25 Best Places to Celebrate

Christmas at the Capitol Pierre, South Dakota (pictured) Even a holiday-hating Grinch would become a wide-eyed softie after seeing the 100-year-old capitol in its incarnation as a monthlong indoor forest of more than 100 trees decked by community groups. And that doesn’t even count a lighted parade and a day when politicians serve pie. (800) 962-2034; pierre.org

Candlelight Walk Medina, Ohio The home of Root Candles burns bright the weekend before Thanksgiving when more than 1,300 luminarias glow in the Public Square (35 miles southwest of Cleveland). A bandstand holds a grand Christmas tree, and horses pulling carriages clip-clop through town. (330) 952-0910; mainstreetmedina.com

Lucia Nights Bishop Hill, Illinois In an old blacksmith shop, a simple carol sung in Swedish tugs at heartstrings during this annual celebration (December 7–8, 2012), 35 miles southeast of the Quad Cities. Lucias (girls clad in white robes, red sashes and crowns of candles) serve coffee and cookies to visitors eager to learn about the little Utopian community’s Swedish heritage from storeowners, artists and musicians. (309) 927-3899; bishophill.com