Every December, some families prefer to stay at home and decorate their respective households and turn it into a Christmas wonderland. However, many families prefer to go out and celebrate their holidays in different cities to unwind with the Christmas spirit. Most of the holiday destinations feature Christmas Markets where visitors can experience the holiday cheer.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the following U.S. cities that hold the best Christmas markets.
10 Stockbridge Massachusetts
Also known as the Home For Christmas, this historic village of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, never disappoints. It offers different galleries and stores where visitors can shop for Christmas decorations and essentials. It also features various services and restaurants that could cater large family gatherings. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities with hillsides for sledding, and lakes for ice-skating and fishing. There's also a family mountain with trails, skiing, and snowboard rental.
9 Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth brings visitors a blast from the past with its 1960s vibe. This village features multiple activities anyone can enjoy, such as Santa costumes from around the world, gingerbread house competition, letters to Santa, festive gift wrapping station, Krampus night, and a chance to win a Leavenworth-themed Christmas tree with gifts. This year, The Village of Light prepared their display of over half a million lights.
8 North Pole, Alaska
Just 20 minutes away from Fairbanks is the Santa Claus House with candy canes painted on city streets. Santa Claus House is a store and post office that turned into a holiday destination shop. In times past, the only activity here was the Letters from Santa where letters were postmarked from the North Pole and with an official Santa seal. Now, the North Pole has live reindeer, coffee shops, gift items, and the world's largest Santa statue. The aurora-watching season starts in late November.
7 Durango, Colorado
Experience an unforgettable Durango Christmas with this family-friendly destination. Every year, Durango, Colorado, turns into a very dreamy Christmas town. Events include snowsports activities, singing with Santa, The Polar Express, Holiday Arts and Craft Fair, and Noel Night. Travelers can find a cozy stay at Durango Colorado Vacations, a rental company with a choice of accommodations.
6 Woodstock, Vermont
Holidays the old-fashioned way with Christmas town and Main Street in Woodstock, Vermont featuring the famous "Christmastime Wassail Feast," a medieval type of pageant with broad appeal. Experience the Christmas parade where visitors can see beautiful horses and costumes all within the gorgeous winter landscape. Do not miss the Wagon Tours – a horse-drawn wagon that brings its passengers to the quaint covered bridges and snowy vistas.
5 Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri, features the Ozark Mountain Christmas with its much-anticipated special events and shows every Christmas season starting at the beginning of November through New Year's Day. Experience world-class live performances, bright Christmas lights, holiday shopping, the Adoration Parade, Annual Veterans Homecoming Week, and the All Aboard Polar Express showcasing the beauty of Ozark Mountains. A plethora of hotels and resorts provide for the needs of each and every traveler.
4 Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus, Indiana, offers a three-weekend Christmas tradition experience. Visit the famous Santa Claus Museum & Village with the 22-foot-tall Santa statue. Visitors can also receive mail from Santa and witness Santa's Giant LED Tree of Lights. Discover the history of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, which also hosts a firework display. There are also Christmas travel packages where visitors can choose cozy lodges to suit their needs.
3 Frankenmuth, Michigan
One of the cities that hosts the most festive Christmas celebration is Frankenmuth, Michigan, featuring the world's largest Christmas store, the year-round Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Roaming around Main Street while riding a horse-drawn carriage and enjoying the 100,000 lights display known as 25 Christmas Lane is among the holiday activities available in Frankenmuth. A seasonal highlight is the musical tree, where a 40ft tall pine provides a show of Christmas sounds and lights.
2 Snowmass, Colorado
Featuring the mountain peaks of Colorado, Snowmass is a true winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy skiing, riding, and tubing with the four mountains of Snowmass, visitors can also enjoy snowmobiling and even purchase lessons!. The celebration lasts until New Year's Eve with the Christmas-themed fireworks display visible from everywhere in Snowmass. Don’t leave this wonderland without checking out the shopping - from gear apparel to fashion and beauty products featuring world-class brands.
1 Chicago
Experience a European-themed Christmas market at the City of Chicago. Features include the Christmas Tree Farm on Goose Island, snow sports in Millennium Park, and the 2.5 million LED lights, part of the annual celebration at Lincoln Park Zoo. Vendors from all over the globe provide unique shopping experiences. The festival runs through December, while Christkindlemarket is open on Sundays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and open on Fridays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.