The United States might be one of the best places in the world to experience holiday cheer. From towering Christmas trees to ice skating under thousands of twinkling lights, the traditional heart of American yuletide comes alive after Thanksgiving and lasts well into the New Year. But some cities go just a little above and beyond when it comes to holiday cheer. Here are five of our favorite U.S. cities with holiday spirit to spare.
New York City, New York
New York City at Christmas is unlike any place on Earth. The metropolitan glitz and glamor transforms into a winter wonderland come the end of November. Known the world over as a holiday mecca, everything wonderful about New York City seems to magnify this time of year.
The iconic tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center kicks off the entire country’s holiday season. The tree, usually a Norway spruce, must meet the minimum height requirement of 75 feet tall and is decked from head to toe in 50,000 lights, all topped with a Swarovski crystal star. Radio City Music Hall hosts the Rockettes' famous Christmas performance, and Bryant Park's Winter Village opens with hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of holiday goodies. If the city happens to experience snowfall during your stay, head to Central Park to stroll under the twinkling lights of the city skyline.
Franklin, Tennessee
Fans of Charles Dickens should add Franklin, Tennessee to their holiday trip list. Each year, the town puts on the Dickens of a Christmas festival honoring the English author. Set against the historic downtown, the festival transports visitors back to Victorian England with performers dressed as Dickens characters, from Ebenezer Scrooge to little Tiny Tim. Food and music are readily available, and several artisans set up booths with homemade gifts for sale.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a tiny coastal enclave tucked away at the southern edge of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. If you’re looking to get away to a quaint community this holiday season, this is the perfect place. Beaufort is a wonderful mixture of small town feel with enough amenities and activities to keep you busy.
Make sure you’re in town for their annual Christmas Market, usually hosted in the middle of December. The smell of homemade gingerbread wafts through over 100 artisan stalls and the historic homes and storefronts are thoroughly decorated with wreaths and lights. The Crystal Coast flotilla marks the start of the holidays every year in early December. Dozens of boats, yachts, kayaks, and even the Beaufort Oars rowing team float along the waterfront decorated with Christmas lights and tinsel galore.
North Pole, Alaska
Ever addressed a letter to “Santa Claus, North Pole”? This town is its final destination. 400,000 pieces of mail arrive to North Pole, Alaska every year, bearing Santa’s name. Santa’s unofficial home, actually 1,700 miles south of the true North Pole, this yuletide hamlet in northern Alaska plays host to thousands of visitors every holiday season.
Santa Claus House is a shrine to Christmas itself with thousands of ornaments and trinkets to sift through. The town hosts its Winter Festival with fireworks, ice sculptures, and a bazaar in early to mid December. If you’re lucky, the Northern Lights have been known to light up the skies as well. This might be the closest thing to the “real” North Pole that you can step foot in.
Branson, Missouri
Deemed “America’s Christmas Tree City”, Branson, Missouri might be the Christmas capital of the United States. While always an energetic town known for its live shows, Branson transforms itself into something out of a snowglobe in late November.
An 1800’s themed amusement park most of the year, The Silver Dollar City Christmas Lights display is home to 1,000 Christmas trees and over 6 million lights to tour through. Even Dolly Parton’s Stampede gets in the spirit with appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves. As if these Christmas celebrations weren’t enough you can take a ride on the “Polar Express” complete with hot chocolate service, drive through Christmas light displays, or pay a visit to Chateau on the Lakes’ gingerbread village, made with over 300 pounds of sugar.
