Festive season is just around the corner, and if you’re a fan of real-life Hallmark movie magic throughout the holidays, look no further than these cozy Christmas towns around the United States.
Leavenworth, Washington
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth might be in the United States, but its Bavarian architecture style transports you directly to Germany. (The nearby stretch of the Cascades is called The Enchantments and it even feels like The Alps!) The city decorates with more than half a million lights that remain in place through February, providing a colorful glow long past the holidays. A wide variety of live musical performances will also help you get in the festive spirit, like The Sugarplums, winners of The Christmas Caroler Challenge on The CW, or The Jewel Tones’ with their Motown take on the classics. Festhalle is the place to be for shopping, tasty seasonal snacks, photos with Santa, and the gingerbread house competition.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
I fell in love with Santa Fe during a week-long stay there back in my days of teaching high school – I can’t imagine how lovely it is around the holiday season. I hear the charm of the Farolito Walk on Canyon Road is not to be missed. Small, sand-filled paper bags with lit votives line the historic neighborhood streets, illuminating the adobe structures and casting a warm glow in the night. Native American feast days and dances are also a wonderful way to learn more about the varied cultures of New Mexico, and Hispanic traditions like the Winter Spanish Market and Las Posadas will further add to the fun of the holidays. Numerous artist talks and live musical performances round out the city’s many offerings.
Aspen, Colorado
For an upscale vibe combined with small town charm, Aspen lures travelers throughout the holiday season for cookie decorating workshops, s’mores roasting, beautiful lights, and performances from The Holiday Bell Tones Festive Carolers at Hotel Jerome. Memorable holiday meals are available at Element 47, where an upscale prix fixe menu is served, and Ajax Tavern, which offers a traditional family-style Italian meal. End your evening relaxing in your hotel suite, reading by the fire with a soft instrumental Christmas music playlist in the background.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
While tourists flock to Nantucket throughout the summer months (I myself dream of an extended summer stay there one day!), the holiday season shines with its own beloved traditions that island residents and visitors enjoy. The main draw is the Christmas Stroll, a yearly tradition that began in the 1970s. The event was created for store owners to maintain longer business hours and prevent shoppers from venturing to the mainland, but has since evolved into a larger weekend event. “The Stroll” kicks off with the lighting of the tree on Main Street and features wine tastings, organized tours, craft shows, and live music.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
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