There’s something wondrous about the way Pennsylvania does Christmas. Beyond the cities and malls, small towns across the state lean into the season with an authentic sincerity you won’t find elsewhere. Many of these centuries-old destinations welcome visitors with lit-up historic buildings, local shops offering handmade goods, warm drinks, robust dining options, and lots of memorable traditions.
While major cities like Philadelphia put on their own impressive holiday events, it’s the Christmas towns in Pennsylvania that offer up the special Yuletide magic. Some come alive with carriage rides, theater performances, and European-style markets. Others keep it simple with local lore, gas-lamped main streets, fresh cider, and if the weather’s right, a quiet snowy ambiance.
From countryside escapes to walkable villages with rich colonial roots, many of these towns are within easy driving distance of one another making it possible to see several in a single weekend during your visit to the Keystone State. Whether you’re after festive bustle or peaceful charm, here are seven of the best PA Christmas towns that will delight the entire family.
What is the most Christmassy town in PA?
1. Christmas in Bethlehem, PA
Also known as “Christmas City,” Bethlehem, PA is clearly a top destination for those looking to get into the holiday spirit. Founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 by Moravian settlers, the town leans into its heritage with candle-lit windows, handcrafted star decorations hanging on historic buildings, and many festive celebrations that last all season starting in mid-November.
Two christmas markets serve as the main attractions to this PA Christmas town: The German-style Christmas City Village that lines Main Street, and Christkindlmarkt, a nationally recognized holiday shopping spot known for its artisan goods, ornaments, and seasonal treats.
In addition to shopping for gifts and decor, you can ride old-school on a horse-drawn carriage ride, catch a performance of the Live Advent Calendar, or wander the historic district. Traditionally, the north side of town glows with white lights to honor Moravian traditions, while the south side of Bethlehem features colorful displays to signify the community’s diversity.
From trombone choirs and lantern-lit walking tours to hot toddies in local pubs, this is one of the few towns where timeless holiday cheer is alive and well.
2. Christmas in Jim Thorpe, PA
Tucked away in the Pocono Mountains, Jim Thorpe is the kind of Christmas town in PA that offers all the signatures of a wintry holiday scene: Victorian architecture, a cozy mountain setting, and local celebrations that put on a classic festive feel. Each December, the town draws in visitors for its Olde Time Christmas celebration that is defined by three weekends of twinkling lights, garland-lined streets, carolers, and horse-drawn carriages that make downtown feel like a real-life snow globe.
The festivities kick off with a traditional tree lighting in Josiah White Park and keep going with Santa train rides, and a live Nativity. In addition to the family-friendly activities, there’s a lot of holiday fun for adults too—such as ghost walks, an arts bazaar that’s perfect for gift-shopping, late-night local shops, and cozy restaurants that serve seasonal specials.
Whether you’re browsing for last-minute gifts, warming up with cocoa by the fire, or catching a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Jim Thorpe’s Christmassy charm makes it one of the best spots in Pennsylvania for Yuletide cheer.
3. Christmas in Indiana, PA
Indiana, PA delivers small-town magic with a cool Christmas connection to It’s a Wonderful Life, arguably the most famous holiday film of all time. As the hometown of Jimmy Stewart and the self-proclaimed “Christmas Tree Capital of the World,” Indiana leans into its merry-making heritage each winter with themed events, museum exhibits, and nostalgic scenery that feel like stepping into a black-and-white classic. Stroll the charming downtown to see Stewart’s statue, visit his boyhood home, or explore the Jimmy Stewart Museum.
But beyond the cinematic history, Indiana County is also known for its abundance of Christmass tree farms, many of which allow you to cut your own tree to bring home. The area offers a relaxed, rural charm that feels a world apart from the city, defined by Amish shops in nearby Smicksburg and snow-dusted trails like the award-winning Ghost Town Trail. If you want more dazzling displays, take your time checking out decorated pines and firs at the Festival of Trees or soaking up the holiday illumination of the Depot Drive Lights.
4. Christmas in Hershey, PA
Of all the Christmas towns PA has to offer, Hershey might just be the sweetest. The home of famed Hershey’s chocolate turns into a sugar-coated holiday wonderland each winter at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane® when the candy-centric theme park mixes in twinkling lights, festive rides, and the only spot in the Northeast where you can meet Santa's entire reindeer crew.
At Chocolate World, the whole family can shop for stocking-stuffer treats, visit Santa, and admire a life-sized Holiday Chocolate House. Across the street, Hershey Sweet Lights offers a two-mile drive-through display with hundreds of brightly-lit, breathtaking scenes.
Hershey isn’t just about chocolate and Christmas lights. Head to ZooAmerica to witness gray wolves, the Canada Lynx, and other North American animals. Or for something indoors, The Hershey Story Museum offers seasonal exhibits and hands-on fun for kids, while grown-ups might opt for some rest and relaxation at the Chocolate Spa found within The Hersey Hotel.
5. Christmas in Wellsboro, PA
Looking for a gaslamp glow that harkens back to Victorian-era Christmas? Wellsboro, PA brings the charm every December with a series of festivities set against Victorian architecture and flickering gas streetlamps. During the holidays, this Pennsylvania Christmas town transforms into a 19th-century holiday market during its long-running Dickens of a Christmas celebration. Expect costumed performers, old-fashioned carolers, and more than 100 vendors lining Main Street with handcrafted gifts, scrumptious bites, and nostalgic cheer.
You’ll also find vintage glass ornaments on display during Christmas on Main Street, honoring Wellsboro’s local ornament-making legacy that dates back to the 1940s. But this December destination isn’t just designed for Christmas’ past, as you might recognize Wellsboro as the filming location for seasonal Hallmark movies Christmas Comes Twice and Christmas Wreaths and Ribbons.
6. Christmas in Bernville, PA
Located just about 90 minutes outside of Philadelphia is a small PA Christmas town known as Bernville. Most of the year, people enjoy this rural locale for its quiet, sweeping countryside, casual hiking, and Blue Marsh Lake. But during the holiday season, the town is known for the impressive lights brought out by Koziar’s Christmas Village.
The Christmas Village started in the late 1940s as part of a family tradition and has since grown over the decades to welcome visitors from throughout the state and beyond. Illuminated by an estimated one-half million lights, the attraction offers a series of different displays, each with their own personality–-such as “Santa’s Post Office” and “Christmas Under the Sea.”
You can explore the magic of these indoor and outdoor scenes through self-guided tours, as well as check out shopping and massive train displays. Depending on the time of the visit, kids can also enjoy freshly baked cookies and spend some time with St. Nick.
7. Christmas in Skippack Village, PA
Skippack Village, PA is rooted in colonial history that dates back to William Penn (the founder of Pennsylvania) and is known for providing a home to early German Mennonite settlers who defined the area with linen-making, farming, and close-knit community traditions. Today, much of that historical spirit lives on, especially during the holidays, when Skippack transforms into one of the best Christmas towns in Pennsylvania.
The season kicks off with Holiday Kickoff Weekend and the Grand Illumination, when the entire village lights up in a festive glow. Visitors taking in the lights can stroll cobblestone sidewalks, browse local boutiques and art galleries, relax with some cider as live music fills the air, and enjoy a satisfying meal at a handful of celebrated five-star restaurants.
Unlike commercial holiday destinations that come with crowds and high costs, Skippack offers an intimate, walkable experience where historic charm meets small-town warmth.
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