Reality or a figment of the imagination?
Home to the Wintergreen Resort, this jolly town offers events like Santa on the Slopes and story time with Mrs. Claus during the holiday season.
Along the Tanana River lies North Pole, a city named by a local real estate development company to attract holiday business. Founded in 1953, North Pole features year-round Christmas decorations and an annual winter festival.
Two hours north of Philadelphia lies the city of Bethlehem, which calls itself "Christmas City, USA." Founded in 1753 as a Moravian settlement, the community was christened Bethlehem on Christmas Eve of its first year. Today, it hosts the annual Christkindlmarkt, a European-inspired Christmas market.
The costal city of St. Marys probably won't give you snowflakes, but you can still get into the spirit of the season. Its annual Christmas in the Park event features free stockings for children!
Like Bethlehem, Nazareth is another Pennsylvania community founded by Moravian missionaries. To celebrate the season, the local Moravian Historical Society hosts an annual Christmas event that features storytelling, crafts, traditional treats, and decorations.
Founded in 1854, this town was originally called Santa Fe, but changed its name to Santa Claus. It was once even home to a decorative sleigh manufacturer. The post office is now the only one bearing the name Santa Claus, and gets thousands of letters to Santa each year.
Located on the coast of Maine, the small town of Christmas Cove is believed to be named for John Smith's landing there in December 1614.
Located on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Christmas was named in 1938 when Julius Thurson started a holiday-themed toy factory, which he also called "Christmas." The factory was destroyed by a fire only two years later, but the town still embraces its festive spirit.
Named after Mormon leaders Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake, the small town of Snowflake is a three-hour drive from Phoenix. Although winters don't get white in Arizona, Snowflake residents still get into the holiday spirit with a 12 Days of Christmas event.
A ghost town located in the Mojave Desert, the town's Santa's Land attraction was once a popular year-round holiday stop. However, operations ceased in the mid-1970s.
A short drive east of Orlando, every December thousands flock to the festively decorated post office in Christmas, Florida, just so their holiday mail can receive the town's special Christmas postmark.
Located in the Adirondack Mountains, North Pole in New York is a small town that's home to Santa's Workshop, one of the first American theme parks. The town was founded in 1949.
Located north of Orlando, Winter Park was originally founded in 1887 as a resort to escape frigid northern temperatures. Today, the town's Christmas event includes man-made snow, an ice-skating rink, a tree-lighting celebration, and a visit from Santa.
Mistletoe was named for the plant, which is native to the area. It's the same vibrant mistletoe used as a holiday decoration, encouraging people to kiss.
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the town of St. Joseph hosts events like Window Wonderland, a tour of Christmas-decorated storefronts.
Christmas Valley in central Oregon was named after nearby Christmas Lake, which was in turn named after pioneer Peter Christman. But the non-festive origin of the town didn't stop residents from celebrating the holiday with an annual parade, holiday floats, and caroling.
The small town of Noel is located in the southwest corner of Missouri. Noel bears the nickname "The Christmas City" because of its special holiday postmark, created by the town postmaster in the '40s. To this day, tens of thousands of people send season's greetings through the town's post office each year.
Located west of Savannah, the streets of Santa Claus features names like Candy Cane Road and December Drive. Plus, Santa himself greets visitors on a sign marking the city's entrance.
Although it gives us the images of holiday greenery, this Texas town was actually named after Gen. Augustus Hill Garland.
Sources: (Stacker)
See also: The best Christmas light displays around the world
Founded in 1836, the festive city celebrates the holiday with the annual Historic Homes tour, an event where visitors can walk through beautifully decorated historic homes.
While Sugar Land is actually named for its connection to the sugar industry, the city celebrates Christmas with events in Sugar Land Town Square, including photos with Santa, caroling, and a huge Christmas tree.
Founded in 1819, this town was named for its abundant foliage. Evergreen hosts an annual holiday market and parade.
Founded in 1960, the tiny town of Rudolph isn't actually named after the reindeer, but instead for a boy who was born there. However, the red-nosed holiday icon is still important to the community, as he's featured on a stamp and elsewhere around the city. The town also hosts the annual Rudolph's Country Christmas event, which pays tribute to the most famous reindeer of all!
Located on Lake Hickory in North Carolina, residents of this town organize a Christmas in Bethlehem drive-through. Local churches and volunteers put on dozens of nativity scenes that visitors can explore by car.
Dasher wasn't actually named after one of Santa's reindeer, but rather the Daescher family who settled on the land. Regardless, the town celebrates with traditional Christmas festivities.
Although the city was originally named for the Mount Holly Cotton Mill, residents still celebrate with an annual Christmas parade, craft market, and a visit from Santa.
The town of Joy has a post office that thrives during the holiday season. More than 12,000 cards worldwide are sent through every December to receive its special holiday postmark.
Founded in 1894, Santa is home to yet another post office that's popular during the holiday season for its postmark.
Eggnog, Utah, is located in Garfield County and is believed to be named after the beverage that was served to ranchers there.
Whether by accident or inspiration, the holiday season in certain towns and cities across the US never really ends. And this is all thanks to their names, which capture the holiday spirit!
Across the nation, these towns and cities are happy to embrace their festive names, be it by hosting year-round celebrations or amping up their efforts around December.
If you're looking for a spot in the US to celebrate the holidays, make sure to visit the special places mentioned in this gallery. Click on for more!
US cities and towns named after Christmas
Every day is Christmas with these festive names!
TRAVEL Holidays
Whether by accident or inspiration, the holiday season in certain towns and cities across the US never really ends. And this is all thanks to their names, which capture the holiday spirit!
Across the nation, these towns and cities are happy to embrace their festive names, be it by hosting year-round celebrations or amping up their efforts around December.
If you're looking for a spot in the US to celebrate the holidays, make sure to visit the special places mentioned in this gallery. Click on for more!