Our Favorite Small US Towns to Visit For Christmas 2024

The Christmas season is one of the most anticipated times of the year. Friends and families come together to celebrate with festive decorations, lively community events, and traditions, both new and old. While big cities turn up the holiday cheer, smaller towns across America truly embrace the magic of the season, blanketing their charming main streets with twinkling lights and classic holiday charm. However, some communities go above and beyond to put on the best end-of-year party.

These small US towns to visit for Christmas are guaranteed to get you in the most wonderful mood. From New England villages like Woodstock to the quaint Danish community of Solvang, they go all out in December, giving visitors a nostalgic taste of holidays past. So gather your loved ones, stow away your wish lists for Santa, and let the season's spirit sweep you away in these adorable destinations.

Branson, Missouri

Christened "America's Christmas Tree City,” Branson perfectly embodies the holiday spirit with a slew of festivities throughout December. It all starts with the eccentric number of Christmas trees, with over 700 decorating the small village (excluding the ones in Silver Dollar City). The family-friendly Silver Dollar City adds to the cheer with 6.5 million lights, a light parade, Broadway-level productions, and an eight-story Christmas tree. Branson hosts a variety of live music shows to entertain audiences and spread the season's spirit, from Christmas Wonderland to A Shepherd's Christmas Carol. 

The city goes big on holiday shopping, and visitors can look forward to endless retail therapy opportunities at establishments like Tanger Outlets, the Grand Village Shops, and the Branson Landing. Finally, the Polar Express is the icing on the cake, as the Branson Scenic Railway takes families on a remarkable tour, exposing them to the breathtaking wonderland outside as they enjoy hot chocolate with tasty cookies. 

Woodstock, Vermont

Spend a quintessential New England Christmas in this charming community of Windsor County, known for its covered bridges. Woodstock transforms into a scene straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie as the snow blankets the rolling Green Mountains landscapes. Christmas festivities take center stage, starting with the Woodstock Wassail Weekend. This delightful event portrays a historic New England Christmas at Billings Farm with sleigh rides, theater performances, and a holiday craft fair. 

Head to F.H. Gillingham and Sons for some holiday shopping. The rustic retail store has been a Woodstock mainstay since the late 1800s and sells Vermont food staples such as homegrown maple syrup, jams, jellies, and cheeses. Finally, the landmark Woodstock Town Hall Theatre presents the ultimate family-friendly experience with Cookies with Santa, inviting the young to take photos with Santa and enjoy delicious treats, including cookies, juice boxes, and lollipops. 

Solvang, California

A quaint Danish-style Christmas awaits in this friendly village in the Santa Ynez Valley. Celebrations in Solvang begin as early as the first week of December, with unique decorations turning the town into a wonderland. In what is locally known as Julefest, weekend festivities like a parade, tree lighting, and a Christmas market start spreading the holiday cheer. Some of the best spots to be during this period include the windmill. The shops around the iconic landmark come alive with lights and decorations, making it a popular location for holiday photo ops. 

Meanwhile, Main Street Solvang, Copenhagen Drive, becomes the season's shopping hub, with each store installing its own Christmas trees with pleasant decorations. This is a great time to sample delicious Danish pastries like Aebleskiver and pretzels at the Solvang Restaurant. 

Leavenworth, Washington

This tiny Bavarian-style village in central Washington puts on a fairytale show in December to celebrate Noel. Between the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains and the alpine-style downtown buildings draped in half a million Christmas lights, Leavenworth transports you into a magical storybook. The "Village of Lights" is recognized among the best small US towns to visit for Christmas because of the eccentric light show and actual visits from Santa. You don't want to miss the Leavenworth Christmas Market, where tourists can find a unique array of goods, such as German beer, delicious traditional cuisine, handmade crafts, and a lantern parade for the ultimate holiday shopping experience. 

Meanwhile, the Nutcracker Museum invites guests for a quirky tour to browse its 7,000-exhibit collection dedicated to the famous Christmas icon Nutcracker. Finally, guests can enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through Leavenworth's snow-covered forests with the picturesque mountains in the background. 

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine proves you don't need snow to get into the Christmas spirit. America's oldest city boasts an impressive holiday light display, as more than three million white lights dazzle through the historic district during the annual Nights of Lights, starting November 23, 2024. Visitors can take it all in with a fantastic ride on the Old Town Trolley's Famous Night of Lights Tour, which offers an easygoing sightseeing excursion through all the major downtown spots. 

St. Augustine hosts various family-friendly events to get everyone into the holiday mood. These range from impressive boat showcases at the Regatta of Lights to the Holiday Tour of Inns. Additionally, parents can take the children to meet Santa at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. 

Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez is excellent all year round but comes to its own during the end-of-year holiday season. Guests come from all over to enjoy a remarkable Christmas with a dash of Southern hospitality in this historic village. Live music, street lighting, and other events take over the downtown region, highlighted by the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree on Main Street. Earmarked for November 30, 2024, the town's 34-foot tree dazzles the urban core as several hundred people come to witness the spectacle. 

The sweet tunes of Christmas carols and nursery rhymes fill the air around Memorial Park, just behind St. Mary's Basilica in a well-lit setting with an opulently decorated fountain as the focal point. Finally, downtown Natchez also hosts the annual Christmas Parade, starting from Broadway through Main Street and back. 

Newport, Rhode Island

A mix of authentic New England charm and idyllic waterfront scenery allows Newport to host an unforgettable Christmas party. The small town displays its holiday opulence with eccentric light decorations draping its Gilded Age Mansions. Be sure to tour the Marble House Mansion, which always delights with its elegant decorations and old-world appeal as the new mixes with the old. You will enjoy the Holiday Lantern Tour through downtown Newport, which sheds light on holiday traditions in early America, with stops at notable landmarks. 

Another must-see event is the illuminated Boat Parade, which lights up the Newport harbor with colorful boats. Finally, remember to ride the Polar Express for a remarkable tour of the Blackstone Valley, accompanied by jolly sing-a-longs, exciting storytelling, and a likely visit from Santa himself. 

Frankenmuth, Michigan

A flurry of fun festivities in this little German community culminates in a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience in Michigan. With the snow blanketing its Bavarian-style buildings, Frankenmuth hosts a traditional ChristKindlMarkt in December, where visitors can shop till they drop. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland offers 7.35 acres of retail space for guests to shop in the world's largest Christmas-themed store. At the Frankenmuth Visitor's Center, townsfolk invite tourists to join them in lighting their 40-foot tree as they sing along to sweet holiday carols. 

Meanwhile, the Frankenmuth Christmas Shuttle takes first-timers on a complimentary tour downtown, with stops at major points of interest. Also, don't miss the opportunity for a hearty dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Zehnder's Restaurant. One of the holiday events to look forward to is Mistletoe Magic at the Heritage Christmas Market, scheduled for November 23, 2024, at the Kern Pavilion.

Durango, Colorado

This southwestern Colorado village near the New Mexico border transforms into a buzzing winter wonderland every December with a raft of seasonal activities, such as light displays and sleigh rides. The party will officially begin on December 6, 2024, with Durango's Annual Noel Night. This long-held tradition marks the start of the much-awaited holiday shopping season. The highlight for most travelers is riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which exposes them to the mountainous backcountry landscapes covered in brilliant white snow. 

At Buckley Park, holiday enthusiasts gather to Meet Mr. Claus and sing sweet Christmas carols while witnessing the lighting of the Christmas tree. Lastly, the Holiday Farmers Market at La Plata County Fairgrounds helps spread the holiday cheer as local farmers and artisans display everything from fresh vegetables and cheese to handmade gift items. 

Final Thought

Whether seeking Bavarian flair in Frankenmuth or Danish influences in Solvang, these small US towns to visit for Christmas encapsulate the festive spirit of the holiday through authentic cultural celebrations. From snow-dusted Main Streets aglow with lights to unique local shops stuffed with handcrafted gifts, weekend getaways to charming destinations are the perfect way to soak up a small-town Christmas atmosphere in 2024. Many communities across the United States invite visitors each holiday season to experience time-honored traditions and create lasting memories.