9 Small US Towns to Visit If You Love Christmas

Thousands of visitors go to Christmas Town USA each year to get in the holiday spirit. Over a mile of neighborhood homes are fully decorated, and annual festivities include a Christmas festival, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a yule log ceremony.

The small town of North Pole, just outside of Fairbanks, AK, is the real deal. The spirits are jolly all year round, but once the snow flies, visitors love checking out the Santa Claus House and Christmas ice park. It's a must visit for anyone who loves the holidays.

Aside from hosting America's largest ski resort, Park City celebrates the holiday season all December long. Its historic Main Street becomes covered with snow and decorations and is filled with carolers. You can also expect Santa Claus to lead ski instructors down the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort during the annual torchlight parade.

Located in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, the town of Skaneateles transports its visitors back in time each year for Dickens Christmas. The celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving, during which Charles Dickens and his cast of over 50 characters interact with villagers. Christmas carols, free horse and wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, and, of course, a live rendition of A Christmas Carol are all included.

The best times to visit Aspen are through the months of December to February. Fresh snow allows for ideal ski conditions and snow play, also making it the most popular time of the year for tourists. What better way to celebrate the holidays than in powder?

Enjoy a white Christmas in the village of Elkhart Lake, where the annual Old World Christmas Market is hosted. For 10 days, guests can stroll through heated, decorated tents selling Turkish, German, and Russian goods and items.

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, this Bavarian village turns into a snow-dusted Winter wonderland that visitors flock to. The town of Leavenworth strings tons of lights and is visited by jolly Saint Nicholas on Friday nights. Stay in the Seattle area and enjoy a snow-filled vacation.

It's Christmas year round in Santa Claus, IN, but the holidays go into full gear especially in the Winter months. Drive through Santa Claus Land of Lights, indulge at Santa's Candy Castle, or visit Holiday World theme park.

Woodstock's annual Wassail Weekend is a three-day holiday celebration that includes decked-out house tours, an equestrian parade, Christmas at the Farm, and more.