The Most Festive US Cities for Christmas Celebrations

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Christmas, a necessary break from the normal and the mundane, a time when people remember the spirit of giving, and when magic truly seems real. Some cities go above and beyond every holiday season, creating festive Christmas celebrations that are truly memorable.

New York City has always prided itself on being one of the biggest, brightest, most bustling cities in the US, and Christmas time in the Big Apple is no different. The city is one of the most attractive shopping destinations in the country, bringing in scores of shoppers every year to trot down the snowy streets just before the holidays. The iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is part of one of the most impressive holiday displays around, and the city’s other lovely parks all have their own fantastic tree lighting ceremonies. Christmas is always just around the corner in New York.

We all know, of course, that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, but did you know that he’s also an American? The Alaska town of North Pole, right in the center of the US’s largest and snowiest state, is a true winter wonderland–a place where Christmas never ends. Come and admire the whimsical decorations, and be sure to stop by the Santa Claus house and see the North Pole workshop we’ve all dreamed about since young times.

Christmas in sunny Southern California may seem counter intuitive for some, but the town of Newport Beach offers holiday festivities to match the snowiest cities in the country. The annual Christmas Boat Parade draws spectators from all over who come to see everything from modest canoes to extravagantly decorated yachts promenade through the harbor, lighting up the town in ways that make the holiday season truly magical and unique. In addition to this, homes and businesses around the harbor celebrate with their own fantastical light displays, creating a beautiful sparkling backdrop for the parade.

Just a few frigid miles off the northern coast of Michigan lies one of the most magical and least known Christmas celebrations of all on Mackinac Island. In this tiny town of 500, Christmas is the same as it was 100 years ago. Cars have been illegal on the island since 1898 and the most popular mode of transportation in this historic landmark is still the horse-drawn carriage. Santa still visits every child on the island, and the annual Christmas bazaar showcases crafts and decorations that truly bring out the magic of the holidays.  (For those of you interested in craft beers, make sure to check out the amazing variety available in Michigan!)

For an exciting Christmas getaway, book your trip early for cheap tickets to any of these festive locales. Make the holidays something truly special this year by getting away from home and stepping into one of the best Christmas towns in the country.