Most Festive Towns
Santa Claus is coming to a town near you this season! Immerse yourself with the Christmas spirit in these amazing towns and cities. Creating whimsical winter wonderlands, magical memories, and holiday happiness for all, a visit to the North Pole has never been easier.
Andalusia, Alabama
Alabama’s quintessential holiday destination, Andalusia brings games, ice skating, train rides, and more each December to southern Alabama. The free celebration filled with family-friendly activities is a winter wonderland waiting for you downtown. Named one of the Top Small Towns in the South for Christmas, Andalusia makes lasting holiday memories for the whole family. Experience the magic of snow tubing, ice skating, musical acts, and snow shows, before visiting with Santa in his Candyland Sleigh. Beautiful Christmas decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, and South Alabama's largest snow tubing hill make Andalusia a picture-perfect holiday event.
christmasincandyland.com
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Promising music and merriment aplenty, Christmas in Eureka Springs makes for a truly unforgettable holiday season. Sharing the warmth of a small-town Christmas, residents welcome visitors to embrace the spirit of the season. Throughout the historic Victorian village, colorful lights sparkle and shine in the windows of shops, boutiques, art galleries, and emporiums. Kids love spending the afternoon with Santa, seeing the dazzling Christmas parade, and annual Christmas tree lighting, while adults enjoy a refined afternoon tea service at the Crescent Hotel. For a hometown feel this Christmas, look no further than Eureka Springs.
eurekasprings.org/christmas
Thomasville, Georgia
Traverse the charming, cobblestone streets of Thomasville, Georgia, during the town’s classic holiday celebration. Listen to carolers, hop on the carousel, and grab a hot cocoa from one of Thomasville’s charming downtown shops and cafes. Travel back in time as the 34th Annual Victorian Christmas transforms the quaint town into a Dickensian Christmas village. Welcome the holiday season in Downtown Thomasville with live reindeer carriage rides, a live nativity scene, plein air artists, and live entertainment on the Ritz Amphitheater stage. With ornate ice carvings and scrumptious chestnuts roasting, Downtown Thomasville is the go-to holiday destination in Georgia.
thomasvillega.com/attractions/events/holiday-events
Carrollton, Kentucky
Throughout the month of December, enjoy festive events to spread good cheer. At General Butler State Park, marvel at the artfully decorated trees in the Festival of Trees, say hi to an old friend or make new ones at the Christmas Social, and brunch with Santa. Sip Victorian high tea while enjoying the sights and sounds of Christmas at the Christmas Tea. Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at Carrollton Main Street Program’s A Christmas Carroll. Featuring a parade, horse-drawn carriage rides, and visits with Santa, the festival is fun for the entire family. On the Christmas Tour of Homes, visit various homes and hospitality sites brimming with the Christmas spirit. Listen to the festive sounds of the season at the Christmas Concert annual event featuring music by local church choirs. Let the spirit of Christmas fill the air, and the sights and sounds of holiday joy fill your heart in Carrollton, Kentucky.
parks.ky.gov.
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Named after a Native American tribe, Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish ) is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. Home to one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the country, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival started in 1927 and runs for six weeks. Beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving and concluding on Epiphany, the Natchitoches Christmas Festivals features over 300,000 lights and more than 100 set pieces are on display. Every night throughout the holiday season, children share their wish list with Jolly Old Saint Nick at the Santa Clause House. With performing dance groups, Christmas queens, themed floats, and costumed characters providing revelry for the thousands along the parade route, the 95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival is guaranteed to make holiday memories of a lifetime.
natchitocheschristmas.com
Natchez, Mississippi
A delightfully enchanting time of year, Christmas in Natchez is a whimsical and award-winning event in the Magnolia State. At night, the lights, garland, and decorations of Natchez reflect over the dazzling waters of the Mississippi. Discover long-ago Christmas customs while touring the wreathed and ornamented historic antebellum homes of Natchez, like Stanton Hall and the Devereaux Shields House Bed and Breakfast. Fill your heart with holiday cheer at the Annual Lighting of the Natchez Christmas Tree followed by a Christmas carol community singalong, while artificial snow floats and falls around you. A beautiful breathtaking event, revel in the bright lights, live sounds, and incredible flavors in Natchez this holiday season.
visitnatchez.org
Wrightsville, North Carolina
Drop anchor for a boat-filled parade on the water in Wrightsville, North Carolina. Culminating in a spectacular fireworks show, the flotilla lights up the night as onlookers make merry. Embrace the holiday spirit of the weekend is filled with a tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, and a family-friendly festival with food and music galore. With a large play area for children, an antique car show, and over 100 arts and craft vendors, there is something for everyone at the Festival in the Park. Stroll through Airlie Gardens and enjoy over one million festive lights, holiday flowers, and musical entertainment. A beloved Wilmington event, celebrate the holidays in coastal style at the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla.
ncholidayflotilla.org
airliegardens.org
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Experience Christmas in a Castle this year – in Oklahoma. Filled with over 2,000-holiday displays and thousands of colorful lights, the holiday celebrations at Castleton Village create an unforgettable holiday adventure. Bundle up with loved ones and grab a cup of cocoa from Rudolph's Café before hopping on for an old-fashioned hayride. Take a train ride through the village or ride one of the Christmas ponies. Be sure to drive through the Garden of Lights at Honor Heights Park, a display of over a million glittering lights and beautifully decorated displays, all timed to perfection to inspiring holiday music.
okcastle.com/castle-christmas
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Skip the snow this year and enjoy an incredible holiday season at Brookgreen Gardens. Tucked along 60 miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline, escape to an incredible sunny holiday celebration as Brookgreen Garden presents miles of Christmas trees, twinkling lights, flickering candles, and the magic of Christmas. Sun, surf, shows, and Santa sightings make this a celebration perfect for the whole family. Enjoy an evening of entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach’s grand holiday extravaganzas as the Grand Strand goes all out for the holidays. Experience the great Christmas light show, a festive carriage ride through town, or candlelight shopping. Named the Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina, the garden's come to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights at Brookgreen Garden's Nights of a Thousand Candles. This winter season, visit Myrtle Beach for a merry and bright holiday season.
visitmyrtlebeach.com
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Draped in more than five million holiday lights, Pigeon Forge’s annual Winterfest is a whimsical and wonderful celebration marking its 32nd year in the heart of the Volunteer State. Walk through the giant 40-foot-tall Christmas tree as you make your way to Santa’s workshop to be greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Surrounded by millions of lights, thousands of spectacular ornaments, and over a mile of garland, Christmas cheer fills the air in Pigeon Forge. Head over to Dollywood for a golly good time – with elaborate holiday decorations and award-winning shows Dollywood captures the essence of Christmas. The perfect place to get into the holiday spirit, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is a heart-pounding, spirit-moving, soul-inspiring good time. Do not miss the tree show at Wilderness Pass Plaza with its 50-foot-tall, animated tree, featuring a fully synchronized and brilliant light show. Signature rides, awesome attractions, Christmas-themed menus, and all things Dolly make a visit to Pigeon Forge, a new holiday tradition.
mypigeonforge.com
visitmysmokies.com
San Antonio, Texas
Let the spirit of the season sweep you away at the San Antonio Riverwalk. The famous San Antonio Riverwalk gets festive every year with this stunning Christmas lights display. Experience the city at its finest during the Texas Christmas Holiday. Adorned with twinkling lights, family-friendly dining, and ample shopping. Festive events like tamale making, fill the city, but the magic of the Riverwalk surpasses all others. Celebrate the timeless tradition of spreading joy with a San Antonio twist at The Ford Holiday Boat Caroling and enjoy the sounds of the season as caroling boats float along the river. Experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk strolling along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 2,000 Luminarias at night. A centuries-old tradition featuring traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns, the Fiesta de las Luminarias welcomes guests to the Riverwalk in sensational holiday style.
visitsanantonio.com
Richmond, Virginia
Discover the jaw-dropping holiday spirit in Richmond, Virginia's bounty of Christmas celebrations. From Agecroft Hall to Carytown to the State Capital, the city twinkles with holiday cheer. Be dazzled by Richmond's most spectacular light displays -- the 100 Miles of Lights extravaganza. Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas at Maymont Park, see the Richmond Ballet perform The Nutcracker, or stop by The Jefferson Hotel to see the giant gingerbread house and its elegant decorations. Head out to the Tacky Lights Tour for an over-the-top, Griswold-esque light display through local neighborhoods. Storefronts light up with dazzling displays and holiday festivities abound in Richmond. Create new traditions and unforgettable memories this holiday season in Richmond. Spend the holidays at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and delight in the ultimate holiday show at the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. This annual holiday tradition features hand-crafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, family activities, and of course, lights. Celebrate the season at Maymont and revel in Victorian holiday splendor. The stunningly decorated Gilded Age home brings the wonders and festivities of Christmases past to life. Marvel at the 12-foot Christmas tree, opulent dining room, evergreen decorations, and lavish gifts and games of 1893. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, visits with St. Nick, festive music, and seasonal activities that are sure to fill revelers with the merriment of the season. Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in Richmond, where everything is merry and bright.
visitrichmondva.com
Lewisburg, West Virginia
A town straight out of a fairy tale, Lewisburg pulls out all the stops for their joyous holiday celebration. Transforming downtown into a winter wonderland, the Lewisburg Holiday Festival dazzles with twinkling lights, whimsical decorations, and giant snowflakes. Take a Christmas Tale stroll through town and drop off a letter at Santa’s Mailbox. With horse-drawn carriage rides, sweet treats, and seasonal shopping, experience the magic of the holidays in Lewisburg.
visitlewisburgwv.com
Enchanting visitors year after year, Christmas in these charming towns and quaint communities brings holiday cheer to all. Have a jolly good time taking in the sparkling sights and festive sounds of the holiday season this year.
