on the event of Christmas festivities in the United States, picturesque winter wonderlands come to life, even if snow on December 25 is not guaranteed. Communities across the nation wholeheartedly embrace the season, offering everything from horse-drawn sleigh rides against candlelit windows to encounters with real reindeer. Immerse yourself in the charm of Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and streets adorned with vibrant lights. Here are five captivating destinations where you can step into your own postcard-worthy white Christmas.
Chicago, Illinois:
Chicago, the Midwest’s grandest city, transforms into a festive wonderland during Christmas. The Magnificent Mile, adorned with over a million white holiday lights on 200 trees, sets the stage for an enchanting experience. Navy Pier dazzles with the Winter WonderFest, featuring more than 24 rides and a massive indoor skating rink. The downtown Christkindlmarket, running from late November to Christmas Eve, invites visitors to indulge in holiday shopping for handicrafts, nutcrackers, ornaments, and traditional treats like potato pancakes, bratwurst, and glühwein.
Aspen, Colorado:
Aspen, with its average annual snowfall of 4.5 meters, epitomizes a winter wonderland in the Rocky Mountains. Beyond its renowned skiing and luxurious living, Aspen charms visitors during Christmas with the 12 Days of Aspen celebration. Events include Victorian carolers, family skating parties, and holiday-card-making parties. Kids can meet real reindeer, enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies at the Cooper Avenue Mall, and partake in festive activities that create lasting memories.
Door County, Wisconsin:
Door County Peninsula, extending into Lake Michigan, transitions from a summer destination to a cozy winter retreat. This rural haven, about 250 kilometers north of Milwaukee, hosts events like gingerbread-house-making classes, holiday parades, and progressive holiday dinner weekends. Indulge in a culinary journey from Thorp House Inn to White Gull Inn via horse-drawn carriage, savoring appetizers, soup, main course, salad, and dessert along decorated streets.
Taos, New Mexico:
In Taos, New Mexico, a fusion of cultures creates a magical holiday atmosphere. Yuletide in Taos blends Spanish traditions with Mexican rituals, featuring luminarias on historic Ledoux Street and Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. Taos Pueblo, inhabited by Native Americans for over 1,000 years, hosts vespers and a torchlight procession of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Eve, adding a unique cultural dimension to the celebration.
Boston, Massachusetts:
Boston, steeped in colonial history, transforms into a living tableau of the Revolutionary War during Christmas. Historic venues across the city host holiday celebrations, with iconic Christmas trees gracing Boston Common and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Stay at Faneuil Hall for the mesmerizing Blink!, a 7-minute light show with over 350,000 LED lights illuminating the skyline to festive tunes. Symphony Hall echoes holiday concerts by the renowned Boston Pops throughout the month, adding a symphonic touch to the colonial charm.
