This holiday season, explore the best Christmas towns in the Midwest. Many may be in your backyard, full of holiday festivities and Christmas cheer.
Best Christmas Towns In The Midwest
It’s no secret the holiday season is my FAVORITE time of the year! I love everything about Christmas.
From the music, the food, the smell of fudge, holiday lights, wrapping presents, hot chocolate, singing Christmas carols, sleigh rides, and more.
Yes, I love it all! One thing on my bucket list is to start visiting the best Christmas towns.
This year, I decided to start with the Midwest.
Yes, I know there are many great Christmas cities worldwide, but several fantastic ones are in my backyard.
Best Christmas Towns In The Midwest
If you plan to travel around the Midwest this year, check out some of the best Christmas cities to visit during the holidays and plan to visit at least one!
Best Christmas Towns in Illinois
Chicago, Illinois– There is always something fun to do in Chicago. One of Chicago’s iconic things during the holiday season is the Macy’s State Street display.
“Recognized as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Macy’s State Street is a Macy’s flagship destination and a true American original.
Join generations of Chicagoans as you shop and dine through this historic building filled with the best in fashion, cuisine, and more.”
This is on our bucket list this year, and discover other fun things to do during the Christmas season in Chicago.
Other things to do in Chicago during the holiday season:
Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Visit chicagobotonic.org for more information and updates.
Another Illinois town to check out is Galena Country. It’s a cozy area, filled with Christmas ideas, such as the Holiday Fire in the Sky, visit the Christmas Village, and take a stroll downtown to check out the holiday scenery.
Christmas country in Indiana
Santa Claus, Indiana- We explored Santa Claus, Indiana, for the first time a few years ago.
You know they are pulling out all the stops on Christmas activities with a town named after Santa Claus.
This small town celebrates Christmas all year, receiving millions of visitors to their family-friendly theme park, Holiday World, and events at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.
Some of their Christmas activities include The Land of Lights display, a Christmas dinner hosted by Santa himself, a live Reindeer exhibit, and a Santa Claus Christmas parade.
You can find quite a few things to do in the Santa Claus area during the holidays; visit their page to learn more.
Best Christmas Towns in Michigan
Frankenmuth, Michigan – I remember the first time I went to Bronner’s in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
That store overwhelmed me. It was so hard to take it all in at once. It was Christmas overload, but in a good way.
Bronner’s is known as the BEST Christmas store.
They bring in guests from all over the world, and you don’t leave empty-handed. But Bronner’s is not the only thing this quaint little town is known for– the whole town transforms into a Christmas town.
Do you remember growing up watching A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens?
Well, this is a real-life version of it. The streets are decorated to the max, window shops covered in holiday decor, and you will find actors dressed up in Dickens-Day apparel singing Christmas carols and wishing you holiday greetings.
The smell of fudge and roasted chestnuts fills the air.
- Photo Credit: Bob Stefko /Midwest Living
Manistee, Michigan- Last year, when I searched for holiday activities in the Mid-Michigan area, I was told about Manistee.
If you want a nostalgic Christmas, then you want to head to Manistee.
They kick off the holiday season with the Old Christmas Weekend, filled with activities, including a Gingerbread House contest, Festival of Trees, and guided tours of the Babcock House.
You will find carolers decked out in period dresses, coats, and, let’s not forget, the top hats!
There’s also a Victorian Sleighbell Parade, with the highlight being Belgian draft horses pulling a 30′ Christmas tree down River Street in downtown Manistee.
Please find a list of activities and dates by going to their website.
- Photo Credit: Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Grand Rapids, Michigan– You may not think of this Michigan city as a magical Christmas place, but it is.
With a Christmas Open House, a decked-out Rosa Parks Circle, which also offers ice skating, performances of The Nutcracker, A Christmas Story, and Holiday Pops by the Grand Rapids Symphony, all of this will put you in the holiday spirit.
And just down the road is the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s “Christmas and holiday traditions around the world.”
Dearborn, Michigan- Another great place in Michigan to visit during the holiday season is Dearborn.
Not far from Detroit (where you should stop at the zoo to see all the holiday lights), Dearborn offers an outdoor living history museum during the holidays.
During the Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, you will find actors dressed in period clothing, carriage and Model T rides, Santa and his reindeer, ice-skating, and caroling. They also host a variety of traditions and tastes of holidays past; chestnuts will be roasted as well as bonfires.
As a lifelong Michigander, I will be checking this one off my list this year (finally).
Best Christmas Towns in Missouri
Christmas in the Midwest
Best Christmas Towns in Iowa
Visitors looking to add a little merriness to their Christmas flock to The City of Christmas Display of Lights at Rand Park.
This massive light display in Keokuk, Iowa, features over a million lights across 100 displays and is a huge holiday draw. The event opens around Thanksgiving and typically runs until a few days after Christmas.
Visit Santa’s workshop, interact with elves and reindeer, and start the holiday season off right. Keokuk is near Fort Madison and sits along the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers.
You’ll find Le Mars, home to The Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland on the other side of Iowa—what better way to ring in Christmas than with a horse-drawn sleigh ride?
The winter wonderland also features a live-action nativity and live performances. If you’re up for ice cream in the winter, consider visiting the Ice Cream Capital of the World Visitor’s Center.
Le Mars is home to Blue Bunny Ice Cream, and the center includes exhibits, a museum, and an ice cream factory. You can also grab your favorite Blue Bunny flavor at the on-site ice cream shop.
Best Christmas Towns in Kansas
Located midway between Kansas City and Denver, Wakeeny, Kansas, is the epitome of small-town America. WaKeeny is home to several historical sites, the Shiloh Vineyard and Winery and the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway.
It’s also a popular Christmas town in the Midwest. Christmas City of the High Plains is an adventure for the whole family. You’ll enjoy Virtual reality sleigh rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, encounters with live reindeer, Christmas tree lighting in a quaintly decorated downtown area, visits, and a parade with Santa. Christmas City of the High Plains is fun for the whole family, a Thanksgiving weekend event.
You’ve likely heard the saying, “Get the heck out of Dodge,” but during the holidays, you will want to head into Christmas in Dodge City, Kansas.
Whether you’re in town for sightseeing or exploring the casinos, visiting the area during the holidays puts you right in the center of the action. Visitors can stroll the old-timey streets and enjoy holiday concerts, a tree-lighting ceremony, and visits with Santa.
All of these are set against the backdrop of the old frontier. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a Gunsmoke episode.
Best Christmas Towns in South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota, is the perfect Christmas town in the Midwest.
Home to the Storybook Island Christmas Nights of Light, visitors can enjoy a bit of holiday cheer amidst the shopping, dining, and attractions.
Visit the Christmas Village Store or shop for that perfect gift at the Winter Market. Guests can also visit Main Street Square for ice skating and visits with Santa.
Rapid City, South Dakota, near Black Hills National Forest, offers stunning landscape views from every angle and an array of culinary and historical experiences for foodies and history buffs alike.
Walk in a Winter Wonderland at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at this yearly event featuring over 25 miles of string lights and beautifully decorated shops and restaurants along Falls Park.
Enjoy the lights among the waterfalls and rock faces of this stunning Big Sioux River park. Visitors can enjoy live music in a warm, overlook area, a delicious and warming chili bar, adult beverages for the grown-ups, and treats and ice cream for the kids.
Best Christmas Towns in North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota, features a bustling downtown area full of dining, shopping, and fun activities throughout the year.
Still, during the holidays, the town transforms into a Christmas wonderland. The yearly Parade of Lights takes visitors through the decorated downtown area while a drive-through light display of Lindenwood Park from the cozy warmth of your car is a delight for all ages.
Best Christmas Towns in Ohio
Wooster, Ohio- I fell in love with Wooster, Ohio, last year on a press trip. A huge attraction that draws in a ton of visitors each year is the Pine Tree Barn.
This restored Dutch bank barn features over 25,000 square feet of furniture, home decor, and all things Christmas.
This family-owned shop and restaurant started selling Christmas trees in the early 1960s.
Over the years, they have expanded to a full-service, treating customers with hot cocoa while picking out their trees, then going to the store and restaurant for gifts and pastries.
After spending an afternoon at The Pine Tree Barn, you can explore downtown Wooster, where you will find one of their main Christmas attractions, the Wooster Window Wonderland.
Windows along the main street are decked to represent times of the past, and from what I’ve been told, it’s a sight you have to see for yourself.
You can explore each storefront’s window with a cup of hot cocoa and other Christmas activities to kick off the Christmas season.
Finally, USA Today named The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill in Ohio as one of the top 10 light displays in the entire country.
This Midwest Christmas town takes you back to the 1940s. The focal point of the holiday display is a light waterfall nestled among the Christmas Village and decorated covered bridge. While in Historic Clifton Mill, visit the Clifton Opera House or tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott home.
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Stacie says
That’s so much fun! I love exploring all things Christmas this time of year. I’d love to go see all of these towns!
Bill Sweeney says
There is nothing better than the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season. The towns you visited all seem to have that classic vibe, which I really enjoy seeing.
irishred13 says
Horse drawn carriages, old school architecture, I love it! I want to visit.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I went to Chicago once in October and it was already getting decked out for XMAS – So I can only imagine what it looks like right now!! Ugh! I need to book a ticket back!
Sue Reddel says
What a terrific list! We live in Chicago and have admittedly been to most of these destinations but there’s a couple that are new to me. Santa Claus, Indiana? I’m adding that to our must-visit list.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
It feels awesome that you don’t have to go that far to enjoy those Christmas towns that everyone’s been going to this season! Love that you shared all of these to us as well!
Victoria Heckstall says
Midwest is the perfect place for Christmas. I want to visit Michigan hopefully next year. I am amazed how they celebrate Christmas in midwest everything is so wonderful.
Military Family of 8 (@MilitaryFamOf8) says
I think this place looks a great place to visit on Christmas. But i dont think i can come here this year so i am spend my time to a nicest place like this town.
Kathy says
This looks like such a beautiful place! I just love the holidays. Being around everyone and seeing such beautiful sites is so nice.
thirtysomethingsupermom says
I know of a couple and was surprised they weren’t on the list. My standards may be low so now I have to check out yours! I love this kind of post, thanks for sharing!
Nichole Arnold says
Wow so many pretty photo opps! These places look amazing to visit. I would totally be down for a horse drawn carriage.
marysa says
These would be a lot of fun to visit during the holidays. I haven’t been to too many of these, at least not during the holidays. It would be fun too, to go somewhere warm!
Amy says
I didn’t realize how many places in Michigan there were to visit! Thank you so much for sharing these – I think we may be up for a road trip soon
Jenny says
I’ve never been to the Midwest, but these towns look so fun! I need to see if there’s a similar experience here with the horse drawn carriage.
Ada says
I can’t say I’ve been to the Midwest before but this post has me wanting to visit, especially during the Christmas season.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
This is such an amazing post! I love all of these features. I have never been to the midwest but goodness it would be fabulous.
sara lafountain says
We LOVE Grand Rapids! We visited this summer and we fell in love with all the awesomeness. Best food and beer we have every had.