8 U.S. Cities Perfect for Embracing Holiday Cheer

As November rolls in, a magical transformation occurs across cities nationwide: twinkling lights are carefully hung, ice skating rinks pop up in public spaces, and festive tunes fill the airwaves.

Each city in the U.S. boasts its own distinct traditions for celebrating the holidays, from crafting tamales in Texas to unique interpretations of The Nutcracker in New York. These eight cities are ready to welcome you into their local holiday vibes just as travel season kicks off.

1. Experience a Nutcracker crawl in New York City

George Balanchine transformed the American holiday landscape with his iconic 1954 staging of The Nutcracker. Each winter, the New York City Ballet continues to perform his timeless production at Lincoln Center, alongside a variety of innovative adaptations throughout the city.

Kings Theatre, a beautifully restored 1929 cinema in the heart of Brooklyn, is presenting both the touring production of Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (December 6) and The Brooklyn Nutcracker (December 16), which showcases a variety of dance styles—including flamenco, hip-hop, Ukrainian hopak, and Native American hoop dancing—while characters journey through the borough. Plus, make sure to leave the kids at home for Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge (November 16 to January 27), a playful, adult-oriented burlesque twist on the classic filled with humor and allure.

Where to stay

Few hotels can rival the festive ambiance of the Central Park-adjacent Plaza, where you can even request your suite to be adorned with a magnificent seven-foot Christmas tree.

2. Experience a feliz navidad in San Antonio

The San Antonio River Walk flows through the heart of Alamo City and is especially enchanting when adorned with 100,000 twinkling lights. This year, festivities commence on November 23 with the Ford Holiday River Parade, featuring 28 decorated floats gliding along the water, complete with vibrant Mexican folk dancers and themed decorations—one float even boasts oversized Mexican pastries like conchas and bigotes.

Throughout the holiday season, the spirit of south-of-the-border celebrations continues with events like the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias (December 1), where the riverbanks are illuminated with traditional lanterns crafted from candles in paper bags, and Las Nuevas Tamaleras (November 30 to December 3), a festive comedy about three women hosting their first tamalada—a tamale-making party. Don’t miss out on grabbing one of the seasonal treats before wandering to see the dazzling light displays around town (and don’t forget the Alamo!). They’re not only tasty but also make perfect hand warmers.

Where to stay

One of the most unique accommodations in the Lone Star State is Hotel Havana, housed in a 1914 Mediterranean Revival building in a quieter stretch of the River Walk. Their on-site boutique is also a great spot for picking up last-minute holiday gifts, such as wool stuffed animals from Chiapas, Mexico, or cactus soaps from the Chicana-owned brand Nopalera.

3. Experience your favorite holiday films in Los Angeles

Southern California’s theme parks bring a cinematic flair to the holiday season. Universal Studios Hollywood showcases artificial snow for Grinchmas and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, while Disneyland in Anaheim features a Nightmare Before Christmas theme overlay for the Haunted Mansion.

In Tinseltown, you can dive into your favorite holiday movies wherever you go. The Walt Disney Concert Hall will present performances of John Williams’ charming (and Oscar-nominated) Home Alone score as part of its Deck the Hall holiday concert series, while Rooftop Cinema Club will screen classics like The Best Man Holiday, Elf, and Gremlins at outdoor venues in Downtown LA, El Segundo, and the Arts District throughout November and December.

Where to stay

Opened just last year across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Conrad Los Angeles boasts breathtaking views of Frank Gehry’s iconic architecture and features a cozy lobby fireplace, perfect for those chilly SoCal evenings when temperatures dip below…60ºF.

4. Add some twang to your Christmas carols in Nashville

If your holiday playlist isn’t complete without Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” or Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” a seasonal trip to Nashville is a must.

In Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry hosts nine nights of festive concerts featuring stars like Lady A, Trace Adkins, Scotty McCreery, and Lauren Alaina at the Grand Ole Opry House, a grand venue celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Meanwhile, the historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Opry, hosts country icons Amy Grant and Vince Gill for a 12-show residency titled Christmas at the Ryman. With 28 Grammys between them, they’re the perfect duo to refresh holiday classics.

Where to stay

Located near the Vanderbilt University campus, the Graduate Nashville features a Dolly Parton-themed rooftop bar called White Limozeen, with its halls adorned in shimmering tinsel and garland for the season.

5. Lace up your skates in Chicago

While many cities set up seasonal ice rinks during the holidays, few are as unique as the Ice Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park, Chicago. Imagine a lazy river transformed by Elsa from Frozen—this quarter-mile loop winds past the park’s climbing wall and offers stunning views of the skyline. You can also skate to your heart’s content at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, the Midway Plaisance Ice Rink in Hyde Park, located on the site of the 1893 World’s Fair, and Winterland at Gallagher Way, which features a European-style holiday market and Santa’s workshop near Wrigley Field.

Where to stay

Guests at The Peninsula Chicago can enjoy winter festivities without leaving the hotel: this five-star gem on Michigan Avenue boasts the city’s only hotel ice skating rink, the Sky Rink, perched high above the bustling shopping street below.

6. Embrace a nautical Noel in Seattle

With over 200 miles of freshwater and saltwater coastlines, Seattle hosts the Seattle Christmas Boat Parade on December 16, featuring beautifully decorated boats sailing around Lake Union. You can also join the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival, a cherished tradition since 1949; the Spirit of Seattle, adorned with twinkling white lights, visits more than 40 coastal communities on Puget Sound while an onboard choir entertains guests. For those 21 and older, there’s the option of the “Follow Boat,” a lively ugly-sweater party on a vessel trailing closely behind the Spirit.

Where to stay

Perched on a pier above Elliott Bay, The Edgewater is Seattle’s only hotel on the water. December activities include festive karaoke nights and a Merry Little Christmas Bar serving seasonal drinks like the Mistletoe Martini.

7. Stroll through the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this winter

While the mall might bring to mind stress and busy schedules back home (to-do lists! crowds!), the National Mall in D.C. offers a charming setting to celebrate the patriotic side of the holiday season. At the United States Botanic Garden, the Conservatory is adorned with poinsettias and plant models of D.C. landmarks, while outside, model trains zip through festive displays featuring oversized pollinators (bats, bugs, birds) and plants this year.

Each year, a different national forest is chosen to provide the majestic conifer for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree; this year’s tree hails from Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Just across the National Mall, the National Gallery features a skating rink in its Sculpture Garden, where you can glide among masterpieces by Alexander Calder and Louise Bourgeois. While in the area, don’t miss the chance to visit the White House Ellipse to see the National Menorah, the tallest in the world at 30 feet.

Where to stay

Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. goes all out during the winter months, offering a lineup of activities that includes nightly caroling and festive afternoon tea in the lavish Peacock Alley.

8. Embrace the spirit of Christmas Past in Boston

Boston fully embraces its rich history with celebrations that evoke the colonial era. For example, along the Freedom Trail, you can join an hour-long Historic Holiday Stroll, guided by someone dressed in Dickensian attire. On December 9, the Omni Parker House—famous for being the first place in the U.S. where Charles Dickens presented A Christmas Carol—will host a live reading of the novella, complete with musical interludes and a discussion by the hotel historian beforehand.

For a truly enchanting experience, secure a prized ticket to the Candlelight Concerts. These concerts, held in stunning venues across the globe, take on a special charm in Boston. Illuminated solely by flickering candles, string quartet performances will take place at the Gothic Revival Old South Church in Back Bay, the First Church in Cambridge, and Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street.

Where to stay

You won’t find more historic lodging than the Omni Parker House, which has been welcoming guests since 1855 and is the longest continuously operating hotel in America. If it was good enough for Dickens, it’s surely perfect for you!