As holiday travel ramps up and searches for “best Christmas lights” surge more than 350% this season, one small Midwestern town has unexpectedly claimed the title of most festive holiday neighborhood in the U.S.
According to a new ranking from SIXT, which analyzed search interest, nominations, Instagram hashtags and listings on Christmas light finder sites, Clarkston, Michigan, tops the list—beating out historic light displays in Vermont, lively Southern towns and even New York City.
Sixt
Clarkston might not be the first place most Americans think of when they picture holiday magic, but locals have been quietly perfecting the art of festive cheer for more than 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 also drive through the Magic of the Lights, a 1.5-mile route of illuminated tunnels and oversized displays, before wandering the town’s Holiday Village on foot.
Related: A New Study Reveals the World’s Best “Affordable Luxury” Destinations—Here’s the One That Came Out on Top
Coming in at No. 2 is Clifton, Ohio, where the historic Clifton Mill turns into a holiday landmark each year. More than 4 million lights blanket the mill, bridge and surrounding cliffs, culminating in a 100-foot illuminated waterfall—a spectacle that is almost like a theme park.
In third place is McAdenville, North Carolina, better known by its seasonal nickname: Christmas Town USA. What began in 1956 with a handful of volunteers and a few decorated evergreens has grown into a town-wide transformation. Today, its streets glow with more than half a million lights, 250 decorated trees, 100 adorned homes and a floating lake display—plus the beloved Yule Log Parade, a tradition dating back nearly 75 years.
Rounding out the top 20 are postcard-ready destinations such as Woodstock and Stowe, Vermont; Middleburg, Virginia; Boothbay, Maine; and major cities like Los Angeles, Houston and New York City, which earn high marks for sheer scale.
According to SIXT’s analysis, Americans are increasingly drawn to smaller towns with outsized holiday spirit, especially those where entire neighborhoods participate. And if the data is any indication, Clarkston may just be the country’s most unexpectedly dazzling place to feel it.
Related: This U.S. City Was Just Named the Best for Music Lovers—and It’s Not Nashville
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.