Christmas is right around the corner, and Americans across the country are gearing up to gather with those they love to celebrate together. And while there's nothing like going home for the holidays, where "home" might be for you could affect just how enjoyable of a Christmas experience you'll have.
WalletHub examined 100 U.S. cities to determine the best place to celebrate Christmas using various criteria like shopping availability and traditions and generosity among locals. Atlanta came out on top as the best place to celebrate Christmas, with the city being the only Peach State representative in the entire list.
"The Big Peach is the best city for Christmas celebrations this year because of its superb shopping and activity opportunities," WalletHub said of the choice.
"Atlanta has plenty of options to help you prepare for Christmas celebrations, including a high number of bakeries and places to buy holiday decorations," the site added. "With the milder winter weather, it is easy to enjoy the city's largest outdoor ice rink, located at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, which offers a festive holiday experience with twinkling holiday lights and gorgeous skyscrapers. Furthermore, the giving spirit can be felt by residents and visitors alike, with many opportunities throughout the city for donating time and money this holiday season."
The South is filled with welcoming places to celebrate the holidays. The top 10 alone contains two Florida cities—Orlando at number three and Miami at number nine—as well as Alabama's capital of Birmingham rounding out the top 10. Other major metropolitan areas on the list include Los Angeles at number 11, New York City at 15, and Washington, D.C. at 18.
Check out the top 10 best places to celebrate Christmas and start making plans for next year.
