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Germany's splendor of castles, mountains, and historical cities will astonish tourists any time of year. However, instead of visiting the Bavarian country during the winter, the same picturesque landscapes blanketed in snow seem to come to life when visiting Leavenworth, Washington. In this state, there will likely be events and Thanksgiving and Christmas spirits everywhere people go, no matter which town they are in. Those picture-book towns appear especially charming with a light covering of snow. Leavenworth is a very attractive spot for a vacation on Thanksgiving weekend and during the Christmas holiday whenever tourists are going to the east of the wonderful city of Seattle. It is unbeatable with its festive spirit. After that, tourists can indulge in delectable traditional German food and drinks and other holiday-related treats. It is difficult to pick the finest places to go at this time of year because there are so many wonderful places to explore, but Christkindlmarkt in Leavenworth is genuinely stunning this year.

Related: Leavenworth, Washington Is The Ultimate Christmas Destination

Where Is Leavenworth Located And How To Get To Christkindlmarkt?

The stunning Leavenworth is close to the Cascade Mountains and is a wonderful Christmas escape for visitors from Seattle. Since Leavenworth is only a little more than 2 hours away from Seattle, it makes for a fantastic day trip or weekend escape. The three most common modes of transportation to Leavenworth are via bus, car, and rail. However, it is advised to take a car if tourists intend to stay a few days in the region because it gives them the freedom to explore all the enjoyable winter activities, including Christkindlmarkt.

What Is Christkindlmarkt In Leavenworth?

One of the most enchanted locations during the holiday season is Leavenworth, Washington, and not just for the breathtaking winter scenery! The Bavarian-styled community has several enjoyable holiday celebrations, such as the well-liked Christkindlmarkt in Front Street Park. This yearly Christmas market, which takes place during the weekend of Thanksgiving, is a great opportunity to get the holiday season started and to start buying gifts for those on the nice list. There are many more events taking place in Leavenworth over the Christmas season, so visitors shall be sure to plan and get all the information they need on the top eateries, gatherings, and activities. During Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas, Leavenworth resembles a magical village. With over 500,000 shiny lights, the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival brings the town to life with illuminations strung up everywhere. Compared to the Christmas lights in Seattle, these are much more stunning. The Christmas season also features several other festive events, such as carolers, the aroma of roasting chestnuts, live music and entertainment, gluhwein tents, and an annual cookie crawl for children.

  • Date: Lights will be lit on December 1, 2022

Enjoy The Christmas Activities In Leavenworth

Meet Santa, Sing Christmas Carols, Get Dazzled By The Lights

Christmas in Leavenworth is like visiting Santa's store for the holidays! The Bavarian town is bustling with events, such as beautifully strung holiday lights and carolers, to get visitors in the holiday mood. Even one of Santa's elves or another holiday mascot will be available for them to take a picture with.

Ride Leavenworth Snow Train

Amtrak runs a unique Leavenworth Snow Train during the winter. Every Saturday in December, a train runs between Seattle and Leavenworth to transport passengers to the annual tree-lighting event. The snow train journey travels through the night and arrives in Leavenworth just after noon. It features a buffet breakfast as well as onboard entertainment from musicians, magicians, and Santa. Passengers will receive dinner and more in-car entertainment on the way back on the train.

  • Cost: Starting at $229 per adult and $219 per child

Related: Don't Miss These Perfect Christmas Towns In North Carolina

Have Fun Skiing, Sledding, And Tubing

The Leavenworth ski hill offers skiing, sledding, and tubing rides, which are great family entertainment. A 100-foot (30.48-meter) tubing hill at the Lt. Michael Adams Tubing Park will keep visitors entertained and laughing for hours. Additionally, there is no need to climb the mountain on foot because a rope tow will carry out the difficult task for guests. After they finish tubing, they can relax while drinking a nice beverage by the fire at the Ski Hill Lodge.

Visit The Unique Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

The local attractions of Leavenworth are very distinctive as a vacation spot. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which houses one of the largest nutcracker collections in the United States, is among the most intriguing of these attractions. Tourists are cordially encouraged to peruse the different nutcrackers on display, discover their origins, and perhaps even bring one home with them. The visit starts with a short video detailing the history of the nutcrackers and a quick demonstration of how to use them. Then guests will be taken on a tour where they will see tens of thousands of nutcrackers from more than 40 nations, some of which are older than the Roman era. Visitors will also see nearly 8,000-year-old nutting stones!

  • Entrance fee: $5 per adult, $3.5 per senior (above 65 years old), and $2 per youth (between 6 and 16 years old)
  • Opening Schedule: Daily, from 11:00 AM To 5:00 PM.