Skip to main content

This Southern city just beat all others for the best Christmas experience — find out why

The Big Peach came out on top.

Atlanta Christkindl Market
Buckhead Village District

With 119 million people expected to hit the road this holiday season, the question on everyone’s mind is: where are they heading? WalletHub has just released a study on the best cities for Christmas, ranking the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 28 key factors, including holiday traditions, shopping options, and affordability. The results are in, and the city that took the top spot might surprise you – Atlanta, Georgia. 

Atlanta is feeling the holiday cheer

Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium

While Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind for a traditional Christmas getaway, this Southern gem is full of holiday spirit. WalletHub reports that the “Big Peach” stands out for its impressive number of bakeries and holiday decoration shops per capita, making it a perfect destination for festive treats and gifts. Additionally, Atlanta offers a high number of affordable restaurants and Christmas tree farms.

Recommended Videos

The city also embraces the holiday season with a variety of events and celebrations. Highlights include the beloved Nutcracker at the Atlanta Ballet, festive experiences at the Georgia Aquarium, and the charming Buckhead Village Christkindl Market. Despite the warmer December temperatures, typically in the 60s, Atlanta’s holiday happenings ensure that both residents and visitors can fully immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit.

Other key findings

Christmas tree
Vladvictoria / Pixabay

While Atlanta took the top spot, several other cities also made their mark in WalletHub’s rankings. Rounding out the top five are Pittsburgh, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

WalletHub also highlighted cities with standout features that contribute to their holiday appeal. Miami, New York, Portland, Gilbert, and Phoenix were noted for having the most Christmas tree farms per capita, making them ideal for those looking to pick out the perfect tree. 

Meanwhile, Orlando, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Honolulu, and Seattle were recognized for having the most gift shops per capita, ensuring shoppers can find plenty of holiday treasures.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
Forget the tourist traps — this 10-day South Korea tour is all about authentic experiences
Experience South Korea like a local.
InsideAsia Tours

If you're looking to experience South Korea beyond the usual tourist hotspots, InsideAsia Tours has just the itinerary for you. Expanding its signature cultural adventures across East Asia, the company is launching its first-ever South Korea Small Group Tour (SGT), aptly named "Soul of Korea."

This 10-day immersive journey goes beyond the country’s famous landmarks, covering both well-known sights as well as hidden gems that offer a deeper connection to local traditions, cuisine, and daily life. 

Read more
Why Time Out says this is the best city in the world for 2025
This African city took the top spot.
Cape Town, South Africa

Every year, Time Out releases its highly anticipated list of the 50 best cities in the world, and for 2025, Cape Town, South Africa, has taken the coveted top spot. Time Out surveyed 18,500 locals worldwide, gathering insights on food, nightlife, culture, affordability, and overall happiness to create the ultimate city-ranking guide. This year, livability played a crucial role in determining which destinations stood out.
What makes Cape Town so amazing?

Cape Town took the top spot due to its wide variety of activities and attractions. You can hang out with a colony of African penguins on Boulders Beach, sip on some fine wines in the vineyards of Stellenbosch or Constantia, and stroll along Blue Flag-certified beaches, all in one day!

Read more
Why Finest Punta Cana will change your view on all-inclusive resorts
Not your average all-inclusive resort
Finest Punta Cana

Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to travel to several all-inclusive resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean. I've never had a bad experience -- but there's no question that some resorts are better than others. Some cynics of the "all-inclusive life" say these resorts have sub-par food and poor service. However, Finest Punta Cana begs to differ -- in every sense of the term. This resort is truly the top tier of all-inclusive resorts and a must-stay for anyone disappointed by all-inclusive resorts in the past.

While staying at Finest, you get the "care-free" atmosphere of the all-inclusive, which means you can head into the pool and to the pool bar without grabbing your wallet. Yet, that doesn't mean you have to compromise luxury and quality. Here's why the Finest Punta Cana resort changed my mind about all-inclusive resorts and might change yours, too.
Modern, updated atmosphere and design

Read more