Leavenworth, Washington has been crowned the ultimate Christmas town in the U.S. According to HGTV’s special Top Ten Christmas Towns, this snowy Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains took the top spot thanks to its festive spirit, authentic European charm, and the thousands of lights that create a truly “one-of-a-kind Christmas spectacle” for months every year.
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Several unique traditions help cement Leavenworth’s status as the country’s ultimate Christmas town. For starters, the town even has its own original Christmas song, “Merry Christmas From Leavenworth,” which local musicians will be performing live at a free show on November 29 at 7:00 p.m. Leavenworth is also home to The Sugarplums, a beloved group of carolers who won the national Christmas Caroler Challenge on The CW; visitors can see them perform in person on December 6.
Leavenworth’s Festhalle transforms into a full Christmastown experience, offering kids the chance to make festive crafts, write and mail letters to Santa, and snap photos at whimsical holiday-themed stations. Families can meet Santa, explore the gingerbread house competition, browse Christmastown merchandise with free gift wrapping, and enjoy seasonal snacks surrounded by warm, cheerful décor.
In downtown Leavenworth, the Gazebo becomes another holiday hub where visitors can take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other classic Christmas characters. The Gazebo also hosts live music and glows with its own display of twinkling lights throughout the season. Adding to the festive charm is the annual Christmastown Gingerbread Contest, where winning gingerbread creations are proudly displayed for everyone to admire.
Finally, the most magical part of Washington’s beloved Christmas town is the light displays! Leavenworth glows with over half a million festive lights from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily for months. The Christmas lights go up on Thanksgiving Day and stay up through late February. It’s always free to stroll around and take in this magical snow-globe scene. If you specifically want to enjoy Christmastime festivities, you’ll find holiday events and activities in Leavenworth starting on the day after Thanksgiving all the way up to Christmas Eve. Alternatively, you can visit in January or February for a quieter but still snow-dusted experience.
Other places in the U.S. that were named by HGTV as top Christmas towns include Mackinac Island in Michigan, Woodstock in Vermont, San Antonio in Texas, and Durango in Colorado. Perhaps most impressively, Washington’s Leavenworth beat out North Pole, Alaska for the top spot as the number-one Christmas town.
If you plan to visit Leavenworth this holiday season, be sure to use our helpful guide shared below!