Christmas festivals are different as people and cities -the randels that throw it away. Some places, such as a bavarian -themed city LeavenworthWashington, and FrankenmuthMichigan, leaning into their status as a year -long destination for Christmas cheering. Other destinations, such as Walt Disney World Florida Or Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, transformed into Winter Wonderlands for a limited time only: starting after Halloween, the Hollywood Tower Hotel turned into a ginger house, and 28 trees decorated in three Newport main houses.
But no matter how you choose to celebrate, here are eight of the best places in the United States to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and sugars of the holidays.
1. Leavenworth, Washington
Blink as you look around Leavenworth, Washington, and you might think you’re in Bavaria. Located in a valley surrounded by Cascade mountains, containers, gold, and wooden boom city were skipped by a new train route in 1920 -an. After a few decades of decline, Leavenworth prepares to a Bavaria Village -and now attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.
Wonderland Winter Leavenworth’s Bavarian Ignites The Holiday Spirit
The town offers one of the world’s largest collections of Nutcrackers (between 6,000 and 7,000 on display at Nutcracker Museum), beer garden, bakery, and over 50,000 lights for a moment. Take a horse -car riding around the city, sleeping under a star -and along the cliff of Icicle Creek -di Lady Sleeping Resortor visit Kari and Hansen’s farmHome to ducks, pigs, and more than a dozen deer.
2. Newport Beach, California
Home to one of the largest decorated boat processions in the United States, Newport Beach, California, welcomes hundreds of ships every December. Ships decorated all sizesFrom the yacht to the canoe, compete for the awards in a march that is seen by more than 1.5 million people.
What started as just a few dozen boats are now a beloved tradition featuring both Bayfront farms and boats adorned in millions of lights, flowers, and bows. The landowner can watch the parade from dense land, but the best view is from the outside on the water.
3. Big Spring, Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas -and a holiday celebration is no exception. What Lone Star State has in the snow, it forms to display lamps, parades, and internal Christmas tree forests. Located 5 hours west of Dallas, The large spring is out During the holidays.
From December 1 to 25, hop in your car and follow the Comanche Trail Festival of Lights, a tradition for decades that feature dozens of light display. Local entertainers re -created the birth of Jesus at the first church of Nazarene’s Drive through birth; Big Spring Houses Heritage Museum dozens of unique trees decorated by local groups; And children can hand over Santa (and Mrs. Claus) in person during the museum event through Christmas events.
4. Santa Claus, Indiana
Home to one post office in the world with Santa Claus on his behalf, Santa Claus, Indiana, took his vacation status very seriously. Every December, the city receives more than 400,000 pieces of mail and lists a volunteer ELF team to respond. Some people direct their vacation cards through Santa Claus to receive a holiday -themed post sign, which changes every year.
How is the rural Indiana post office becomes a hub for a holiday letter
During the three weekends in December, the city hosted the Santa Claus Christmas celebration. The Santa Claus museum and village have a 22 -foot Santa statue, and visitors can visit Santa Claus Lights land Lake rudolph; Watch a light show for music in Dale, Indiana nearby; Or take the train by the name of the city.
5. Frankenmuth, Michigan
Like Washington, Michigan has its own small bavaria. Frankenmuth has all the charm of the old world, with classic architecture, family-style chicken dinner, horseback riding, and 35-bell Carillon imported from Germany.
Experienced Germany without leaving the US on “Little Bavaria” Michigan
The small town, located an hour and a half north of Detroit, really lives during the holiday season. Wonderland Christmas BronnerThe 7.35 -acre holiday emporium, claims to be the “largest Christmas shop in the world,” and Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen Serving the selection of seasonal sugars, including Buddy The Elf’s Hot Cocoa Fudge and Santa Crunch Caramel Corn.
6. Orlando, Florida
Kevin McCallister may not be excited to spend a holiday in the tropical climate, but many people prefer to celebrate the holiday season in shorts and flip flops. Walt Disney World is a miracle at any time of the year, but after Halloween, the theme park is decorated for holidays with dozens of trees decorated and thousands of lamps. Children can visit with Elsa, Olaf, and beloved characters, take “Jingle’s cruise,” or play Putt-Putt with their Santa and her elves.
How to celebrate the holidays -and avoid the public -In Walt Disney World in Florida
Adults can experience international holiday traditions in Epcot, booking their own campsite at Fort Wilderness Resort & CampgroundAnd hot chocolate sip or themed cocktails, including Cider Fireside, Elf Elixir, and Claus Mos.
7. New York City, New York
For those looking for a classic East Coast Christmas experience, New York City is packing a lot of vacations to every square rock in the middle of Manhattan and beyond. From Rockefeller center Christmas tree to the department’s window display, there are many free attractions to add more expensive events, even when events Radio city Christmas spectacular and New York City Ballet Nutcracker Both are worth shopping.
New York City’s Best Holiday Holidays are in Brooklyn
After gratitude, the park and other public space turned into an ice skating court and a pop -up holiday market featuring local artists and sweet foods. Residents and businesses of lamps in Stoops, balconies, and scaffolds throughout the city -but to show the best light, heading to Dyker Heights Brooklyn.
8. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport homes are all year long, but they are truly sparkling during the holidays when selected home halls are decorated with dozens of trees, poinsettias, flower essays, and necklaces. No fireplace, coat, or stairs at Cast, Elmsor Marble home left irregular.
This year, the Great Hall of the Breakers (a former summer house from the Vanderbilt family) has a 15 -foot tree made of 150 poinsettia plants. The festival of spilled outdoors, where a wide reason was illuminated by thousands of lamps. Visitors can enjoy a holiday lunch at a Chinese tea house, located in the backyard of a marble, or warm up White horsethe oldest bar in the US