Best Christmas Towns:

Top 152 Christmas Towns in the USA

best christmas towns in the USA

It’s the most beautiful time of the year, and to celebrate the season, we have ranked the best Christmas towns in the USA.

Our list of Christmas towns will get you in the holiday spirit. With the best light displays, markets, and festivals – these towns are worth a spot on your Christmas bucket list.

We compared 152 well-known Christmas towns on 21 key metrics. We looked into festive activities, weather, dining, hotels, transport, and other joyful Christmas break indicators.

Check out our ranking below, followed by some highlights and an overview of the top Christmas towns.

Whether you travel this Christmas, have a safe journey, and follow CDC guidelines and state and local recommendations.

Map of the Best Christmas Towns

Full Data Set: 152 Christmas Towns in the USA

A List of the Best Christmas Towns

Overall Rank (1 = Best) City State Total Score 'Christmas Activites' Rank 'Weather' Rank 'Transport Rank 'Lodging' Rank 'Food' Rank
1 Helen Georgia 85 2 9 24 8 4
2 Blue Ridge Georgia 82 6 12 6 31 8
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea California 77 10 37 26 24 6
4 Leavenworth Washington 76 12 31 12 17 44
5 New Hope Pennsylvania 76 8 24 25 41 29
6 Pine Mountain Georgia 74 7 11 90 15 7
7 Ligonier Pennsylvania 74 9 97 23 47 10
8 Jacksonville Oregon 73 49 25 28 10 9
9 Gatlinburg Tennessee 71 14 30 69 26 12
10 McAdenville North Carolina 71 1 17 58 143 3
11 Dahlonega Georgia 71 24 10 41 37 46
12 Bernville Pennsylvania 71 3 130 40 110 1
13 Valley Junction Iowa 70 47 142 11 1 26
14 Breckenridge Colorado 70 18 126 17 52 22
15 Williamsburg Virginia 69 36 90 45 12 20
16 Ogunquit Maine 68 63 53 29 16 19
17 Lake Geneva Wisconsin 67 27 140 15 33 39
18 Hershey Pennsylvania 67 31 48 34 28 57
19 Galena Illinois 67 16 107 78 6 32
20 Solvang California 65 35 41 66 19 50
21 Shepherdstown West Virginia 64 11 49 137 22 11
22 Virginia City Nevada 64 5 91 129 29 15
23 Pigeon Forge Tennessee 64 26 39 99 34 30
24 Wrightsville Beach North Carolina 64 15 34 134 18 25
25 Eureka Springs Arkansas 64 90 52 37 2 17
26 Angel Fire New Mexico 64 33 82 76 72 2
27 Hayward Wisconsin 64 21 118 74 25 40
28 Kennebunkport Maine 63 41 22 63 54 51
29 Garrison North Dakota 63 43 152 64 4 18
30 Sun Valley Idaho 63 38 114 32 66 35
31 Lewisburg West Virginia 63 28 36 109 9 69
32 Boothbay Maine 63 97 42 16 14 27
33 Fernandina Beach Florida 61 52 35 55 39 87
34 Lancaster Pennsylvania 61 50 57 54 27 85
35 Nantucket Massachusetts 61 30 18 71 86 72
36 Darby Montana 59 62 99 110 5 13
37 Winters California 59 20 54 46 82 112
38 Denton North Carolina 59 92 27 5 124 5
39 Atchison Kansas 59 64 141 4 59 62
40 St. Augustine Florida 59 42 88 117 11 42
41 Alexandria Virginia 59 76 43 1 71 114
42 Frankenmuth Michigan 58 25 122 133 3 56
43 Milton Delaware 58 13 102 113 76 47
44 Mammoth Lakes California 58 53 147 21 62 65
45 Jackson Wyoming 57 84 69 7 53 75
46 Park City Utah 57 44 146 47 48 74
47 Newport Rhode Island 57 37 21 120 58 59
48 Bardstown Kentucky 56 54 61 89 30 76
49 Lindsborg Kansas 56 32 86 57 114 73
50 Naples Florida 56 61 89 91 50 36
51 Princeton New Jersey 56 51 81 13 135 86
52 Key West Florida 56 88 76 38 42 53
53 Annapolis Maryland 55 48 139 35 83 78
54 Moultrie Georgia 55 67 85 61 56 54
55 Whitefish Montana 55 75 93 10 61 90
56 Cape May New Jersey 55 79 8 3 104 110
57 Andalusia Alabama 55 46 66 122 40 55
58 Portsmouth New Hampshire 55 39 71 93 57 94
59 Vail Colorado 54 22 119 136 45 68
60 Sulphur Oklahoma 53 45 70 77 81 101
61 Greenwich Connecticut 53 65 5 30 137 106
62 Rogers Arkansas 53 101 7 27 73 93
63 Branson Missouri 52 82 59 56 21 107
64 Wakeeney Kansas 52 60 100 150 7 43
65 Bethlehem Pennsylvania 52 66 58 79 78 71
66 Bigfork Montana 52 69 96 124 38 21
67 Fredericksburg Texas 52 58 94 80 64 92
68 Port Jefferson New York 52 23 32 94 148 67
69 Wyoming Iowa 51 4 113 149 149 24
70 Rock HIll South Carolina 51 85 14 42 63 115
71 Stowe Vermont 51 40 135 112 69 58
72 Sierra Madre California 51 34 84 111 145 23
73 Big Spring Texas 51 98 121 51 32 66
74 North Pole Alaska 50 71 112 125 13 52
75 Rhinebeck New York 50 19 45 141 122 79
76 Ann Arbor Michigan 50 87 133 19 88 83
77 Essex Connecticut 49 100 6 85 121 14
78 Mystic Connecticut 49 104 4 121 43 38
79 Canton Mississippi 49 105 40 98 20 61
80 Santa Fe New Mexico 49 114 104 9 79 84
81 Dyker Heights New York 48 59 109 108 117 49
82 Franklin Tennessee 48 81 47 43 100 116
83 Sewanee Tennessee 48 112 13 33 147 34
84 Grapevine Texas 48 73 120 96 46 82
85 Gadsden Alabama 48 93 23 48 102 104
86 Oxford Mississippi 48 80 44 86 92 77
87 Manchester Vermont 47 68 51 59 109 134
88 Santa Claus Indiana 47 17 125 152 140 41
89 Cape Cod Massachusetts 47 78 63 97 80 81
90 Woodstock Vermont 46 29 116 73 152 91
91 Beaufort North Carolina 46 96 38 49 129 95
92 Beaver Creek Ohio 46 83 87 70 127 63
93 Thomasville Georgia 46 110 78 44 91 88
94 Delray Beach Florida 45 74 46 106 103 96
95 Washington DC District of Columbia 45 91 65 60 74 123
96 Lahaska Pennsylvania 44 107 28 104 119 33
97 Coeur d'Alene Idaho 44 102 75 105 65 64
98 Prescott Arizona 44 70 83 131 44 102
99 Minden Nebraska 44 57 145 139 115 31
100 Seneca Falls New York 44 55 103 138 123 60
101 Denver Colorado 43 120 127 2 99 133
102 Durango Colorado 43 136 50 31 94 100
103 Snowmass Colorado 43 111 62 146 55 28
104 Charlottesville Virginia 42 108 64 22 112 138
105 Natchitoches Louisiana 42 94 92 107 60 99
106 Sheridan Wyoming 42 135 144 36 36 105
107 Greenville South Carolina 42 137 15 14 101 142
108 Cedarburg Wisconsin 41 117 124 67 95 80
109 Stillwater Minnesota 41 56 137 116 108 118
110 Corning New York 41 86 68 62 128 135
111 Las Vegas Nevada 40 127 131 20 131 98
112 Newport Beach California 40 77 95 135 116 70
113 Cambridge Ohio 39 103 128 50 105 129
114 Fairbanks Alaska 39 123 111 115 23 97
115 Aspen Colorado 39 106 149 126 67 45
116 Columbia South Carolina 39 131 19 52 106 137
117 Asheville North Carolina 39 116 29 101 87 121
118 Stockbridge Massachusetts 38 122 143 151 51 16
119 Ogden Utah 38 99 117 83 126 103
120 New York City New York 38 139 33 18 133 146
121 Red Wing Minnesota 37 72 150 103 93 131
122 Seaside Florida 37 138 2 88 151 37
123 New Castle Delaware 37 118 72 53 125 139
124 Bowling Green Kentucky 37 109 101 95 70 128
125 La Jolla California 37 129 60 142 96 48
126 Orlando Florida 36 134 80 39 130 130
127 Taos New Mexico 36 89 138 148 75 89
128 New Orleans Louisiana 35 140 134 8 132 141
129 Philadelphia Pennsylvania 34 115 67 102 107 136
130 Oklahoma City Oklahoma 34 150 98 72 77 124
131 Duluth Minnesota 34 121 115 118 68 119
132 Myrtle Beach South Carolina 34 124 20 145 84 117
133 Frederick Maryland 33 95 26 127 97 151
134 Fargo North Dakota 33 125 108 147 35 120
135 San Diego California 33 130 55 81 139 132
136 Nashville Tennessee 31 133 77 68 138 144
137 Seattle Washington 31 119 129 132 98 108
138 Santa Rosa Beach Florida 30 152 1 84 150 109
139 Charleston South Carolina 30 128 3 100 146 150
140 Sioux Falls South Dakota 30 145 105 140 49 125
141 Chicago Illionois 30 126 106 123 118 111
142 St. Louis Missouri 29 148 74 75 111 147
143 Mobile Alabama 29 141 16 143 90 140
144 Honolulu Hawaii 27 144 73 87 136 148
145 Austin Texas 27 147 79 82 144 143
146 Rapid City South Dakota 27 142 148 128 85 113
147 St. Paul Minnesota 26 113 132 130 141 127
148 San Antonio Texas 26 143 110 144 89 122
149 Grand Rapids Michigan 26 132 136 114 134 126
150 Salt Lake City Utah 26 149 151 65 113 145
151 Cleveland Ohio 26 146 123 92 120 149
152 Boston Massachusetts 20 151 56 119 142 152

Highlights

chistmas town markets lights

Most Christmas Activities

  1. McAdenville, North Carolina
  2. Helen, Georgia
  3. Bernville, Pennsylvania
  4. Wyoming, Iowa
  5. Virginia City, Nevada
christmas cookies gingerbread men

Best for Food

  1. Bernville, Pennsylvania
  2. Angel Fire, New Mexico
  3. McAdenville, North Carolina
  4. Helen, Georgia
  5. Denton, North Carolina
christmas snow raindeer

Best Weather Forecast

  1. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
  2. Seaside, Florida
  3. Charleston, South Carolina
  4. Mystic, Connecticut
  5. Greenwich Connecticut
christmas time town lights

Best for Transport

  1. Alexandria, Virginia
  2. Denver, Colorado
  3. Cape May, New Jersey
  4. Atchinson, Kansas
  5. Denton, North Carolina

Best Lodging

  1. Valley Junction, Iowa
  2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
  3. Frankenmuth, Michigan
  4. Garrison, North Dakota
  5. Darby, Montana

Top 25 Christmas Towns in the USA

Best Christmas Villages: Where to Go to Celebrate Christmas!

1. Helen, Georgia

helen georgia christmas

You might not expect to find an Alpine village along Georgia’s Chattahoochee River banks. But, Helen, once a logging town located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, reinvented itself long ago as a Bavarian town.

In December, you can come to the town to enjoy wreaths and artist-decorated holiday trees at an auction at the Festival of Trees. Kinderfest, the Christkindlmarkt, and a tree lighting in tiny downtown Helen. Learn more about Christmas in Helen here.

helen georgia christmas tree
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 85
  • Christmas Events: 640
  • Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 0.6%

2. Blue Ridge, Georgia

blue ridge scenic railway santa express
If you’re looking for bona fide Southern charm, come to Blue Ridge. You can enjoy a train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus – hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s Santa Express. Hear a Christmas story, sing Christmas carols, meet Christmas characters and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Your family can enjoy all that and more in this northern Georgia town.
blue ridge georgia best christmas towns
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 82
  • Christmas Events: 580
  • Christmas Temperature: 46°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 23.1%

3. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

carmel by the sea christmas town

This gorgeous coastal town is a European-style village with a west coast vibe. The downtown historic district has fabulous boutiques, art galleries, clothing stores, foodie shops, bakeries, and excellent restaurants.


The town comes to life during the holidays with entertainment, musical performances, and celebrations like the annual Christmas tree lighting along Ocean Avenue. Enjoy pretty Christmas lights, dozens of wine tastings, and beach sunsets. There may not be snow, but we don’t think your family will be complaining. You can check the events calendar here.

carmel by the sea christmas market
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 77
  • Christmas Events: 380
  • Christmas Temperature: 53.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 0.0%

4. Leavenworth, Washington

leavenworth washington village of lights

This Bavarian village gives off an Alpine holiday air on any day of the year. But during snowy December, you can find 21 miles of lights along with the homes and fences. There is a Christmas lighting festival, handbell concerts, a lively Christlkindmarkt, harp music, and a weekly festival with carolers, Gluhwein, and sledding gathered around the town’s tree.

leavenworth washington christmas
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 76
  • Christmas Events: 160
  • Christmas Temperature: 29°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 31.9%

5. New Hope, Pennsylvania

new hope pennsylvania north pole express train

This lovely East Coast locale is a great place to spend Christmas. But, of course, you’re also bound to have a “white Christmas” if you do. In New Hope, you can find the North Pole Express, where you will enjoy Christmas carols, hot cocoa, cookies, and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

peddlers village holiday lights new hope pa
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 76
  • Christmas Events: 1540
  • Christmas Temperature: 38°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 32%

6. Pine Mountain, Georgia

callaway fantasty in lights
In the small town of the Pine Mountains, you can find Christmas at Callaway. Callaway Gardens hosts the ultimate Christmas extravaganza. Here you can make merry in the Christmas Village, meet holiday characters and ride through the illuminated forest. Expect to find a sweater-swathed crowd enjoying musical concerts.
callaway fantasy in lights georgia
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 74
  • Christmas Events: 480
  • Christmas Temperature: 52°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 3.3%

7. Ligonier, Pennsylvania

ligonier pa christmas town

If you want a snowy Christmas getaway, visit Ligonier in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. Bring your kids to see Santa. You can shop at the Ligonier Country Christmas Market and enjoy the quaint town’s decorations.

You can experience Overly’s Country Christmas, a pop-up Christmas village with old-fashioned traditions and eats. Sing carols, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh and marvel at the lights.

ligonier pennsylvania christmas town
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 74
  • Christmas Events: 280
  • Christmas Temperature: 38 °F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 24.2%

8. Jacksonville, Oregon

jacksonville oregon victorian christmas

The gold rush town of Jacksonville enjoys the holiday season with a Victorian Christmas celebration. In December, Jacksonville’s National Historic District has greenery and twinkling lights. There are strolling carolers in vintage costumes singing songs while you can make your way among boutiques and antique shops.


Take in the seasonal beauty with Jolly Holly Trolley rides and complimentary hot cider. There are also holiday tours of the 1873 Beekman House, home of a wealthy pioneer family. In addition, there are tastings in the many wineries of southern Oregon’s wine country.

jacksonville oregon christmas town
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 73
  • Christmas Events: 14
  • Christmas Temperature: 39°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 4.3%

9. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

gatlinburg tn christmas

In Gatlinburg, you can enjoy a Great Smoky Mountain Christmas at the gateway to the famous peaks’ national park. Spend your days skiing and cuddling up in a cozy cabin. Then, explore the Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main street, where Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales costumed characters and performers tell stories while playing an eclectic Appalachia, Bluegrass, and Country music.


You can also take the Trolley Ride of Lights to enjoy illuminations throughout the city and stop by the Great Smoky Christmas Arts and Crafts show for unique gifts. Find more here about celebrating Christmas in the Smoky Mountains.

gatlinburg tn winterfest
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 71
  • Christmas Events: 200
  • Christmas Temperature: 45.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 4.3%

10. McAdenville, North Carolina

mcadenville nc christmas town usa

This town might be called McAdenville, but it is known to the locals as Christmas Town, the USA. For the past 63 years, the Charlotte suburb has put on an impressive holiday display.


Here you can find 265 evergreen trees covered in 500,000 lights. There are also more than 160 decorated houses throughout the town. The best part about all of this is that you can view everything for free.

mcadenville nc lake lights christmas
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 71
  • Christmas Events: 420
  • Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 2.3%

11. Dahlonega, Georgia

dahlonega georgia christmas town

Southerners from far and wide like to visit Dahlonega during Christmas. This North Georgia town is covered in twinkling lights and overrun with rambling horse-drawn carriages, a month-long celebration featuring everything from a hometown parade to charming tree lighting.

dahlonega georgia old fashioned christmas
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 71
  • Christmas Events: 600
  • Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 0.9%

12. Bernville, Pennsylvania

bernville pa koziars christmas village
In 1948, William M. Koziar started decorating his home in Bernville for the viewing pleasure of his family. Now, Koziar’s Christmas Village is one of the main attractions in the state of Pennsylvania and boasts both indoor and outdoor displays.
bernville pa koziars christmas village barn
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 71
  • Christmas Events: 980
  • Christmas Temperature: 38.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 5.1%

13. Valley Junction, Iowa

valley junction iowa christmas lights

In Valley Junction, you can enjoy one of the best small-town Christmases that Iowa can offer. For three Thursday evenings during the season, the historic railroad in the town in the West Des Moines area celebrates with a Jingle in the Junction.

The streets have over 150,000 twinkle lights. In addition, you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa, and caroling. There are also 150 unique stores, antique shops, and businesses downtown for some holiday shopping.

valley junction jingle in the junction west des moines
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 70
  • Christmas Events: 60
  • Christmas Temperature: 33°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 43%

14. Breckenridge, Colorado

breckenridge colorado christmas

This renowned ski town transforms into a beautiful Victorian-style Christmas town during the holidays. The season begins with the Lighting of Breckenridge on the first weekend in December. Throughout the holidays, you can enjoy carriage rides, shopping, and the opportunity to feel like you’ve stepped into an old-fashioned holiday painting.

brekenridge colorado lighting of breckenridge
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 70
  • Christmas Events: 340
  • Christmas Temperature: 19°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 35.1%

15. Williamsburg, Virginia

Want to celebrate the holidays with the Madisons and the Jeffersons? Colonial holiday traditions like caroling by torchlight, fife and drum performances and interpretive programs set the stage for Christmas in charming Williamsburg.


The activities culminate in a Grand Illumination, celebratory fires works, and a historic gun-salute display, best viewed from the town green. For those less historic-minded, the nearby Busch Gardens opens for the holiday season with a Christmas Town where you can take a stroll through European holiday traditions.

  • Christmas Town Index Score: 69
  • Christmas Events: 260
  • Christmas Temperature: 46.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 1.2%

16. Ogunquit, Maine

ogunquit maine christmas by the sea

The quiet fishing village of Ogunquit becomes lively during the holidays with its annual Christmas by the Sea festival. The downtown boutiques are festive, and residents head to the beach to celebrate with a polar bear plunge, bonfire, caroling, and fireworks at Perkins Cove.


All visitors should sample the chowder at the Taste the Season event in true Maine fashion. You can also enjoy wagon rides, tree lighting, musical performances, and a pajama party.

ogunquit maine december christmas by the sea
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 68
  • Christmas Temperature: 33°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 10.2%

17. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

lake geneva wisconsin christmas lights

Lake Geneva is popular with people from Wisconsin and Illinois during the summer months, but Christmas is also a great time to go there. Visit the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, where you can find lights, music, daily holiday teas, and gingerbread houses. 

The Christmas celebrations in Lake Geneva go on until the end of December. Restaurants offer holiday specials, and there are shops to find the perfect gifts for the holidays.

lake geneva wisconsin grand geneva lights
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 67
  • Christmas Events: 660
  • Christmas Temperature: 32°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 29.9%

18. Hershey, Pennsylvania

There’s no better way to celebrate Christmas than with a lot of chocolate. The whole family will enjoy spending the holidays at Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane. Here you can enjoy holiday rides, visit Santa and his reindeer and take in more than 5 million lights decorating the fun-filled chocolate theme park.
hershey pa christmas holidays
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 67
  • Christmas Events: 980
  • Christmas Temperature: 37.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 5.1%

19. Galena, Illionois

galena illinois christmas snow

Galena is a slice of pure Americana, particularly around the Christmas season. Here you can find an idyllic, garland-lined Maine Street and charming bed and breakfasts. The season starts with a tree-lighting ceremony (Nov. 28th).


The tree-lighting ceremony is followed by the Festival of Trees on the 4th and 5th December, showcasing displays of one-of-a-kind holiday trees, wreaths, and other items created by local artists and organizations. You can check the Galena events calendar here.

galena illionois christmas lights
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 67
  • Christmas Events: 160
  • Christmas Temperature: 30.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 19.9%

20. Solvang, California

solvang ca julefest celebrations

You might not be able to go to London or Munich this winter, but you can still get that European feel in Solvang. A group of Danes founded this small city in California’s Santa Ynez Valley in the early 1900s. They built this charming Danish community, now famous for its Danish businesses and European architecture.


Solvang usually hosts Julefest each holiday season, complete with festive events and decor. You can check the city’s website for updates about the celebrations this year. In addition, you can stay in one of the city’s gorgeous boutique hotels, like the Landsby or the newly opened Winston.

solvang california danish village christmas
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 65
  • Christmas Events: 100
  • Christmas Temperature: 52°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 0%

21. Shepherdstown, West Virginia

shepherdstown west virginia christmas

Shepherdstown transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. You can experience the past and present during their Christmas in Historic Shepherdstown. There is also a Holiday Handmade Market held at the War Memorial Building on the weekends starting after Thanksgiving and through the 20th of December.


Expect some Civil War history, carriage rides, Christmas caroling around the community, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a big parade. The town is full of festive decorations and a touch of holiday magic.

  • Christmas Town Index Score: 64
  • Christmas Events: 940
  • Christmas Temperature: 39°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 42.1%

22. Virginia City, Nevada

virginia city nevada christmas on the comstock

The Old West mining town of Virginia City encourages you to return to frontier times with a month-long Christmas on the Comstock Victorian-inspired celebration. Stroll through the decorated history downtown, watch the parade and take your kids to see Father Christmas.


Adults can partake in the “Grinch Made Me Do It” saloon crawl. There’s also seasonal entertainment at Piper’s Opera House, including the Comstock Cowboys’ Christmas in the Sierra and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

virginia city nevada forever christmas
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 64
  • Christmas Events: 80
  • Christmas Temperature: 32.5°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 13.4%

23. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

pigeon forge tn the inn at christmas place

Pigeon Forge is the perfect backdrop to a Tennessee holiday at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. The town is decorated with 5 million lights to create a winter wonderland. You can see the lights by driving around or taking a ride in the town trolley.


If you like southern hospitality and great food, there are many restaurants. In addition, the town has lots of outlets and souvenir shops to buy holiday gifts. There are also many hotels within walking distance of dinner shows and attractions. And if you’re looking to stay with a big group, you can invite your entire family to stay in a chalet in the snow-covered mountains.


At the annual Christmas parade, Santa shares the spotlight with the famous singer and actress Dolly Parton. You can visit her Christmas-themed Dixie Stampede dinner show or have fun at her theme park, Dollywood. It has over 4 million lights, Christmas decorations, food, music, plays, and the opportunity for kids to visit Santa. You can find a guide to Pigeon Forge at Christmas here.

pigeon forge tennessee winterfest
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 64
  • Christmas Events: 180
  • Christmas Temperature: 46°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 2.6%

24. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

wrightsville beach north carolina annual holiday flotilla

Wrightsville Beach hosts a North Carolina Holiday Flotilla where you can drop your anchor at a boat-filled parade on the water that culminates in a spectacular fireworks show. The flotilla lights up the night, and at weekends there is a tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, and a family-friendly festival with food and music.

wrightsville beach nc christmas celebrations
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 64
  • Christmas Events: 160
  • Christmas Temperature: 51°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 1.3%

25. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

eureka springs arkansas christmas santa

The Eureka Springs Christmas parade is held annually on the 4th of December. The entire town transforms into a Victorian Christmas village with a hint of new-school festiveness.


It is the best time of year to enjoy the town’s award-winning fudge, candy, and sweets. Eureka Springs is also a great place to go holiday window-shopping and buy holiday gifts for loved ones and friends. Find more about Christmas in Eureka Springs here.

eureka springs arkansas christmas lights
  • Christmas Town Index Score: 64
  • Christmas Temperature: 40°F
  • Chances of a White Christmas: 7.1%

Methodology

Metric Weighting Min. Value Max. Value Best
Christmas Activities
Christmas Events per 1,000 Residents 3 0 1600 Max. Value
Shopping Centers and Department Stores per 1,000 Residents 2 0 1000 Max. Value
Parks per 1,000 Residents 2 0 96 Max. Value
Concerts and Shows per 1,000 Residents 2 0 439 Max. Value
Churches and Cathedrals per 1,000 Residents 2 0 79 Max. Value
Weather Forecast
Difference Between Forecasted and Normal Temperatures on Christmas Day 1 .5 °F 73.94 °F Min. Value
Difference Between Forecasted and Normal Precipitation on Christmas Day 2 .28 inches 4.8 inches Min. Value
Transport
Per-Kilometer Taxi Rate 1 $0.99 $3.73 Min. Value
Walk Score 3 0 98 Max. Value
Bike Score 1 9 95 Max. Value
Transit Score 1 0 100 Max. Value
Lodging
Highly Rated Hotels 2 0 305 Max. Value
Average Daily AirBnb rate 1 $86.94 $1760.88 Min. Value
Food
Restaurants per 1,000 Residents 2 4 15526 Max. Value
Bars per 1,000 Residents 2 1 230 Max. Value
Cafes per 1,000 Residents 2 1 1686 Max. Value
Bakeries per 1,000 Residents 2 0 546 Max. Value
Average Price of Restaurant Meal 1 $6.00 $30.00 Min. Value
Average Price of Beer at a Restaurant 1 $3.00 $10.00 Min. Value
Average Price of a Hot Chocolate 1 $3.00 $7.00 Min. Value
Average Price of a Bottle of Wine 1 $5.00 $18.00 Min. Value

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