8 American Towns That Do Christmas Right SLIDESHOW
8 American Towns That Do Christmas Right
There is just something magical about celebrating the holidays. No matter where you are, what you are doing, or who you are with, spreading Christmas cheer tends to have this magnificent, enlightening effect on your environment and the people around you. This holiday season you will want to grab your loved ones and friends, and head to a town that embodies the Christmas spirit and celebrates the season like no other.
For anyone who loves Christmas to the extreme, these eight American towns are some of the best destinations during the holiday season. Attractions like beautiful displays of lights, masses of cheery Christmas carolers, good ol' Saint Nick himself, and so much more are proof that these towns are where you can shamelessly immerse yourself in holiday cheer.
There are plenty of options depending whether you prefer Christmas in the sand or in the snow. But no matter where you go, these eight American towns know how to do Christmas right.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Tis the season of Christmas lights, hot cocoa, and Santa Claus. Bernville is home to Christmas Village that's brought Christmas tradition for more than 68 years. Visitors drive up and over to a hillside view of the entire village with lights reflecting on the lake. The winter wonderland offers a scenic walk-through route with displays all along the path. Pictures with Santa, a covered bridge with mistletoe, and plenty of quaint shops will bring you Christmas joy at the village. Christmas Village was even featured on the cover of Christmas in America.
Branson, Missouri
Ozark Mountain Christmas Village is a great way to make your Christmas merry and bright. In addition to the village, the town of Branson now has a drive-through display of Christmas lights. The best part about this town is you can celebrate Christmas all throughout November and December, starting Nov. 5.
For those hot chocolate-lovers out there, say hello to gourmet. Sip a cup of your hot chocolate while your kids take selfies with Santa. Oh, and they have Clydesdale horses you can take photos with, too! Take pictures of the Most Wonderful Time of the Year parade. There are so many scrapbook-worthy Christmas opportunities in this town.
Durango, Colorado
Durango loves Christmas so much that it even has its own guide on how to celebrate Christmas there. Colorado has so many winter activities to offer like hitting slopes and seeing the snow-covered mountains, but Durango has amazing Christmas activities, too. There's craft festivals, caroling, Christmas decorating, and even a ballet of the "The Nutcracker." You can even take a train ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express. It's a great getaway town for Christmas festivities.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
In Hershey, you can start celebrating Christmas as early as Nov. 11. Christmas Candy Lane is the town's best way to celebrate Christmas. Hershey Park is a major attraction all year round, but Christmas floods the park from Nov. 11 through Jan. 1. The trees are strung with lights that actually change color to the beat of Christmas music. They even bring in Santa's reindeer for the kids.
Honolulu, Hawaii
There's no better way to spend Christmas in the sun than with a little Mele Kalikimaka. Honolulu allows townies to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus celebrating in the sand at the town's display. Yearly shirts and ornaments are available to purchase. The town happily celebrates Christmas, but doesn't forget to honor Pearl Harbor and the heroes of World War II in the beginning of December.
Honolulu also has great restaurants to go where you can have Christmas with Santa. Oahu, the Big Island, is a fantastic place to celebrate Christmas for those who hate the cold. But seriously, who wouldn't love a Hawaiian Christmas?
McAdenville, North Carolina
Of course a town better known as "Christmas Town USA" goes all out for Christmas. This town clearly loves Christmas and even has an official Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a festival. There's a beautiful Christmas tree display reflecting lights around a pond. The town hosts an annual Yule log parade and ceremony, too. You can even order your own T-shirt to show your Christmas Town USA pride. They know how to make Christmas look cool.
Santa Claus, Indiana
How can a town named after Santa Claus himself not go all out for Christmas? Named "America's Christmas Hometown," this town knows how to make sure you get to celebrate the holidays all throughout December.
Enjoy a weekend away with your family at Lake Rudolf, or spend a few nights in Santa's Lodge or even one of his cottages. This town has events every week in December, full of elves, Christmas lights, and roasting chestnuts. Santa Claus, Indiana has Christmas festivities galore.
Woodstock, Vermont
With brutally cold temperatures, you're likely to have a "White Christmas" in Woodstock. An annual Wassail Weekend is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas. Main Street is full of small town restaurants and plenty of shops to check items off of your Christmas list. In this town, historic features are covered in Christmas décor. Holiday lights, wreaths, and snow are all over. There's nothing like taking a tour of the town on a horse-drawn carriage at Christmas time.