Condé Nast TravelerNov 26, 2025
25 Best Cities to Spend Christmas in America
You never have to venture far across the States to find holiday cheer.
Glitter-soaked pop-up bar with seasonal bites and drinks.
25 things in this story
- Grand Ole OpryTheatreIt was founded on November 28, 1925, by George D.
- Country ChristmasFestivalChristmas shows, ice skating, and light displays at Gaylord Opryland.
- Gaylord OprylandHotelHosts "Country Christmas" with shows, ice skating, and lights.
- Jingle BeatFestivalTwo-mile drive-through light show at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
- NoelleHotelHotel with a Holiday Glow Package and Sugar & Vice pop-up bar.
- Sugar & ViceRestaurantGlitter-soaked pop-up bar with seasonal bites and drinks.
- Elsewhere
- Magnificent MileNeighborhoodChicago, United StatesIt divides the neighborhood of Streeterville, on its east, from River North, on its west.
- Cosmopolitan of Las VegasHotelLas Vegas, United StatesOffers rooftop ice skating.
- Millennium ParkParkChicago, United StatesLocation of the 51-foot Christmas tree.
- City ParkSightNew Orleans, United StatesBecomes a wonderland for the entire month with Celebration in the Oaks.
- Canyon Road Farolito WalkFestivalSanta Fe, United StatesChristmas Eve event with farolitos lining streets and adobe buildings.
- Rosewood Inn of the AnasaziHotelSanta Fe, United StatesCondé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award favorite with kiva fireplaces.
- Holiday at the ArboretumFestivalDallas, United StatesChristmas village with millions of lights and visits with Santa.
- Dallas Zoo LightsFestivalDallas, United StatesDrive-through light route at the Dallas Zoo.
- Galleria Dallas Ice Skating CenterSightDallas, United StatesSkate next to the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree.
- MiracleRestaurantDallas, United StatesChristmas-themed pop-up bar at Royal 38.
- Rosewood Mansion on Turtle CreekHotelDallas, United StatesHotel with beautiful grounds and tasty food.
- ChristkindlmarketMarketChicago, United StatesEuropean-inspired holiday market.
- Let It ShineFestivalChicago, United StatesDrive-through Christmas lights display.
- The Godfrey HotelHotelChicago, United StatesOffers heated igloos.
- ZooLightsFestivalChicago, United StatesAnnual light festival at Lincoln Park Zoo with 2.5 million LEDs.
- Lincoln Park ZooSightChicago, United StatesHosts the ZooLights annual light festival.
- The Langham, ChicagoHotelChicago, United StatesHoused in a landmark Mies van der Rohe building along the Chicago River.
- Celebration in the OaksFestivalNew Orleans, United StatesFestival with vendors, food, and decorations in City Park.
- The Ritz-Carlton, New OrleansHotelNew Orleans, United StatesOffers holiday offerings like gingerbread house building and Christmas Eve dinner.