Posted in Washington Small Towns, Winter October 13, 2022 by

Here Are The 9 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Washington

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Washington! Across the state, people are getting geared up for all the holiday parades and festivals of lights to come. Most of our cities and towns show their Christmas spirit somehow, but these wonderful towns seem especially magical this time of year. Embrace the holiday spirit when you visit these Christmas towns in Washington!

1. Leavenworth
Sam DeLong / Flickr
Of course, our Bavarian village tops the list of best Christmas towns in Washington. The annual Christmas lighting ceremony draws thousands of people a year to Leavenworth, but the decorated downtown and abundance of Christmas shops makes this town a must for anyone who needs some holiday cheer.
Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA
2. Stanwood
The Lights of Christmas/Facebook
Stanwood is home to the Lights of Christmas Festival, a time when over one million lights light up Warm Beach Camp we look forward to all year long!
20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292, USA
3. Anacortes
Heath Robertson / Flickr
Ready to have yourself a coastal Christmas? Anacortes gets into the spirit early with their Nutcracker Holiday Gift Show in November, which kicks off a host of holiday activities in this delightful Christmas town.
Anacortes, WA 98221, USA
4. Puyallup
Echo9er / Flickr
One of the most delightful Christmas towns in Washington, Puyallup’s Victorian Country Christmas Festival is always a fun step back in time. Between Santa’s Village and the Winter Wine Garden, you’ll find plenty of holiday cheer in Puyallup, Washington!
Washington State Fair, 110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA
5. Kennewick
Nathan Rupert / Flickr
The Christmas Lighted Boat Parade is a perennial Evergreen State favorite! Of course, all of Kennewick is delightful this time of year.
Clover Island, Kennewick, WA 99336, USA
6. Spokane
Spokane Winter Glow Spectacular/Facebook
Spokane gets into the holiday spirit with numerous private Christmas light displays and lots of delightful local events.
Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N Havana St # 1, Spokane Valley, WA 99212, USA
7. Shelton
Shelton's Tree Farm/ Facebook
Shelton, Washington, is known as "Christmas Town USA" due to its abundance of Christmas tree farms. The town also hosts a holiday parade downtown, which is always a seasonal high point!
Shelton, WA 98584, USA
8. Tacoma
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Facebook
The holiday spirit is alive and well in Tacoma. Point Defiance Zoo hosts the dazzling ZooLights event every year, and there’s always a free tree lighting ceremony.
5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
9. Chehalis
Chehalis Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
You can depart on the Polar Express or Santa Steam Train from Chehalis, one of the most delightful Christmas towns in Washington.
Chehalis, WA 98532, USA

Washington is such a magical place to be during the holiday season. What are your favorite Christmas towns in Washington? Does your hometown have an abundance of holiday spirit, too? Share your favorite Washington Christmas traditions and festivals in the comments below! Looking for more Christmas cheer? Check out these Washington light displays.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Christmas Towns in Washington

November 29, 2021
Tori Jane

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Washington?  

If you’re a fan of the winter holiday season, you’ll love Washington state, because Washington state sure loves its Christmas. There are several towns that love going all-out on the cheer and décor, like Bellevue. Wander around Bellevue Square and try to catch a glimpse of Santa when he arrives or bring the family to the annual Snowflake Lane festivities to make some memories. In Vancouver, one can expect to find annual traditions like the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden, and the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza is second to none! For the ultimate white Christmas experience, you might want to travel to some of the snowier parts of the state, like Mead, Airway Heights, or Spokane. Rent a cozy cabin in any of those towns and you’re sure to learn that any place with snow is the best place to spend Christmas in Washington.  

What are some fun things to do at Christmas in Washington?  

Washington is a wonderful state for Christmas enthusiasts to get their kicks. It seems like no matter where you end up, you’re sure to find some super fun things to do to celebrate the season. For example, pay a visit to the town of Poulsbo (Washington’s “Little Norway”) and attend the annual tree lighting, or maybe take a drive and check out all the Christmas lights on Viking Avenue. Leavenworth is a dream come true when it comes to awesome Christmas activities; the town itself is something right out of a postcard, and it cranks the charm up to 11 during the holidays. Sip cocoa and take a quiet stroll downtown, or maybe ride a one-horse open sleigh through town. Need more? Check out these four small Washington towns that go all-out for the holidays.