Every State's Best Holiday Travel Destination

From cute small towns in the Heartland home to cherished holiday traditions to big cities full of bustling shopping malls, seasonal theater & ballet productions and holiday markets to coastal destinations that put a nautical twist on the season, the best holiday destinations in the USA are full of the wonder of the season. Click through the slideshow to see each state's best holiday destination for 2024.

The state's biggest city is hands down its best destination to embrace the magic of the season. Birmingham's beloved Glow Wild event will take place at the Birmingham Zoo all season long and the city will also play host to the 7th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl on December 14 and receive a visit from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on December 11. In addition, the Alabama Ballet is one of only a small handful of ballet companies in the world officially authorized to perform George Balanchine's The Nutcracker in 2024.

Take a short drive from Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway and you'll find yourself in the North Pole (the town of), which is easily one of the coolest places to be in the country in December, in more ways than one. The highlight of any trip is The Santa Claus House, which sells ornaments, decorations and other seasonal goodies and is home to a massive statue of Santa outside. This beloved store has been putting smiles on faces for 70 years and it's at its best when it's dusted with snow. 

The closest you'll get to the North Pole in The Grand Canyon State, Flagstaff features an elevated location with wintry weather and a host of fun things to do around the holidays. Do some skiing at the Arizona Snowbowl and attend the Holiday Parade of Lights (December 14) before making the short drive over to Williams to take a journey on the Grand Canyon Railway's sensational Polar Express train (runs select dates through December 30).

This small town looks like a Christmas card brought to life all year round and when the holiday season rolls around and the nights get chilly, Eureka Springs pulls out all the seasonal stops. The month starts with the lighthearted Parade of Lights (December 6) procession and Candlelight Tour of Homes (December 7) and continues the fun with events like Living Windows (December 14)-where downtown merchants have actors performing live Christmas scenes in their windows. This is to say nothing of the near-nightly holiday events that are set to take place in December at the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel.

The "Danish Capital of America" ensures that every December is one to remember with its much-loved annual JuleFest. There will be live music and a lights show in Solvang Park all holiday season long and a myriad of fun events like the Julefest Parade (December 7), candlelight tours (select nights), Makers Markets (December 4,11,18) and a performance by carolers (select dates). Regardless of what's happening when you visit, you're sure to be surrounded by the warm & cozy Scandinavian feeling known as hygge.

 

This mountain town is always easy on the eyes, but during the Holidays, Breck' boasts the type of wintry backdrop usually only reserved for Hallmark movies and Christmas commercials. The big day is December 7, as that's when the town's remarkable lights are turned on, but only after the annual Running of the Santas. The 61st annual Ullr Fest-a legendary annual party dedicated to the Norse god of snow in order to procure a winter full of powder-takes over the town on December 12-14 and The Breckenridge Backstage Theatre will be performing Every Christmas Story Ever Told all month long, too (December 11-30).

Not only is this college city known for its dazzling Christmas tree in New Haven Green—one of the most beloved in the state—December here will once again feature free carriage rides and roaming bands of merry carolers. After you've spent some quality time outside in the frosty weather, make for one of the city's fine "apizza" restaurants to try some of the nation's finest pies.

This coastal town is one of the East Coast's loveliest hidden gems and during the holidays the town bubbles over with the warmth of the season. The town kicks things off with the 92nd Annual Lewes Christmas Parade on December 7 and keeps up the festive spirit all month long, with its cute stores and eateries being the perfect places to grab some gifts and indulge in some pre-holiday fun. 

The entire town of St. Augustine will once again be illuminated by the light of thousands of enchanting bulbs during the Nights of Lights celebration, which lasts well into January. In addition, this always-atmospheric destination will play host to a Christmas Parade—complete with floats and marching bands—on December 7, the Holiday Regatta of Lights on December 14 and the lovely Las Posadas illuminations event on December 21.

The holiday season just feels jollier when you're in the hills and this town is arguably the Peach State's prettiest mountain outpost. Dahlonega will glow under a sensational display of lights all season long while the Festival of the Trees will begin on November 29 (the same night as the famous tree lighting) and run throughout December. This is just the start of the festive proceedings, as weekends in December will also see Carriage Rides on select nights, a Christmas Market, a Cookie Walk and a Reindeer Run. 

In addition to the fact that Santa is expected to arrive on the beach by canoe once again in 2024-wishing all "Mele Kalikimaka" along the way-the city will also play host to an impressive lights display at the seasonal Honolulu City Lights. And there's no need to fly back to the mainland until 2025 because the New Year's Eve fireworks over Waikiki Beach are legendary.

Home to the USA's largest holiday lights display on water and plenty of pretty wintry weather, Coeur d'Alene is the hub of the holidays in Idaho. The display features over a million bulbs and it is the centerpiece of events throughout the season that include carolers and Christmas shows. The best way to experience the lights? From the lake on one of the ever-popular Journey to the North Pole cruises. 

Ice skating on the ribbon at Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park, staying warm with a mulled wine at Christkindlmarket Chicago, shopping for gifts on Michigan Avenue and strolling under the stunning lights at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Lincoln Park Zoo. Yes, The Windy City has all you need to simply have a wonderful holiday season.

With a name like that, it was always a shoo-in, wasn't it? In addition to the general thrill of passing the "Welcome to Santa Claus" sign, this town buzzes all December long with the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration filling up the calendar with fun things to do. Paramount on the list is the Christmas Parade (December 14), the Festival of Lights and the chance to send a letter to the big man himself from the town post office.

The town may not be named after Kris Kringle, but Wyoming has managed to pick up the nickname "Christmas City" for its steadfast dedication to celebrating the holidays. The annual Christmas City Celebration will take place on December 8, but no matter when you visit you'll be treated to a canopy of lights and a merry & bright atmosphere. 

Known as the "Christmas City of the High Plains", WaKeeney rolls out the red carpet for Red & Green season with an impressive tree nestled under a canopy of dreamy blue lights in the middle of the town. Take a walk under the lights with a hot chocolate at any point during December and you'll be immediately enveloped by the spirit of the season.

Once again, the 'Ville will be the Bluegrass State's best holiday destination. Lights Under Louisville, which is the world's only underground lights display, is back at Mega Cavern while Fête De Noël winter festival will take place again in Paristown—featuring lots of festive cheer and the city's only legit outdoor ice rink—and the Gardens Aglimmer event will take over the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. Last but not least, the Louisville Ballet will perform The Brown-Forman Nutcracker on December 13-24.

From the family-focused Holiday Parade (December 7) to the Caroling in Jackson Square event (December 22), New Orleans will be a special place in December. You'll spot decorations and bows all over the handsome city-with the city's famous street cars even sporting their holiday finest-and if you are in town on Christmas Eve, you're in for a real treat as bonfires on the local levees will light up the night sky for Papa Noel, which is the historical nickname for Santa Claus in Cajun Country.

This handsome harbor town is the home of one of the nation's most beloved December events: The Christmas Prelude (December 5-15). From the tree lighting ceremonies and Santa arriving on a lobster boat at the start of the festival to the fireworks and Pooch Parade towards the end, the Prelude is the perfect way to start the holidays. Rest assured, a visit later in December will be just as dreamy as dustings of snow are commonplace and the dreamy decorations stay up all month long.

Skim along the impressive Inner Harbor ice rink before warming up with a mulled wine at the German Christmas market-inspired Christmas Village. Then, head over to "Miracle on 34th Street" in the Hampden neighborhood, which is one of the nation's best community lights displays (make sure to look out for the hubcap Christmas tree!). 

Not many towns can say they actually inspired a cherished holiday painting, but such is the Christmassy charm of this town that it was immortalized by Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. The weekend of December 6-8 will see a host of holiday happenings including a concert of carols and a re-creation of the famous painting, but the alluring atmosphere of the town and its cozy bed & breakfasts can be experienced all season long.

Home to the always-charming ChristKindlMarkt, Bronner's—the world's largest Christmas store—and an around fairytale feel complete with authentically-inspired Bavarian architecture, twinkling lights, and a singing Christmas tree, Frankenmuth is your best bet for maximizing those holiday vibes in Michigan. 

Head to Holidazzle (December 18-22) in Minneapolis for family-friendly fun, warming food & drink and lots of festive cheer. Then make your way over to St. Paul for the GLOW Holiday Festival, where you'll be able to experience a magical ambiance complete with a million lights and an enchanted forest among many other attractions (runs through January 5). Or, if it's just too chilly outside, make for the Mall of America to do some holiday shopping and take in their Festival of Trees.

The cute small town of Canton will once again come alive with over 100,000 sparkling lights in and around its historic town square, creating a scene straight out of a cable movie (Canton For Christmas, perhaps?). There will also be a festive roster of fun things to do during their Christmas Festival, which will take place on select evenings through December 23.

You haven't truly experienced a Show-Me State holiday season until you've strolled under the twinkle of the Country Club Plaza Lights in Kansas City after a day of ticking items off your shopping list at this unique outdoor mall. Afterward, take a twirl on the Crown Center Ice Rink before heading to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for a festive performance of The Nutcracker or a holiday show from the Kansas City Symphony.

This town turns into a winter wonderland every year around this time, and spending a weekend (or more) in Big Sky tucked up in a rustic cabin with the fire crackling away may have you rethinking ever taking part in the holiday rush ever again. In town, the weekend of December 13-15 sees the return of the town's annual Christmas Stroll, with family-friendly fun and a host of holiday revelry.

Nebraska's official Christmas City pulls out all the stops each December, with glowing decorations and a moving outdoor performance of their Christmas pageant called The Light of the World. The pageant will take place the first two Sundays in December, but the spirit of the season—and its 12,000 bulbs—will radiate all month long.

You're almost guaranteed a white Holiday Season at Tahoe, and in Heavenly Village on the south shore, the entire month of December will have the energy of Christmas morning with a long roster of fun events like holiday concerts, food & drink stalls and even an appearance from St. Nick himself.

Home to a holiday card-perfect streetscape and the cherished December tradition called Vintage Christmas, Portsmouth is the place to get into the spirit on the Seacoast. Stroll past the town's impressive Christmas tree, take a candlelight stroll at the Strawbery Banke Museum to learn all about Christmases of days gone by, or take in a carol concert at Market Square. 

If you ever doubt if the charm of Cape May can withstand the winter chill, one visit in December will set you straight and send you straight into a Charles Dickens tale. In fact, once you see the Victorian homes of this seaside town decked out with bows and twinkling lights, you might just start belting out a Christmas carol or two yourself. The Winter Wonderland Walk at the Emil Physick Estate (runs through December 30) and the festive trolley rides are two other great reasons to visit. 

You haven't truly experienced the magic of Christmas in The Southwest until you've spent part of your holiday season in Santa Fe. In addition to a host of concerts and festive gatherings, the city will host two of the region's most enthralling holiday traditions in Las Posadas—a recreation of Mary & Joseph's quest for a room at the inn—on December 8 and the Canyon Road Farolito Walk-an enchanting procession that passes thousands of homemade lanterns- on Christmas Eve. Then, head for the local slopes to play in the powder. 

The setting for countless holiday movies, commercials and songs, the Big Apple sparkles brightest in December. Window shop on Fifth Avenue, ice skate at Central Park's Wollman Rink or Rockefeller Center, watch the Rockettes perform their Christmas Spectacular or sip mulled wine at the Bryant Park Holiday Village. Or just stay at the Plaza Hotel and ride around in limos eating pizza like Kevin in Home Alone 2.

They're not messing around when this town’s residents call themselves "Christmas Town U.S.A.", because they've even gone and trademarked. The entire month of December is a holiday dream come true in McAdenville, as you'll witness spectacular Christmas lights in public spaces and on over a hundred private residences in town in addition to a host of fun events like the Tree Lighting (December 2) and Yule Log Ceremony (December 12).

Sure, there may be a few chilly breezes blowing in December, but it's still hard to feel frigid in Fargo this time of year with all the warm holiday vibes floating around town. The month starts off with the annual Holiday Lights Parade on December 7 and then continues with events like the Holiday Nights at Red River Zoo and the Season of Light show at the MSUM Planetarium. 

Winterland will once again bring smiles to the faces of Clevelanders and visitors alike all season long with an ice rink, holiday village, tree lighting and a series of pop-up bars all over the city. After you've explored the magical atmosphere downtown, take a tour of the A Christmas Story House to walk in the footsteps of Ralphie, his old man and the Bumpus hounds. 

The Christmas Capital of the Sooner State will once again welcome the season with style during its Territorial Christmas celebration (select dates in November and December). Throughout the season, you'll be able to watch or take part in Victorian Strolls and living window displays and admire the spectacularly lit Territorial tree, which has become a cherished symbol of the season in this historic town. Stay in one of the bed & breakfasts, which are rich in character and often sport their very own sensational seasonal decor.

There's no question that there's a host of small towns in Oregon perfect for escaping the holiday rush for a few nights, but Portland's holiday schedule makes it a must-visit. Not only will The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights run through December 30 (closed on December 25), but the city will also see lighted boat parades, ZooLights at the zoo, the Silverton Christmas market and Benson Hotel's beloved gingerbread display.

They call themselves "Christmas City" and Bethlehem more than lives up to its moniker. Visit the nationally recognized and long-running Christkindlmarkt (select dates through December 22), go ice skating at the SteelStacks, and study up the lines in classic Christmas movies before taking part in the Holiday Quote-Along Series. If you visit towards the end of the season, you'll be able to see a giant PEEP candy chick drop on New Year's Eve.

The Gilded Age beauty of Newport will still be going strong this holiday season, as its grand mansions turn into gleaming houses filled with holiday spirit and the beloved Christmas in Newport festival takes over the city. Events throughout the month include tree lightings, carol services and a front door decorating contest-and this is to say nothing of the idyllic bulbs strung all over town meant to emulate candlelight.

This Palmetto State holiday paradise will start December out with its beloved Night of 1000 Lights on December 12—an event that sees bulbs and luminaries line the city's streets—while its Festival of Trees kicks off on December 6. The town will also host two parades and The Christmas in Hopelands lights display (running December 14-23) to help make your December even more merry and bright. 

Each holiday season, the city's namesake waterfalls and its surrounding park are the setting for a gorgeous lights display called Winter Wonderland at Falls Park. This event features millions of twinkling bulbs, dozens of wreaths, hundreds of decorated trees and color-changing lights that make the falls (often covered in snow and ice) even more beautiful than usual. 

Home to a selection of shows like the Christmas Show at Country Tonite and a Winterfest celebration that will once again feature millions of sparkling lights, Pigeon Forge is one of the finest places in the nation to spend a December night. After you've experienced the frosty fun in the town itself, make for Dollywood for the ultimate December experience: A Smoky Mountain Christmas, which will once again distill all the most magical moments of a holiday in the region into one unforgettable package.

Each and every day in December will feature a unique event in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, which hosts over a thousand events over the festive season. In addition to a sensational town lights display, just a few of the highlights of the season include the North Pole Express train experience, holiday movies & events at the Historic Palace Theatre, an ice skating rink and a Merry & Bright Drone Show.

The state capital is also the center of Utah's holiday offerings. Make for This is The Place Heritage Park December 4-7 to be surrounded by the atmosphere of a German Christmas Market, which will feature authentic European delicacies and dozens of stalls selling gifts. Then, do some ice skating at Gallivan Center before strolling through Temple Square to admire the atmospheric Christmas lights.

This quintessentially New England town is known all over the nation for its Wassail Weekend (December 13-15), an event that bubbles over with wintry fun by way of a festive parade, yule log & memory tree lighting ceremony, and so very much more. Visit later in the month to enjoy the afterglow of this tremendous seasonal event and to experience the family-friendly vintage Christmas events at Billings Farm.

Not only will Colonial Williamsburg be covered in candles, bows and the spirit of Christmases past, but Busch Gardens' Christmas Town will also delight visitors all season long. The theme park will be home to over ten million lights, a series of uplifting shows, and delicious seasonal food in addition to offering the opportunity to ride many of the park's best rides.

The Emerald City is the place to be transported to a state of holiday bliss. For starters, the beloved Seattle Christmas Market returns November 21 - December 24. Elsewhere, Winterfest at Seattle Center will run through December, featuring a series of concerts, family-friendly events and illuminations while other highlights of the seasonal calendar include the Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel (November 21 - December 2) and performances of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker by the Pacific Northwest Ballet (runs through December 28).

Harpers Ferry is always easy on the eyes, but if you catch this pretty town located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers with a dusting of snow, you'll feel like you've crashed into a snowglobe. Things get even better during the Old Tyme Christmas (December 6-8 & December 14-15) event, when its quaint streets bubble over with festive fun and the sound of music and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages.

The Badger State's biggest city has the most buzz this December, and we're not just talking about all the fun happening on the powder at Rock Snowpark. A small sampling of the reasons it's a great place to visit this year include the performances of A Christmas Carol at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater (November 26 – December 24), Black Nativity at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall (December 5-8), Christmas in the Ward (December 6) and the Jingle Bus Tours-a guided journey around the city's best Christmas lights which runs through December 29.

Cheyenne is one of the West's best destinations all year round, but it positively glows come December. Take one of the cute Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Holiday Lights Tour (December 7-28) to cruise around town in heated comfort while admiring the city's twinkling Christmas lights and then make sure to stop by the Historic Governor's Mansion for the Tinsel Through Time event (November 23 - December 21), which will feature a theme of "Melodies of Christmas".