During the holiday season, numerous cities and towns across the U.S. will transform into places that look straight out of a Christmas storybook.
If you’re thinking of traveling to somewhere that keeps the Christmas spirit alive and well, then make sure to considered these small towns that HGTV says are the best to visit during Christmastime.
Natchitoches, Louisiana named one of the best small towns to visit for Christmas by HGTV
Natchitoches was named among the best small towns to visit for Christmas by HGTV, making it the best destination in Louisiana for the holiday season.
Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement within the Louisiana Purchase and, since 1927, it has been home to one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the U.S., says Natchitoches Christmas.
The biggest event of the holiday season in the town is the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, which is a six-week-long celebration that begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ends on the Epiphany, which is Jan. 6.
During this festival, the downtown area is transformed into a winter wonderland with over 300,00 lights and more than 100 display pieces. Here, visitors can enjoy cookies with Santa, a drone and firework show, weekly live music, as well as a holiday market.
Throughout the holiday season, visitors can take part in other traditions like carriage tours through the National Historic Landmark District, the Northwestern State University Christmas Gala and the Christmas Tour of Homes by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, says Holiday Trail Lights.
The best small towns to visit for Christmas according to HGTV
From mid-November to early January Natchitoches becomes the city of lights with hundreds of thousands Christmas lights throughout the historic downtown and a fireworks show every weekend. Natchitoches lights
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Stockbridge, Massachusetts
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Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Blowing Rock, North Carolina
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Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Which Louisiana small town does HGTV say is a dream spot for Christmas?