The Best Cities for Christmas in USA: Where to Spend the Holidays in Style

Some cities put up a tree and call it Christmas. Others turn the whole season into a reason to travel: German-style markets with mulled wine and wooden stalls, river walks strung with lights, candlelit historic districts, ice rinks under skyscrapers, and holiday shows that sell out months ahead. The United States has all of it, from snowy mountain towns to palm-lined boulevards where you can spend Christmas Day outdoors in a T-shirt. The hard part is not finding a festive city. It is choosing the one that matches the trip you actually want, and then booking it before the rest of the country does. This guide sorts the best American cities for Christmas by the kind of holiday they deliver, explains when to go and how to book around the busiest travel weeks of the year, and flags the planning mistakes that turn a festive getaway into a stressful one.

The short answer

For the classic big-city Christmas, New York is still the benchmark, with Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC close behind and often cheaper. For Christmas markets and storybook small towns, look at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, Washington, Grapevine, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia and Asheville, North Carolina. For a warm-weather holiday, San Antonio, Orlando, San Diego and Las Vegas deliver lights without the snow. For mountain scenery and a chance of a white Christmas, try Denver, Park City via Salt Lake City, or Santa Fe. The festive season generally runs from late November through December, and the sweet spot for most travelers is the first two weeks of December, when the decorations are up but fares and hotel rates have not yet hit their Christmas-week peak. Start by comparing a few weekends on our flight search, then lock in a refundable room on our hotel search.

How to choose the right Christmas city

Before you look at a single fare, decide what kind of Christmas trip you are after. Four questions narrow the field quickly.

1. Do you want snow, or do you want to be warm?

Nobody can promise a white Christmas anywhere, but the odds are very different in Denver or Park City than in New York, where December snow is possible but far from guaranteed. If snow matters, go to the mountains. If you would rather stroll outdoors after dark without a parka, head south or west: San Antonio, Orlando, San Diego and Las Vegas all have mild December evenings, and they put just as much effort into their lights.

2. Markets, lights, shows or history?

Every city on this list has decorations, but each does one thing especially well. Chicago, Bethlehem and Denver are the places for European-style Christmas markets. San Antonio, Grapevine and Nashville are light-display destinations. New York is the capital of holiday shows and store windows. Williamsburg, Philadelphia and Boston lean on history, candlelight and old architecture. Pick the experience you care about most and plan the rest around it.

3. Who is coming?

Families with young children usually do best somewhere compact, with daytime activities and early-evening light shows: Orlando, Grapevine and San Antonio are strong picks. Couples looking for romance often prefer Williamsburg, Leavenworth or Santa Fe. Groups of friends tend to enjoy the energy of New York, Chicago or Las Vegas. Multigenerational trips work best in cities with good transit or short walking distances, so nobody spends the holiday in traffic.

4. How much time and money do you have?

A long weekend works for a city you can reach nonstop, especially from Canada or the Northeast. Small towns like Leavenworth and Bethlehem take extra travel time from the nearest major airport, so budget at least three nights. Hotel prices in big cities rise sharply in December, while some warm-weather destinations are relatively good value until Christmas week itself. Our guide on how to save money for a trip shows how to turn a holiday wish list into a savings plan, and the pillar guide to budget travel destinations explains how to weigh the flight against the daily cost of being there.

When to go: the four phases of the holiday season

The festive season is not one block of time. Prices, crowds and what is open change noticeably from week to week.

Some attractions keep their lights up into early January, while many markets wind down just before or right after Christmas. Always check the official event page for the current season’s schedule, since dates shift from year to year.

The big-city Christmas

New York City

New York sets the template that the rest of the country copies. The tree at Rockefeller Center, lit each year around the start of December, anchors a stretch of Midtown that also includes the decorated windows of the Fifth Avenue department stores, the ice rink below the tree and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular just across the street. Bryant Park turns into a winter village with a free-admission skating rink and dozens of market stalls, and there are more holiday markets at Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central. In Brooklyn, the residential streets of Dyker Heights are famous for over-the-top home light displays; go on a weeknight to avoid the worst of the crowds.

• Where to stay: Midtown puts you close to the tree, the windows and Broadway, although it is the busiest and priciest area in December. Our guide to hotels around Times Square covers the trade-offs, and New York hotels lets you compare neighborhoods for your dates.
• How to keep it affordable: go in the first half of December, stay a subway ride from Midtown, and put the free experiences (windows, markets, the tree, Central Park) at the center of the plan. Our guide to New York on a budget goes deeper.
• Getting around: do not rent a car. The subway and your feet are faster and far cheaper; our guide to car rental versus transit in New York explains why.

For show tickets, games and concerts during your stay, browse events in New York, and for the full list of sights, see things to do in New York. The official visitor site, NYC Tourism, publishes a seasonal events guide each year.

Chicago

Chicago does the German Christmas market better than almost anywhere outside Germany. Christkindlmarket, a Chicago tradition for decades, fills Daley Plaza in the Loop with wooden huts selling ornaments, sausages, pretzels and hot spiced wine in collectible boot-shaped mugs, and the organizers have run additional locations in some seasons. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival opens the season along Michigan Avenue in mid-to-late November, Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park have seasonal skating, and Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights is a free-spirited favorite with families.

• Where to stay: the Loop and River North keep you walking distance from the market, the lakefront and the theaters. Browse hotels in the Loop or compare the city on Chicago hotels.
• Weather: it is cold, often bitterly so by the lake. Pack a proper coat, hat and gloves, and plan indoor breaks at the Art Institute or the Field Museum.
• Getting there: O’Hare has a huge range of nonstop routes, including from most Canadian cities; compare fares on our Chicago flights page.

Our guide to things to do in Chicago covers the year-round highlights, and Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism site, lists the season’s events.

Boston

Boston’s Christmas has a Canadian thread running through it. Each year, Nova Scotia sends a large tree to stand on Boston Common as a thank-you for the help Boston sent after the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and its lighting is one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions. Add skating on the Frog Pond, the decorated brick lanes of Beacon Hill, the tree and lights at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and holiday concerts at Symphony Hall, and you have a compact, walkable Christmas city with real character.

• Where to stay: Back Bay puts you between the Common, Newbury Street and Copley Square; see our guide to hotels in Back Bay.
• Getting around: the T and walking cover almost everything a visitor needs. Our guide to renting a car versus transit in Boston explains when a car makes sense.

For sights and neighborhoods, see things to do in Boston.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia combines European-style market stalls with American history. The Christmas Village in LOVE Park brings a German-style market to the heart of Center City, Dilworth Park beside City Hall runs a seasonal rink and light displays, and the historic streets around Independence Hall look their best on a crisp December evening. Hotel rates in Center City are often noticeably lower than in Manhattan, which makes Philadelphia a smart alternative for travelers who want a big-city Christmas on a smaller budget.

Stay near Old City for cobblestones and history, and read our guide to things to do in Philadelphia for the rest.

Washington, DC

The capital’s centerpiece is the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House, surrounded by smaller trees representing each state and territory. The National Park Service manages the tree and the lighting ceremony, and publishes details on its President’s Park page. Beyond the tree, the city’s big museums are free, which makes DC one of the best-value holiday trips on this list: you can spend days indoors on cold afternoons without buying a single ticket. See our guide to things to do in Washington, DC, and compare rooms near Dupont Circle.

Christmas markets and storybook towns

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The self-styled Christmas City earns its nickname. Named on Christmas Eve by its Moravian founders, Bethlehem decorates its historic Moravian district with candles in the windows and a large illuminated star above the city. Its Christkindlmarkt, run by the nonprofit arts organization ArtsQuest at the SteelStacks campus beside the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces, is one of the best-known Christmas markets in the country, with heated tents, artisans and food. Visit ArtsQuest’s Christmas City page for the current season’s schedule.

• How to get there: Lehigh Valley International Airport is closest; many visitors fly into Philadelphia instead and drive about an hour and a half north. Compare flights to Philadelphia and car rentals in Philadelphia.
• Tip: combine Bethlehem with a few nights in Philadelphia or New York for two very different Christmases in one trip.

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth rebuilt itself decades ago as a Bavarian-style alpine village in the Cascade Mountains, and in December it becomes one of the most photographed Christmas towns in the country. Its Village of Lights season covers the whole town in lights, with carolers, roasted chestnuts and snow on the peaks behind Front Street. The official tourism site, Leavenworth.org, posts the season’s events and parking information, which matters: weekends are extremely busy.

• How to get there: fly into Seattle, then drive roughly two and a half hours over Stevens Pass. Winter mountain driving requires care; check the WSDOT mountain pass reports before you set out, and carry chains if the rules require them. Compare flights to Seattle and car rentals in Seattle.
• Where to stay: rooms in town sell out early for December weekends. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, or stay midweek.

Spending a night or two in the city first? See things to do in Seattle.

Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine, between Dallas and Fort Worth, markets itself as the Christmas Capital of Texas and backs it up with a packed season of events from mid-November through early January. The historic Main Street is lit up, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs holiday-themed trips, and local wineries add seasonal tastings. The town’s official site has a dedicated Christmas Capital of Texas page with the current calendar.

Grapevine sits right next to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the easiest airports in the country to reach, so this is an excellent short-break choice. See our DFW airport guide, compare flights to Dallas, and read things to do in Dallas if you want to add a city day.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg’s restored eighteenth-century town is decorated with natural materials in the colonial style: wreaths of greenery, fruit and dried flowers on the doors, candlelit windows and fifes and drums in the streets. Its Grand Illumination, traditionally held in early December, opens the season with music and lights. It is a quieter, more thoughtful Christmas than the big cities offer, and ideal for couples and history-minded families. Pair it with a few days in Washington, DC, about three hours north by car.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville’s star attraction in December is Christmas at Biltmore, when the enormous Vanderbilt mansion is decorated room by room with trees, garland and ornaments. The estate’s evening Candlelight Christmas Evenings run from early November into January and require timed tickets; details are on the official Biltmore Christmas page. Downtown Asheville adds craft galleries, breweries and a strong restaurant scene. Asheville has its own regional airport; Charlotte, about two hours away, has many more flights, so compare flights to Charlotte and Charlotte car rentals if the direct fares look high.

A warm-weather Christmas

San Antonio, Texas

The River Walk is San Antonio’s great holiday stage. Lights hang from the cypress trees along the river, a lighted river parade usually opens the season around Thanksgiving weekend, and on select December evenings the Fiesta de las Luminarias lines the paths with thousands of candle-lit paper bags, a tradition rooted in the region’s Mexican heritage. Mild December evenings make it easy to linger over Tex-Mex on a patio after dark. Visit San Antonio, the official tourism site, lists each season’s events.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando’s theme parks treat Christmas as one of their biggest seasons. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando both decorate their parks and run holiday entertainment, and some of the most popular experiences are separately ticketed evening events that sell out. Holiday weeks are among the busiest of the year at the parks, so buy park tickets and any special-event tickets early, and expect crowds between Christmas and New Year’s. Compare Orlando hotels, including rooms along International Drive, and look at Orlando car rentals, since the parks are spread out and a car is often the simplest option.

San Diego, California

San Diego offers the rare combination of a genuine holiday atmosphere and beach weather. Balboa Park hosts December Nights, a long-running free festival with lights, food and performances, usually held over a weekend early in the month, and the harbor has boat parades with decorated vessels. Stay in the Gaslamp Quarter for walkable restaurants, and see things to do in San Diego for the rest.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas goes all in on spectacle at Christmas too. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden installs an elaborate seasonal display, the big resorts decorate their lobbies, and the shows run through the holidays. Early and mid-December can be surprisingly good value for rooms, apart from weekends with big conventions or events, while the days around New Year’s Eve are among the most expensive of the year. See hotels on the Strip and things to do in Las Vegas.

Mountains, snow and music

Denver, Colorado

Denver has a German-style Christmas market of its own in Skyline Park downtown, a lit-up Union Station, the Blossoms of Light display at Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Rocky Mountains an hour or two away for skiing or a snowy cabin. Stay in LoDo, near Union Station and the market, and read things to do in Denver. If you plan to head into the mountains, our guide on renting a car in Denver covers winter tires and I-70 traffic.

Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah

Park City combines a snowy historic Main Street with two major ski areas, all about forty minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. It is one of the most reliable places in the country for a white Christmas. The trade-off is price: Christmas week is peak ski season, and lodging books up early. Staying in Salt Lake City and driving up for the day can save money. Compare flights to Salt Lake City, see our SLC airport guide, and read things to do in Salt Lake City.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe’s Christmas is unlike anywhere else in the country. Adobe buildings are outlined with farolitos, the small paper-bag lanterns also called luminarias, and on Christmas Eve crowds stroll the galleries of Canyon Road among bonfires and lanterns. Add red and green chile, Pueblo and Spanish colonial traditions, and a high-desert setting that can bring snow, and you have one of the most atmospheric holiday trips in the Southwest. Tourism Santa Fe, the official visitor bureau, lists each season’s events.

Nashville and Branson

For Christmas with a soundtrack, Nashville delivers holiday concerts, honky-tonks and the huge light and decoration displays at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Branson, in Missouri’s Ozarks, is built around live entertainment, and Silver Dollar City’s long-running An Old Time Christmas festival adds millions of lights to the theme park. Both are strong family options, and both are driving destinations for much of the Midwest and South.

Also worth a look

Charleston and Savannah decorate their historic squares and host candlelight tours of historic homes, with mild weather for walking. Minneapolis and Saint Paul embrace winter properly, with a European-style holiday market and lots of indoor escapes; see things to do in Minneapolis. If snow is less important than scenery, our guide to America’s most unique state parks includes winter-friendly options.

Compare the cities at a glance

How to book flights and hotels for the holidays

Christmas is the toughest booking season of the year. Planes are full, many travelers are flying to visit family rather than for fun, and the most popular dates are the same for everyone. A few rules make a real difference.

Book the peak dates early

If you must fly on the weekend before Christmas, the days right after it, or around New Year’s Eve, search early and book once you see a fare you can live with. Waiting for a last-minute deal on Christmas-week dates rarely pays off. Our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels explains how booking windows work.

Fly on the quiet days

Christmas Day itself, Christmas Eve morning and New Year’s Day are often among the calmer days to fly, because most people want to be somewhere by then. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in early December are usually easier than Fridays and Sundays. A flexible-date search shows the difference quickly.

Choose refundable rooms, then keep checking

Book a refundable hotel rate as soon as your dates are set, especially for small towns with limited rooms, then keep comparing. If a better rate appears, you can switch. Our hotel booking tips cover cancellation terms, resort fees and location, and our guide to last-minute hotel booking helps if you are planning late.

Look at nearby airports

Many Christmas destinations can be reached through more than one airport. Newark or LaGuardia can beat JFK for New York, Midway can beat O’Hare for Chicago, and Philadelphia often beats the small airport near Bethlehem. Compare the total cost, including the drive or train from each airport.

Watch the weather and leave buffer time

Winter storms can delay flights anywhere in the northern half of the country. Avoid the last flight of the day on your outbound trip, leave a full day’s buffer before anything you cannot miss, and pack medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on.

Getting around once you arrive

Whether you need a car depends entirely on the destination. In New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, transit and walking beat driving, and parking near the holiday attractions is expensive and scarce. In Orlando, San Antonio, Asheville, Grapevine and anywhere in the mountains, a car is usually the practical choice. For mountain destinations, reserve a vehicle suitable for snow and learn the local chain and tire rules. Our rental car booking tips cover insurance, fuel and airport fees, and each city guide in our series has a dedicated car-or-transit breakdown.

Tips for Canadian travelers

Many of these destinations are an easy hop from Canada. New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia have frequent flights from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, while Seattle for Leavenworth is a short trip from Vancouver. Start with our pages for flights from Toronto, from Montreal and from Vancouver. Remember that the exchange rate affects every hotel night and meal, bring a passport that is valid for your whole trip, and check current entry requirements on the Government of Canada’s United States travel page before you go. Buy travel medical insurance, since provincial health plans cover very little in the United States.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming everything is open on Christmas Day. Many museums, restaurants and shops close or run reduced hours on December 24 and 25. Book Christmas dinner early and confirm hours for anything you plan to visit.
• Going on the busiest weekends. The weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas are the most crowded times at markets and light shows. Weeknights are calmer and often cheaper.
• Leaving show tickets to the last minute. Holiday shows, ballets and special events sell out, especially on weekends.
• Underestimating the cold. An evening at an outdoor market in Chicago or Bethlehem is much colder than a quick walk between buildings. Layers, warm boots and gloves make the difference.
• Ignoring the drive. Small towns like Leavenworth and Bethlehem need extra travel time, and winter roads can slow you down.
• Relying on last year’s dates. Markets, tree lightings and festivals shift slightly each year. Always check the official site for the current season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best city in the USA to spend Christmas?

For the classic experience, New York is hard to beat: the Rockefeller Center tree, the store windows, holiday shows and markets. For a cozier, more traditional feel, Bethlehem, Leavenworth and Williamsburg are excellent. For warm weather, try San Antonio, San Diego or Orlando.

When do Christmas markets open in the US?

Most open in mid-to-late November, around US Thanksgiving, and run through December; some close before Christmas Eve and a few continue into early January. Check the official site for each market’s current schedule.

Where can I get a white Christmas in the United States?

Snow is never guaranteed, but mountain destinations such as Park City, Colorado’s ski towns and Leavenworth have the best odds. Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago and New England are possible but less reliable.

What is the cheapest time to travel for Christmas?

The first two weeks of December, on weekdays, usually offer the best combination of decorations and prices. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can be cheaper days to fly, while the weekend before Christmas and the days around New Year’s Eve are typically the most expensive.

Which Christmas cities are best for families?

Orlando, Grapevine, San Antonio and Washington, DC stand out for families: plenty of daytime activities, early-evening lights and easy logistics. New York is magical for children but tiring, so plan shorter days.

Do I need a car for a Christmas trip?

Not in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, DC. You probably will in Orlando, Asheville, Grapevine, Leavenworth and the mountains.

How far ahead should I book a Christmas trip?

For Christmas week and New Year’s, the earlier the better: book flights as soon as you see an acceptable fare and reserve a refundable room. For early December, you have a little more flexibility, but small towns still fill up on weekends.

More guides in this series

This article is part of our destinations and planning series. Start with the pillar guide to budget travel destinations, then explore relaxing vacations for doing absolutely nothing if you would rather escape the holidays entirely, the best places to visit in Europe in fall for an autumn trip, and our guide to planning and booking a trip on TicketScanner.

Ready to plan a festive getaway? Compare a few December weekends on our flight search, then find a refundable room near the markets and lights on our hotel search. If New York is calling, start with our New York flights page and our guide to the best time to fly to New York.