The best Christmas towns in the USA are small places that go all in for the holidays: lights on every roof, Christmas markets, parades and Santa on the main street. They’re calmer than big-city Christmas and easy to walk in an evening.
These 8 are the best Christmas towns to visit this year, each with real holiday events and 2026 dates, from a Bavarian village in Washington to the town named Santa Claus in Indiana.
The best towns to visit for Christmas at a glance
| Town | Best for | 2026 dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leavenworth, WA | Snow and lights | Nov 27 – Dec 24 | Medium to high |
| Bethlehem, PA | Christmas market | Select weekends, Nov 13 – Dec 20 | Medium |
| Solvang, CA | Danish village, mild weather | Nov 27 – Jan 3, 2027 | Medium to high |
| McAdenville, NC | Free light drive | Dec 1 – 26 | Low |
| Frankenmuth, MI | Christmas shopping | Christmas store open year-round | Low to medium |
| St. Augustine, FL | Warm-weather lights | Nov 21 – Jan 18, 2027 | Medium to high |
| Natchitoches, LA | Riverfront lights | Late Nov – early Jan | Low to medium |
| Santa Claus, IN | Families with young kids | Year-round, busiest in December | Low to medium |
1. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains, about 2.5 hours from Seattle. During Village of Lights Christmastown, from November 27 to December 24, 2026, more than half a million lights cover the town, with music and a Christmas market on weekends. The lights stay on from 6 AM to 11 PM daily through February. Entry is free.
- What to do: walk Front Street at dusk, the Christmas market, sledding and snowshoeing when there’s snow
- Where to stay: downtown, within walking distance of Front Street
- Cost: Medium to high. December weekend rooms book out months ahead, so try a weekday
2. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 and has called itself Christmas City, USA, since 1937. Its Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks runs on long weekends: November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, then December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20, 2026.
- What to do: the Christkindlmarkt, a walking tour of the historic Moravian district, the lit star on South Mountain
- Where to stay: the historic downtown on Main Street
- Cost: Medium. The market charges admission
Bethlehem is about 1.5 hours from New York City and 1 hour from Philadelphia, so it works as a weekend trip.
3. Solvang, California
Solvang is a Danish-style village with windmills and half-timbered buildings in Santa Barbara wine country. Julefest runs from November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, with a light and music show in Solvang Park every hour from 5 to 9 PM, a tree lighting on December 4, and a parade on December 5. The weather is mild, so you won’t need a heavy coat.
- What to do: the nightly light show, Danish bakeries, the Wednesday night makers’ markets in December, a winery visit
- Where to stay: downtown Solvang, so everything is walkable
- Cost: Medium to high
Solvang is about a 2.5- to 3.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, depending on traffic.
4. McAdenville, North Carolina (Christmas Town USA)
McAdenville calls itself Christmas Town USA. From December 1 to 26, 2026, the small town lights up trees, homes and the lake from 5:30 to 10 PM every night, a tradition since 1956. It’s free to walk or drive through, and the Yule Log Parade rolls on December 10.
- What to do: walk the lit streets around the lake, drive the route at night, see the Yule Log Parade
- Where to stay: Charlotte, about 15 miles east, which has far more hotels
- Cost: Low. The lights are free
Traffic gets heavy on weekends, so go on a weeknight or arrive right at 5:30 PM.
5. Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is a Bavarian-style town about 1.5 hours north of Detroit. It’s home to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, which calls itself the world’s largest Christmas store and is open all year. In December, the town adds lights, carolers and German food on every corner.
- What to do: Bronner’s, a chicken dinner at 1 of the town’s famous family-style restaurants, the covered bridge over the Cass River
- Where to stay: in town, close to Main Street
- Cost: Low to medium
6. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US and the warmest town on this list. Nights of Lights covers the historic downtown with 3 million white lights from November 21, 2026, to January 18, 2027, starting with Light-Up Night on November 21. Highs are usually in the 60s and 70s.
- What to do: walk the lit streets, take a trolley or boat tour of the lights, visit the Castillo de San Marcos
- Where to stay: the historic district
- Cost: Medium to high
Want a Christmas trip without a coat? See our list of warm places to visit in December.
7. Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches, founded in 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Its Christmas Festival of Lights strings hundreds of thousands of lights along Cane River Lake, usually from late November into early January. The movie Steel Magnolias was filmed here.
- What to do: walk the riverfront lights, try a Natchitoches meat pie, tour the historic district
- Where to stay: a bed and breakfast in the historic district
- Cost: Low to medium
Check the festival’s official site for the 2026 dates and fireworks nights.
8. Santa Claus, Indiana
Yes, this town is really named Santa Claus. Every December, its post office handles letters to Santa from around the world, and the Santa Claus Museum & Village lets kids write their own. It’s the best pick on this list for young children.
- What to do: the Santa Claus Museum & Village, Santa’s Candy Castle, sending a postcard with the Santa Claus postmark
- Where to stay: a cabin or lodge near town
- Cost: Low to medium
The town’s big theme park, Holiday World, is closed in winter, so plan around the museum and village.
Tips for visiting Christmas towns
- Go on a weeknight. Small towns get crowded on December weekends, and parking runs out fast
- Book rooms early. Leavenworth, Solvang and St. Augustine fill up weeks ahead. If they’re full, stay in a nearby bigger town and drive in for the evening
- Arrive before dark. The lights usually come on around 5 PM, and the first hour is the calmest
- Start early. Leavenworth and St. Augustine switch on their lights on Thanksgiving weekend.
FAQ
Leavenworth, Washington, for snow and half a million lights. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, calls itself Christmas City, USA, and has 1 of the oldest Christmas markets in the country.
Leavenworth, McAdenville and St. Augustine all have free light displays. Bethlehem’s market charges admission.
Santa Claus, Indiana, with its Santa museum and letters to Santa. McAdenville’s free light drive also works well with young children.
St. Augustine, Florida, with highs in the 60s and 70s. Solvang, California, is mild too.
Final takeaway
Of all the Christmas towns to visit in the USA, Leavenworth is the 1 to pick for snow and lights.You can choose St. Augustine for a warm Christmas trip, or Santa Claus, Indiana, if you’re traveling with young kids. For more December ideas, see our list of the best places to travel in December.
Sources: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce · ArtsQuest: Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem · Visit Santa Barbara: Solvang Julefest · Town of McAdenville · Visit St. Augustine
