Thinking about where to spend a snowy Christmas in the United States conjures up images of beautiful, idyllic landscapes we've seen in countless photos and movies. Here, we've compiled a list of the places where you're most likely to experience a white Christmas in the country.
If you're reading this article, it's because you're planning (or dreaming) of spending a snowy Christmas in the United States. Those picture-postcard images of towns and cities blanketed in snow, illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, the scent of fresh pine, gingerbread cookies, and a magical atmosphere—it's something we all long for.
The illustrated words of Dickens' Christmas stories and the unforgettable voice of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, indelibly marked the imagination of all of us who long for the nostalgic images of traditional Christmases, with cities covered in snow and streets adorned with garlands of lights and mistletoe.
From the iconic tree at New York's Rockefeller Center to surfing Santas, from Christmas boat parades to a town called Santa Claus, Christmas in the United States is a unique experience waiting to be discovered: “Whether you want a tranquil winter escape, a fabulous shopping experience, a cultural immersion with concerts and performances like the 'Nutcracker,' or a warm and sunny Christmas, we've got you covered in the United States.
To imagine a white Christmas, one must look to the north.
Snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a cabin fireplace, build a snowman, or go to the town square where the biggest Christmas tree stands to listen to carols—we all want to fulfill some of those Christmas rituals!
But it's not about spending the holidays anywhere in the United States just because it's snowing. That's why we've selected destinations, towns, and cities where the festive atmosphere is alive and well, to fill you with that Christmas spirit beyond the snow.
These are the destinations where you have the best chance of experiencing a white Christmas and enjoying unforgettable holidays.
1 – Burlington, Vermont
For an enchanting winter vacation, consider Vermont 's picturesque towns, such as Woodstock, Manchester, Grafton, or Stowe, or start in the state's largest city, Burlington. You can go downhill or cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, or simply relax by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate.
Burlington transforms into a magical winter wonderland during Christmas. The cobbled streets and snow-covered rooftops can evoke a poignant sense of nostalgia. The community gathers in the central square around the tree to sing Christmas carols.
There are also lovely Christmas markets and a pedestrian walkway on Church Street decorated for the occasion. Lake Champlain freezes over during the winter, offering opportunities for ice skating or admiring the picture-perfect Christmas postcard views.
2 – Stowe, Vermont
Just 50 minutes from Burlington, this small town offers the perfect setting for a typical New England Christmas. The surrounding snow-capped mountains provide a majestic backdrop for the Christmas lights adorning its Main Street, lined with small local businesses and restaurants.
In Stowe you can ski, hike through the mountains among snowy forests or simply relax by strolling around the village at your leisure. A true Christmas fairy tale!
3 – Freeport, Maine
The small town of Freeport is a hidden gem in Maine. We ended up there by chance thanks to an Amtrak promotion, arriving by train from Boston. We didn't have much information about the town, and it turned out to be one of the places chosen as "the best to spend Christmas in the entire United States."
There you'll find the LL Beans flagship store, and a beautiful Christmas festival called Northern Lights takes place. Local restaurants, free ice skating, and numerous outlet stores are all surrounded by snow-covered pine trees and charming little wooden buildings painted in vibrant colors.
One of the most beautiful things we saw in New England!
4 – Fairbanks, Alaska
The only place where we can be sure of a white Christmas. Fairbanks at Christmas is a pure white landscape where we can immerse ourselves as we walk through its streets, adorned with beautiful golden lights, illuminating the long, dark winter nights.
Outdoor activities such as skiing, ice skating, sledding, festivals and Christmas events will immerse you in the most typical aspects of an American Christmas.
5 – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Christmas in the Wild West! A unique experience. Just an hour from Yellowstone, Jackson Hole typically receives its first snowfall in early December and remains snow-covered for the rest of the winter.
This small, historic town has a picture-perfect view! With Christmas decorations twinkling in every window, doorway, and storefront along its streets, surrounded by the white Teton Mountains.
The epicenter is Town Square, with its iconic moose antler arch and colorful lights. Its warm and effusive community will make you feel welcome when you arrive and invite you to participate in the local events and small markets that take place in the city during the holidays.
6 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Another amazing city to visit in the United States any time of year. But if you're there at Christmas, there's a good chance the snow will make your dream come true!
The city is transformed with bright lights and festive decorations. The Christmas market in Cathedral Square is a lovely place to buy unique gifts or sample traditional German dishes; the atmosphere is enchanting.
There are Christmas concerts and events in different parts of the city; but the best thing to do is to walk around and enjoy the dazzling light decorations that are everywhere.
7 – Leavenworth, Washington
The fairytale Christmas village. Just over 2 hours from Seattle, Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village that, thanks to its location and altitude, can almost guarantee you the white Christmas you're looking for.
But beyond that, its cobblestone streets and shopping center are filled with shops featuring the typical architecture of Bavarian villages, illuminated by over a million colorful lights.
Everything seems straight out of a fairytale - it's so beautiful it doesn't seem real! Here, hot chocolate with a pretzel seems to be the perfect "traditional dish" while exploring the village and enjoying the most idyllic Christmas possible in the United States, with the Village of Lights as the epicenter of the holiday spirit.
8 – Chicago, Illinois
The largest city in the Midwest always knows how to honor classic Christmas traditions: from the carousels at Winter Wonder Fest to ice skating at Maggie Daley Park, to a stroll along the luxury shopping boulevard, the famous Magnificent Mile, decorated with over a million white lights on its 200 trees.
Also not to be missed is Chicago's Christkindlmarket, one of the country's largest Christmas markets, attracting over a million visitors a year. Here you can sample pretzels, bratwurst, and the famous spiced mulled wine, as well as gluhwein in a themed mug that changes design every year.
Christmas dresses Chicago up in its finest, transforming it into a magical and cinematic urban postcard during the holidays. The city boasts of illuminating its streets with more than a million lights, giving it that typical and unique golden Christmas glow.
Places like the Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park offer breathtaking views, while famous stores like Macy's look dazzling with their festive decorations and window displays.
Ice skating rinks and one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the United States (the Christkindlmarket in Daley Square) with crafts, traditional foods and hot drinks add more magic to feed the overstimulated Christmas spirit.
A trip to Lake Geneva. About 1.5 hours from Chicago lies this city, the home of skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing. You can dine in igloos that house rooftop restaurants, like The Kennedy Rooftop, offering unique dining experiences overlooking the iconic Chicago skyline.
9 – Lake Placid, New York
The imposing tree at Rockefeller Center is a must-see for anyone visiting New York during the holidays. Other city classics include the magical Christmas window displays at department stores like Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman, or the baroque Neapolitan nativity scene at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker, and the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
For shopping, don't miss the unique holiday markets in Bryant Park, Union Square, and Grand Central. Don't forget the Hanukkah celebrations, too, with the giant menorah that will be lit for eight consecutive nights starting December 25th at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street.
Lake Placid can almost guarantee a white Christmas in upstate New York. In addition to sporting activities such as skiing and ice skating, this picturesque northern town has a radiant Christmas spirit.
Despite being a popular tourist destination, it retains its charming small-town feel. Its shops and restaurants are adorned with twinkling lights, while snow blankets the pines and mountains, creating a picture-postcard Christmas scene perfect for your holiday.
10 – Lake Tahoe, California
In California, Christmas is celebrated with the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade from December 18 to 22 and the Festival of Lights at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside. In the Los Angeles area, you can see the Christmas tree at The Grove, the holiday lights on Rodeo Drive, the Pershing Square ice rink, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade on December 1.
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater has been performing The Nutcracker with puppets since 1969, while the Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts holiday concerts, sing-alongs, and screenings of the film Home Alone with a live orchestra.
Universal Studios Hollywood offers holiday entertainment at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and, of course, Grinchmas in Whoville. At Disneyland, you can admire the Christmas Fantasy Parade, the ice icicles on Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the spectacular Christmas lights at the It's a Small World attraction.
Lake Tahoe's height above California's Sierra Nevada means long, snowy winters. Beyond that, Lake Tahoe is a fabulous holiday destination. The plan here is to stay in Tahoe City or South Lake Tahoe, two mountain towns decked out for Christmas. The traditional celebrations bring together locals and travelers alike for the holidays.
It's an amazing experience that combines the best of traditional Christmas with one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the United States.
