Discover the best Christmas vacations across the USA. Plan a festive getaway filled with lights, markets, and holiday magic.
It’s that magical time of the year accross America when the holidays arrive in a blaze of sparkle, with cities from shore to shore lighting up in full yuletide splendor for a season that feels unforgettable. In New York City, the iconic Rockettes take the stage for their landmark 100th anniversary, while far to the northwest, Fairbanks, Alaska welcomes the return of “light” with a dazzling burst of fireworks against the winter sky. Between them lies a tapestry of Christmas markets, Menorah lightings, and celebrations that make this season feel truly enchanted.
“The holiday season in the United States is celebrated in countless ways, shaped by the traditions of communities across the country,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “From cold, snowy celebrations in the north to festive gatherings on warm southern shores, the range of experiences available—often just a short journey apart—is something few destinations can offer. We invite visitors to experience it for themselves and discover how the holidays come to life in meaningful and unexpected ways, wherever they choose to explore.”
East Coast Holiday Happenings
In Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the season unfolds with two beautiful menorah lightings honoring Hanukkah. At Station Plaza in Suburban Square, the community gathers on the Lawn for a traditional lighting ceremony, complete with hot apple cider, dreidel-making, crafts, and plenty of festive cheer. A short distance away, the Lansdale Menorah Lighting at Railroad Plaza brightens December 26 with joyful music, hands-on activities, doughnuts, and steaming hot chocolate—an inviting way to celebrate the final night of Hanukkah with all ages.
Hanukkah in Washington, DC begins with a glittering moment: the lighting of the world’s largest menorah on the White House Ellipse. Visitors can savor latkes and doughnuts, pick up menorah kits and dreidels, and watch a new candle glow each night of the eight-day celebration.
Just south of the capital, Alexandria, Virginia ushers in the season with its beloved 54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on the first Saturday of December. Tartan-clad marchers, drumlines, and the wail of bagpipes fill the streets of Old Town in a nod to the city’s Scottish heritage. The festivities flow seamlessly into the 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, where a shimmering procession of decorated vessels turns the Potomac River into a dazzling, once-a-year spectacle.
In Massachusetts, the nostalgic Christmas Stroll on Nantucket unfolds December 5–7, transforming the island’s historic downtown into a postcard-perfect winter scene. Cobblestone streets glow under twinkling lights, storefronts are dressed in elaborate holiday décor, and hundreds of seven-foot trees—each lovingly decorated by locals—turn the town into a storybook holiday village.
America’s most beloved holiday production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® in New York City, returns to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall® from November 6, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Tickets for the 2025 Christmas Spectacular—set during the Rockettes’ milestone 100th anniversary—are on sale now.
From November 23 through December 28, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) presents an intimate, atmospheric staging of the timeless holiday classic, A Christmas Carol—a perfect seasonal outing in the heart of Lower Manhattan.
The 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina, is back beginning November 17, when gingerbread artists from across the country compete for the sweetest showdown of the season. This year’s event is extra special, marking a heartwarming return after the challenges of Hurricane Helene—transforming The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa into a whimsical wonderland where creatives from professional pastry chefs to cookieloving hobbyists are invited to let their creativity shine in a showcase of sugary creations, on display starting November 18 through January 4.
On Saturday, December 6, Elves, Jack Frost and a Snowball Fight await in Frostburg, Maryland, in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland—home to the nationally recognized annual Storybook Holiday event. This event is complete with the ever-popular Elf Olympics, kids’ activities, a Christmas market, shops, a featured children’s author and a parade led by none other than Jack Frost himself. Fitting for a town named “Frost”-burg, Mr. Frost also closes out the day’s activities with a townwide snowball fight.
Midwestern Magic
In Frankenmuth, Michigan—fondly known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria and home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest year-round Christmas store—the season arrives with storybook charm. The town transforms into a life-size snow globe, filled with nostalgic cheer, glittering light displays, festive activities, and a whirl of Bavarian-inspired holiday traditions. From magical illuminations to spontaneous Santa sightings, Christmas spirit seems to linger at every corner.
Over in Wisconsin, Santa takes a playful detour during the annual Santa Cycle Rampage, where cyclists decked out in spirited holiday gear parade through the streets of Milwaukee and Madison. The result? A joyful, colorful ride that brings smiles to spectators and spreads a little extra cheer across the Midwest.
At the Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City, guests are invited to uncover a festive secret tucked deep within downtown OKC: Dasher’s Den, a once-utilitarian storage room reimagined as a whimsical holiday speakeasy hidden on the third floor. After checking in at the front desk, visitors receive a keychain and are guided upstairs to this cozy hideaway, where seasonal cocktails, sweet treats, and a warm, intimate glow set the tone for a perfectly festive evening.
Meanwhile, Kansas City, Missouri is the only place where true holiday movie magic comes to life with the second annual Hallmark Christmas Experience, running November 28 to December 21, 2025. Created by Hallmark’s own creative team, the event recreates the charm of a Hallmark movie town square—complete with a storybook Christmas market, festive food stalls, a picture-perfect ice-skating rink, interactive light walks, card-sending and gift-wrapping stations, and irresistible photo moments. Each weekend brings movie marathons, the premiere of brand-new Hallmark films, and appearances from some of the network’s most beloved stars—all anchored by the nightly lighting of the Mayor’s towering 100-foot Christmas trees.
Southeastern Holiday Season Sparkles (With or Without Snow)
In Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the coastal spirit meets classic holiday cheer at Deck the Chairs, a beloved tradition since 2013. Each year, more than 40 American Red Cross lifeguard chairs are transformed by community groups and local organizations into whimsical holiday displays—think Christmas trees, red bows, Santa and Mrs. Claus, twinkling lights, and oceanside décor. Free and family-friendly, it’s a uniquely Floridian way to welcome the season.
Who says you have to travel to Europe for a Christkindlmarkt? In South Carolina, the Pendleton Christkindlmarkt brings centuries-old German holiday tradition to the charming Village Green. Modeled after 13th-century markets, this festive gathering takes place every Friday and Saturday evening from late November through the second weekend of December, offering European-style warmth and merriment—completely free and open to all ages.
In Sarasota, Florida, the annual New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop rings in the new year with a distinctly tropical twist. A sparkling pineapple descends at midnight amid a vibrant firework display, surrounded by amusement rides, live music stages, and rows of food and drink vendors—all steps from lively Main Street.
For a grand Southern celebration, Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash lights up Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The evening’s highlights include spectacular fireworks and the iconic Music Note Drop, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers for a night of high-energy performances and holiday spirit.
And in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Reindeer Farm turns the holiday season into a heartwarming, storybook escape. Visitors can meet and feed real reindeer, sip hot cocoa, write letters to Santa, and wander through festive activities that feel lifted straight from the North Pole. With its cozy atmosphere and genuine Southern charm, this family-run farm has become a cherished seasonal tradition for many.
Pacific Northwest Holiday Cheer
In Seattle, Washington, the 48th annual Julefest: A Nordic Christmas Celebration transforms the Ballard neighborhood—long rooted in Scandinavian heritage—into a lively Nordic marketplace. Artisans, traditional foods, handmade crafts, and Scandinavian apparel fill the streets with warmth and nostalgia. Just across town, the Seattle Christmas Market brings five weeks of festive magic to Seattle Center, turning the area beneath the iconic Space Needle into a European-style holiday village from November 20 to December 24.
Farther south, Portland, Oregon keeps a cherished tradition afloat with The Portland Christmas Ships, a spectacle that has illuminated December nights since 1954. For 15 evenings each year, decorated vessels sail along both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in a glowing parade. It’s free to watch—and no matter the weather, thousands of locals and visitors line the riverbanks to admire the shimmering flotilla, a quintessential Pacific Northwest holiday moment.
Southwest Celebrations and Spirit
For millions around the world, New Year’s Day begins with the iconic Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California—a tradition as enduring as the holiday itself. Each January 1, the Rose Parade glides 5.5 miles down Colorado Boulevard, showcasing an extraordinary lineup of hand-crafted, flower-covered floats. The festivities flow straight into one of America’s most celebrated college football matchups, the legendary Rose Bowl.
In Chandler, Arizona, the holiday season shines with a singular Southwestern twist. The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tradition since 1957, unfolds on December 6 with a tree unlike any other—35 feet tall, 20 feet wide, and crafted from nearly 1,200 tumbleweeds. Coated in paint, fire retardant, glitter, and wrapped in more than 1,200 LED lights, it’s a whimsical tribute to desert creativity.
Down in southern New Mexico, Las Cruces’ New Year’s Eve Chile Drop spices up the countdown with a glowing 19-foot chile pepper descending over downtown at midnight. Before the drop, locals and visitors vote on whether it should shine red or green—a playful nod to the state’s famous question: “red or green?” It’s more than a celebration; it’s a vibrant showcase of New Mexican culinary culture and community pride.
And in Breckenridge, Colorado, winter revelry reaches mythic heights during Ullr Fest, returning for its 62nd year from December 18–20, 2025. Revelers don Viking helmets, raise a toast to Ullr—the Norse god of snow—and join a jubilant parade through town. The festivities include the world’s longest unofficial Shotski®, a tradition as bold and spirited as Breckenridge itself, all in honor of a stellar ski season ahead.
Great Tidings of Joy, Off the Mainland
In Puerto Rico, La Navidad is more than a single day—it’s a 45-day celebration stretching from November into mid-January. Festivities begin on Christmas Eve with Nochebuena, a cherished family feast, and roll into Nochevieja on New Year’s Eve before reaching Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) on January 6, a highlight for children across the island. And just when most places are packing up their decorations, Puerto Rico continues the merriment with Octavitas, two additional weeks of music, gatherings, and cultural traditions. It’s one of the longest—and certainly one of the most joyful—holiday seasons anywhere in the world.
Far across the Pacific, Hawaii proves that tropical warmth and festive cheer pair perfectly. Santa makes his island appearance as Kanakaloka, swapping his classic red suit for a Hawaiian shirt, red swim trunks, and slippers—or sometimes bare feet. True to the spirit of aloha, he often arrives not by sleigh but by bright red outrigger canoe. On Christmas morning, he’ll greet families with a hearty “Mele Kalikimaka” at the Grand Wailea on Maui at 9 a.m.
At the other end of the spectrum, Fairbanks, Alaska embraces winter’s magic during its Winter Solstice Celebration in the week of December 21. As the darkest days give way to the gradual return of light, downtown Fairbanks glows with festivities—fireworks (the kind you can’t see in summer), the ethereal shimmer of the Northern Lights, live music, arts events, and stalls offering handmade Alaskan treasures. It’s a celebration that captures the raw beauty and spirit of the Far North.
