The holiday season is here, and as searches for the “best Christmas lights” surge more than 350%, one small Midwestern town has unexpectedly claimed the title of the most festive holiday neighborhood in the U.S. According to a new ranking from SIXT, Clarkston, Michigan, tops the list, beating out historic light displays in Vermont, lively Southern towns, and even New York City.
Clarkston may not be the first place that comes to mind when picturing holiday magic, but locals have been quietly perfecting the art of festive cheer for over two decades. Since 2001, the town has hosted its annual Holiday Lights Parade, complete with floats, marching bands, and a full downtown glow-up. Visitors can drive through the Magic of Lights, a 1.5-mile route of illuminated tunnels and oversized displays, before wandering the town’s Holiday Village on foot.
In second place is Clifton, Ohio, where the historic Clifton Mill turns into a holiday landmark each year with over 4 million lights blanketing the mill, bridge, and surrounding cliffs. The highlight is a 100-foot illuminated waterfall, creating a spectacle akin to a theme park.
McAdenville, North Carolina, known as Christmas Town USA, takes the third spot. What started in 1956 with a few volunteers and decorated trees has evolved into a town-wide transformation. Streets now glow with over half a million lights, 250 decorated trees, 100 adorned homes, and a floating lake display, along with the beloved Yule Log Parade dating back nearly 75 years.
Rounding out the top 20 are destinations like Woodstock and Stowe, Vermont; Middleburg, Virginia; Boothbay, Maine; and major cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City. According to SIXT’s analysis, Americans are increasingly drawn to smaller towns with outsized holiday spirit, especially those where entire neighborhoods participate. Clarkston may just be the country’s most unexpectedly dazzling place to experience it.
The holiday season has officially arrived with a surge in searches for the best Christmas lights, leading one small Midwestern town to be crowned the most festive holiday neighborhood in the U.S. Clarkston, Michigan, has taken the top spot, surpassing iconic displays in Vermont, lively Southern towns, and even New York City.
While Clarkston may not be the first destination that comes to mind for holiday magic, the town has been quietly perfecting the art of festive cheer for over two decades. From the annual Holiday Lights Parade to the Magic of Lights drive-through experience and the charming Holiday Village, visitors are treated to a dazzling display of holiday spirit.
Claiming the second spot is Clifton, Ohio, home to the historic Clifton Mill, which transforms into a holiday wonderland every year with millions of twinkling lights. Meanwhile, McAdenville, North Carolina, also known as Christmas Town USA, takes third place with its town-wide holiday transformation dating back to the 1950s.
As Americans seek out smaller towns with big holiday spirit, Clarkston, Michigan, emerges as an unexpectedly dazzling destination to experience the magic of the season.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.