10 Charming Christmas Towns USA 2025: Discover the Best Festive Destinations This Holiday Season

Every year, towns across the United States set up Christmas markets and special events that draw visitors looking for a festive escape. Streets light up, markets pop up, and you’ll find all sorts of holiday-themed activities for families and travelers.

There’s something special about discovering the charm of Christmas in small towns with unique traditions and lively markets. These places let you soak up lights, music, and local treats while seeing how each community celebrates the holidays in its own way.

1) Leavenworth, Washington

You’ll find Leavenworth tucked in central Washington, styled like a Bavarian village. The Christmas Lighting Festival runs on December weekends, and the whole place glows with lights.

Streets buzz with live music, food stands, and German crafts. Every year, thousands show up just to wander the decorated downtown and browse the market booths.

Carolers and costumed performers wander the streets, giving the whole thing a storybook feel. Downtown is easy to explore on foot, but parking fills fast—arrive early if you can, especially on festival days.

Winter gets chilly and snowy, so don’t forget your layers. If you’re staying overnight, the Bavarian Lodge and Posthotel Leavenworth are both nearby and get great reviews. Book a room on Booking.com.

Entry to the Christmas market is free, but you’ll want to budget for food and shopping. Find more info on Leavenworth’s official event website.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Weekends in Dec.	Varies	820 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826	Free entry	Bavarian Lodge, Posthotel	Leavenworth

2) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, often called “Christmas City,” goes all out for the holidays. This small eastern Pennsylvania town feels extra magical in December, with markets, lights, and plenty of old-fashioned charm.

The Christmas City Village sets up rows of wooden huts where artisans sell crafts, ornaments, and seasonal snacks from mid-November through late December. There are tree displays, carriage rides, and a downtown full of classic decorations and twinkling lights.

If you’re planning to visit, book your hotel early—rooms go fast. It’s easy to get around by car, and there’s parking near the market area.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Nov 14 – Dec 22, 2025	Varies by activity	505 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018	Free to enter; items priced	Hyatt Place Bethlehem	https://www.visithistoricbethlehem.com/event/christmas-city-village/2025-11-14/

3) McAdenville, North Carolina

McAdenville, or “Christmas Town USA,” sits in North Carolina and comes alive every December. Nearly every house and tree in the center glows with holiday lights.

You can drive or stroll through the displays, which draw thousands each year. Local shops and food stands add to the atmosphere, and the whole town feels like a holiday postcard.

Lights shine around the lake and along Main Street. It’s a family-friendly event that runs for several weeks, with a relaxed small-town vibe.

Hotels fill up, so it’s smart to plan ahead. Check Booking.com for McAdenville area hotels if you want to stay overnight.

Details and updates are posted on the official Christmas Town USA website.

Dates	Times	Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Early Dec – Late Dec	5:30 pm – 9:30 pm	122 Main St, McAdenville, NC	Free	Booking.com: McAdenville hotels	Christmas Town USA

4) Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock, Vermont sits in the Green Mountains and turns into a Christmas wonderland in December. The town is famous for its old-fashioned celebrations and charming decorations.

Wassail Weekend, held every year in early December, is the highlight. You’ll find horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday markets, and carolers. Shops and inns go all out with lights and greenery.

Community events include craft fairs and concerts in the town center. If you’re in Woodstock, you can visit the historic village green and stroll the decorated streets.

The Billings Farm & Museum hosts seasonal programs and Victorian-style displays. Parking’s available near the center, but it gets crowded on weekends.

Here’s what you need to know:

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to stay nearby	Website Address
Dec 6–8, 2025 (Wassail Weekend)	10am – 4pm	Woodstock Village, Woodstock, VT 05091	Some events free, others ticketed	Woodstock Inn & Resort (booking.com)	https://www.woodstockvt.com/the-town/blog/holiday-season-in-woodstock

5) Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport is a little coastal town in southern Maine. Every December, it hosts the Christmas Prelude, a tradition since 1982.

The event pulls in families and travelers who want to see decorated streets, tree lightings, and festive parades. There are craft markets with local goods and food, plus carolers and Santa arriving by lobster boat.

Shops and restaurants get involved, making Main Street buzz with activity. Most events are outside and open to everyone. The vibe is lively but never overwhelming—unless you count the weekend crowds.

If you’re thinking about visiting, book your stay early because hotels fill up fast. Decorations usually go up in early December and last through mid-month. Parking’s available but can be tight near downtown, especially during big events.

Here’s a quick rundown to help plan your trip:

Dates	December 5-15, 2025
Times	Most events run from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location Address	Dock Square, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Cost	Most outdoor events are free; some ticketed workshops $5–$25
Where to Stay	Kennebunkport Inn on Booking.com
Website	christmasprelude.com

6) Park City, Utah

You’ll find Park City tucked up in northern Utah, about 30 miles from Salt Lake City. Sure, it’s famous for skiing, but come December, Main Street glows with thousands of white lights and all sorts of Christmas decorations.

They throw regular holiday parades—locals and visitors both seem to love the Electric Parade most. Park City’s Christmas markets showcase local crafts, food, and gifts, with vendors setting up shop in downtown spots you can actually get to without much hassle.

Main Street is super walkable, and honestly, most events are just a few minutes apart on foot. You can swing by to see Santa, catch the torchlight parade on Christmas Eve, or pop into a holiday concert if you’re feeling festive.

If you need a break from the crowds, the city’s art galleries and museums are always open. And if you’re itching to hit the slopes, the ski resorts usually have special winter deals going on.

Here’s some practical info if you’re planning a trip:

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 1–Dec 24, 2025	10:00 am–7:00 pm	Main St, Park City, UT	Free entry	Holiday Inn & Suites	Park City Events

7) Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis draws a crowd for its historic downtown and its harbor, which really lights up in December. If you’re in town, check out the decorated boats at the Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights.

City Dock and Main Street usually host local vendors with crafts and food. During the holiday season, Annapolis puts on the Midnight Madness event.

Shops stay open late, and you’ll hear local musicians playing right on the street. This tradition happens on select Thursdays every December.

Parking downtown can be a pain, honestly. It’s usually easier to use city lots or one of the garages nearby.

The area’s easy to walk, and you’re never far from restaurants or historic sights. Here’s a quick rundown of the market details:

Date	Time	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 5, 12, and 19	4 pm–midnight	Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401	Free	Hilton Garden Inn Downtown	Annapolis Events

Annapolis actually ranked among the best Christmas towns in the country. If you’re after a laid-back, small-town holiday vibe, you’ll probably find it here—especially on those event nights.

8) Franklin, Tennessee

Franklin, Tennessee sits about 20 miles south of Nashville. The historic downtown turns into the center of the annual Dickens of a Christmas festival every December.

The brick-lined streets fill up with musicians, food vendors, and outdoor shops. The festival leans into Victorian themes, so you’ll spot costumed characters and carolers wandering around.

Families can hop on horse-drawn carriage rides or grab photos by the big holiday displays. The event usually runs for two days.

Parking’s available near Main Street, but those lots fill up fast. If you want to avoid the headache, public transportation or ride-shares are a safer bet.

Entry is free, but bring some cash—vendors sell food, gifts, and plenty of hot drinks. Franklin has several hotels within walking distance, so staying overnight is easy if you want to soak up the small-town holiday feel.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 13-14, 2025	10 am – 5 pm	Main St, Franklin, TN 37064	Free (vendors extra)	Harpeth Hotel, Franklin	https://www.visitfranklin.com

Want more details or curious about other local events? Check out the official Franklin Christmas event page.

9) Newport, Rhode Island

Newport’s a coastal city with a reputation for historic mansions and all things maritime. At Christmastime, you’ll see Gilded Age homes decked out, traditional lights everywhere, and downtown buzzing with community festivals.

The city hosts seasonal tours and carriage rides. Holiday markets pop up at Bowen’s Wharf, and Thames Street turns into a parade of themed storefronts.

If you like history, the Newport Mansions—think The Breakers and Marble House—open for special Christmas walkthroughs, complete with period decorations. A lot of these events happen outdoors, so, fair warning: bundle up for New England’s chilly winter.

You’ll usually find parking near downtown and the wharf, but weekends can get a bit hectic. There are plenty of hotels close to the markets and main attractions, so you can make a weekend of it if you want.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Late Nov to Dec	10am–9pm	Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, RI 02840	Free to attend	Newport Marriott	https://www.discovernewport.org

10) Chicago, Illinois

Chicago hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in the country. The Christkindlmarket pops up in Daley Plaza, right in the heart of downtown.

This event usually runs from late November through December. The market takes its inspiration from classic German Christmas markets, so you get that old-world charm right in the city.

Over 50 vendors set up shop, selling ornaments, crafts, and unique gifts. Most people stop by for the German food—think bratwurst, warm pretzels, and hot spiced wine that cuts through the winter chill.

Downtown Chicago really goes all out with lights and holiday displays. The Magnificent Mile glows with illuminated shops and crowds bundled up, wandering from store to store.

Some folks like to pair their Christkindlmarket visit with ice skating in Millennium Park. Others wander over to check out the creative window displays that pop up every year.

Getting downtown isn’t too tricky if you use Chicago’s public transit. If you’re driving, just know parking fills up fast and can cost a bit more than you’d hope.

Dates	Times	Location	Cost	Where to stay nearby	Website
Mid-November to Dec 24, 2025	Sun-Thur: 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat: 11am-9pm	Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602	Free entry	Hotel Julian	Christkindlmarket Chicago

If you’re curious about other Christmas attractions in Illinois, there’s a handy list of top Christmas towns in Illinois that might spark a few ideas.