It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas across the United States.
And many gorgeous small towns are looking more adorable than ever decked out in their festive finery.
All have beautifully-lit front window displays and legendary hotels, with many also offering stunning light displays and outdoors activities to amp up that Christmas spirit.
If you need a break from the cold, you’ll also find good shopping and great places to eat or drink.
DailyMail.com has taken a closer look at some of the United States’ cutest small towns…
Stockbridge is a small town in Massachusetts with a population of 2,090 people and home of the Williams & Sons Country Store. The old-fashioned store has been around since the 1790s and creates beautiful Christmas window displays every year. The display has included a variety of decorations that surround a Christmas tree. Holiday shoppers who walk passed the store this year will see their 2023 candy house filled with mints, gummies, candy canes, and the phrase, peace on Earth on the roof.
Holiday lovers looking to get into the Christmas spirit by doing something other than shopping in Stockbridge can ride a horse-drawn carriage on Main Street. Some of the rides took place during the Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas event that took place from December 1-3. The three-day celebration included various events and activities full of holiday joy. Attendees who enjoyed their horse-drawn carriage rides rode past the outdoor holiday market, unique food booths, and 25 antique cars parked along the street.
Adorable stores are not the only places decorated for the holidays on Main Street Stockbridge. The Red Lion Inn, an active lodge for over two centuries, decorates the building to celebrate every yearly holiday. Christmas is no different, and the inn goes all out and provides Christmas cheer to everyone who stays or walks passed the building, from wreaths and garlands to lit-up trees. This inn offers the right amount of holiday spirit to a Stockbridge street that is already full of it.
The Red Lion Inn was first a tavern created by Silas Pepoon in 1773. It was a location for stagecoaches traveling between Albany, NY, and Boston, MA. The inn was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Plumb in 1873, and it was completely rebuilt and reopened in 1897 after a fire destroyed the building one year prior. Nancy Fitzpatrick and Sarah Eustis currently run the inn and have continued to run The Red Lion Inn to its full Christmas spirit potential.
Californians and travelers in Solvang, California, looking for fun Christmas activities can stop by the annual Solvang Julefest – a Danish-influenced holiday celebration every year in downtown Santa Ynez Valley near the wine country. This year’s Christmas celebration occurred on November 30 concluding at 6:00 pm with a tree lighting on Sagunto Street.
One of the many activities the Julefest celebration can enjoy is going for wine tasting or private tours throughout the town on an old-fashioned trolley. The 1915 replica Honen (Danish for little hen) trolley will take people around town to visit fantastic boutiques, international restaurants, special events, and Danish bakeries – just to name a few. The rides this December cost $25 for a couple and $35 for a group.
Named the most Christmassy town of 2020, the many boutiques Solvang, California, has to offer are one of the reasons why the city brings its citizens and tourists holiday cheer. The many lights and decorations outside their stores are a fantastic way to draw celebration attendees in to complete any last-minute Christmas shopping. The boutiques are also famous for the many Danish items they sell. Shoppers looking to purchase Danish clogs and other knickknacks will be in luck when walking along the festive streets.
Anyone attending the Julefest hoping not to go to the Maker’s night market can eat at one of the restaurants in Solvang that includes the very popular Solvang Restaurant. According to Thrillist, one of the best parts about the eatery is their homemade pancake balls. A bonus? The popular and delicious treats are a Danish delicacy
A town with Danish restaurants cannot be complete without bakeries known for fantastic desserts. The European treats at the Solvang bakeries around Julefest, like Olsen’s and Mortensen’s, bring a smile to anyone looking to get into an excellent mood for the holidays, but Thrillist confirms that the cream cheese Danish at Danish Mill Bakery is ‘the best in town.’ The sugary sweetness is great all day, every day, and a yummy treat to eat while exploring Julefest
One of the things included in the annual Julefest trolley rides is a view of Solvang’s famous windmills. There are currently six windmills in Solvang, California that are decorated every year with Christmas-themed lights to look perfect for the tours that are part of Julefest. Any holiday lovers impressed by the six Solvang windmills can also check out a seventh in nearby Buellton, California
The cute town of Santa Claus, Indiana, has giant statues throughout areas of the city, which has a population of nearly 2,600. One of the many Santa Claus statues at the town post office is one of the decorations at a place where children can send letters to Santa. Nearly 10,000 letters addressed to Santa Claus are sent every year each holiday season by kids hoping they were good enough to receive their dream presents
Grapevine, Texas, may not have a white Christmas, but it is a town with beautiful Christmas lights, some of which are at the Gaylord Texan building right near a pond that shows off the lights’ beautiful reflection. Those holiday lovers who may not be interested in the lights will still love to visit Grapevine, which is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas
Other Christmas go-to locations in Grapevine include the Urban Wine Trail, Chicken N Pickle’s Holiday Hideaway pop-up bar, and the Holly Jolly pop-up inside Harvest Hall. Kids can also enjoy the many Christmas activities such as the Elf Adventure, Christmas movies and concerts at the Palace Theatre, and ice skating at Peace Plaza Ice Rink
When children are not busy looking at gorgeous Christmas trees in Grapevine, they can participate in the annual North Pole Express – a train ride that features Christmas sing-alongs, holiday characters, and a get-together with Santa Claus himself. There are also a variety of other Christmas surprises children will find along the way to make it the perfect holiday family train ride
A white Christmas in Vermont may always be guaranteed in the New England state. Places like the Shelburne Museum show off beautiful light displays just in time to celebrate Christmas. However, one of the popular holiday cities in Vermont is Woodstock – a small town with a population of 942 people this year
The small area of Woodstock, Vermont, is not afraid to spread holiday spirit despite its small population. The residents fill the town with lights and Christmas trees to turn the entire area into a winter wonderland. Their small stores also provide small window displays for people looking to complete last minute Christmas shopping, especially those who are looking to buy beautiful pieces of jewelry
Anyone hoping to stay in the small town can find lodging in the beautiful Woodstock Inn & Resort, otherwise known as Vermont’s most beautiful address. Travelers from all over the country stay at the hotel all year round, especially holiday lovers who are looking to stay near excellent shops and restaurants
Leavenworth, Washington – a town with a population of nearly 2,400 people that throw a fantastic holiday celebration every year. The Village of Lights is one of the town’s most popular Christmas events, this year taking place from November 24 to Christmas Eve. A variety of activities take place every year, include downtown entertainment, photos with Santa, and special arts & crafts
As part of the annual Village of Lights celebration in Leavenworth, Monday-Thursdays include food vendors, free gift wrapping, and gingerbread exhibition, and selfie stations that do NOT include Santa Claus. Celebration attendees walking around the lighted up streets on those days will also spot carolers and Christmas characters
Anyone looking for a fun December Saturday night can also have a blast at the Village of Lights celebration in Leavenworth. Attendees can enjoy live music in the awesome Gazebo from 11:00 am-7:00 pm and drink hot cocoa while writing letters to Santa. A Christmas Story Time also takes place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for kids who are hoping to hear classic tales before Christmas Eve
What some children may not know is that Santa Claus has had a house in North Pole, Alaska since 1952 that has millions of visitors every year. Unfortunately, Santa Claus may not be there. However, tourists will still be in the holiday spirit from looking at all the Christmas decorations, ornaments, apparel, and made in Alaska items
North Pole Alaska’s City Hall is not the average Christmas decoration, but the location does have great outdoor lights for a building that provides government services to the citizens of Alaska. Located on Snowman Lane, the creative signs also appear in the font one may see when attending a fun tourist attraction, like the Santa Claus house
Holiday lovers looking for spirit away from the North Pole can also travel to visit the ginormous Santa Claus statue in Fairbanks, Alaska. He’s made his list, and is checking it twice in the Alaska city that has a population of 33,702 as of 2021. It may not provide a warm station like the Village of Lights in Washington, but can be an excellent photo op
The white snow around the red sleigh may be a sign that it’s expected to be a white Christmas, or at least beginning to look like Christmas. The small sleigh that may not be big enough for Santa Claus is big enough for adults and children hoping for an adorable photo op in a seemingly rural location
Children need to remember that Santa Claus may be in unexpected places, including suburban streets. Some Santa’s may be chubby, but others may be skinny.
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