Best Cities To See Christmas Decorations
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Best Cities To See Christmas Decorations

These places put Clark Griswold to shame

13
Best Cities To See Christmas Decorations
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is to drive around and look at Christmas lights. I love to see city streets and houses decorated for the holidays. Some cities, however, go all out and become tourist destinations because of their lavish displays. Here are some of the best places to go see Christmas decorations.

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge Tourism

These two cities turn their lights on well before Thanksgiving. The main parkways are lit up with millions of Christmas lights each year, and even many of the side streets are decorated as well. Many of the displays feature bears, the mascot of the Smoky Mountains. Festivities include fireworks, a parade, a Christmas arts and crafts convention, and a trolley tour of the lights.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, FL

FloridasHistoricCoast.com

If you are tired of the cold and snow, then head on down to St. Augustine to see their lights at Christmas. The city began to decorate for the holidays several years ago to attract tourists during the off-season. Every year, they have the Night of Lights when every building, lamppost, and tree are lit up with white lights. Visitors can ride a bus, trolley, or even a boat to tour the displays.

Dahlonega/Helen, Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

https://dahlonegachristmas.com/

Dahlonega, Georgia is truly a Hallmark Christmas town, for the company has filmed multiple movies here including "Christmas in Homestead". All of the buildings around the historic square are decorated with lights and garland, and every year the town hosts an Old Fashioned Christmas starting the last week of November. Festivities include a parade, caroling, and live theater productions. When you are done soaking it all in, head on up to Helen, which is just a short drive away. The Bavarian themed town decorates its streets as well and holds a Christmas market and has plenty of festive live music and food.

Branson, Missouri

Branson, MO

Silver Dollar City

Branson is a lover of Christmas trees. Every year, the city decorates 700 trees. Silver Dollar City, a theme park in Branson, also covers itself in 6.5 million sparkling lights. You can ride the Frisco Sing-Along Train which takes you on a trip through the Ozark Mountains and sing carols and listen to the reading of the Nativity story.

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Leavenworth is also a Bavarian themed town, During the holidays, it is home to twenty-one miles of Christmas lights. The town leaves them up from before Thanksgiving until around Valentines Day. You can also sample roasted chestnuts, listen to live music groups performing in the town's gazebo and go sledding in Front Street Park.

Snowmass, Colorado

Snowmass, Colorado

Tamara Susa

Every year, Snowmass host the Snowmassive Celebration. It features illuminated ice sculptures, interactive light displays, and an ice-skating show. If you need a break from all the lights, strap on some skis and hit the nearby slopes.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, TX

The River Walk

When it comes to Christmas decorations, San Antonio pull out all the stops. Decorating begins as early as mid-November. The University of the Incarnate World decorates their entire campus with lights. Down at the River Walk, the canal and nearby streets are decorated with thousands of lights and are home to the Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Festival. The parade is held on the day after Thanksgiving and lasts 4 hours. The Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias is San Antonio's oldest tradition and consists of thousands of candles in white paper sand-filled bags placed along the River Walk. To top it all off, the city places a 55 foot tree in Alamo Plaza.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49844
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31782
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955308
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180491
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments