11 Festive Towns to Visit This Holiday Season
11 Festive Towns to Visit This Holiday Season
By Sophie Amen — December 15, 2025
You can never go wrong with a little vacation, and December is one of the most magical times to explore festive cities and quaint Christmas towns. Here are eleven of the most decked-out places to visit this holiday season.
1. Park City, Utah
Park City feels like it was made for the holidays. It offers a perfect mix of adventure and small-town charm. Between ski runs, cozy cafes, and après-ski nights, the town is known for its undeniable holiday appeal. Main Street, lined with historical buildings, glows with string lights. While you’re there, join in on some traditional activities such as the Snow Globe Stroll on Main Street and Santa’s arrival as he skis down the mountain.
2. Vail, Colorado
With its stunning mountain scenery and festive village atmosphere, Vail is a classic winter holiday spot. Attend their iconic tree lighting ceremony or holiday market, where they feature a European-style market with local goods. The whole town is known for its European, specifically Bavarian-style, architecture, which evokes a cozy Alpine village atmosphere. Essentially, you can get the European Christmas experience, minus the long flight.
3. New York City, New York
There's no place like New York City for the holidays. Cross off bucket-list items by stopping by the Rockefeller Center tree, ice skating at the Bryant Park ice rink, or attending the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It’s New York City’s unmatched Christmas events and traditions that make it so iconic, and frankly, there are too many to list. Even strolling through Fifth Avenue window displays makes for an unforgettable December day.
4. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, being the upscale ski town that it is, goes all out for the holiday season. Gourmet dining, ice skating, concerts, and fun-filled Christmas festivities such as sleigh rides and tree lightings make Aspen a fan-favorite during Christmastime. They host their annual 12 Days of Aspen event from Dec. 20-31, featuring Santa visits, workshops, and special après-ski events.
5. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth practically transforms during the Christmas season. The entire town is adorned with lights from late November to late February, giving visitors many opportunities to enjoy their very own Bavarian-style Christmas. The festive atmosphere consists of daily carolers, Santa sightings, sleigh rides, German-inspired crafts, and tons of festive shopping.
6. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Christmas in Nantucket can make you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie with its charming, coastal winter wonderland. The annual Christmas Stroll is their most well-known holiday event. During this event, you can shop downtown amid countless Christmas trees, go on tours, and attend wine and cocktail tastings.
7. Seneca Falls, New York
Believed to be the inspiration for the town Bedford Falls from the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life, Seneca Falls leans into film-themed celebrations and classic decor. They host an annual It’s a Wonderful Life Festival featuring parades and movie screenings. If you’re looking for nostalgia and small-town charm, this is the place.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Get the true white Christmas experience by heading up to Chicago for cold and snowy weather. Offering a classic holiday experience, Chicago is one of the country’s holiday capitals. Holiday markets such as the German-inspired Christkindlmarket draw countless visitors, while traditions like the Millennium Park tree lighting and ice skating with stunning city views create the most festive experience.
9. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Known as the “Christmas City,” Bethlehem is rooted in holiday charm. It transforms into a festive wonderland every year with its endless lights, decorated streets, seasonal markets, and horse-drawn carriages. Historic buildings like Hotel Bethlehem make it all the more charming. Its unique traditions make it a perfect East Coast destination.
10. Woodstock, Vermont
Best known for its Wassail Weekend, which features a parade, caroling, markets, a tree lighting ceremony, and more, Woodstock offers a traditional holiday experience. The town looks like it was taken straight out of a Hallmark movie with its twinkling lights and Christmas decorations on historic homes. The area has a handful of cozy inns and bed & breakfasts to complete the experience.
11. Newport, Rhode Island
With boutique-lined streets draped in decor and numerous festive season events, Christmas at upscale Newport is a must-do for an unforgettable seasonal trip. Newport offers countless activities, one of the most notable being strolling through their Gilded Age mansions that go all-out with decorations and displays.
Whether you’re looking for small-town nostalgia or a big-city spectacle, these spots define Christmas spirit and are definitely worth checking out for a festive trip this season.
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