The 8 best little cities to celebrate Christmas

Go walk in a winter wonderland in one of these additional joyful destinations.


Traveling around Christmas presents an excellent opportunity not only to see from the first hand how a different location celebrates the holiday season, but also to adopt theimpressive decorations And festive events that you may not live in your hometown. Ski lovers and nostalgia hunters may want to extend northern snowy mountains - while snowbirds may want to escape cold bysouthern direction. Anyway, there is certainly no shortage of destinations that seem very joyful and brilliant at this time of the year.

Whether you are looking to take your children on a magic Christmas vacation or plan aRomantic getaway For two, these small towns take place with their holiday festivities.

Read this then:The 10 best mountain cities in the United States.

The best Christmas cities in the United States

1. Sausalito, California

Sausalito Holiday Tree Lighting
Photo: with the kind permission of notsausalito.com

Just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge is a magical city of the seafront named Sausalito - which looks like a small tranche of Italy. Once you see the magnificent winding coast, hills and colorful seaside houses, you will instantly see why many refer to Sausalito like the Amalfi coast of California.

The annual celebration of holidays by the bay includes 22 days of events throughout December - many of which are free for the public and appropriate for all ages. These events include a trees lighting ceremony with treats and live music, breakfast with Santa Claus, a holiday art fair, a parade of lit boats with fireworks, a show Comedy on the Christmas theme and a number of songs and concerts adapted to families.

During the Sausalito Makers Faire workshop and Santa Claus, you can choose unique gifts made by local craftsmen - and meet the craftsmen who made them. And during the annual tour of the house of Gingerbread still popular, dozens of merchants and Sausalito companies present their wonderful creations.

As a bonus, Sausalito is only 20 minutes by car from SanFrancisco, Where there are tons of more events and festive attractions - such as pebble skating rinks in Gogo, the Great Dictmas Fair and the performances ofNutcracker andA Christmas Carol.

2. St. Augustine, Florida

Holiday Regatta of Lights
Photo: Garious Visit Augustine

The Sunshine State is perhaps not the first destination that comes to mind for a Christmas holidays. ButTonya Denmark, founder ofTraveler oriented towards detail, says that if Saint -Augustin - the oldest city in the United States - is already charming, it shines in December and January. Indeed, the city is decorated with millions of sparkling lights as part of the legendary annual display of the Nuits de Lights. Residents and tourists flock to the historic district to see the many museums, houses, restaurants and historic stores all.

"This event was selected in 2011 and 2012 by National Geographic as one of the 10 Holidays of Holidays in the world", explainsBridget Hight, author ofGo to the family Travel blog. "Trains and carts offer special visits through lit areas, and the city comes to life with musical performances and Christmas spirit."

Denmark recommends taking a walk along the navigable track for an incrediblePhoto opportunitiesOr dinner in one of the many charming restaurants and pubs to adapt a killer view of the illuminated district. Better still, because Florida does not become too freezing in winter, you will find that it is the perfect time for evening walks and outdoor meals.

Nor is it the only reason to visit Saint-Augustin at this time of the year: the Holidays of Lights presents boats decorated with bright bright presentations, and the annual city's Christmas show includes brass bands includes brass bands includes brass bands includes brass bands includes brass bands includes brass bands , tanks and even a special appearance of Santa Claus.

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3. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth Washington
MARK A LEE / Shutterstock

AccordingMegan Lawrence, the travel blogger behindMy moments and my memories, this picturesque city could even fill the Grinch with Christmas spirit. Nestled among the breathtaking waterfall mountains, Leavenworth is modeled after a Bavarian village and overflowing with alpine character.

"Even Starbucks locations and service stations here seem to be straight out ofThe sound of music, "AddsJessica Schmit, founder ofUproot traveler.

Although there are too many special Christmas activities in this city to list, Lawrence says that the incredible display of lights, itinerant characters and the epic festival of Christmastown cannot be missed.

"The weekend after Thanksgiving, Leavenworth turns into a winter wonderland, with half a million Christmas lights sparkling from its buildings," explains Schmit. "The city also organizes various holiday activities, Carolers walking in the streets, roasting chestnuts on open fires, and even visits to Santa Claus itself. In addition, because of its mountainside location, You are almost sure to have a white Christmas in Leavenworth. "

4. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Santa Shanty in Gettysburg PA
George Sheldon / Shutterstock

Gettysburg can be known as MeccaHistory buffs, butPast Lane Travel bloggerJessica James Said that it also turns into a picturesque winter wonderland during the annual Christmas festival in GetTysburg.

"There is a true spirit of community and old-fashioned pleasure during the holidays, because the whole city is decorated with crowns on the luminous posts and white lights are suspended in the trees," she explains.

Children can enter the holiday spirit by creating their own wooden toy at the Santa Claus toy shop or decorating their own cookies or sugar ornaments, or taking their photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Adults, on the other hand, could simply appreciate listening to the popular Croon songs or consulting the annual House Gingerbread competition.

"Add living reindeer and roasting chestnuts on an open fire, and it is a funny weekend getaway that can appeal to each family member," explains James.

In addition, the proximity of GetTysburg with big cities like Manhattan, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, means that you can easily jump from one place to another for a range of Christmas festivities.

5. Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock Vermont
James Kirkikis / Shutterstock

"This city par excellence in New England is the ideal place to celebrate Christmas," saidLuke Xavier, founder ofUSA Rover. "The streets are bordered by beautiful Victorian style houses, many of which are decorated with crowns and fests. There is also a charming city center, with an imposing Christmas tree."

Woodstock is a small town par excellence in America, saysJacob Richard, founder ofCamera prism—The sense of the warm community really adds to the festive atmosphere during the holidays.

"Everyone meets to return the special holiday season," he explains. "The annual trees lighting ceremony is a highlight, and you can also visit the Santa Claus workshop, or make a sled ride pulled by horses."

Jon Stephens, operations director atRaquette vacation rental, also adds that Woodstock's Wassail Weekend is a fun festival that includes ice skating, a craft holiday fair and much more.

6. Santa Claus, Indiana

Santa Claus Indiana
Photo: graciousness of santaclausind.org

It is obvious that a city named after Saint Nick is an essential destination during the Christmas season. In December of each year, tourists from around the world come here to enter the holiday spirit and attend the manyfriendly and family events.

"This city manages to live and breathe Christmas every day of the year," saidFiona Perisone, a travel consultant forPlanet rider. "There is a massive celebration throughout the month of December, where you can go to artisanal events, showcases of light and a variety of parades."

Take advantage of hot cocoa and cider with Santa Claus at Christmas at the Grange event, or let's delight him during a buffet style dinner in Santa's father. Then browse thousands of special toys during the annual exhibition of live reindeer, or decorate your own gingerbread house and watch the city's Christmas parade. Whether your children are mean or nice this year, be sure to stop at Santa Claus Museum and Village, where they can write letters with their wishes lists for Santa Claus himself.

7. Frederick, Maryland

Carroll Creek Christmas Sailboats
@ thecityoffrederickmd / Instagram

"Frederick has a little bit of everything to cover your Christmas solution, start in November with carriage rides, a Christmas market and prolonged shopping hours in cute store stores in the city center," explainsJenny Ly, a professional travel blogger and entrepreneur atBurst.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Frosty Friday offers a free carriage visit to the neighborhood, caroers, photo sessions for Santa Claus and stations where you can roast your own sees. And a whole new freezing tradition of Friday culminates with the exciting arrival of Santa Claus is the Frederick vacation circus.

According to Ly, just some of the very joyful events include a live Nativity scene, brunch and dinner with Santa Claus, Carolers, Home Home visits and the Kris Kringle procession - an inspiration of inspiration German which ends with the lighting of the city's tree.

Adults can sip festive libations and vote on their favorites during the Christmas cocktail competition, while children are sure to delight the beautiful and historic Santa Train, which passes through the picturesque campaign - with a visit Special of Saint Nick, course. Scope Out festive egg by local talents during the holiday art competition, amaze the decorated sailboats that line Carroll Creek Park in a floating light installation and listen to the Carolers group and the local choir for children perform classic pieces during the Ceremony of the comforting festival festival.

Read this then:The 10 most beautiful small towns in the United States.

8. Dahlonega, Georgia

Dahlonega Georgia
Jen Wolf / Shutterstock

Fantastic Danasia, the travel blogger behindTheurbanist, said that this picturesque mountain city is its best choice to celebrate Christmas. Located just at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega is known not only for its panoramic view and its animated artistic scene, but also its undeniable Christmas charm.

Stay in one of the many picturesque guest rooms near the city square, and you can walk to most Christmas activities. According to Perisone, the festivities of a month of Dahlonega include appearances in Santa Claus, scintillating light decorations covering the whole city and a legendary parade where the crowds come together to see Kriss Kringle and his sled. A few steps from downtown Dahlonega Square, you will find the ultra-popular Christmas market on Candy Cane Lane, where you can buy unique gifts for loved ones, including ornaments by local craftsmen, gift baskets on the Theme and homemade candies.

"The dedication and passion of the city for Christmas can be felt as soon as you enter it," explains Perisone. "This is one of the many reasons why it has been presented in PopularBrand movies-AsChristmas to the family property. ""


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