It’s that time of year again! Santa is loading his sleigh, trees are trimmed with all kinds of twinkle lights, and heirloom ornaments adorn our hearts with beautiful memories. Carols are being sung and there is a feeling of holiday cheer and family togetherness in the air. The Eight American Holiday Towns highlighted here are extra serious about their tree lighting ceremonies, festive decorations and activities – including parades, contests, eggnog and caroling. These traditional activities prepare visitors who want to celebrate the season. From traditional Victorian Christmas Festivals to those that feature over 5 million lights, here are America’s Best Towns to visit during the holidays.
8. Woodstock, Vermont
The air is crisp with a subtle smell of pine, the ground is lightly dusted with snow, and the twinkling of lights shine down on this town during the holiday season. For the past 25 years Woodstock has hosted Wassail Weekend, a pre-Christmas festival that is rooted in 19th century Norse culture and traditions. The festival brings a parade of over 50 horses and riders that are in holiday costumes, as well as wagon and sleigh rides. There is a feast that includes Wassail (a hot beverage that tastes like cider). Local shops decorate their windows and stay open late for shoppers during the festival and tours of notable historic buildings are hosted by the local merchants. This may be the perfect town to visit this holiday season.
7. McAdenville, North Carolina
This small town just minutes outside of Charlotte has re-named itself “Christmas Town USA” during the month of December each year and draws an average of 600,000 people who come to gaze at the town’s decorative lights. This town kicks off its holiday cheer with a tree lighting ceremony on December 1st where 500,000 red, white and green lights and displayed. It takes about 375 trees to house all these lights and they light a route that is perfect for a winter stroll through the downtown. Home owners also join in on the festivities of the holiday celebration – elaborately decorating their homes as well. Enjoy hot chocolate and kettle corn as you stroll through the downtown and to the nearby lake which features 33 trees lining the perimeter and a 75-foot water fountain that is lit with vibrant colors. The entire month of December is truly considered a celebration of the Christmas holiday.
6. Vail, Colorado
This town turns into a true Winter Wonderland during the holiday season. December brings the festivities of Snowdaze and Holidaze to the town. Live concerts take place to celebrate Snowdaze – which is the introduction of fresh snow to the ski resort. Holidaze includes the village’s tree lighting during the winter solstice and a New Year’s Eve torchlight parade. The village is filled with parties and performers. You might toast the New Year with a Rosemary Lemon Drop – a rosemary-infused vodka with lemon juice and a sugar rim. Enjoy outdoor skating, hot coffee from local producers and equally warming cocktails. This incredible winter destination has more than 5,200 acres of ski and snowboard terrain. Discover why this is one of America’s most loved towns – especially in December.
5. Nantucket, Massachusetts
The festivities and banner events in this town started in the 1970’s because too many locals left town to shop in Cape Cod. Merchants realized that there needed to be a solution for economical reasons. This island town quickly came up with an annual Christmas Stroll the first weekend in December in which stores stayed open late and shop owners entertained shoppers with wine, hot chocolate, cider and Christmas cookies while they browsed. Nowadays this Christmas Stroll includes walking amid dozens of seven-foot Christmas trees that are illuminated at night and a 20-foot tree that talks to all visitors who visit it. Carolers sing at various downtown locations, live entertainment takes place, craft shows happen and Santa and Mrs. Claus always make an appearance. You can also take part in wine tastings, ghost walks, and home tours. For more tree gazing, go to the Whaling Museum which houses 80 trees decorated by local artists, merchants, and kids.
4. Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit used to be an artist’s colony in Maine but has now transformed into a summer getaway. However, the holiday season brings the perks of winter on the sand: lower prices, a laid-back feeling and enough festivities to keep things interesting. Christmas by the Sea Festival features a town tree lighting ceremony with caroling and warm drinks, concerts, a bonfire on the beach and a soul-warming chowder fest – not to mention a meet and greet with Santa. Christmas craft-making workshops are a favorite and there are plenty of local shops for last-minute shopping. Friendly locals and great deals on accommodations and dining are abundant.
3. Naples, Florida
If you want to avoid the snowy weather but still want to enjoy that festive feeling, there is no better place than Naples – the snowbird-style winter wonderland. Naples lures visitors with its festive ambiance, luxury stores, fantastic dining and warm weather. The headquarters for the official Christmas tree is Third Street South where twinkling lights and red and silver decorations adorn the streets. It is here where Santa comes to visit, snow falls out of the lampposts and shows take place throughout the month. The Christmas Parades take place on Fifth Avenue South along with awesome shopping, live music, dancing and dining. Department stores are beautifully adorned with holiday decorations and the Old Naples Historic District is worth seeing.
2. Branson, Missouri
The town of Branson is known as the Ozark Mountain Christmas as it transforms into a winter wonderland complete with twinkling lights, live shows and plenty of shopping. Here in this town they don’t even wait until Thanksgiving has passed to start their holiday cheer. Celebrations run from the beginning of November through New Year’s Day. Branson is the live music capital of the world, so visitors should plan on attending one of the famous events that provide traditional Christmas music. Visiting the Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas Festival is a must when you visit – with 5 million lights, two live shows a day, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees and the awesome light parade. Many of the hotels and resorts in this town pull out all the stops for the holidays. Expect visits with Santa, special activities for kids and lots of yummy treats.
1. The Number One Town to Visit During the Holidays is – Historic Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Where better to visit during the holidays than the nation’s capital? Washington D.C.’s oldest neighborhood, beautiful already with its historic buildings that line the streets, really comes alive during the holiday season. With over 450 stores, restaurants and galleries, the streets of Georgetown are adorned with Yuletide decorations. The Holiday Window Competition that takes place each year means visitors are privy to the gorgeous and innovative displays that shop keepers come up with. Think roasted chestnuts, hot toddies, appearances by St. Nicholas, carolers in Victorian costumes, dancers and other entertainment.
The Washington Harbor Ice Rink is D.C.’s largest outdoor ice-skating venue and a must-do if you want to fully experience the holiday season in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from a rink-side restaurant.
New this year: Several local tour companies are offering more than 30 GLOW-inspired walking tours, tying the exhibition to history, food, photography, and art themes. And…don’t forget the horse-drawn sleigh rides through the historic and romantic city of Georgetown. You won’t regret it.
The article that this summary was based on in part was:
Escape Here – online ezine and written by Lindsey MacNevin
