The older my boys get, the more I realize something about family travel.

It isn't always the biggest attractions they'll remember.

It isn't the fanciest hotel or the most expensive vacation.

It's the little moments.

The unexpected dance party in a hotel room. Ice cream before dinner because, well...we're on vacation. Finding the perfect ornament that hangs on our Christmas tree year after year and instantly brings us back to that trip.

Some of our favorite family traditions haven't happened in December at all.

They've happened in the middle of summer.

That's why I love the idea of celebrating Christmas in July.

It gives families permission to slow down, laugh a little more, wear matching Christmas T-shirts when it's 85 degrees outside, and remember that Christmas magic isn't about the calendar. It's about being together.

Whether you're planning a cross-country road trip or simply looking for a unique weekend getaway, these destinations prove you don't need snow to make holiday memories.

So grab your Santa sunglasses, turn on your favorite Christmas playlist, and let's hit the road.

🗺️ Plan Your Trip

One of my favorite parts about writing this guide was realizing just how many places across the United States celebrate Christmas all year long.

To make planning easier, I've created an interactive map with every destination featured in this article. Whether you're looking for a stop close to home or dreaming of visiting several Christmas destinations on one vacation, it makes planning your route much easier.

➡️

Quick Comparison Guide

1. Santa Claus, Indiana

If there is one place that belongs at the top of every Christmas lover's bucket list, it's Santa Claus, Indiana.

Yes, it's a real town.

And yes, it's just as magical as you're imagining.

Driving through town feels like stepping into a Christmas movie. Streets have names like Candy Cane Lane and Christmas Boulevard, mail is stamped with the famous Santa Claus postmark, and holiday spirit is part of everyday life.

Families can spend the morning exploring the Santa Claus Museum & Village, where you'll learn how this tiny Indiana town became one of America's most beloved Christmas destinations.

Before you leave, stop by the Santa Claus Post Office. Kids love mailing postcards or letters from a place that's actually called Santa Claus, and it's one of those simple experiences they'll talk about long after vacation is over.

If you're visiting during the summer, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari is an absolute must. The park combines holiday-themed roller coasters with one of the country's best water parks, making it easy to cool off after soaking in all the Christmas magic.

Don't Miss

• Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

• Santa Claus Museum & Village

• Santa Claus Post Office

• Santa's Candy Castle (don't leave without trying the famous frozen hot chocolate!)

  
  

Best for: Families with kids of all ages

Trip Length: Weekend getaway

❤️ Start a Tradition

Let each child mail themselves a postcard from Santa Claus. By the time it arrives back home, they'll get to relive the trip all over again.

2. Frankenmuth, Michigan

If Hallmark built a Bavarian village in the Midwest, it would probably look a lot like Frankenmuth.

The town is charming year-round, with flower-filled streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, delicious chicken dinners, and plenty of family-friendly shops.

But the real star of the show is Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland.

Calling it a Christmas store almost feels unfair. It's more like stepping into a holiday museum where every aisle reminds you of a different Christmas memory.

Your kids will have fun searching for ornaments that look like their favorite animals, hobbies, sports, or vacation destinations. Meanwhile, you'll probably find yourself saying, "Okay...just one more aisle," about fifteen times.

Outside of Bronner's, spend time strolling downtown, enjoying a riverboat cruise, or grabbing a sweet treat before heading home.

Don't Miss

• Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland

• Frankenmuth River Place Shops

• Bavarian Inn

• Horse-drawn carriage rides

  
  

Best for: Families looking for a relaxing weekend trip.

Trip Length: Weekend getaway

❤️ Start a Tradition

Let every child pick one ornament that reminds them of your trip. Decorating the tree each December becomes a chance to relive your family adventures together.

3. Grapevine, Texas

Known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine earns its nickname long before the holiday season officially begins.

Historic Main Street is filled with local boutiques, family-owned restaurants, and plenty of Texas charm. While the town's biggest Christmas celebrations happen later in the year, Christmas lovers will still appreciate the festive atmosphere and year-round holiday spirit.

If your kids love trains, don't miss the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Riding a historic train through North Texas is one of those experiences that feels nostalgic for adults and exciting for kids.

One thing I appreciate about Grapevine is that it doesn't try too hard.

It's simply a wonderful family destination that also happens to love Christmas.

Don't Miss

• Historic Main Street

• Grapevine Vintage Railroad

• Local boutiques

• Family-friendly restaurants

  
  

Best for: Preschoolers through teens

Trip Length: Weekend getaway

❤️ Start a Tradition

Take one family Christmas photo in every Christmas town you visit. Someday you'll have an album full of matching smiles from all over the country.

4. North Pole, Alaska

If your kids ask whether the North Pole is real...

You can honestly tell them you've been there.

Just outside Fairbanks sits the town of North Pole, Alaska, where Christmas is celebrated every single day of the year.

Candy cane-striped streetlights line the roads, holiday-themed street names welcome visitors, and nearly every family makes a stop at the iconic Santa Claus House.

Inside you'll find thousands of ornaments, gifts, Christmas decorations, and even live reindeer during parts of the year.

It's one of those places that feels almost surreal in the middle of summer.

Standing beneath the "Welcome to North Pole" sign while wearing shorts might become one of your favorite family vacation photos.

Don't Miss

• Santa Claus House

• North Pole sign

• Reindeer

• North Pole postmark

  
  

Best for: All ages

Trip Length: Half-day stop

❤️ Start a Tradition

Snap a family picture under the North Pole sign every time you visit. It'll become one of those photos you look forward to recreating over the years.

5. Leavenworth, Washington

Nestled against the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth feels like stepping into a Bavarian village without ever leaving the United States.

While it's famous for its spectacular Christmas Lighting Festival each winter, the town's Alpine architecture, festive shops, and Christmas spirit make it a magical destination all year long.

One stop families shouldn't miss is the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, home to thousands of nutcrackers from around the world. Kids are often amazed at the unique designs, while adults appreciate the history and craftsmanship behind the collection.

Spend the afternoon browsing local shops, enjoying German-inspired food, and soaking in the mountain scenery. It's the kind of place where slowing down feels natural—and that's often when the best family memories are made.

Don't Miss

• Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

• Bavarian Village shops

• Front Street Park

• German bakeries and restaurants

  
  

Best for: Families who enjoy charming small towns and scenic mountain getaways.

Trip Length: Two to three days

❤️ Start a Tradition

Find one ornament—or even a nutcracker—that reminds you of your trip. Every holiday season, you'll be reminded that some of the best Christmas memories can be made in the middle of July.

6. Solvang, California

If you've ever wanted to feel like you've stepped into a European village without leaving the United States, Solvang should be on your family's travel bucket list.

This charming Danish town in California's Santa Ynez Valley is filled with colorful buildings, authentic bakeries, windmills, and boutique shops that make every stroll feel a little magical.

For Christmas lovers, the highlight is Jule Hus, a year-round Christmas shop packed with ornaments and holiday décor from around the world. Even in the middle of July, it's impossible not to get excited for the holidays as you browse beautifully decorated trees and shelves lined with keepsakes.

One thing I love about Solvang is that it reminds us vacations don't always have to be jam-packed with attractions. Sometimes slowing down, sharing a Danish pastry, and wandering through a beautiful town is exactly what your family needs.

Don't Miss

• Jule Hus Christmas Shop

• Solvang Bakery

• Windmills and Danish architecture

• Hans Christian Andersen Museum

  
  

Best for: Families looking for a slower-paced getaway.

Trip Length: One to two days

❤️ Start a Tradition

Pick out an ornament that represents the place you visited. As your collection grows, your Christmas tree will become a scrapbook of your family's adventures.

7. Christmas in July Festival – West Jefferson, North Carolina

Some destinations celebrate Christmas every day.

Others throw one unforgettable party each summer.

Every July, the mountain town of West Jefferson comes alive with one of the country's best-known Christmas in July festivals.

The streets fill with local artists, handmade ornaments, mountain crafts, delicious food, live music, and families enjoying a slower pace of life.

Instead of giant amusement parks or expensive attractions, you'll find something refreshingly simple—neighbors welcoming visitors, kids dancing to bluegrass music, and artisans sharing traditions that have been passed down for generations.

It's exactly the kind of festival that reminds us travel isn't about checking attractions off a list. It's about experiencing a place and the people who call it home.

Don't Miss

• Handmade Christmas ornaments

• Local artisan booths

• Live Appalachian music

• Downtown West Jefferson

  
  

Best for: Families who love festivals and small-town charm.

Trip Length: Day trip or weekend

❤️ Start a Tradition

Buy one handmade ornament directly from a local artist each time you attend. You'll not only decorate your tree with beautiful memories—you'll support small businesses, too.

8. The Incredible Christmas Place – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

If your family loves Christmas, this stop is almost impossible to skip.

The Incredible Christmas Place isn't just another gift shop. It's one of the largest year-round Christmas stores in the country, with thousands of ornaments, beautifully themed displays, personalized keepsakes, and enough holiday spirit to make you forget it's the middle of summer.

The best part?

It's right in the heart of Pigeon Forge, making it easy to combine with a Smoky Mountains vacation. Spend the morning hiking in the national park, cool off with ice cream downtown, then step inside and suddenly feel like December.

That's the kind of vacation memory kids never forget.

Don't Miss

• Personalized ornaments

• Themed Christmas trees

• Santa displays

• Nearby family attractions in Pigeon Forge

  
  

Best for: All ages

Trip Length: One to two hours

❤️ Start a Tradition

Choose one ornament that represents something special your family experienced that year—not just the trip itself. It could be learning to swim, riding a first roller coaster, or welcoming a new sibling.

9. Decorators Warehouse – Arlington, Texas

You don't have to wait until November to experience one of the most impressive Christmas stores in America.

Decorators Warehouse has been helping families celebrate Christmas for decades, and walking through the showroom feels like stepping behind the scenes of a holiday movie.

From themed trees and oversized decorations to ornaments in every style imaginable, there's something fun around every corner.

Even if you're not decorating your entire house, it's worth visiting simply to admire the creativity and soak up a little Christmas spirit in the middle of summer.

If you're already visiting Grapevine or Dallas–Fort Worth, this makes an easy stop that Christmas-loving families won't want to miss.

Don't Miss

• Designer Christmas trees

• Ornament displays

• Seasonal decorating inspiration

• Personalized keepsakes

  
  

Best for: Families who can't resist Christmas décor.

Trip Length: One to two hours

❤️ Start a Tradition

Have everyone choose one small ornament that reflects their personality that year. Looking back at your collection will become one of your favorite family traditions.

10. Woodstock, Vermont

There's something about a classic New England town that feels like Christmas, no matter the season.

Woodstock is known for its covered bridges, charming downtown, welcoming shops, and postcard-worthy scenery.

Just outside town, you'll find Billings Farm & Museum, where families can experience a working dairy farm, learn about Vermont's agricultural history, and enjoy seasonal programs throughout the year.

While Woodstock is best known for its spectacular holiday celebrations in December, visiting during the summer offers a quieter experience where you can appreciate everything that makes the town so special.

Sometimes the best Christmas memories begin by discovering a place you'll want to come back to in winter.

Don't Miss

• Covered bridges

• Billings Farm & Museum

• Woodstock Village

• Local maple treats and shops

  
  

Best for: Families looking for a peaceful New England getaway.

Trip Length: Weekend

❤️ Start a Tradition

Take one family photo on a covered bridge during every visit. Years from now, you'll have a beautiful timeline of your family's adventures together.

Tips for Planning Your Christmas in July Adventure

Whether you're visiting one destination or planning a road trip, a little preparation can make your trip even more memorable.

Here are a few simple ideas we've started using on our own adventures:

• Pack matching Christmas shirts for fun family photos.

• Create a road trip playlist with everyone's favorite holiday songs.

• Bring a small notebook and let your kids write or draw one favorite memory from each stop.

• Leave a little extra room in your suitcase—you'll probably come home with an ornament or two.

• Don't overpack your itinerary. Some of the best travel memories happen when you leave room to wander.

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best Christmas town to visit in the summer?

If you're looking for a full vacation, Santa Claus, Indiana is hard to beat. For a unique small-town experience, Leavenworth, Washington, and Frankenmuth, Michigan, are also excellent choices.

Are there Christmas stores open year-round?

Yes! Some of the best include Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Michigan, The Incredible Christmas Place in Tennessee, Jule Hus in California, Santa Claus House in Alaska, and Decorators Warehouse in Texas.

What should we pack for a Christmas in July trip?

Keep it simple! Festive T-shirts, Santa hats for photos, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and room in your luggage for ornaments or souvenirs.

How can we start a Christmas in July family tradition?

Choose something that's easy to repeat every year. Maybe it's buying one ornament from each destination, taking a matching family photo, or ending every trip with a Christmas movie night at home.

Final Thoughts

As parents, we spend so much time trying to create magical moments for our kids that it's easy to forget something important.

Magic doesn't have to happen in December.

It can happen on a hot July afternoon while sharing an ice cream cone. It can happen while your child proudly carries an ornament they picked out all by themselves. It can happen during a family road trip when everyone is singing Christmas songs with the windows down.

Years from now, our kids probably won't remember every detail of these vacations.

But they'll remember how they felt.

They'll remember laughing together, discovering somewhere new, and realizing that the spirit of Christmas isn't tied to a date on the calendar.

It's found in time spent together.

So whether your family visits one destination from this list or decides to make Christmas in July an annual tradition, I hope this guide inspires you to create memories that last long after the decorations are packed away.

Because the best family traditions don't have to wait for winter.

Safe travels, and Merry Christmas...in July! 🎄

🎄 Christmas in July Special

If this guide has you dreaming about your next family adventure, I'd love to help you bring a little piece of those memories home.

Our Kids Love Travel State Car Diffusers are inspired by the places we love to explore, making every drive a reminder of your favorite family vacations—and the adventures still waiting to be discovered.

To celebrate Christmas in July, enjoy 25% OFF your entire purchase with code XMASJULY25 (ends July 31st at 11:59 PM EST).

Whether you're picking up a diffuser inspired by your home state, a favorite vacation destination, or somewhere that's still on your family's bucket list, I hope it brings a little extra joy to every road trip.

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