5 most magical Christmas cities to visit in the U.S.
ETimes December 02, 2025 07:39 AM
Christmas is a magical time to be in the United States! This isn’t just an ordinary holiday—it’s a spectacle worth travelling for. The place is all about shining lights, pretty little markets, festive performances, and winter wonder in its prime. From classic big-city celebrations to quaint towns that feel straight out of a storybook, America offers a host of destinations that come alive with holiday magic.
Whether you’re dreaming of snowy streets, dazzling decorations, or cultural Christmas traditions, here are five magical cities to visit in America during the festive season.
New York City, New York
Few places in the world embody the Christmas spirit quite like New York City. December transforms the city into a glittering playground—starting with the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a towering symbol of holiday joy. Visitors flock to ice-skate beneath its massive branches, while Fifth Avenue becomes a luminous corridor of extravagant window displays from stores like Saks and Bergdorf Goodman. Don’t miss the enchanting Bryant Park Winter Village, where wooden stalls sell hot chocolate, crafts, and global treats. For a whimsical experience, head to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, where residents compete to create the city’s most jaw-dropping Christmas light displays. NYC is festive, dramatic, and thoroughly unforgettable.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Christmas charm lies in its mix of old-world traditions and urban excitement. The city hosts the annual Christkindlmarket, one of the best European-style Christmas markets in America. Visitors sip warm glühwein, browse handmade ornaments, and feast on German sausages while strolling through wooden stalls. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival turns Chicago’s iconic shopping street into a glowing paradise, and Millennium Park offers a picturesque ice-skating scene with the skyline as a backdrop. Add in holiday concerts, theatre performances, and the city’s classic snowfall, and Chicago becomes an irresistible winter wonderland.
3. Leavenworth, Washington
If you’ve ever dreamed of a Bavarian Christmas without flying to Europe, Leavenworth is your answer. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, this tiny town transforms into a magical Alpine village during December. More than half a million lights blanket the streets during the Christmas Lighting Festival, where carolers sing, horses pull sleighs, and the entire town glows with festive energy. Visitors can meet real reindeer at the Reindeer Farm, enjoy mulled wine at local tasting rooms, and admire the snow-covered mountain backdrop. Leavenworth feels like stepping inside a Christmas card.
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe offers a beautifully unique take on Christmas, blending Native American, Spanish, and Southwestern traditions. The city’s adobe buildings glow warmly under the soft light of farolitos—paper lanterns lining rooftops and walls. The highlight is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, a peaceful evening stroll filled with music, storytelling, and candlelit luminarias. Holiday markets showcase Native American art, pottery, textiles, and crafts, making Santa Fe a cultural feast as well as a festive one. Its cozy cafés, vibrant art scene, and mountain setting give Christmas a soothing, soulful twist.
5. Asheville, North Carolina
For a mix of small-town warmth and grand Christmas displays, Asheville is a wonderful holiday escape. The crown jewel is the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt’s opulent mansion, which undergoes a spectacular transformation during Christmas at Biltmore. Expect hundreds of decorated trees, miles of garlands, candlelit dinners, and live music. Downtown Asheville adds to the charm with craft markets, festive breweries, and holiday lights backed by the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s cozy, charming, and perfect for a romantic or family-friendly December getaway.
So, just say Hohoho and go explore!
