Why These 5 Pacific Northwest Destinations Are Perfect for a Festive Christmas Getaway
Looking for the best Christmas destinations in the Pacific Northwest? These five small towns will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie.
From extravagant holiday decor to artisan markets, these small towns in the Pacific Northwest know how to get into the holiday spirit.
Mike and I lived in Oregon for a year and completely fell in love with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, especially at Christmas time. From enchanting Christmas festivals to picturesque winter landscapes, the region offers a joyful atmosphere that’s hard to beat.
Each quaint little town in PNW feels like something out of a storybook, which is exactly the vibe we love during the holiday season.
In this guide, we’ll share why these five Pacific Northwest destinations are perfect for a festive Christmas getaway.
5 Best PNW Christmas Destinations 2024
If you’re looking for the best places to experience Christmas magic, look no further. The Pacific Northwest comes alive during the holiday season. Here are the top five destinations to consider for your festive getaway in 2024.
1. Leavenworth, Washington
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth, Washington is like a Hallmark Christmas movie come alive. This winter wonderland is most famous for its Christmas Lighting Festival which brings over half a million twinkling lights to life.
The renowned Bavarian-style village also features activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides and performances from carolers.
When walking through Leavenworth, you’ll forget that you’re in the Pacific Northwest because it feels so much more like Europe. And that’s exactly what this town wants you to think.
In 1965, Leavenworth was on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They wanted to bring in more tourists and they decided that committing to a Bavarian theme was the way to do it.
Now it’s against city codes to build a building that doesn’t look like it belongs in a Germanic fairytale.
Their plan worked. This small town only has 2,500 residents but the Christmas festivities hosted in the European-style village bring in over 200,000 visitors in December.
Christmas in Leavenworth begins the day after Thanksgiving with holiday festivities continuing until Christmas Eve. The lights remain on well into February.
Downtown Leavenworth turns into a magical Christmas village, complete with lively performances from local artists, appearances from holiday characters, and, of course, visits from the jolliest man of all: Santa Claus.
2. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Imagine how magical it would be to look at over a million twinkling lights reflecting on a massive lake’s surface at night while snow softly falls.
In Coeur d’Alene, you don’t have to fantasize any longer because that’s how they kick off the Christmas season every year.
The Holiday Light Show takes center stage in Coeur d’Alene, one of the best Christmas destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a massive event that takes place on November 24th, starting with a parade.
Coeur d’Alene then lights over 1.5 million lights and concludes the ceremony with a spectacular fireworks show.
Even if you miss the official ceremony, the lights stay lit until January 2nd. You can book a cruise to sail around the sparkling waters for a unique holiday experience.
Santa hosts a workshop on the waterfront where kids can visit and marvel at how Santa magically knows every child’s name.
3. Shelton, Washington
For a cozy Christmas experience, Shelton is the hidden gem you’ve been searching for. This small Washington town has two holiday-themed nicknames.
It’s known as both Christmastown USA and The Christmas Tree Capital of the World.
Shelton is known as Christmastown USA for the way this village hosts holiday-themed events all month long. They start with a Tree lighting ceremony at the Post Office Park on the first Saturday of the month.
At the event, you can enjoy roasting marshmallows over a bonfire and Kiddie Train rides on Railroad Ave.
In the second week of December, Shelton hosts the Christmastown Market where you can pick up unique handcrafted gifts for your loved ones.
Shelton holds the Guinness World Record for Most Lit Christmas Trees in One Display, which they won in 2019. That’s why they’re also known as the Christmas Tree Capital of the World.
To keep the title, every year Shelton creates a tree maze with 797 lit fir trees arranged to create a labyrinth. The maze is open every night in December and is free to explore.
4. Hood River, Oregon
Hood River in Oregon kicks off the holiday cheer with a parade and tree-lighting ceremony on December 1. The entire town comes together for the event that takes place in the historic downtown area.
To celebrate the tree lighting, Hood River puts together a Winter Wonderland festival complete with vendors selling holiday goods and a window decorating contest where the local stores compete for the most festive displays.
The festival is so cheery that even Santa Claus might stop by for a quick hello and to try a few local cookies.
If you really want to get in the Christmas spirit, hop aboard the Mt. Hood Christmas Train, which runs daily from November 24 to December 27.
And if you’re looking for a last-minute Christmas gift, the annual Holiday Artisan Pop-Up Shop is hosted downtown on December 23.
5. Sumpter, Oregon
Step back in time in Sumpter, a historic mining town with a Christmas celebration like no other.
The highlight of Sumpter’s holiday celebrations is the Sumpter Valley Railroad Christmas Train. Hopping on board this vintage locomotive is like you’re stepping straight onto the pages of the classic Christmas picture book, The Polar Express.
The train runs on select dates in December. Whether you board a steam-powered or diesel train, you’ll soon be swept away into a crystal-white winter wonderland as you zip through the mountainous terrain.
Enjoy a free hot beverage and keep your eyes peeled because, if you’re lucky, you just might spot Santa Claus.
Riding the Sumpter Valley Railroad Christmas Train is a nostalgic journey through snow-covered landscapes, culminating in a magical experience unlike anywhere else. That’s what makes Sumpter one of the best Christmas destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
Does Washington have a white Christmas?
Yes, many parts of Washington, especially mountainous regions like Leavenworth, experience a magical white Christmas with snow-covered landscapes.
However, chances of a white Christmas near the coastal towns of Washington are low, with Seattle only having a 7% chance of snow on Christmas day.
What is Washington’s small Christmas town?
Leavenworth is Washington’s small Christmas town. This picturesque village is renowned for its Bavarian-inspired architecture, festive events, and enchanting atmosphere during the holiday season.
What is winter like in the Pacific Northwest?
Winter in the Pacific Northwest is characterized by crisp air, occasional snowfall in higher elevations, and a festive ambiance. While coastal areas may experience milder temperatures, mountainous regions like the Cascades offer snow-covered winter wonderlands.
A Final Note: Best Pacific Northwest Christmas Getaway Destinations
From Washington to Idaho, the Pacific Northwest is dotted with charming small towns celebrating big holiday festivities. These delightful towns exude a joyful ambiance, sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
As you wander streets illuminated by the warm glow of a million Christmas lights or watch the landscape zoom by as you ride a vintage train, you’ll wonder what could be more magical than this.
As a couple who lived in Oregon for a year, we can attest that there is nothing quite like the Christmas magic found in the Pacific Northwest. From the European charm of Leavenworth to the historic allure of Sumpter, these destinations are like a Christmas movie in real life.
Make this holiday season more memorable by exploring the magic of the best Christmas destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
