the best towns to spend your winter holiday in. And not just because this place is home to the world’s largest Christmas-themed store, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Also called “Little Bavaria”, Frankenmuth looks like you’ve stepped right into a fairy tale.

German-influenced architecture, 150 trees decked with white lights, horse-drawn carriages, all this stuff together creates a magical place. At the heart of it all is a 40-foot tree decorated in green and red lights — the Christmas light, of course — complete with a music and illumination show. Go ice skating, visit a local farm to see reindeer, or stroll around the traditional German Christkindlmarkt.

If you choose this Christmas town for your holiday, make sure to book a room at the German-inspired Bavarian Inn Lodge. This village’s signature hotel has been drawing visitors for decades, and for very good reasons: you’ll truly feel transported to Europe.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Complete with covered bridges and snowy settings, New Hampshire’s villages can give you the quintessential Christmas of your dreams.

The greatest of these Christmas towns, however, may be Portsmouth and its Vintage Christmas, which features a holiday light parade, a beautifully decked out Market Square, musical shows, and a gingerbread house decorating contest.

Not to mention the waterfront living history museum Strawberry Banke, where you can enjoy a candlelight stroll among outdoor ice-skating and decorated historic buildings.

The Hotel Portsmouth, located a short distance from the town’s holiday happenings, provides elegant yet affordable luxury in an 1881 Victorian mansion. Fireplaces as well as claw-foot tubs add to the cozy ambiance.

You may also enjoy reading: 9 Coolest Secret Locations in the United States.