The Top 11 Places To Celebrate Christmas In July Across The Country
Santa's gotta vacation somewhere.
As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year, so why not make it happen twice? These 10 towns around the U.S. bring holiday cheer to summer with reindeer-filled celebrations, visits from Santa, and tons of (fake) snow. Here's where to celebrate when you need a break from the sun and a sip of eggnog.
The Inn at Christmas Place
When: Entire month of July
Where: Pigeon Forge, TN
The Inn at Christmas Place doesn't just celebrate Christmas in July—they celebrate the most wonderful time of the year every single day. The Inn ramps up its Christmas cheer during Christmas in July, when registered guests are invited to participate in a variety of special activities. There are Christmas crafts, decor tips, and bow-tying classes. You can make a gingerbread house or watch Christmas movies by the pool. In the evenings, guests enjoy live music and "occasional mountain tales," per The Inn's website. Three nights a week, there's Singing Santa concerts, too.
Bishop Arts District X-mas in July
When: July 21-22, All day
Where: Dallas, TX
At the Dallas celebration, you can take pictures with Santa, listen to carolers sing Christmas tunes, watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and hear Christmas stories told by Mrs. Claus. This year, there's even a free ice skating rink.
Santa Claus House
When: July 1-31, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: North Pole, AK
If you find yourself in Alaska this summer, you have to hit up the North Pole (near Fairbanks). Santa is there year-round, duh, and will gladly take pictures with you and his reindeers. The World's Largest Santa is here too, standing 50 feet tall.
Christmas In July At Santa's Workshop
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. all month long
Where: North Pole, NY
While the Santa's Workshop theme park is open during the summer, fall, and winter, during July they have special events to make Christmas a full weekend activity. Have dinner with Santa and his elves, explore Santa's workshop, and come home with toys, candy, and your own stocking.
Santa's Village
When: July 1-31, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jefferson, NH
At Santa's New Hampshire village, you can graduate from Elf's University and slide down the JOY ride waterslides all in one day. There's also amusement park rides and a real-life Santa's home to tour, plus plenty of festive food.
Santa's Village Azoosement Park
When: July 1-31, Park hours vary
Where: East Dundee, IL
Santa's Village is an East Dundee institution, opening its doors way back in 1959. It's been closed and re-opened since, but today it's a full-on amusement park and zoo with roller-coasters, Tilt-A-Whirls, and holiday rides like Kringle's Convoy and Snowball Ride.
Byers' Choice Christmas in July Festival
When: July 25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Chalfont, PA
This year marks the 6th Annual Christmas in July celebration, and Chalfont goes all out. The fire department provides a "melted snow storm," peppermint ice cream is served, and reindeers sing. What more could you want on a hot July day?
Castle Noel
When: Weekends in July
Where: Medina, OH
Castle Noel is open year-round, and houses costumes and props from classic holiday movies like The Grinch, Elf, and A Christmas Carol. During Christmas in July, visitors can meet the big man himself and get special deals on golf packages (there's a mini golf course on the property, too).
Winter in July @ The Phoenix Zoo
When: July 14, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is known for its dry heat, so 41 tons of snow were surely welcomed at the zoo this summer. The zoo hosted a "blizzard" every hour, gave animals icy treats to snack on, and created a snowman building area at this year's wintery celebration.
Santa's Candy Castle and Holiday World
When: July 1-31, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Santa Claus, IN
Open since 1935, this historic castle is free to enter, but you're gonna walk out with plenty of sweet treats. The Christmas wonderland has walls of retro candy, hot chocolate, fudge, salt water taffy, and gourmet popcorn. Kids can enter an interactive computer lab to write letters to Santa, chat with an elf, and find out if they're on the "good list."
31st Annual Christmas in July Festival
When: July 7
Where: West Jefferson, NC
In West Jefferson, Santa and Mrs. Claus come out to celebrate, alongside plenty of food vendors, arts and crafts, live music, a farmer's market, and Civil War reenactments.
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