I came across a list of the most Christmassy cities across the States, some are obvious choices and others seem quite random…that is unless you are part of the planning committee. I think that America does Christmas fantastically and somehow it seems genuine and that effort and thought is put into the spectacle.

By State

Alabama – Huntsville – See Santa’s Village at the Train Depot.

Alaska – North Pole – Just love this natural choice and apparently named to attract a toy manufacturer that never materialised.

Arizona – Mesa – I have been to Mesa near Phoenix and spent New Years Eve at Rawhide experiencing a Santa Miniature train and light show and a cowboy stunt show but the real Christmassy action is on Merry Main Street.

Arkansas – Eureka Springs.

California – Solvang – The Danish Capital of America makes this an obvious choice to display it’s Danish heritage.

Colorado – Breckenridge – At least there is a 100% chance of SNOW here.

Connecticut – Mystic – Experience a New England Lantern Light Tour.

Delaware – Lewes – All the action takes place close by the Ferry Terminal. I have taken the Cape May – Lewes ferry and remember signs for the ice-rink and and the Winter Wonderland.

Florida – The Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World – Even if you don’t go into the park the recently renamed Disney Springs is sure to take your breath away. I will never forget my small daughters staring in wonderment at the Christmas Parade on Main Street when all the Prince and Princesses of the day were all together on a huge bi-level float. It still makes my eyes tear up thinking about it.

Georgia – Helen – Experience Bavarian charm in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hawaii – Oahu – See Santa arrive in a canoe!

Idaho – Boise – Visit the ‘Booming City’ Botanical Gardens for a fantastic light show.

Illinois – Chicago – I was surprised that the Windy City would be more Christmassy than one of the States small towns but apparently centred along the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue the store windows are one of the main attractions. I suppose it compares to Oxford Street in London.

Indiana – Santa Claus – What is there to say? It even has a Santa Claus Museum (not sure if this about the red coated hero or the town)

Iowa – Wyoming – Now I am confused! Nicknamed by the locals as ‘Christmas City’.

Kansas – Overland Park – close by the Kansas City Metro area.

Kentucky – Lexington – The Horse capital of the world! Visit the Kentucky Horse Park to see amazing displays of horses made of lights.

Louisiana – Lake Charles – You might see Santa with a team of alligators doing Christmas Cajun style

Maine – Kennebunkport – After visiting in May and seeing the beautiful setting of the bridge and back waters this little New England town must be so charming with all the lights that reflect on the water.

Maryland – Berlin

Massachusetts – Boston – The city offers ice skating on roads, thousands of lights and the option to see ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Boston Ballet.

Michigan – Christmas – To make sure you know that you have arrived in Christmas you will be greeted by a 30 foot plus Santa Claus as you enter town!

Minnesota – Minneapolis/St Paul – Holidazzle Festival is the place to visit and the temperatures will definately make it feel seasonal.

Mississippi – Jackson – Centered around the Governor’s Mansion

Missouri – St Charles – Another quaint riverside town that I have visited. Actually remember visiting the Christmas store in August. Really pretty main street and and costumed actors stroll along all accompanied by the aroma of roasted chestnuts.

Montana – Missoula – The ‘Big Sky’ town that has more Christmas events than others in the vastness of Montana

Nebraska – Omaha – Gingerbread Festivals and Miracle on Farnam is a very pretty affair

Nevada – Lake Tahoe – Another glorious setting where the SNOW is sure to be all around you

New Hampshire – Portsmouth – Costumed actors accompany visitors along a candlelit stroll by the Strawberry Banke Museum

New Jersey – Cape May – A very Dickensian city and the other end of the ferry to Lewes lends itself beautifully to a historical and Victorian Christmas

New Mexico – Santa Fe – This Southwest city is famous for the Farolito Walk which is adorned with hundreds of paper lanterns.

New York – New York City – Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink, Magical Christmas Tree, 5th Avenue shop windows, Central Park skating and if the the snow is down is there a better place to experience Christmas?

North Carolina – McAdenville – Never heard of this place so apparently this small town calls itself Christmas Town and apparently every last surface, residential or business has stringed lights adorning it!

North Dakota – Fargo – Now this peaked my interest because North Dakota is one of my missing states and is about three hours drive from Minneapolis/St Paul so definately on my radar. Also famed for the brilliant film and T.V series recently. I love the way they talk now! Mr and Mrs Claus reside in December at Rheault Farm.

Ohio – Cleveland – You can visit the house where ‘A Christmas Story’ was filmed as well as visit the brewery where one of the country’s famous Christmas Ales originates.

Oklahoma – Tulsa – A wonderful Winterfest is the go to attraction and perhaps follow that with a horse drawn carriage ride through the illuminated city.

Oregon – Ashland – Enjoy a festival of lights and on Saturdays there are carollers serenading the shoppers browsing the independent retailers.

Pennsylvania – Bethlehem – This town has gained a Christmas reputation for its artisan market. This is another town of the beaten track that I have had the pleasure in visiting albeit outside of the holiday season.

Rhode Island – Newport – This New England town adorns its harbour and streets with white lights every Christmas and it has been this way for over 50 years.

South Carolina – Charleston – The best Festival of Lights is in St James County Park as well as parades along the cobbled streets of this historical coastal city.

South Dakota – The Black Hills – Deadwood is bound to be up there with its main street and small casino hotels being decked with lights and decorations.

Tennessee – Dollywood – Located in Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Smoky Mountain region. A huge tourist attraction but especially attracting visitors to see the wonder of Christmas and its Parade of Many Colours.

Texas – Galveston – Winder Wonder Island where you will find ice carvings, lights and lanterns all over the grand Dickensian houses.

Utah – Salt Lake City – Where else is there in Utah that can compete with hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that seemingly echo around the city in December?

Vermont – Stowe – With its location in the glorious Green Mountains and where ‘White Christmas’ was supposed to have been filmed Stowe is a perfect setting for being the perfect Christmas chocolate box town.

Virginia – Williamstown – This historical town with its costumed actors and beautiful shops is a natural choice for being the most Christmassy of locations. There are walking tours showing how Christmas was celebrated in Colonial times.

Washington – Seattle – I was surprised to find that Leavenworth with all its Bavarian influence wasn’t the most obvious choice. Apparently there is so much going on in the Emerald City that the Christmas feel is here all over the city.

West Virginia – Harpers Ferry – Another place I have visited outside of holidays and with its hillside setting at the confluence of three rivers its Old Tyme Christmas Festival must be magical to see especially if the snow is all around.

Wisconsin – Milwaukee – The states biggest city rolls out the red carpet for Christmas and visitors are encouraged to take the Jingle Bus to see the thousands of lights.

Wyoming – Cheyenne – To see this western town at its best and the dazzling Christmas Light display take the Cheyenne Trolley.

So do you agree or disagree with these selections? What alternatives would you have come up with?

Merry Christmas to you where ever you are reading this!