7 Christmas Getaway Ideas For Your Holiday Wish List
Christmas holiday destinations always bring out tidings of comfort and joy so much that you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a cozy classic. These locations across the United States host annual festivities that continue to attract locals and visitors with holiday markets, light displays, pageantry and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus. Here are seven Christmas getaway ideas that are sure to make the season bright.
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Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Based in the Lehigh Valley region, Bethlehem, PA, is rightfully known as “Christmas City, USA.” It was founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 by Moravian settlers. The community’s 300-year-old Moravian traditions, from candlelit windows to handcrafted decorations, continue to shape the city’s timeless charm.
The Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, ArtsQuest’s German-inspired holiday market at the PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, features many artisan crafts and food vendors. Look for the Käthe Wohlfahrt, offering ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany. There are also musical performances and family-friendly events, including a breakfast with St. Nicholas.
The Historic Bethlehem Christmas City Stroll includes a guided walking tour of the Historic District, with stops at the circa 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem, and the Central Moravian Church. Horse-drawn carriage rides offer a nostalgic jaunt through cobblestone streets, while the circa 1922 landmark Historic Hotel Bethlehem is completely decked out in Christmas lights and trees, seven-foot toy soldiers, two life-size Nutcrackers and a gingerbread house modeled after the hotel. Bethlehem is a natural Christmas holiday destination if there ever was one!
Santa Claus, Indiana
Yes, there’s a real-life destination named for St. Nick. The Christmas story behind this southwestern Indiana town was that it was originally called Sante Fee. The story goes that in the 1850s, the townsfolk applied to the U.S. government to establish a post office. The request was rejected because there was a town named Santa Fe farther north in Indiana.
Legend says that the town’s residents met on Christmas Eve to discuss renaming the city, only for their children to announce that Santa Claus had arrived, excitedly. Their reaction prompted the naming of the new town and the establishment of the post office.
It got a lot of attention when “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” publicized the town’s Postmaster General sending responses to mailed-in children’s letters to Santa. In fact, the Santa Claus post office puts out a special postmark design every year.
Since then, this Santa Claus has become home to Christmas-themed businesses. The Santa Claus Museum & Village houses the original post office, where children can write letters to St. Nick! “Santa Claus Christmas Celebration” takes over this town with fun activities, including Santa Claus Land of Lights, a drive-thru spectacular.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington, may not be at the top of your list when you think “Christmas getaway ideas,” but amid snowfalls and special displays, this Bavarian-themed mountain village in the Cascade Mountains gives off a snow globe vibe.
From December through February, Leavenworth ushers in the “Village of Lights,” which features daily village-wide illumination with half a million twinkling lights adorning buildings.
This major light display coincides with Christmastown, a holiday schedule of concerts and performances. The village’s Festhalle is where families can make festive crafts, see a gingerbread competition and shop for special gifts. Outdoor lovers can also enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing.
Solvang, California
Referred to as “The Danish Capital of America,” this Santa Barbara County city puts on an annual Solvang Julefest, with a plethora of holiday-themed happenings. To start, a Light, Music & Snow Show in Solvang Park is a nighttime, choreographed light-and-music display that runs hourly.
A Nativity pageant at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church is told through a cast of actors and live animals.
Evening candlelight tours complemented by Christmas carols and lessons on Danish traditions and Solvang history. A guide leads a morning version in traditional folk attire. There’s also a tree lighting ceremony, a parade and picture-taking with Santa Claus.
Usually in early January, Solvang’s holiday season wraps up with the Solvang Christmas Tree Burn, a fire safety demonstration.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Described as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth gets quite magical at Christmastime. It’s so much that this destination has a Christmas Experience kickoff event to ring in the season and open its seasonal ice rink.
That opener also features the Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting & Show, a visit from Santa Claus and a Holiday Drone Show. The Stop and Snap Challenge encourages locals and visitors to take photo ops at expertly decorated areas around Frankenmuth, using the hashtag #FRANKENMUTH.
The Frankenmuth Visitor Center is where to see Frankenmuth’s Spectacular Musical Tree Show; this 40-foot tree plays music daily. Purchase holiday decor from Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland or visit the store’s Silent Night Memorial Chapel, which replicates the Austrian church where “Silent Night” was first sung.
Branson, Missouri
“America’s Christmas Tree City” really knows how to put on an Ozark Mountain Christmas. Along with festive light displays and decorated trees, Branson has been the setting for holiday performances featuring Broadway-style productions and country music, as well as classic and contemporary tunes.
Silver Dollar City’s “An Old Time Christmas” festival also puts on an extravaganza. This theme park is adorned with over 6.5 million twinkling lights, around 40 Christmas productions and a Christmas light parade.
Branson’s Adoration Parade honors the story of Jesus’ birth, followed by a Nativity lighting. Holiday light shows include Branson’s Lights of Joy; Branson’s Promised Land Zoo’s Let There Be Lights! and Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights.
North Pole, Alaska
Originally a homestead, the North Pole is a residential community south of Fairbanks that got its merry moniker in the forties. A development company wanted to attract a toy manufacturer to advertise its products as made at the North Pole, cleverly. While it didn’t come to fruition, the name stuck.
In the next decade, a young trading post operator who played St. Nick for children in Alaska villages decided to name his venue the Santa Claus House. Today, this store and tourist attraction is full of Christmas ornaments and toys with a giant outdoor statue of St. Nick. There’s even reindeer residents onsite! Around town, you’ll spot street names like Santa Claus Lane and Kris Kringle Drive.
Every December, North Pole’s Winterfest & Holiday Bazaar brings out a fireworks show, local music performances and the tradition of a North Pole King & Queen Coronation, making it a natural addition to any list of Christmas getaway ideas.