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While many people enjoy the holiday season by admiring elaborate light displays, decorating the Christmas tree with family, exchanging presents, playing festive music, and watching beloved Christmas movies, there are countless other ways to celebrate. In the United States, some opt for a unique twist on these traditions.
Across the US, towns and cities host distinctive holiday celebrations. North Dakota embraces a cowboy Christmas, Oklahoma invites visitors to experience a historical Christmas from the territorial days, and New Mexico lights up with thousands of paper bags filled with sand and candles. There are plenty of other creative ways Americans ring in the season, and here are ten of the most extraordinary ways to celebrate Christmas in the United States.
10. Bonfires on the Levee
Each year, residents of Louisiana build massive bonfires along the Mississippi River to light the path for Papa Noel and his reindeer. This is one of the most unique holiday light displays found in the United States. The Christmas Eve bonfires take place along the Great River Road, stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. The locals line the river with predominantly teepee-shaped bonfires that stand 9 meters (30 feet) tall or higher, while some are designed in other shapes, including ones that resemble the region's iconic plantation homes.
The Bonfires on the Levee tradition happens on Christmas Eve each year, lighting the way for Santa Claus, or Papa Noel as the Cajun people call him, to visit the children in the area. The majority of the bonfires are found in St. James Parish, particularly in Lutcher, Gramercy, and Paulina. Bonfires on the Levee is the ultimate way to experience a Cajun Christmas like no other.
9. Elfapalooza
Every year, people gather in Mobile, Alabama, to try to break the world record for the most Santa's elves in one place. Elfapalooza takes place annually at Bienville Square, though in 2017 it was moved inside the Mobile Convention Center due to weather concerns. Participants are encouraged to wear pointy ears, a pointy hat, and red and green attire to be officially counted for the Guinness World Records tally.
Before Santa’s elves are officially counted, join in the fun with Christmas karaoke and belt out your favorite holiday songs. Afterward, the movie 'Elf' will be shown, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the river. This year, the Travel Channel filmed Elfapalooza. The current record for the largest gathering of Santa’s elves stands at 1,762, a record set in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2014.
8. Santa Ski and Pub Crawl
The world’s largest Santa ski gathering takes place annually in Crested Butte, Colorado, each December. Crested Butte Mountain Resort hosts the Santa Ski and Pub Crawl event with hopes of breaking the Guinness world record for the most skiers in full Santa attire. Participants must don the complete Santa costume, including the hat, beard, top, and bottoms to join in the fun.
The event is open to all ages, free to join as long as participants wear the full Santa outfit and hold a valid ski pass (season or day). After the Santa Ski concludes, everyone will gather for a group photo at the Butte 66. Drinks will be served, and buses will be available to transport attendees to local pubs and bars to wrap up the festive day.
7. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'
The beloved Christmas poem, 'A Visit from St. Nicholas,' also known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' has become a festive tradition for many. This iconic piece by Clement Clarke Moore is brought to life with a special live reading at the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of candlelit readings paired with music at the historic Chauncey Shepard residence.
The event takes place in St. Charles, Missouri, every Wednesday evening in December from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The poem is read every 15 minutes and is open to people of all ages for free. Don't miss the chance to experience this delightful holiday tradition with a reading by candlelight, finishing with 'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'
6. Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
Step into the 1800s and experience a simpler Christmas, long before the days of extravagant shopping malls and over-the-top decorations. Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village transports you to a bygone era, with carolers singing festive songs, and a Model T along with a horse-drawn wagon offering rides through the village. Despite the Model T being from the early 1900s, visitors can explore historic homes, buildings, and enjoy seeing villagers in period attire riding on horseback while soaking in the charm of the past.
Tickets for this Michigan event provide access to horse-drawn wagon rides, ice skating, carousel rides, and performances from talented carolers. Guests can savor roasted ham, fresh chestnuts, and hot chocolate while waiting for Santa or checking out the Lego model train. The evening culminates in a festive sing-along followed by a stunning fireworks display. This holiday tradition takes place each weekend in December, offering a perfect way to enjoy a nostalgic, old-fashioned Christmas.
5. Farolitos and Luminarias in New Mexico
In New Mexico, little paper bags illuminate the holiday nights. People north of La Bajada Hill refer to them as farolitos, while those south of the hill call them luminarias. Regardless of the name, these glowing displays are a breathtaking sight that adds magic to the holiday season.
In the 1800s, people in New Mexico would set small bonfires to light a path to their homes and churches. Later, locals realized they could use small paper bags filled with sand and a candle to create a more subtle glow without burning through their entire winter wood supply. This tradition of sand-filled bags and candles has grown in popularity and can now be found all over the U.S., though New Mexico remains the place where it's done best.
Some of the best locations to experience farolitos and luminarias include Elephant Butte Luminaria Beachwalk, Christmas Eve in Old Mesilla, and Light Among the Ruins at Jemez Historic Site. You can also enjoy a walk through Sugarite Canyon State Park, home to over 1,500 farolitos, or take the Old Town Luminaria Tour to see thousands of luminarias in Albuquerque’s neighborhoods. Santa Fe’s Canyon Road Farolito Walk is especially popular on Christmas Eve, featuring stunning displays of luminarias and farolitos along the road.
4. Medora’s Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas
North Dakota’s Christmas celebrations stand out with Medora’s Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas, organized annually by the Medora Chamber of Commerce. This three-day event features live music, comedy, dance, and plenty of shopping. The festivities kick off with a meal of oyster stew and potato soup, followed by the opening ceremony and tree lighting. Guests can enjoy a play, a concert, and wrap up the night with a stroll through local bars.
Saturday is packed with events, including hayrides, chicken fling, children’s activities, cowboy poetry, a kiddie karnival, plays, live music, and dance contests. Sunday starts with a church service at the Medora Lutheran Church. Afterward, the shops open, followed by story time and cookie decorating with Santa. The Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas concludes with a grand Christmas buffet serving foods inspired by the region’s Scandinavian heritage.
3. Territorial Christmas
For over two decades, Guthrie, Oklahoma, has celebrated the holiday season with the grand Territorial Christmas. This extraordinary event combines the spirit of Territorial Days with the charm of the 21st century for a truly unique holiday experience. The celebration features parades, the swearing-in of the territorial governor, a Christmas tree lighting, and a wide variety of activities.
A tour of historic homes showcases the town’s stunning architecture. Visitors can explore Guthrie’s finest homes, churches, and the Carnegie Library, all decorated for the season. Some homes even open their doors to share stories from the town's early days. After the homes tour, guests can take a stroll down the Victorian Walk, where they can step back in time to the Territorial era. Carolers fill the streets, shopkeepers and locals dress in period attire, and horse-drawn carriages offer rides through the charming streets of Guthrie, immersing visitors in a historical Christmas celebration.
1,000 Faces of Santa Claus is an extraordinary exhibit at the Paul Smith Children’s Village, located in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. This unique collection features a wide variety of Santa Clauses from around the globe, showcasing ornaments, greeting cards, plastic dolls, handcrafted toys, and much more. It’s a rare opportunity to see such a diverse assortment of Santas in one place.
The 1,000 Faces of Santa Claus exhibit at the Paul Smith Children’s Village is truly one-of-a-kind. This rare display includes Santa Clauses from all over the world, featuring everything from ornaments and cards to plastic dolls and handmade toys. It’s the largest and most diverse collection of its kind, unmatched anywhere else.
This year, the exhibit was showcased in the Lowe’s Discovery Lab as part of the Thom Wise Collection, which has been featured on HGTV. The 1,000 Faces of Santa Claus is a rare exhibit, but it’s not the only attraction at the Paul Smith Children’s Village. Visitors can also meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, enjoy hot chocolate, roast marshmallows, listen to stories, and take part in various games.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir remains one of the most renowned and celebrated choral groups in the world, known for its breathtaking performances and rich harmonies that continue to captivate audiences globally.
Held annually in Salt Lake City, Utah, one of the most anticipated Christmas concerts is performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This spectacular event, spanning three days, takes place at the Conference Center on Temple Square. Tickets are highly sought after, with a first-come, first-served policy for attendees lucky enough to secure one.
Experiencing this concert in person is an unforgettable experience. Featuring the talented Sutton Foster, an award-winning performer, and Hugh Bonneville, the renowned British actor, alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, and Bells on Temple Square, the show continues to impress year after year. While securing tickets can be difficult, the experience is undoubtedly worth the effort for those fortunate enough to attend.
