Every state has special Christmas traditions and attractions. Whether it’s a town tree lighting, Christmas parties, or annual shows/events; these are the things that make Christmas feel special! Without these traditions, it wouldn’t be the same. Though most areas celebrate Christmas in a normal way, some put a unique spin on it.
In Mobile, Alabama, an event called Elfapalooza takes place. Citizens dress up in proper elf attire (red and green clothing with pointy hats and ears). The purpose of this event is an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most elves gathered in a single location. Breaking this record has been attempted for many years. The event is in Bienville square, starting at 6pm. At 7pm the official “elf count” starts. From the starting time to the count, participants are entertained by various holiday performances. After 7, there is an Art Walk around downtown Mobile.
In Chandler, Arizona, there is a Christmas tree built completely out of tumbleweed! Workers start assembling the tree as early as September for it to be ready in the beginning of December. The tree is finished with lights and topped with a star. This has been an ongoing tradition for over 60 years! This year the tumbleweed tree lighting ceremony was held on December 2.
Arkansas’s Trail of Holiday Lights is a staple around Christmas time in Arkansas. These Christmas light displays connect on a giant trail covering the entire state. For more than 25 years many towns have participated—lighting up the town in Christmas spirit!
In California, Santa gets his surf on for the Surfing Santa competition! Surfers enter this contest dressed as Santa. The proceeds from this support Surfers Healing, a surf camp for children with autism.
Holiday Light Fantastica in Hartford, Connecticut, is a drive through light display with over one million lights! While there, stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa (the main inspiration for the Dragonfly Inn on Gilmore Girls ) to experience a Stars Hollow Christmas.
People in Wilmington, Delaware, can attend services at the Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church to celebrate their Swedish heritage. At the services attendees toast with milk, the state beverage, and children dress as tomtar (swedish imps that live in barns to protect livestock). Another tradition is leaving milk for Tomte (the devilish imp) who leaves gifts for good children.
In Christmas, Florida, yes I mean Christmas, the holiday, but also the town Christmas! In this town it’s a Christmas wonderland year round. The town is always decked out for Christmas, including a decorated evergreen tree.
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day as Hawaii‘s citizens celebrate Christmas with a luau ending with a pig roast.
Shoppers rush to Chicago, Illinois, for the Christkindlmarket. The market runs from November 17 to December 24, featuring vendors with an assortment of traditional crafts and trinkets from Germany, Austria, and local artisans. In addition to gifts, there are vendors selling food and drinks.
In Kentucky, a traditional Christmas dessert is a fruitcake soaked in bourbon, also known as Twelfth Night cake. This fruitcake is made with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and Bourbon.
You can’t have Christmas in Maine without seafood chowder. This is made with crab, lobster, and/or clams in a warm creamy broth.
At Gaylord National in Maryland there are acres of Christmas displays. They also have “Ice” shows/events.
In Montana, the annual Bozeman Ice Festival puts Christmas spirit and athletic ability to the test. Participants are challenged to climb the face of the Bridger Mountain Range.
In Nebraska, at the Buffalo Bill Ranch, William Frederick Cody’s house, The Cody House, features a unique holiday tradition. Each year local organizations adopt one room, out of 18, to decorate. Visitors can then take a tour of the decorated house.
New Hampshire’s Inn to Inn Cookie Tour brings Christmas spirit through the enjoyment of the classic Christmas cookie. Participants travel from inn to inn and taste the offered cookies. The tour lasts one weekend and features nine inns from Jackson to Eaton, New Hampshire. Each location is about 15 minutes apart.
In New Mexico, people hang/string dried red peppers (ristras) as Christmas decorations to add a little spice to their homes. Ristras are said to bring good luck and health.
Christmas in New York is extra special with ice skating in central park, the window displays along 5th avenue, and watching the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.
Garrison, North Dakota transforms into a Victorian-era village for Chiristmas, called the Dickens Festival.
In Oklahoma, residents fire guns at Fort Reno each year. This was originally started by German immigrants to “dispel evil spirits” for Christmas.
In Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens creates breathtaking displays for Christmas.
In Rhode Island a town creates a Christmas tree made of lobster traps.
In Texas, a Christmas staple is strolling down San Antonio’s River Walk. The walk is filled with over 100,000 lights (2,250 strings of lights). In addition to the lights, you may be lucky enough to hear a caroling boat.
For over 100 years, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has performed in Utah around Christmas time. The choir consists of 360 volunteer singers.
In Virgina, at George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, they keep his traditions from the past alive by bringing a camel to Mount Vernon each year; this is something Washington did on Christmas in 1787.
Washington has a festival of trees; Christmas trees are professionally decorated to go with a theme. The trees are all up for sale and proceeds go to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
In West Virginia, The Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights features 300 acres of Christmas lights and displays, using over one million lights!
Wisconsin’s Cave of the Mounds offers Sing-A-Long caroling tours, decorations, and light shows.
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus…skiing? In Wyoming Santa travels on skis instead of his sleigh! At the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort skiers can ski with Santa on Christmas morning.
From dressing as elves to light festivals to tumbleweed trees, each state has their own unique way of spreading Christmas cheer!
