12 US Christmas Towns That Bring Holiday Movies to Life

The holidays are approaching fast, and you know what that means. It’s time to book your tickets to some of the best Christmas towns in the United States.

Cities like New York and Chicago may be full of non-stop fun during the holidays, but the US small towns are where the season’s at its best. These destinations will capture your heart, from beautiful mountain towns to charming coastal villages.

If you love good vibes, holiday events, and enough holiday cheer to last a lifetime, these towns should be on your holiday travel list for this year. Below are the 12 best Christmas towns in the US.

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North Pole, Alaska

Yes, there’s a town in the US called North Pole, and it loves to party during the holidays. It was founded in the 1950s just outside of Fairbanks and named North Pole to attract toy manufacturers.

Although the toy companies never came, the town kept its Christmassy spirit. Since then, every day in North Pole has been Christmas, but when the holiday season arrives, the entire town goes into overdrive.

The season’s highlight is the Winterfest & Holiday Bazaar. During this huge celebration, you’ll get to enjoy parades, light shows, ice sculptures, live music, and the annual coronation of the North Pole King & Queen.

Solvang, California

This tiny town in the middle of Santa Barbara County’s wine country was founded by a group of Danes who moved west for a fresh start. With them, they brought Danish traditions and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

Fast-forward a century, and Solvang is one of the US’s most popular destinations during the holidays. You’ll see endless candy stores and bakeries, holiday shops, and antique markets. Plus, the entire downtown is decorated to look like it’s straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen story.

The season is celebrated in the annual Julefest. There’s a Santa’s Village event, corralling, and enough tinsel and Christmas lights to cover Los Angeles. Oh, and did we mention the Danish waffles?

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Deep in the mountains of northern Arkansas, Hot Springs is a nature-lover’s paradise. It’s also one of the most festive towns in the US come Christmas.

You’ll see some of the brightest Christmas lights spectacles in the country. There are cozy cafes, cute shops, and all the charming Americana you could imagine. Plus, the town puts on nightly events for the whole family including live music and holiday performances.

The town throws a massive Christmas parade, where Christmas dreams come alive. There’s also the Garvan Woodland Garden, a Christmas lights event featuring an entire forest of tunnels, light shows, and lit-up Christmas trees.

Pella, Iowa

Dutch immigrants founded the small Midwestern town of Pella in 1847. Since then, it has become one of the region’s most popular small-town destinations for holiday visitors.

Downtown, you’ll see a giant windmill and Dutch-inspired architecture covered in lights and snow. The entire town comes alive for the holidays with caroling and special holiday markets like the annual Kerstmarket.

Downtown, you can enjoy live holiday musical performances at the Pella Opera House. Or, check out the Christmas Tour of Homes event, which takes you to the town’s best holiday light displays.

Galena, Illinois

For a Hallmark movie setting this Christmas, head to Galena. As soon as December arrives, the town receives mountains of snow, and locals decorate the entire town with a beautiful array of Christmas lights.

The entire downtown transforms into a show of lights and animations for the Night of the Luminaria and Living Windows. You can walk through town and enjoy this holiday spectacle. Then, pop into one of the town’s popular bars or restaurants for a holiday-inspired meal.

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Throughout the season, Galena puts on events, including caroling, fireworks, live music, and, of course, an ugly sweater food tour. If you’re looking for the ultimate in small-town celebrations this holiday season, Galena should be at the top of your list.

Lewes, Delaware

The town of Lewes is at the entrance to Delaware Bay. This seaside community is famous for its nautical history and epic Christmas celebrations.

Every December, the town lights up in a sea of Christmas lights. During the Lewes Christmas Parade, classic cars and festive floats parade downtown. The festivities carry on through the day with live music and special activities for the entire family.

In addition to the parade and lights, the town is full of charming shops and restaurants. There’s also the Holiday Village Market, where you can find all kinds of homemade gifts, decorations, and holiday-inspired food and drinks.

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Kennebunkport, Maine

Lobster anyone? In Kennebunkport, you’ll be dining on some of the best seafood in the country while ringing in the holidays.

Kennebunkport features an annual Christmas Prelude celebration. You’ll enjoy trolley tours, boat rides, caroling, and plenty of live entertainment.

Homes and businesses cover themselves in bright holiday lights and decorations. This being Maine, there’s even a Christmas tree made entirely of lobster traps. For a quirky nautical Christmas with plenty of holiday cheer, you’ll love visiting Kennebunkport during the holidays.

Santa Claus, Indiana

Any town named Santa Claus must be ideal during holiday celebrations. In this tiny town, you’ll find streets like Blitzen Boulevard and Sleigh Bell Road. You’ll also find plenty of fun to keep you busy during the season.

Santa Claus is famous for the Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a summer waterpark that transforms into a magical winter wonderland. The park and downtown businesses put on a holiday show to remember.

You’ll experience Santa Villages, parades, and plenty of live events. The entire town transforms into a colorful light show, with trees and homes decorated to the max.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

People in Michigan call Frankenmuth Little Bavaria. Once you arrive, you’ll see why. During the holidays, the town turns into one of the country’s most popular festive destinations.

Frankenmuth is also home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. At its center is the giant Christmas market and downtown’s German-inspired architecture. You’ll get to sample homemade German cuisine, including pretzels, sausages, and traditional hot drinks like mulled wine.

During the annual Christmas in Frankenmuth festival, you can experience tons of live music, light tours, and special events. There’s even a Christmas tree show and giant ice skating rink where you can make your greatest small-town Hallmark Christmas dreams come true.

Frederick, Maryland

Just over an hour northwest of Washington D.C., Frederick stands out as one of the best places to spend the holidays in the US. You’ll find tons of holiday lights, cheer, parades, attractions, and events to keep you busy as the snow falls.

First, head to the canal to enjoy the annual Sailing Through the Winter Solstice, which lasts through the season. Then, head downtown to catch the town’s famous Christmas market. For live music, the Frosty Friday event is full of music, food, and endless fun.

Then, don’t miss the “Frederick During the Holidays” art show. This live art event showcases local artists and has fun entertainment, food, and good vibes. The season’s highlight is the Kris Kringle Procession holiday parade, where giant floats and characters march downtown for the entire family to enjoy.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Every year, runners from around the Breckenridge region put on Santa outfits and brave the cold for the Lighting of Breckenridge and Race of the Santas. During the event, hundreds of Santas race through town, and spectators enjoy live music and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Another holiday festival in Breckenridge is the annual Ullr Fest. This Viking-inspired Nordic holiday fest is full of parades, live music, and fun antics. There’s also plenty of mead to celebrate with.

Throughout the festive season, downtown Breckenridge is covered in beautiful lights. You’ll get to shop and dine in the town’s charming locally-owned shops or ride on a traditional sleigh ride through the snowy trails while eating cookies and sipping on schnapps.

Natchitoches, Louisiana

12 Christmas Cities in the US New Orleans, Louisiana — © Kit Leong / Adobe Stock

The small community of Natchitoches may be famous for its gators and southern charm, but when Christmas approaches, it lights up like Rudolf in the bayou.

You’ll experience one of the country’s best holiday light shows. Hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights adorn the town’s homes and businesses for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights.

Throughout the season, you can enjoy fireworks, parades, caroling, and holiday-themed events with plenty of amazing food. At night, the town’s shops and restaurants put on special events and deals so you can shop till you drop. Even though you won’t see much snow, nothing beats Christmas in Natchitoches.