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Feel the Christmas cheer and charm with a visit to Washington State each December. Enjoy the spirit of a Hallmark Christmas movie through events like community parades, the most lit Christmas trees in one location, strolling Christmas carollers, and town centers aglow with sparkling lights. Here are some endearing towns in Washington that feel like a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Some lodging information included in this article was obtained during a press trip. All opinions and ideas are my own.
10 Charming Towns To Spend Christmas in Washington State
1. Leavenworth
Nestled in the Cascade Mountain Range approximately 135 miles east of Seattle, Leavenworth feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie with old-world Christmas charm. The Bavarian village’s Village of Lights celebrates the season with Christmas lights every day through February and Christmas Town from late November to Christmas Eve. The Village of Lights includes over half a million LED lights sparking downtown, live music, photo ops with Santa, chestnuts roasting, and holiday characters.
Check the calendar for all the activities at the Festhalle, including the gingerbread houses at the Gingerbread House Exhibit, letters to Santa, and Lebkuchenherzen Necklaces for children. Enjoy the European-style Christmas Market without having to fly to Europe!
Hear the sounds of Christmas with the Festival Carolers, featuring live music and strolling singers. Marvel at the antique nutcrackers at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Can’t you just picture a Hallmark Christmas movie starring nutcrackers?
Visit also the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, just one mile north of the village. Farm tours are offered every 30 minutes and include hot chocolate and apple cider. Photo ops with Santa are available through December.
To reach this Hallmark Christmas Towns in USA, take Highway 2 from Seattle. The trip travels through the Cascade Mountains, so be certain to check road conditions before you leave. Or consider riding the Amtrack Christmas Train which leaves from Seattle every Saturday in December.
Check out the beautiful accommodations at the Bavarian Lodge.
2. Shelton
Known as “Christmas Town, USA,” Shelton is the epitome of a town that feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Shelton is located along the shores of Oakland Bay — just west of Olympia and about 20 miles south of Hood Canal. Shelton first became known in the 1960s as the area that supplied most of the Christmas trees for the entire nation.
Shelton holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Lit Christmas Trees” in one location — a record 797 lit trees! Shelton broke the New York Hallmark record of 559.
Christmas Town heralds many Christmas scenes and activities, including the 32-foot-tall Santa initially built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, streets decorated with vintage decorations and lights, and each doorway sporting a welcoming wreath. Businesses vie for the title of Best Decorated Storefront. Crafting Workshops for children are held at Christmas Town Market. For adults, there are also daily wreath workshops.
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Blondie’s Restaurant is popular for home cooking. Head north about 27 miles to the Hama Hama Oyster Saloon for the most delicious Hood Canal oysters — one of my favorite dining places in the entirety of Washington State!
Stay at the family-run Shelton Inn, located close to all the holiday action.
To reach Shelton, from Olympia, head west on U.S. Highway 101.
3. Camas
Celebrate Hometown Holidays right from a Hallmark movie and the theme of the festivities in Camas. Events include hometown entertainers, food vendors, photo ops with Santa in his magical sled, shopping at local businesses, and dining at area restaurants. This year, starting December 2, friendly elves will hand out festive goodies, free hot cocoa will be available, and the city promises that there will be snow! Check out the free shuttle operating from four parking lots around town.
This favorite U.S. small town to visit during the Holidays is located on the banks of the Columbia River, along Highway 14, a mere 10-minute drive from Vancouver, Washington.
Old-world charm continues with accommodations downtown at the historic Camas Hotel. Locals recommend dining at TommyO’s in the hotel.
4. Port Townsend
Port Townsend, Washington’s Victorian City, is ready for a Hallmark Christmas movie. Cruise through the city and enjoy the architecture and old-world Victorian charm.
Santa arrives in town for the Christmas Tree Lighting at Tyler Plaza in early December. This year there will be a heated tent, photo ops with Santa, strolling choral singers, and a children’s craft session.
This year, enjoy the Key City Public Theatre for their production of New Moon: A Dog’s Tale. Shows run from December 1 to 23. Also, watch for performances of A Christmas Carol on December 20 and 21.
Climb aboard the trolley for Choo Choo Rides for Families.
You can also tour some of the historic inns and homes all decked out for Christmas. Stop by the Port Winter Holiday Farmers Market for unique gifts, delicious food, and arts and crafts for the children.
A historic accommodation right downtown is the Water Street Hotel.
5. Walla Walla
Just like in a Hallmark Christmas Movie, the Holiday Parade of Lights in Walla Walla is where families join together in the spirit of the season to watch the annual parade. Look for Santa’s arrival on the final float.
You can also enjoy the production of A Celtic Christmas With Everdream at the Gesa Power House Theatre. The De Sales Catholic High School Theatre Department presents Clue on December 9.
Spend the night at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, where you can walk to all the festivities at many tasting rooms and businesses.
Walla Walla is located in the southeastern portion of Washington State.
6. Yakima
One of the highlights of the Christmas celebrations of the Yakima Valley is the Lighted Farm Implement Parade, the oldest farm implement parade in the nation. This parade highlights the importance of agriculture to the area and the Hallmark-type communities that come together to celebrate the season. Antique farm equipment from the Central Washington Agriculture Museum joins dozens of present-day tractors and combines; all dressed in their Christmas splendor with thousands of twinkling lights.
Enjoy the Hallmark Spirit at the Holiday Drive-thru Light Fest held from late November through mid-December. Thirty miles of delight will bring sparkling enjoyment for all. Look for the mailbox to the North Pole to drop off your letters to Santa.
Businesses are dressed in their best Hallmark Christmas decorations as they compete for one of the Winter Wonderland Awards. Check out both interior and exterior decorations, as there are awards for both. Check out all the holiday events, lights, and shopping throughout downtown Yakima on the Yakima event calendar.
Enjoy boutique accommodations at the historic Hotel Maison, conveniently located downtown, or enjoy a farm stay at the unique Campbell Coop Ranch, just a few miles from the downtown.
The Yakima Valley lies in eastern Washington approximately 2 hours from Seattle and 3 hours from Portland.
7. Vancouver
Vancouver deserves to be on the list due to the unique and sprawling Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, which replicates life at the 19th-century fur trading post that once dominated the area.
This year, children can participate in hands-on activities — like making ornaments, tassels, and tops — at the interpretive site on December 10 and 17. There will also be cultural demonstrations about past holiday traditions in the kitchen and blacksmith shop.
8. Yacolt
Ride the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Special Christmas Train at the small town of Yacolt, just 25 miles north of Vancouver, WA. Every Saturday and Sunday from late December to a bit before Christmas, trains depart three times daily — check the train schedule for details. You can also have fun at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.
To get to Yacolt from Vancouver, head north on Highway 503.
Wherever you are visiting in Washington State, there are quaint, friendly towns that exude the feelings of a Hallmark Christmas Movie. Plan a visit soon. You will be glad you did!
9. Bellevue
With the dazzling Garden D’lights and the spectacular Snowflake Lane Parade on Lincoln and Bellevue Square, Bellevue is transformed into a premier winter wonderland on Washington’s Puget Sound destination during winter months.
Just around the bend, at the Bellevue Downtown Park, is a covered ice skating rink. The best course of action is to go ice skating first and then enjoy the Snowflake Lane show right after.
Book your stay at one of the three luxury hotels, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, The Westin Bellevue, or W Bellevue, to be in the center of all holiday festivities in one of the most beautiful parts of Puget Sound.
10. Stanwood
Located at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River, where it flows into Port Susan, an arm of the Puget Sound, Stanwood is one of Pacific Northwest’s hidden gems and a fun way to see tons of Christmas lights if you have young kids.
Starting as an idea for the slower season in 1996, Lights of Christmas is now the largest holiday event in the region, and you wouldn’t want to miss it. It’s one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Washington State.
Read all the TravelAwaits‘ Hallmark Christmas articles and get into the spirit of the season. A typical Hallmark Christmas movie evokes a cozy ambiance with snowy small towns, twinkling lights, and festive decorations adorning charming homes and shops. Heartwarming stories unfold with themes of love, family, and second chances, often accompanied by cheerful holiday music and a sprinkle of magic that I simply adore. I expect you do too.
FAQs
What Is the Most Popular Christmas Destination in Washington State?
No list of Christmas towns in Washington State could be complete without Leavenworth. The Bavarian-style buildings and streets are adorned with over half a million twinkling holiday lights and fluffy white snow. The holiday season feels like you’re at the North Pole or on the set of a Christmas movie.
What Is the Weather Like in Washington State at Christmas?
Washington State weather in December is very cold with frequent snowfall in the highest parts of the state. if you’re the kind of person who likes to wear a Santa hat and sing Christmas Carols, the Evergreen State during the holiday season is a perfect destination.
Where Is the Largest Christmas Light Show in Washington State?
The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, WA is the largest Christmas festival in the Pacific Northwest and a Christmas wonderland with over one million lights and over 1.5 million people since the annual event started in 1997.
What Are the Christmas Markets in Washington State Like?
Christmas markets are scattered throughout the Evergreen State, each offering its winter wonderland. In the holiday season, cozy small towns are blanketed in fresh snow, treetops glisten with twinkling lights, and the air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
Were Any Hallmark Christmas Movies Filmed in Washington State?
The most notable Hallmark movie set in Washington State is “Christmas for Holly” (2012) filmed in the charming island town of Friday Harbor. ‘‘Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas (2022) is the latest Hallmark movie filmed in Leavenworth.