It is officially December and that means there are 25 glorious days till Christmas! With the month alluding to snow and festive goodness, there is nothing more charming than traveling and setting your sights on some of the best festive towns.
Whether they look like winter wonderlands or not, some of America’s most beautiful towns offer a creative spin on yuletide traditions. From decorated streets with twinkling lights and trees, to a slew of festivities leading up to the big day, these communities feel like Rockwell paintings sprung to life.
If you’re in need of a holiday moment straight out of It’s A Wonderful Life or just want to get into the spirit of things, we recommend visiting these festive towns before Christmas!
McAdenville, North Carolina
As a hamlet of 650 residents that calls itself, “Christmas Town USA,” this festive town 20 minutes outside Charlotte knows how to party! With a 5K race to kick off events like the Yule Log Parade, more than 600,000 tourists visit this quaint town each year and revel in the beauty of 450,000 lights as residents hand out hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols in McAdenville’s downtown.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Celebrate the season in this mountain town, home to Dolly Parton’s, Dollywood. This eastern Tennessee oasis touted the “center of fun” in the Smokies features festivals with spectacular performances, winter fun and a whopping four million holiday lights! With award-winning entertainment like Dollywood’s modern retelling of A Christmas Carol to delicious dining, you’re in for a treat!
Santa Claus, Indiana
A town named after Saint Nicholas? Count us in! Dubbed America’s Christmas Hometown, this corner of the Hoosier state enthusiastically embraces its role year-round. From an array of Santa-themed shops and attractions like a candy castle, to stables and a museum, this village of 2,200 celebrates like no other. Local festivities not only include performances and a fruitcake-eating contest, but also a drive through Santa’s Land of Lights.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Illustrated as the quintessential Christmas destination, this village set aglow with more than one million holiday lights adorning buildings, gift barns, shops, and landscapes feels like a fairyland straight out a snow globe. The festive hot spot has been packing in crowds since 1948. With breathtaking views with glistening lakes, charming walkways, and magical displays, this internationally-recognized town is definitely worth a visit!
Durango, Colorado
Durango might have the coolest honor ever. The historic mining community was named one of the best Christmas towns by HGTV. Home to the Polar Express, a snowy train ride along the Animas River, this ride lets your kids visit the North Pole and meet Santa. Moreover, with ski season in bloom, there’s never a dull moment in Durango, especially during downtown’s holiday events and decorations part of “HoliDazzle.”
Greenville, South Carolina
If you’re looking for more of a city feel, look no further than the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains as you explore a downtown as charming as the star atop the Christmas tree. Thriving with a vibrant arts scene and seasonal spirit, Greenville captures small-town charm with various holiday events, an open-air ice-skating rink, festivals and a yuletide-lit downtown hailed by Forbes Magazine as the nation’s best.
Nevada City, California
This former Gold Rush town located an hour northeast of Sacramento celebrates with classic style. Accented by twinkling lights, authentic gas lamps and carolers dressed in Victorian apparel, this picturesque town with mountainous surroundings transforms into a real life Christmas card. With festivals and elegant Christmas decor, tourists are encouraged to dress in period attire complete with feathers and top hats!
Ogunquit, Maine
Native American for “Beautiful Place by the Sea,” this New England town celebrates Christmas by the Sea — an annual celebration that breathes life and light into this beachside town. With plenty of holiday cheer and festivities, this former artists’ colony boasts old-fashioned traditions from carolers and choirs, to chic boutiques and charming inns. Oh, and did we mention the festive bonfire by the beach and the soul-warming chowder festival?
Helen, Georgia
Get your yodel on as you visit an Alpine village without ever leaving the country! This former logging town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the Chattahoochee River bears a striking resemblance to a Bavarian town rooted deep in German traditions. Come December, residents celebrate with decorated trees, participating in events like Kinderfest, Christkindlmarkt and the tree lighting ceremony.
Cape May, New Jersey
Revel in the season like a character straight out of a Brontë or Austen novel in this Victorian town dressed up charmingly for Christmas. Easily recognizable by its authentic architecture, this Jersey Shore village ranks high on the scale of Dickens vibes. The nation’s summer resort transforms into an elegant winter wonderland, decked out with Victorian love, festivals, events, and tours around town.
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What are some of your favorite holiday towns in the the U.S. or world? Share with us in the comments below!
Featured image: Leavenworth, Washington
The Hudsucker 
Really want to visit America so badly especially at Christmas time! This post has made us want to visit even more!