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.
Christmas village with millions of lights and visits with Santa.
25 things in this story
- Holiday at the ArboretumFestivalChristmas village with millions of lights and visits with Santa.
- Dallas Zoo LightsFestivalDrive-through light route at the Dallas Zoo.
- Galleria Dallas Ice Skating CenterSightSkate next to the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree.
- MiracleRestaurantChristmas-themed pop-up bar at Royal 38.
- Rosewood Mansion on Turtle CreekHotelHotel with beautiful grounds and tasty food.
- Elsewhere
- Magnificent MileNeighborhoodChicago, United StatesIt divides the neighborhood of Streeterville, on its east, from River North, on its west.
- Grand Ole OpryTheatreNashville, United StatesIt was founded on November 28, 1925, by George D.
- 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.
- 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.
- Country ChristmasFestivalNashville, United StatesChristmas shows, ice skating, and light displays at Gaylord Opryland.
- Gaylord OprylandHotelNashville, United StatesHosts "Country Christmas" with shows, ice skating, and lights.
- Jingle BeatFestivalNashville, United StatesTwo-mile drive-through light show at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
- NoelleHotelNashville, United StatesHotel with a Holiday Glow Package and Sugar & Vice pop-up bar.
- Sugar & ViceRestaurantNashville, United StatesGlitter-soaked pop-up bar with seasonal bites and drinks.
- 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.