12 Destinations for a Magical Christmas Experience in the US

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit the United States; you’ll always find something going on. However, the Christmas period is arguably the most magical time to visit the country. America has everything from the bright lights of New York and ice skating in Park City to winter landscapes in Fairbanks and a fairy-tale Christmas experience in North Pole.

As such, deciding where to spend Christmas in the United States is challenging. Luckily, we’re here to help. To show you what’s on offer, we’ve compiled a list of 12 destinations for Christmas experiences in the US. We selected these entries based on an entertaining Christmas atmosphere and many things to do.

Table of Contents

North Pole, Alaska

The most obvious place to start our list is with North Pole, a small Alaskan city near Fairbanks. Even though the actual North Pole is over 1,700 miles (2,736 kilometers) north of the city, this Alaskan city is famed for its snowy winter landscapes. However, the biggest draw to the town is its year-long Christmas cheer.

The self-proclaimed “official” home of St. Nick, North Pole, features year-round Christmas decorations and a world-famous Santa Claus House. Unsurprisingly, this makes it one of the best places in the world to spend Christmas. At North Pole, get lost among candy cane-lined streets, meet Santa Claus, shop until your heart’s content, and witness the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Like New York, the festive season sees New Orleans turn into a winter wonderland filled with bright lights, Christmas decorations, themed events, and festive cheer. In addition to the city’s streets being adored with festive attire, there are many things to see and do at Christmas, including LUNA Fête, where the city is brought to life with lights, art, and animated graphics.

Meanwhile, City Park has become a hub for Christmas activities, with the Celebration in the Oaks festival. This festival sees the park come to life with arts and crafts stalls, food and drink vendors, decorations, and Christmas entertainment. You don’t want to miss the lighting of the bonfires along the banks of the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve, either.

Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport, Maine, is a US city that often goes unnoticed by travelers seeking a magical Christmas experience in America. This is a great shame because the city has much to offer, especially if you’re looking for Christmas celebrations unlike anywhere else. This quaint New England city explodes with holiday cheer during the Christmas Prelude every December.

The two-week annual festival is about as Christmassy as it gets. You’ll witness towering Christmas trees being turned on, appearances from Santa Claus himself, parades, street parties, and so much more. A key highlight is the revealing of the city’s iconic lobster trap Christmas tree. Oh, and there’s the annual Christmas-themed pooch parade that sees local pooches dressed in adorable Christmas garments.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas’ modern metropolis and cultural hub, proves that we don’t need freezing temperatures and snow-lined streets to enjoy a memorable Christmas experience. In fact, the holiday celebrations in the city put many wintery Christmas destinations to shame. In late November and December, you’ll find Christmas-themed activities and events across the city. Texas’ most famous holiday attraction is the Holiday at the Arboretum.

During the festive period, Dallas Arboretum comes to life with a Christmas Village, the 12 Days of Christmas exhibit, movie nights, and Christmas markets. Better yet, the Arboretum is lit up by over 500,000 lights. Meanwhile, Galleria Dallas is decorated with the world’s largest indoor Christmas tree, which you can ice skate around. What’s not to like?

Alexandria, Virginia

The next Christmas destination on our list is Alexandria, Virginia. Located approximately 20 minutes south of Washington, D.C., this charming city is an excellent place to spend Christmas if you want a more relaxed experience. While the city offers much to see and do, you won’t be met with as large crowds.

Around Christmas, Alexandria’s Old Town and its centuries-old brick streets are even more beautiful than usual. Adorned with Christmas wreaths, lights, and occasionally snow, the row houses look extra beautiful. Across the city, you’ll also find many Christmas-themed events, such as the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. On Christmas Eve, you might even spot a water-skiing Santa on the Potomac River.

Woodstock, Vermont

U.S. Destinations for a Magical Winter Getaway Woodstock — © kirkikis / Adobe Stock

As far as picturesque Christmas destinations go, they don’t get much better than Woodstock, Vermont. This gorgeous town in Shenandoah County is renowned for its lush natural surroundings, historic homes, and vibrant atmosphere. In December, it is the perfect setting for a Christmas getaway.

The streets are lit up with festive lights. Christmas markets line the city. Delicious festive-themed cuisine is served in many bars and restaurants, and the beautiful natural surroundings are kissed by snow. You can also expect Christmas carnivals, parades, and Santa Claus visits. Of course, you can also visit the city’s best tourist attractions, including Woodstock Brewhouse, Muse Vineyards, Mowery Orchard LLC, and Woodstock Museum.

Leavenworth, Washington

Save this

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

If you’ve always dreamt of spending Christmas in the German Alps but don’t have the funds to get there, make your way to Leavenworth, Washington, instead. Leavenworth is a tiny but spectacular town in the Cascade Mountains famed for its Bavarian roots. At every corner of the town, you’ll discover Bavarian-style buildings, people dressed in Bavarian costumes, and German beer.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options here

Not to mention, the scenery surrounding the town gives the German Alps a run for their money. At Christmas, this lovely town offers visitors festive cheer in abundance. We all know how good Germany is at hosting Christmas celebrations, so you can expect great things, including bright lights, Christmas markets, games, shows, and much more. Leavenworth’s Village of Lights opens on November 29th.

Taos, New Mexico

Tucked away in New Mexico’s high desert and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is perhaps the most surprising addition to this list. However, it would be unfair not to include the town because its residents offer visitors a wonderful Christmas experience. This quaint town comes to life every Christmas with festive cheer and celebration.

As you walk through the streets, you’ll witness holiday traditions, Christmas light displays, arts and crafts stalls, public caroling, and much more. In typical Christmas fashion, Taos has an annual Christmas tree light switch on, Christmas markets, and festive events. Popular events you don’t want to miss include the Festival of Trees, the Lighting of Ledoux, and Taos Folk.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey, a small yet iconic town east of Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania state capital, is famous worldwide for chocolate. The Hershey Chocolate Company put the city on the map, and most people visit the city to indulge in one of America’s finest chocolates. Dubbed the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth,’ this makes it one of the best places in the United States to spend Christmas.

Unsurprisingly, the Hershey Company hosts several town-wide festive events and celebrations in December, including Christmas shows, light displays, and family-friendly activities. Impressively, more than five million Christmas lights are used to light up the town. Children can also meet Santa Claus and his reindeer and ride one of many holiday rides and coasters.

New York City, New York

New York City is an exhilarating place to visit year-round, but many people love it most at Christmas when the city bursts with festive cheer and Christmas-related activities. Around Christmas, the city’s lively streets come to life with Christmas shoppers seeking last-minute surprises for their friends and families.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options here

Expect mesmerizing shop window displays, sparkling Christmas trees, beautiful Christmas markets, and countless winter-themed activities. When you’re not sipping mulled wine or tucking into sweet treats at the Christmas markets, admire the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree, ice skate in Central Park, shop in the House of Holiday, and visit the city’s most famous attractions, such as the Empire State Building.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The penultimate Christmas destination on our list is also in Pennsylvania. Bethlehem, yes, you read that right; a city in Pennsylvania called Bethlehem knows how to embrace and celebrate Christmas. The city becomes a winter wonderland in December with German-inspired Christmas villages, traditional Christmas markets, and magical Christmas lights.

If you’re lucky, the city’s streets might even be covered in snow. At Christmas, significant points of interest in Bethlehem include the Christkindlmarkt, the Live Advent Calendar, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The city is also a fantastic place to pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts for your friends and family. Besides the Christmas market, you’ll find many bookstores, outlet stores, and malls.

Park City, Utah

If you’d prefer to spend your Christmas participating in exhilarating winter activities, visit Park City, a scenic city in Utah loved by outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort, you can spend your Christmas holidays racing snowmobiles, dog sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and more. Sounds pretty epic, right?

This former Olympic city also offers much to families at Christmas, including ice skating, tubing, and a mountain coaster. Alternatively, you can take life slower by exploring the city’s vibrant Christmas market instead. Park City Museum, City Park, and Main Street all come to life with festive activities, lights, and Christmas trees. Don’t miss the annual tree lighting ceremony and fireworks during your visit.