25 Best Christmas Towns in the USA

The excitement of putting up holiday decorations is unparalleled. Even in the midst of a blizzard, the sight of a town decorated with Christmas decorations, such as boughs of holly, may send a ray of warmth all the way down to your toes. There's always a good time to visit one of the best Christmas towns in the United States, whether you're coming home to see family and can't wait for the 25-foot tree to be lit up in the town square or you're traveling solo to a seasonal destination this year and are looking forward to being greeted with holiday cheer. That being said, we've compiled a list of the top 25 places to visit in the United States during the month of December that are perfect for celebrating the holidays with family and friends.

01 Aspen, Colorado

This town in the Rocky Mountains is known as one of the happiest in America because of its combination of high-end living and small-town character. Cooper Avenue is the place to be whether you're looking for a cookie swap, a s'mores roast, or to see Santa's little helpers, the elves. Also, when you're in town for the holidays, you shouldn't miss out on staying at one of the three most well-known hotels in the area. In addition to excellent Christmas meals at Ajax Tavern and The Little Nell's Element 47, the hotel's lobby is frequently visited by carolers at the Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection. Want to get a bird's-eye view of the holiday decor? Staying in one of W Aspen's sky homes is a great way to take in the town's festive decorations.

02  To be precise, Ogunquit, Maine

Vacation Town of the Year: Ogunquit, Maine

DEMONICA MEADOWS

Visitors to this Maine seaside town (formerly home to artists) may be drawn to for the summer, but the holidays bring the quiet of winter on the sand with just enough cheer to keep things lively. During the middle of December, locals and tourists alike celebrate Christmas by the Sea with activities like bonfires on the beach and visits from Santa. From Ogunquit, you can also easily reach two shopping areas for getting through your list: the Kittery Outlets and, an hour away, Freeport, where you can shop at the L.L. Bean Flagship store and pose with the famed huge boot. The gift boxes at the Harbor Candy Shop are especially charming during the holiday season, and the shop itself is a unique local find.

03 The Town of Vail, Colorado

Among the Top Holiday Destinations in the U.S.A., Vail, Colorado

Chris McKenna, Vail Resorts

Around the winter holidays, this Colorado paradise becomes a skier's paradise. In addition to the fresh powder and New Year's Eve celebrations, December is also known for the lighting of the town tree. Besides being one of the top Christmas towns in the United States, Vail is also well-known for its excellent coffee and drinks. If you're in town for the holidays, be sure to sample the coffee at Yeti's Grind and Loaded Joe's and the cocktails at Root & Flower. You might start off the New Year with a fancy meal at Flame, the fine dining restaurant at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, and then head over to The Sebastian - Vail, a Timbers Resort for some creative drinks. The Lodge at Vail, a RockResort, is the perfect place to call home after a day of adventure; it has a heated outdoor pool and beautiful fire pits, and is surrounded by the stunning Vail Valley.

04 Boston Harbor Island of Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket, Massachusetts, one of America's most festive communities

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM

This island community's holiday tradition began in the 1970s, when store owners started keeping their doors open later so that islanders wouldn't have to make the long trip to Cape Cod just to do their holiday shopping. You may enjoy wine tastings, ghost walks, and home tours in addition to shopping downtown among dozens of seven-foot decorated Christmas trees during the annual Christmas Stroll, which takes place on the first weekend of December. Pick up some gifts at Murray's Toggery Shop (the mothership for holiday-ready Nantucket reds) and Jessica Hicks, the boutique of a local jewelry designer. Visit the Whaling Museum, where 80 trees adorned by local artists, shopkeepers, and children can be admired.

05 Florida's Orlando

Harry Potter ChristmasCredit: Universal Orlando

WORLD FAMOUS ORLANDO

Take the family to the country's premier theme park destination for a holiday celebration they won't soon forget. The Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held on select nights between November 8 and December 22 at Disney World and features a fireworks show with a Christmas theme, as well as holiday decorations on iconic attractions like the Jungle Cruise and Space Mountain. Meanwhile, at Universal Studios, nothing beats The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during the holidays, when snow blankets the landscape and seasonal cheer fills the air. Also, winter is the perfect time for a mug of steaming butterbeer.

06 In the Colorado mountain town of Breckenridge

Breckenridge, Colorado, One of the Best Holiday Towns in the United States

To NATHAN BILOW

As the ski season kicks into full gear, Breckenridge comes alive for the holidays. This vacation spot truly walks the line between exciting and relaxing. During the month of December, activities abound, from the tree lighting to the Race of the Santas, a half-mile footrace where all runners must be costumed as Santa Claus. Visitors will also adore Breck's lovely après-ski establishments, such as Breckenridge Brewing's house-made brews and Base 9 Bar's martinis and flights of Colorado beers.

07 It's located in Lewisburg, West Virginia

Lewisburg, West Virginia, One of America's Most Festive Small Towns

This is AARON MAXWELL

The Greenbrier, a historic hotel in Lewisburg, West Virginia, serves as the region's unofficial holiday nerve center. The entrance of this 18th-century lodge is lavishly furnished. Once you leave the hotel, you'll find a tranquil town with low-key seasonal lighting and activities.

08 North Carolina's Beaufort 

The Holiday Season in Beaufort, North Carolina, One of America's Best Towns

The Tourism Authority of the Crystal Coast

This Outer Banks hamlet doesn't see true winter weather until January, so paddling a kayak or going on a boat tour down Taylor's Creek is usually still an excellent idea throughout the holiday season. One of the most popular holiday activities is the Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla, a boat parade adorned with Christmas lights that takes place on the first weekend of December.

09 Locale: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Carmel, California, is one of America's most festive seaside communities.

Pictures from my travels / ALAMY

Although the rocky coastline of this California hamlet doesn't see much in the way of winter weather, the occasional cold snaps only serve to heighten the allure of the nearby ocean and wine region. A large Christmas tree is illuminated at the intersection of Junipero and Ocean avenues, and early December is a good time to visit Carmel because it is less crowded and you can obtain a seat at popular restaurants like La Bicyclette and Flying Fish Grill without waiting too long.

10 Utah's Park City

Park City, Utah, Is One of the Best Holiday Destinations in the U.S.

Author: DAN CAMPBELL

During the winter holidays, this Utah mountain village becomes a veritable wattage powerhouse, both in terms of celebrity visitors and regular citizens. After Thanksgiving, Park City hosts its annual Electric Parade and lights its famous tree. The gingerbread display at Stein Eriksen Lodge is a holiday tradition that delights guests of all ages.

11 Florida's Santa Rosa Beach

Holiday Heaven: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

STOP BY SOUTH WALTON

This community in northwest Florida experiences its busiest time of year right around the holidays. It's a great spot to look for presents for everyone on your list. Shop for classic pearl jewelry at Shimmering Seas Jewelry and cook books fit for display at Kitchen Garden Books & Antiques while in Santa Rosa.

12 South Carolina's Myrtle Beach

The Best Holiday Destination in America Is... Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Thanks to Brookgreen Gardens!

Rates in this family-friendly town tend to drop in the late fall and early winter, but that doesn't mean it's deserted. The Festival of Trees at Ripley's Aquarium, which features themed trees for all 50 states, and the gleaming Christmas trees and 2,700 hand-lit candles at Brookgreen Gardens are two of the area's most popular attractions.

13 It's in New Mexico, near Santa Fe

Pueblo-style Christmas Farolito at the Loretto Hotel at Sunset

GETTY IMAGES/JEFF GREENBERG/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP

Uniqueness is nothing new in Santa Fe, and the city's Christmas customs only serve to reinforce this. The most beautiful is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, which puts a unique spin on traditional Christmas lights by stringing together hundreds of tiny lanterns to illuminate the neighborhood at night. Even though you associate Santa Fe with sandy dunes and pueblos, the Ski Santa Fe resort in the Rocky Mountains makes it possible to have a White Christmas in the city.

14 The City of Newport, Rhode Island

The City of Newport in Rhode Island

NEWPORT COUNTY'S CONSERVATION SOCIETY

If the idea of celebrating the holidays in a sea of flashing neon makes you queasy, you should visit this beautiful village in Rhode Island, where the use of solely white lights on homes and restaurants is encouraged. The Mansions of Newport Tour touches on the city's affluent past by taking visitors on a promenade through Gilded Age architectural landmarks like The Breakers, the Elms, and the Marbles, each of which has been exquisitely decorated with Christmas trees, beautiful china, and other finery. The best of Newport's eateries, like the French-inspired Bouchard Restaurant, are less crowded during the off season.

15 Location: Annapolis, Md.

Annapolis, Maryland, one of America's best holiday destinations

© D. ALAMY / TROZZO

Holidays in this military town on the Chesapeake Bay are full of pageantry and tailgating. At Christmastime, Annapolis is aglow with holiday lights, many of which may be seen strung along the waterfront and atop the city's many boats. Midnight Madness is a special time when businesses in downtown Annapolis stay open past midnight on select Thursdays in December.

16 Where: Paso Robles, CA

Paso Robles, California, One of America's Most Festive Small Towns

Photographs by CECILY RAY

In this hamlet on California's Central Coast, the color red, as in pinot noirs, cabernets, and syrahs, has supplanted the traditional Christmas green as the preferred hue for the season. Visit Parrish Family Vineyard, whose tasting facility is close to downtown's City Park, and enjoy low-key tastings, live music, and excellent gift options over the holiday season. About an hour away, you'll find Hearst Castle, which has been decorated for the holidays much as it may have been for former inhabitant William Randolph Hearst.

17 City of Healdsburg, California

On December17, 2012 in Healdsburg, California, a downtown residence was illuminated with holiday lights and decorated for the season.

Located in beautiful Sonoma County, the town of Healdsburg is renowned for its excellent dining options and wineries. Flowers Vineyards & Winery has great pinot noir, while Aperture Cellars has a gorgeous view year-round. Traveling to Napa? Pick up several bottles to take home from Faust. Enjoy the holiday spirit at Montage Healdsburg with its cozy fireplaces, lit-up trees, and other festive touches.

18 Location: Telluride, Colorado

Among the Top Holiday Destinations in the United States, Telluride, Colorado

TELLURIDE TOURISM BOARD/RYAN BONNEAU

Telluride is a town with a lot of character, and that character shines through in the fall. The town's annual tree lighting ceremony takes place beneath the Ski Tree, a structure fashioned from discarded skis, and is accompanied by a bonfire of similarly aged and damaged skis. Nightlife is always a highlight for visitors. You may go bar hopping from the Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection to the Historic Bar at the New Sheridan Hotel, which has remained almost unchanged when it first opened in 1895.

19 Located in the state of Washington, Leavenworth

At Yuletide Time in Leavenworth, Washington

Celebration of the holiday season in Leavenworth, Washington. Photos By: CONNIE COLEMAN / Getty Images

Leavenworth, Washington is an American town that seems more like a gateway to Germany than the center of the Washington Cascade Mountains. The town was designed to look like a quaint Bavarian village, and the adjacent mountains, which have the poetic moniker The Enchantments, add to the feeling that you may be in Europe for the holidays. Hundreds of thousands of lights are put up on the first of December, and every weekend leading up to Christmas is jam-packed with events like gingerbread house competitions and ornament giveaways.

20 New Hampshire's Portsmouth

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, One of the Best Holiday Destinations in the United States

CLEAR EYE PHOTO BY DAVID J. MURRAY

This New England beachfront village has been inhabited since the 1600s, making it one of the oldest in the region. During the month of December, visitors to the Strawbery Banke Museum can enjoy open-air skating at the Labrie Family Skate on Puddle Dock Pond and stroll the candle-box-lined walks to view festively decorated cottages from centuries past. Modern-day Portsmouth also boasts a major lure in the form of statewide tax-free shopping. Get your hands on as many vintage toys and children's books as you can while you're here.

21 Town of Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May, New Jersey, is one of America's most festive holiday destinations.

This Jersey Shore town has a distinct Victorian flavor, as seen by its charming architecture, and during the winter holidays it takes on an even more Dickensian air. The Washington Street Mall, an excellent area for strolling, is decked out in holiday greenery and lights. The Original Fudge Kitchen has wonderful gift boxes of fudge and saltwater taffy, perfect for the holiday season. Congress Hall's Grand Lawn, which is just across from the shore, is transformed into a coastal winter paradise filled with festive activities for children, so bring the family there!

22 The Unrest in Virginia's Charlottesville

Natasha Lawler's Lemon Wreath Adorns the Front Door of Her Charlottesville, Virginia, House for the Holidays.

SANTÉZ, HECTOR MANUEL

Charlottesville empties out during the winter break because students are either on break themselves or are busy studying for finals. However, it is still one of the best Christmas towns in the United States, and visitors may enjoy the annual Lighting of the Lawn at the University of Virginia or check out the amazing entries in the gingerbread display competition at the Ronald McDonald House.

23 Location: New Jersey's Atlantic City

Atlantic City, New Jersey, is one of America's most festive destinations.

HIPAA/PETER TOBIA

Even while a trip to a casino and boardwalk may not conjure up memories of plum puddings and carolers, visitors to Atlantic City enjoy the city's wild weekend vibe and vivid people-watching throughout the Christmas season. This year, The Quarter at Tropicana will host a Tree Lighting and Holiday Musical Light Show. You should also check out the Atlantic City Bazaar, which is being held in Stockton University's Noyes Arts Garage.

24. The Louisiana city of Natchitoches

Holiday Decorations in Natchitoches

This is ROBBIE CAPONETTO

You can locate one of the most festive places in Louisiana, just four hours north of New Orleans. One of the earliest communities in Louisiana, Natchitoches (pronounced as nack-a-tish) takes its name from the indigenous people who originally inhabited the area. Every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the city is filled with family-friendly events and spectacular light displays. The Cane River, however, will be illuminated with holiday cheer during the boat parade on the 10th of December.

25 Where to Find the Best of Laguna Beach

Top Holiday Destination in the United States: Laguna Beach, California

LAGUNA BEACH, MONTAGE

The moderate climate of this Orange County beach town means that snow on Christmas Day is a distant possibility. Instead of looking up at the sky for snowflakes, guests at the Montage Laguna Beach may keep their eyes on the water for migrating whales—or on the Christmas Champagne, spirits, and pastries available in the hotel's elegant restaurant. Sawdust Winter Fantasy, a five-weekend arts and crafts festival held in the gallery-lined town, gets people in the Christmas spirit.

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