As leaves fall and snow begins to blanket the ground, the holiday season brings joy and cheer. With crisp air, festive music, and lights brightening every corner, exploring a new state on assignment can feel daunting. Not sure where to start? This guide highlights the best holiday festivities — from ice skating and winter festivals to cozy park strolls surrounded by twinkling lights.
Whether you’re on a travel contract or just looking for something festive, here’s a guide to our top 25 holiday spots and events across the country.
For Our Snowbirds
Arizona
Although this destination may not come to mind as a holiday destination, Arizona brings a twist to your traditional holiday experience. Known for its dry-desert landscape, Arizona won’t offer snow-covered streets, but you’ll find plenty of holiday spirit. Picture holiday lights glowing against the stunning red rocks, and festive events under clear, starry skies. In Phoenix, you can attend the ZooLights or even catch Mariah Carey in the Christmas Time Concert, adding a unique sparkle to the holiday season.
Arkansas
Arkansas offers a charming holiday experience, transforming its scenic landscapes into a winter wonderland of sorts. Throughout the season, Arkansas hosts enchanting holiday parades, like the one in Hot Springs, where floats, dancers, and holiday lights take over the streets. In Garvan Woodland Gardens, you’ll find a mesmerizing display of over four million lights, creating a must-see holiday experience for families and travelers alike.
Georgia
Georgia is bustling year-round, but during the holiday season, it shines even brighter. One of the state’s biggest attractions, Stone Mountain Park, transforms into a holiday haven with festive decorations and open rides, allowing visitors to experience holiday cheer with a Southern twist. In Savannah, you’ll find historic homes and streets decked out with lights, while Atlanta offers its famous Garden Lights at the Botanical Gardens—a magical sight for all ages.
Coastal Holiday and Historic Traditions
Delaware
In Delaware, the holiday season brings cozy charm and winter activities to both small towns and scenic areas. Depending on the weather, the landscape may transform into a winter wonderland, setting the stage for seasonal attractions. One highlight is the Wilmington & Western Railroad’s holiday train, which is decked out in lights and offers families a festive ride through scenic areas. Other attractions include Winter Wonderfest in Lewes, DE where lights and decorations bring the coastal town to life.
Maryland
Maryland combines coastal beauty with historic holiday charm, making it an ideal destination for a winter getaway. In Baltimore, the Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor showcases a traditional German market with lights, crafts, and festive food. Annapolis, MD also shines during the season, with its Holiday Lights Parade featuring decorated boats. Visitors can explore historic neighborhoods adorned with holiday decor, blending history with the magic of the season.
Midwest Holiday Charm
Illinois
During the winter, Chicago, IL, comes alive with holiday spirit. The city’s Christkindl market, inspired by traditional German markets, brings vendors, holiday treats, and unique gifts to the heart of the city. Lincoln Park Zoo transforms with ZooLights, a colorful display perfect for families, and Millennium Park’s iconic ice-skating rink offers a vivid winter activity. Small towns across Illinois also host festive parades and light displays, making this state a must-visit for Midwest holiday cheer.
Indiana
Indiana offers visitors a taste of classic holiday celebrations, especially in the town of Santa Claus, which embraces the season year-round. During the holidays, the town hosts the Santa Claus Christmas Parade and other seasonal events, bringing a festive atmosphere to the community. Indianapolis also lights up for the season, with the Circle of Lights transforming the downtown area into a holiday spectacle.
Iowa
Iowa may be known for its peaceful landscapes, but it becomes a lively holiday destination with events like Jolly Holiday Lights in Des Moines. This drive-through light display stretches over 2.5 miles, offering families a cozy way to enjoy the lights. Other festive activities include the Festival of Trees and Lights, which showcases beautifully decorated trees and holiday scenes throughout the state.
Kansas
Kansas embraces holiday charm in its small towns and big cities alike. In Wichita, KS the Prairie Lights Festival offers festive displays, while Abilene’s Victorian Christmas brings a nostalgic twist with horse-drawn carriages and candlelit windows. These cozy, traditional celebrations make Kansas a perfect destination for visitors looking to experience a warm, hometown holiday atmosphere.
Missouri
Missouri captures the spirit of the season, particularly in Kansas City and St. Louis. Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza lights up with its famous Plaza Lights, where the entire shopping district glows with festive colors. In St. Louis, MO Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park and Holiday Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery offer enchanting displays that make the state a lovely Midwest holiday destination.
Kentucky
Kentucky combines holiday charm with its beautiful landscapes, particularly at the Kentucky Horse Park, where the Southern Lights display illuminates the grounds. Louisville’s Festival of Lights and the historic homes in Old Louisville dressed in festive decor give visitors a taste of Kentucky’s holiday magic.
New England Festivities and Winter Activities
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a classic New England holiday destination, with Boston’s tree lighting and Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll drawing visitors from near and far. The city of Salem offers holiday ghost tours, while small towns like Stockbridge transform with holiday decor inspired by Norman Rockwell’s iconic Christmas scenes. This mix of historic charm and festive events makes Massachusetts a magical winter destination.
New York
New York is full with holiday excitement, from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and ice-skating rink to the lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Beyond NYC, you can find cozy holiday charm in upstate towns like Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid, where scenic snow-covered streets and festive lights make for an unforgettable holiday escape.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a unique blend of holiday cheer and historic sites, especially in Bethlehem, PA known as Christmas City, USA. The town hosts traditional holiday markets, carriage rides, and candlelight tours. Philadelphia’s Christmas Village brings a German-inspired market to the heart of the city, while nearby towns offer cozy holiday charm and beautiful decorations.
Great Lakes and Snowy Getaways
Minnesota
Minnesota may be one of the colder states in the winter, but it shines during the holiday season. The Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Duluth offers a stunning display of lights along Lake Superior, while St. Paul’s Winter Carnival features ice sculptures, parades, and winter-themed activities. The chilly weather adds to the charm, making Minnesota a perfect destination for a snowy holiday experience.
Ohio
Ohio offers a variety of holiday events across its cities, making it a festive destination in the Midwest. In Cincinnati, OH the Festival of Lights at the zoo is a top attraction, while Columbus boasts the German Village Christmas, where cobblestone streets and historic homes are illuminated with lights. Cleveland’s Winterfest and holiday markets add even more options for visitors.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin embraces the season with charming holiday celebrations. Milwaukee’s Holiday Lights Festival fills the city with bright decorations, while Green Bay’s Winter Jubilee creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for families. Small towns like Cedarburg, WI hold traditional Christmas markets, making Wisconsin an inviting destination for holiday travelers.
Southwest and Mild Winters
Texas
Texas may be warm, but it offers incredible holiday events. Grapevine, the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” offers over 1,400 holiday activities, including parades, lights, and Santa visits. San Antonio’s River Walk transforms with lights reflecting off the water, and Houston’s Zoo Lights provides a family-friendly winter wonderland. Texas proves that holiday cheer can thrive even without the snow.
Louisiana
Louisiana combines holiday festivities with rich traditions, creating a holiday experience unlike any other. In New Orleans, visitors can enjoy New Year’s Eve dinners, holiday lights in City Park, and Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River. The state’s blend of Creole culture and holiday decor makes it a festive and culturally unique destination.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s holiday celebrations shine in cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The Rhema Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow, OK features millions of lights, while the Chickasha Festival of Light draws visitors with its massive light displays and cheerful atmosphere. Oklahoma’s family-friendly festivities make it an appealing choice for holiday travelers.
Colorado
Colorado’s holiday season brings a mix of snowy wonder and festive events. Denver’s Mile High Tree and Downtown Parade of Lights are holiday highlights, while ski resorts like Aspen and Vail create a winter wonderland with decorated slopes and cozy holiday celebrations. Colorado combines outdoor beauty with holiday cheer, making it ideal for winter festivities.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s charm shines in its mountain towns and coastal cities alike. Asheville’s Biltmore Estate transforms with holiday decor, and the nearby small towns offer cozy holiday scenes with lights, carolers, and markets. Charlotte’s Speedway Christmas features a drive-through light show, and Wilmington’s coastal holiday decor adds a warm touch to winter.
Virginia
Virginia’s rich history blends beautifully with holiday celebrations. In Williamsburg, VI Colonial Williamsburg comes alive with holiday wreaths, candles, and old-fashioned decorations, while Alexandria’s Scottish Walk Parade brings holiday cheer with a historic twist. Richmond’s Tacky Lights Tour and beautiful light displays throughout the state make Virginia a captivating destination for holiday travelers.
Pacific Wonderland and Scenic Celebrations
California
California offers a variety of holiday experiences, from the snowy mountains of Lake Tahoe to the coastal charm of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Disneyland turns into a holiday wonderland, while San Francisco’s Union Square hosts an ice rink and Christmas tree lighting. For a unique experience, visitors can enjoy the Christmas lights along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
Oregon
Oregon combines the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with holiday magic. Portland’s Christmas Ships Parade is a unique tradition where decorated boats sail down the river, lighting up the water. The Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights and Mt. Hood’s holiday festivities create a wintery atmosphere, making Oregon a perfect spot for a cozy, scenic holiday.
Washington
Washington state offers the best of winter landscapes and holiday festivities. Seattle’s Christmas market at Pike Place and the iconic Snowflake Lane in Bellevue provide plenty of seasonal cheer, while the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, WA transforms into a snowy holiday paradise with lights, carolers, and outdoor activities.
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