As long as you're not flying, Christmas is a great time of year to explore different travel destinations' Christmas decorations and celebrations - especially small towns.
I was but wasn't surprised that Wisconsin had 10 towns listed as some of the best small towns to visit during the Christmas season, including my own little town of Boulder Junction.
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Here are some hidden American gems worth visiting over the holidays:
Santa Claus, Indiana
How can you live in a town named Santa Claus and not go over the top at Christmas? Their Christmas celebration lasts a full 3 weeks! Visit the Santa Claus Arts & Craft Show, check out the Santa Claus Christmas parade, a Christmas store, Christmas museum and even and LED light display that tells the story of Rudolph!
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You can find accommodations at Santa's Cottages. They even have a Reindeer Express train the kids can ride.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is famously nicknamed "Christmas City". It's historic downtown with its cobblestone streets is full of festive lights during Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German holiday market. The town offers concerts, holiday workshops, carriage rides and "Christmas City Stroll" that'll have your entire family smiling and laughing.
For cozy (and historic!) accommodations, book a room at The Sayre Mansion (pictured).
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It’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance.​​​​​
Woodstock, Vermont
If you appreciate nostalgia and tranquility during the holidays, then head for the quintessential New England town of Woodstock. The town celebrates Christmas with a Woodstock Wassail Weekend market, decorated storefronts and horse drawn sleigh rides. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park offers tree lighting ceremonies and traditional Christmas music concerts. Watch carolers take to the snowy streets and decorated horses trot around downtown with riders dressed in Victorian attire.​
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You can even have breakfast with Santa.
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Nestled in the Green Mountains the views are phenomenal and you can ice skate and cross country ski.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Known as "Little Bavaria", Frankenmuth is a charming little town that dates back to the mid-19th century. It's like stepping into a festive postcard. Frankenmuth celebrates Christmas year-round at the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland store with over 96,000 square feet of retail space packed with more than 300 Christmas trees. But the town really comes alive in December with tree lighting ceremonies, traditional German fare, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday-themed historic house tours, and dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the popular Zehnder’s Restaurant.
Branson, Missouri
Branson is known for being America's Christmas Tree City and it's a city that celebrates Christmas in style. with a month long holiday extravaganza with live music, parades , festive displays of lights and 1,500 Christmas trees. The Branson Wheel in the Entertainment District is lit by over 100.000 lights that dance to Christmas tunes. The theme park Silver Dollar City hosts the Old Time Christmas with 6.5 million lights, an 8 story high animated tree, a light parade and live holiday productions.
The Branson Scenic Railway Polar Express Express Train Ride is a family favorite with hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of the original story by Santa.
Leavenworth, Washington
On any day of the year, this Bavarian village gives off an Alpine holiday air. But during Christmastown, visitors are met with 21 miles of lights along the homes and fences, and can also anticipate handbell concerts, a lively Christkindlmarkt, harp music, and a weekly festival with carolers, mulled Gluhwein, roasted nuts and sledding.
Decorah, Iowa
For Christmas with a Norwegian flair, visit Decorah. Kick off the holiday season with the annual Norwegian Christmas Celebration at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum! Activities in Heritage Park and Bethania Church are free, and admission to the museum’s Main Building is free for youth under age 18. Enjoy traditional festive family activities, folk art, treats, and live music.
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"Dickens on Mill Street" has fun for the entire family including visits with Mrs. Claus, live Dickens' characters with children's activities, carolers, treats and displays of the country's early English Settlers. For a small fee, take a horse-drawn carriage ride!
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The Lighted Parade will travel seven blocks through Decorah’s historic downtown, followed by kiddos getting their photo taken with Santa.And be sure to catch the Holiday Lights Fireworks December 9 at 6:30 PM in Decorah!
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing was one of the stops on my riverboat cruise and it was a cute little town in summer - but even better at Christmas. The Red Wing Holiday Stroll, nestled in the picturesque town of Red Wing, Minnesota, is a cherished holiday tradition that warms the hearts of residents and visitors alike. With its enchanting blend of festive activities and community spirit, this annual event transforms the town into a winter wonderland.
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The event starts with a pancake breakfast and goes on all day to include parades, cookie decorating, live penguins and baby reindeer, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, sleigh rides, a live Nativity scene, and lots and lots of music.
Helen, Georgia
Helen, a former logging town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, reinvented itself long ago as a Bavarian town. Visitors come to town in December to view the wreaths and artist-decorated holiday trees on auction at the Festival of Trees and to participate in the Kinderfest, the Christkindlmarkt, and tree lighting in tiny downtown Helen.
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The town dazzles with over half a million lights, nightly parades, holiday-themed horse rides, traditional German food and music. Snowfall is rare, but simulated snow and themed attractions create a winter wonderland.
Mystic, Connecticut
The seaside town of Mystic welcomes Christmas magic in the form of a renowned Lantern Light Village, an outdoor experience that’s carried out all December long offering light displays, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, crackling fires, and the history of holidays past.
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Step onto the deck of the historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan for live holiday music, try your hand at seasonal crafts, and create cherished memories with family and friends. Lantern Light Village is a heartwarming tradition filled with wonder, nostalgia, and just the right touch of holiday magic.
It's no wonder so many Wisconsin towns made the "Best Small Towns at Christmas" list given our state turns into a snowfall winter wonderland every year.
Cedarburg
Cedarburg’s entire five-block downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and during the holidays, it is magically transformed into something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
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Festive Friday Eves are a series of free, family-oriented evenings held at Cedar Creek Settlement on six Fridays, leading up to the holidays. Each one has a different theme and you'll find wine and food tastings, horse drawn carriage rides, music and entertainment, and so much more.
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There are also plenty of opportunities to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. During the season, there's a scavenger hunt, Polar Express, symphony concerts, holiday movie showings, and so much more.
You'll find it impossible to miss the Christmas cheer.
Lake Geneva
Once the home of wealthy Chicagoans, Lake Geneve is a popular tourist destination year round and the only town I know of whose lakeside residents get their mail delivered by boat.
Christmas is over the top in Lake Geneva. Start out with a Santa Cruise starting on November 21 and running on select days through January 3. Add dinner at PIER 290 for an even more festive day.
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Over two weekends in December, glass blowing master Jason Mack and the Elliot organization create a colossal glass Christmas tree in front of the beautiful Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wi.
Mail delivery on Lake Geneva
This unique holiday event is like nothing you have seen before. The tree is created from recycled, donated glass collected from the community and then blown onsite to create the World’s Tallest Glass Tree! Visitors can even participate buy adding a section of the tree themselves.
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The pinnacle event is the festive tree-topping ceremony on December 15th at 4pm. A magnificent 4-foot hand-blown glass star is put on top of the tree, marking the completion of this stunning installation. The ceremony is a all ages affair featuring local vendors, delectable food, beer/wine, lively music, and more.
Tickets to the event are $5 per person which includes free parking at Williams Bay Highschool (a heated trolley ride will take you to Yerkes Observatory). 8 and under enter free. Buy your tickets here as early as possible as this event sells out really fast!
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There are too many Christmas events in Lake Geneva to list so you can see them all here.
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By the way, Lake Geneva is THE place to go for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Chippewa Falls
If the name of this town sounds familiar to you, it was the hometown of the character Jack Dawson in James Cameron's movie, Titanic.
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During the holiday season Chippewa Falls is noted for its Irvine Park Christmas Village. As you step into Irvine Park, you’ll be transported to a magical world of lights and holiday spirit. The Christmas Village boasts an impressive array of life-size Christmas scenes that harken back to the Victorian era, alongside charming local historical replicas. Whether you choose to stroll through the park on foot or take a cozy drive, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking spectacle that captures the essence of the holiday season.
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Irvine Park also offers snowshoe adventures, horse drawn wagon rides ride through the illuminated park and downtown Chippewa Falls, and a variety of Winter Wonderland activities.
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But the real showstopper is The Santa’s Workshop windows at the Cedarburg Cultural Center.
It’s like peering into the North Pole itself, minus the frostbite and elf labor disputes.
Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake's main holiday draw is its Old World Christmas Market. Bringing a European holiday tradition to Wisconsin, this market features vendors selling handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and holiday decorations. Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive foods, including German sausages, strudel, and mulled wine. The market also includes live entertainment, including carolers and traditional music.
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Click here for 14 Elkhart Lake holiday highlights you don't want to miss.
Bayfield
Perched on the shores of Lake Superior, this charming town takes the whole “winter wonderland” thing to a new level. One that would make Art Griswold Christmas green with envy.
Santa and his elf don't arrive in Bayfield on any ol' sleigh, they boat it over on the Madeline Island ferry after attending Madeline Island's notorious "Holiday Glow" event. The entire island lights up in a dazzling spectacle that likely confuses landing aircraft and migrating birds.
(I've heard rumors to the effect NASA astronauts could see it from space.)
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Meanwhile back in the 'mainland" city of Bayfield, the annual Holiday Spirit Gallery Tour is taking place. The tour is like a classy version of a pub crawl where you pretend to be an art connoisseur in order to snag the free snacks.
Local galleries and shops open their doors, offering warm beverages and holiday treats as you peruse local art.
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Known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” New Glarus doesn’t just bring the Christmas cheer – it yodels it from the mountaintops.
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Or it would, if Wisconsin had mountains.
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The town's Swiss heritage shines most brightly during the holidays. During the annual “Christkindli Market” local artisans sell everything from hand-carved cuckoo clocks to the cheese Wisconsin is infamous for. But it's the Swiss food that steals the show.
Eagle River
As the "Snowmobile Capitol of the World", Eagle River was built for winter and the holiday season.
(Hockey comes in at a close 2nd place with its Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame)
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It opens its holiday season with its Christmas Kickoff and festivities continue on with Mistletoe Magic.
Mistletoe Magic is a holiday gift buying special in which 15 Eagle River shops offer raffles that customers can enter to win prizes. The special includes stores that offer arts and crafts, toys, sweat and savory treats, pet items, sporting goods, salon items and more.
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Meanwhile, the Vilas County Fairgrounds features open skating times, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and from 5 to 9 p.m. on weeknights. The skating is free. There are skate rentals available and festive music will keep skaters in holiday rhythm. A concession stand offers snacks and drinks.
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The Eagle River Area Chamber is hosting its annual Christmas Kick-off Party in Riverview Park from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Children will have the opportunity tell Santa their holiday wishes. The tree lighting ceremony will be held after dusk. Hot chocolate, food, and a festive atmosphere will warm the heart of anyone—even a grinch.
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Rocking W Stable offers sleigh rides from December 13 through January 3, 2026. It includes an authentic experience as rides go through portions of the woods and includes a bonfire stop along the way.
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What’s 20 feet tall, weighs 75 tons, lights up the night sky, and has thousands of people take photos next to it for 6 weeks in the Wisconsin Northwoods? The Ice Castle that is Eagle River's winter trademark.
Thousand of people come from all over to have their photo taken in front of it. The entire sculpture is made by volunteers.
Boulder Junction (& Minocqua and surrounding areas)
The great thing about living in the Northwoods is that it's never a question of will we get snow for Christmas? It's HOW MUCH snow will we get for Christmas?
The bulk of our tourist trade takes place during the summer months...which is a shame because winter is really one of the best times to visit the Northwoods. We have a Winter Wonderland playground up here and the best "events" are the ones we've created ourselves to stave off our 9 months of cabin fever.
The North Pole has nothing on us so Santa feels right at home here. We begin celebrating the Christmas holidays before November and Thanksgiving even crop up on the calendar. Even our herd of albino deer join us on our main street for the festivities.
We kick things off at the end of November with the Christmas Walk in which we make homemade Christmas floats to take part in our Santa parade down our decorated main street. There's a downtown tree lighting, horse drawn wagon rides (we have to use horses, our albino deer are in rut), The Boulder Junction Lions Club host bonfires, hot cocoa, and s’mores at Peeple’s Park, of course Santa and Mrs. Claus show up and will even pose for pictures, there's a Christmas cookie walk and much more!
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Apart from the holiday festivities we have plenty to see and do! Our Winter Park is FREE and features:
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Warming Shelter
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Picnic Pavilion
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Bonfire Pit
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Winter Equipment
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Restroom
The Glide ice skating ribbon is the newest addition to our winter park and is unlike any other skating rink in the state. You skate on a trail through the forest! FREE to use.
You can cut down your own live Christmas tree for the price of a $5 permit from the local DNR.
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If you want to get real Northwoodsy, scavenge natural elements from our over 245,000 acres of public forest, get creative and decorate a Woodland Christmas tree.
Our Christmas Chalet in nearby Minocqua has anything you could possibly want for a Christmas tree and is open year round.
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​There's nothing like your house smelling like fresh pine or evergreen during the holiday season!
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Take a snowmobile ride on our over 2000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. And that's just the Vilas County trails!
If you don't own a sled, we've got you covered as far as a rental.
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Spend a day ice skating. We have numerous FREE rinks for you to use!
Torpy Park has an ice skating rink that is FREE for anyone to use. It's right next to Minocqua Brewing Company and is located on Hwy. 51 South. The rink is lighted at night.
Located behind the Woodruff Town Hall is a free public ice skating rink. Twirl & skate through a winter wonderland surrounded by snow-covered pine trees. Bring your own skates and some hot cocoa for a fun family outing or a date night. The rink is also lighted at night.
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Brandy Park also has a lighted ice rink that's free to use. You may even find find kids playing a pickup game of hockey.
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Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena on old Hwy. 51 offers both indoor and outdoor ice skating as well as skate rentals.
Fishing up here is just as good in the winter as it is in the summer. As soon as the lakes freeze you'll see ice fishing shanty 'cities' cropping up all over the place.
My great nephew with a nice walleye he landed ice fishing
Silent sport enthusiasts love the Northwoods for snowshoeing.
The Northwoods of Wisconsin offers a variety of snowshoeing opportunities, with trails ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Here are some of the best spots for snowshoeing in the Northwoods:
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Deerskin Snowshoe Trails: Vilas County: This series of color-coded ungroomed trails utilize 12 miles of logging roads and ski trails through forest, and along the Deerskin River on gently rolling terrain with a few steep spots.
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The Tamaracks Trails: Vilas County: No sharing with skiers here. The Blue and Green Loops are exclusive for snowshoes and extend 6.5 and 8.5 miles, respectively.
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In places like the Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area, you can explore more than 2,189 acres of pristine forest on trails that will take you past undeveloped lakes. You’ll feel like you’re in the backcountry, even when you’re steps from your car—it’s a true wilderness experience.
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Of course, the best trails are always the ones you make yourself.
My niece cross country skiing the trails in Northern Highland State Forest
Wherever you are in Vilas County, you’re within minutes of a cross-country ski trail.
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Our trails are easy to find. Download the Map It Vilas County trails app to see trail info for the entire county, no matter where you want to go.
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Need a ski rental? Vilas County has you covered. You can get your skis waxed here, and you’ll also find retailers offering the latest apparel and gear. You’ll find everything from beginner ski packages to high-end racing skis.
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One of the most popular events up here are the Bikini Snowmobile Races with all proceeds going to charity.
They're held in St. Germain and they've also been held on Big Arbor Vitae Lake where I had my resort.​
In fact, give us any object and we'll figure out a way to race it across ice.
Outhouses
Beds
Recliners
Barstools
You won't find a more zany, fun loving group of people to spend your holidays with!
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Hope to see you in the Northwoods this Christmas!