Where are the best holiday celebrations in the U.S.? Our new research ranks the best holiday celebrations, events and displays from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Each event or celebration was evaluated on three factors: display quality, travel time and driving conditions to and from each event. Please see below for a comprehensive listing of this year's top holiday celebration destinations.

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The Top Holiday Celebrations and Events in the U.S.

1. Illinois
   • Illinois tops the list thanks not only to Chicago, but a high occurrence of noteworthy parades elsewhere in the state. Chicago offers its 21st Annual Dickens of a Christmas and Christmas in the Valley '04, a weeklong reenactment of Christmas on a 19th-century farm.
   • Events in East Peoria and Galesburg highlight the plethora of parades and festivals throughout the western, central and southern regions of the state.
2. California
   • California's holiday celebrations are diverse and plentiful. From San Diego's 49th consecutive Las Posadas & Luminarias in its historic Old Town, to the lighting of America's Tallest Living Christmas Tree in Ferndale, Califonia has something for everyone.
   • In Santa Barbara, over 35,000 spectators will view the city's 52nd annual Downtown Holiday Parade, and the Bay Area will be ablaze in holiday lights at Fisherman's Wharf, Union Street, and even on yachts parading in the harbor.
3. New York
   • The works of Norman Rockwell are the inspiration for Hammondsport's Rockwellian Christmas in the Park, as village shop windows are decorated as recreations of Saturday Evening Post covers. The Long Island Festival of Trees is the largest indoor Christmas festival in the New York metropolitan area.
   • Of course, world-famous events such as Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration and Ball Drop are not to be overlooked.
4. Minnesota
   • Minnesota has a great deal of holiday celebrations, many focused on Scandinavian traditions. For almost two months, the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will host a Christmas in Scandinavia exhibit.
   • Another Òdon't missÓ event is the TCF Holidazzle, which features parades in downtown Minneapolis from November 26th to December 23rd.
5. Oregon
   • The Christmas Ship Fleet is a volunteer group of approximately sixty boaters from the Portland area that started out with one lone sailboat decorated with green ribbon. Now in its 50th year, today's boats are ablaze with colored lights and are enjoyed by revelers all along the banks of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
   • The Holiday Ale Festival in Portland is the only beer festival in the Northwest to be held outdoors in the dark, cold and often wet month of December. The Festival is held in heated tents and celebrates the release of the region's craft-brewed winter ales.
6. Massachusetts
   • On November 28th, the Quincy Christmas Parade celebrates its 52nd year, and should be as good as ever. The Cape Cod Enchanted Village in Hyannis is a wonderful event. Other notables include the Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, the Zoolights festival in Stoneham, and the Christmas in Salem Historic House Tour.
7. Missouri
   • A unique event is the Annual Ragtime Christmas Party and Open House at the Scott Joplin House in St. Louis. Admission is free. Lexington offers a celebration called Immigrant Christmas, in which the early traditions of several different immigrant groups who had settled in Lexington are portrayed.
8. Nebraska
   • Hastings' Downtown Celebration of Lights offers a cornucopia of fun holiday events, including a light show, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, children's train rides, and food and entertainment.
   • Omaha's annual Gingerbread Display features more than 300 gingerbread creations amongst decorated trees and live music. The Star City Holiday Festival in Lincoln boasts giant helium balloons, imaginative floats, marching bands and equestrian units.
9. Maryland
   • The Ocean City Christmas Parade is always a great time. Also, try something different with Colonial Christmas at Smallwood in Marbury. The event takes you back to the times of the Revolutionary War with traditional food and costumes. Watch decorated boats float by in Annapolis' Lights Parade.
10. Colorado
    • Downtown Denver's lighting display is considered one of the largest in the world. The City and County Building is decorated with 40,000 floodlights, Christmas carols are played from the bell tower, and the mile-long pedestrian promenade is lined with 200 glowing Christmas trees. Horse drawn carriage rides allow revelers to enjoy the winter wonderland in style and comfort.
    • The Yule Log and Sugar Plum Festival in Durango is a great way to get kids into the spirit of the season.
11. Virginia
    • On December 4th, Colonial Beach offers Santa's Wonderland and Boat Parade. For hands-on fun, visit the Folk Art Christmas Workshop at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg from December 6-8. Throughout December, the Festival of Lights and Carols illuminates Fairfax with holiday spirit. This popular event includes children's activities, sleigh rides, and a visit from Santa.
12. South Dakota
    • Visit Aberdeen for the thrilling Living Christmas Tree concert series, featuring a 25-foot steel structure decorated with greenery and lights that holds a 120-voice choir and a 40-piece orchestra.
    • The Festival of Lights Parade in Brookings is followed by a pork feed amongst themed Christmas trees, and the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls features a Breakfast with Santa event complete with puppet show and family crafts.
13. Connecticut
    • For over 30 years, the Annual Festival of Trees and Traditions has brought season cheer to Hartford. It features tributes to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day in addition to Christmas. The Enchanted Forest in Old Greenwich on November 20th and 21st is also a great event.
14. Arizona
    • Winslow hosts the largest Christmas parade in Arizona, which is approaching its 60th year. In addition, The APS Electric Light Parade in Phoenix is one of the bigger draws in Arizona. In Flagstaff, the Annual Holiday of Lights Festival is a big spectacle and goes well into February.
15. Florida
    • Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Orlando is known as the best of many holiday parades in Florida. Also, be sure to check out Walt Disney World and Sea World for their holiday happenings.
    • Florida residents can get a rare chance to play in the snow at the Lowry Park Zoo's annual Wild Wonderland Winter Festival. Children will love romping around the ice caves and ice storms that feature real snow.
16. Kansas
    • The Christmas Parade in Emporia celebrates its 27th year as one of the state's biggest nighttime parades. Larned's Christmas Parade reaches its 85th year of spreading holiday cheer with carriages, floats and music. Wichita offers Christmas at the Prairie Rose, a cowboy-inspired holiday celebration that is sure to please everyone.
17. Kentucky
    ¯ Kentucky's holiday highlights include the Frontier Christmas in Washington. Step back in time with carolers dressed in frontier-style garb and various cooking and craft demonstrations. Light Up Louisville in Louisville will take you back to modern times with a breathtaking light display.
18. Rhode Island
    • Since 1971, citizens of Newport have been honoring the holiday season by illuminating their harbor and wharves solely with clear bulbs that simulate candlelight. The Christmas in Newport celebration offers hundreds of free concerts, tours, lectures and other activities, made possible by 1,500 volunteers who help raise thousands of dollars for charity each year.
    • The 57th annual Latin Carol Celebration is presented free to the public by the Brown University Department of Classics and features holiday readings and songs conducted entirely in Latin.
19. Texas
    • Enjoy a Norwegian Country Christmas with a lighted Christmas parade through historic downtown Clifton. Watch traditional Norwegian folk dancers as you tour the Heritage Village and watch Santa glide into town on his Viking ship!
    • Johnson City's Timeless Christmas celebration boasts three Christmases in one. First enjoy a 1920's small town Christmas at Lyndon Johnson's boyhood home. Then move on to a frontier holiday party around the campfire for refreshments and carols. Finally, step into the modern wonderland of the million-light Hill Country Style Lights Spectacular.
20. North Dakota
    • Scandinavian heritage is well represented at the Nordic Christmas Festival in Bottineau and the Sons of Norway Heritage Festival in Tioga.
    • Head to the Original Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas in Medora or enjoy a traditional Christmas on the Prairie in West Fargo.
21. Wyoming
    • Get a feel for life in the frontier West at the free Holiday Candlelight Tour at Fort Caspar. Solider and emigrant re-enactors from the U.S. Volunteer Infantry will be on hand to share stories of life at the army post during the long months of winter.
    • The Evanston Teddy Bear Parade on December 11th is a wonderful event for children. With Santa Claus as grand marshal, children of all ages march through downtown with a menagerie of stuffed pals. The parade is followed by a drawing for donated teddy bears and a children's movie at the historic Strand Theater.
22. North Carolina
    • Visit Burlington for the North Carolina Holiday Magic Festival, featuring horse and carriage rides, Little Blue Choo train rides, live entertainment, great food and a visit from Santa himself.
    • The 58th annual Asheville Holiday Parade gets better all the time, this year featuring floats, bands, huge helium balloons and a beauty pageant. The Whiteville Pecan Harvest Festival celebrates the harvest of the superior nut with arts, entertainment, and scrumptious pecan-filled foods.
23. Tennessee
    • The 15th annual Gatlinburg Winterfest Kick-Off and Chili Cook-Off is a great opportunity to cuddle up with loved ones and welcome the holiday season over a steaming bowl of championship chili.
    • Other exciting holiday events include the Intertribal Native American Pow-Wow in Tullahoma and Sevierville's 42nd annual Christmas Parade.
24. Alaska
    • Be sure to check out the month long Winterfest in Juneau. The Annual Arts and Crafts Emporium on November 27th and 28th in Anchorage is Alaska's largest gathering of artisans and admission is free.
    • Beautifully decorated and brightly lit vessels of all sizes parade through the harbor on Kodiak Island every year, and local merchants in Petersburg offer customers free food and spirits in observance of the old Norwegian tradition known as Julebukking.
25. Ohio
    • Now in its 20th year, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights has become one of the region's largest and most anticipated winter events. Special holiday entertainment, carolers, children's activities, reindeer, train rides, and seasonal fare make this celebration one of the tri-states' most cherished family traditions.
    • Spend an evening on the Marmon Valley Farm and enjoy a unique hayride tour that takes guests from scene to scene as the Nativity story is enacted by costumed characters and live animals.
26. Washington
    • The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival is a holiday celebration that has become a Northwest tradition for 55 years. Thousands of people gather on the shore around roaring bonfires as decorated boats drift by, forming the largest holiday flotilla in the world.
    • The 19th century mill town of Port Gamble holds an annual Country Christmas celebration that features two days of homemade crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, roving carolers and a visit from Santa.
27. South Carolina
    • Step back in time 200 years and enjoy Pendleton's Holidays in the Village celebration. Merchants dress in period costumes, old fashioned carts overflow with items typical of the early 1800's, and carolers keep music in the air.
    • In Myrtle Beach, a nautical-themed light display featuring colorful mermaids, sailboats, and anchors stretches for miles along South Carolina's Grand Strand. Music lovers won't want to miss the nationally-recognized Carolina Opry Christmas Special, now in its 19th year.
28. Arkansas
    • Head to Pine Bluff for the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends, which lasts from late November until New Year's Day. It features more than 70 light displays, some of which are animated. The Holiday Open House at the Arkansas Artists Gallery in Little Rock is a great place to view some local art.
29. Iowa
    • Head to Manning for Weihnachtsfest, a German Christmas festival that includes lighting ceremony, German foods and music, arts & crafts, contests, holiday entertainment, and a volkswalk. There are numerous lighting ceremonies throughout Iowa to attend, including Swan Lake State Park's Holiday Animated Lighting Extravaganza.
30. Mississippi
    • Holiday highlights include Christmas at the Old Capitol and Christmas at the Governor's Mansion in Jackson and the Christmas Parade in Tupelo.
    • During Christmas at Landrum's Homestead, the citizens of Laurel recreate a late 19th-century Southern settlement. Boasting over 50 buildings and displays, the village features a Confederate soldier encampment, live entertainment, gem mining, a maze, blacksmithing demonstrations, a working steam engine and fresh home-style cooking.
31. Vermont
    • The Vermont International Festival in Essex Junction is a colorful craft festival that celebrates the holiday traditions of over 40 countries with music, dance, an ethnic food court, and cultural exhibits.
    • Candy canes are an important part of Christmas, and at Laughing Moon Chocolates in Stowe visitors can watch them being made every Saturday and Sunday from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
32. Indiana
    • Lanthier Winery in Madison is home to the Midwest's largest holiday display of angels. In Fort Wayne, the Scottish Christmas Festival is usually a popular draw. Educational and fun, the Historic Timeline in Arlington features re-enactments from the times of the French and Indian War, the Civil War, and World War II.
33. Oklahoma
    • The Holiday Lights Spectacular in Midwest City is the state's largest animated lights display. Horse drawn carriage rides, hot air balloons, and live music add to the excitement of this free celebration. Chickasha's 12th annual Festival of Light features more than 90 lighted displays, a spectacular crystal bridge, and a breath-taking 16-story Christmas tree.
    • The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum's turn-of-the-century Western town, Prosperity Junction, comes alive during the holidays with historical characters, a school house cakewalk and choirs singing traditional Christmas music.
34. Michigan
    • The Children's Holiday Parade in Ann Arbor on December 5th will be fun for everyone. Also, A Dickens Christmas in Mount Pleasant is always a safe bet for holiday cheer. Get in the spirit with a holiday train ride; Lake Central Rail Tours in Corunna offers the Santa Express Excursion.
35. Montana
    • The historical American Legion/VFW Turkey Dinner and Sleigh Ride dates from mid-century when veterans and hunters prepared a turkey dinner for local residents. The event is still free of charge and features raffles, a visit from Santa, and horse drawn sleigh rides.
    • The Big Sky Resort and the Huntley Lodge and Yellowstone Conference Center burst with spirit during the holiday season, offering visitors free theatrical presentations, interdenominational services, a traditional Christmas buffet dinner, caroling, and hot air balloon rides.
36. Wisconsin
    • The 12th annual Christmas at The House on the Rock in Spring Green includes an exhibition of over 6,000 life-size Santa Claus models from around the world. Also be sure to tour the Heritage of the Sea Building and take a ride on the World's Largest Carousel.
    • Eagle River's Ice Castle is such a popular tourist attraction that Wisconsin residents often plan their holiday travel around its construction. Community volunteers build the frozen masterpiece from over 3,000 ice blocks then illuminate it with dozens of colored floodlights.
37. Delaware
    • The Milton Christmas Parade has been called one of the largest and oldest holiday parades in Delaware. Georgetown's Festival of Trees is a popular event and raises money for Delaware Hospice.
    • The Kristndl Markt in Newark is a German Christmas festival featuring ethnic foods, handicrafts, gifts, and Bavarian dancing.
38. Utah
    • Everyone is a winner when the merchants of Mt. Pleasant compete in the annual Best Hot Cocoa Contest. Visitors determine the Cocoa Champion based on free samples as gingerbread houses made by local schoolchildren grace the store windows.
    • Everyone is invited to attend the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Kwanzaa Celebration. Delight in flavorful food as you enjoy children's art workshops, music, dance, and poetry from around the world.
39. Georgia
    • In Downtown Atlanta, The Festival of Trees lasts over a week and involves the decoration of over 200 trees and holiday scenes. Celebrate with thousands at FirstNight Atlanta's New Year's Eve Festival in Downtown Atlanta, which offers live music in a block party atmosphere.
40. Nevada
    • The Sparks 18th annual Hometown Christmas showcases a colorful parade, family entertainment, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, cultural displays and a spectacular tree lighting ceremony.
    • The fourth annual Gift of Lights Holiday Spectacular in Sunset Park features over 200 animated and twinkling light displays in a convenient and comfortable drive-through setting. 6 million lights decorating festive arches and tunnels guarantee fun for the entire family.
41. District of Columbia
    • Don't miss the National Christmas Tree Lightning Ceremony in early December, which features the President. Equally dramatic is the lighting of the huge Menorah each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
    • On December 11th the National Zoo will host the Children's Holiday Festival, which features puppet shows, hand-on games, and crafts. Admission is free.
42. Alabama
    • Alabama's most noteworthy events are the 34th Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow in Atmore and Christmas on the Coosa in Wetumpka, which features a boat parade and fireworks display.
    • The Pioneer Day celebration in Grove Hill provides visitors a glimpse of holidays past with demonstrations of salt making, blacksmithing, rug hooking, oxen pulling, crosscut sawing and flint knapping. Storytelling, live bluegrass and children's activities complete the festival.
43. Hawaii
    • Hawaii's most popular holiday celebration is Honolulu City Lights, held at the city hall. The extravaganza includes the lighting of a 50 foot Christmas tree, huge displays, and live music. On Maui, check out the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
44. New Mexico
    • The historic buildings of Las Cruces will be lighted while luminarias line the sidewalks as part of the town's fourth annual Victorian Holiday Open House. The public is invited to dress in Victorian-era costumes and join carolers and fortune tellers in enjoying carriage rides, live music and refreshments.
    • Other traditional luminaria celebrations throughout the state include those in Ruidoso, Rio Rancho and Farmington.
45. New Hampshire
    • At the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth, visitors are invited to sample the flavors of the season while watching interpreters prepare traditional holiday foods using historic recipes on the hearth.
    • On the Santa Claus Express, operated by the Conway Scenic Railroad, Santa will be aboard carrying a surprise in his bag for every child on board.
46. Idaho
    • Don't miss the Coeur d'Alene Fantasy in Lights and Laser Extravaganza from late November to January. Cruise Lake Coeur d'Alene in decorated boats and take in the holiday decorations, including a laser show. The weeklong Tour of Lights in Nampa should be fun, too.
47. Maine
    • Kick off the season at Portland's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in late November. Be sure to take a horse-drawn wagon ride through town. Portland also offers Christmas at Victoria Mansion, which is open for an entire month and draws quite a few visitors. Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude is a weekend festival in early December that begins with the community caroling around a tree decorated with buoys.
48. West Virginia
    • Visitors to West Virginia are invited to step back in time and enjoy a recreated 18th century-style holiday celebration in the Mansion on Blennerhessett Island, December 9th through 11th.
    • Meanwhile, downtown Wheeling comes alive with holiday cheer during the winter months, featuring spectacular light shows, snowflake ornaments, and an array of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
49. Louisiana
    • Most of the notable events in Louisiana take place in New Orleans; Christmas on the Bayou is no exception. Check out this event for a fun parade as well as crafts and a variety of food and drink. For the kids, don't miss La Fte No‘l des Enfants, a parade with floats that children can ride on.
50. New Jersey
    • The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill offers holiday events for everyone, including a pancake breakfast with Santa, Lights and Latkes day and the Kwanzaa Celebration.
    • Stroll along the boardwalk sipping on free hot apple cider from the Atlantic City Hilton or attend one of the Morristown Community Theatre's holiday productions, including a Colonial Symphony and the Vienna Boys Choir.
51. Pennsylvania
    • Children are encouraged to come to the Railroaders Memorial Museum in their PJ's for the Polar Express Pajama Party, featuring an interactive reading of Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning book and train cookie decorating. The Blair County Yuletide Yummy Holiday Soup Sampling is also held at the Museum.
    • Beaver County's 15th annual Festival of the Trees and Wreath Auction is a family event benefiting the Beaver County Children and Youth Services Dream Fund.