The North American towns and cities bringing Christmas movie magic to life in 2025

Betway’s new research uncovers the U.S. and Canadian towns that best capture that quintessential Hallmark Christmas magic.

Hallmark Christmas movies are a staple of the winter TV calendar, capturing everything we love about the holidays, from cozy cottages, snow-dusted streets, and that unmistakable small-town charm that gives us all the warm, fuzzy feels.

But you don’t have to turn on the TV to experience that festive magic. Across North America, there are real-life towns that look as if they’ve been lifted straight from a Hallmark movie set. The question is, which ones best capture that quintessential Christmas movie magic?

To find out which places give the most authentic festive feel, Betway Online Casino explored towns and cities across the U.S. and Canada, ranking them based on festive factors: number of Christmas-related searches, cabin rentals, holiday rentals with indoor fireplaces, average December temperature and snowfall, and the number of cozy local cafés.

The top 10 U.S. cities and towns that feel like a Hallmark Christmas movie

From the storybook streets of Vermont to the snowy peaks of Colorado, these are the destinations that truly capture America’s festive spirit.

1. Park City, Utah

Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, Park City ranks as America’s number one festive destination. With December temperatures averaging 19.4°F and 286 mm of snowfall, the town transforms into a classic winter wonderland. Thanks to this climate, visitors can enjoy world-class skiing at Park City Mountain Resort or, if they prefer to stay warmer, explore the charming historic Main Street, which is lined with festive lights and boutique shops.

There are plenty of holiday rentals to stay cozy and warm, including over 5,000 with indoor fireplaces, the highest in the ranking. Park City also boasts the second highest number of cafés in the top 10, meaning there are plenty of spots to relax with a hot drink and soak up the holiday magic.

2. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Situated beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is the ideal destination for those seeking a cabin retreat, boasting the highest number of cabin holiday rentals in the ranking, with almost 2,000 on offer. During the day, guests can experience the iconic Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas, which offers themed light displays and festive shows.

Pigeon Forge is ideal for those seeking a festive escape without freezing temperatures, averaging 41°F and just 13.4 mm of snow in December. However, with 529 festive searches per 1,000 people, Pigeon Forge clearly has a local population that enjoys the Christmas magic, so expect plenty of seasonal cheer throughout the town.

3. Stowe, Vermont

Located at the foot of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, Stowe is a quintessential New England Christmas destination which takes third place. A hub for holiday enthusiasts, it tops the top 10 for searches like ‘Christmas baking’, ‘Christmas markets’, and ‘Christmas lights’ (578).

With December temperatures averaging 23°F and 286.9 mm of snowfall, the town looks straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie. 210 cabin rentals and 517 holiday rentals with indoor fireplaces offer cozy stays, while its charming streets and rustic mountain scenery capture the essence of a classic small-town winter escape.

4. Leavenworth, Washington

In fourth place is Leavenworth, Washington state’s very own Bavarian-styled village which transforms into a winter wonderland every December. It’s a hub for holiday enthusiasts seeking markets, lights and holiday cheer, with 421 Christmas-related searches per 1,000 people. Visitors can’t miss the stunning Christmas lighting festival, which sees the city covered in over half a million lights, shining from 6am to 11pm throughout the holiday period.

With 161 cabin rentals and over 340 holiday rentals with indoor fireplaces, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a cozy retreat. To top it off, Leavenworth records the highest snowfall of any town in the top 10 making it a picture-perfect holiday escape.

5. Truckee, California

Completing the top five is Truckee. A mountain town in the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada, and just 20 minutes away from Lake Tahoe, it’s a top destination for a festive getaway with 1,441 holiday rentals featuring indoor fireplaces and 827 cozy cabins.

Snowfall averages 375mm in December, while temperatures reach 26.6°F, creating a landscape straight from a storybook. 15 inviting cafés and charming streets complete the Hallmark holiday experience, making Truckee an ideal destination for festive travelers.

The top 10 Canadian towns that feel like a Hallmark Christmas movie

From charming small towns to alpine retreats, these are the Canadian destinations that perfectly capture the magic of the Hallmark Christmas movie.

1. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Mount Tremblant tops the ranking of Canadian towns that best capture that Hallmark movie magic. Set within the Laurentian Mountains, this ski resort town has the highest number of holiday rentals with indoor fireplaces (531), as well as 124 cozy cabins to choose from when planning the perfect holiday getaway.

December brings 447.2 mm of snowfall and crisp 15.8°F temperatures, providing the perfect festive backdrop. With 16 cafés to warm up in after a morning of skiing or snowboarding, and scenic gondola rides offering panoramic snowy views, Mont-Tremblant delivers the perfect alpine charm for a Hallmark-style holiday experience.

2. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown takes second place for Canada, with December temperatures averaging 26.6°F and 233.4 mm of snowfall. Boasting the highest number of cabin rentals in the ranking, and 36 holiday rentals with fireplaces, Charlottetown offers plenty of cozy spots to enjoy the town’s festive feel.

With 23 cafés, charming streets, and the warmth and hospitality of a Hallmark movie, its small-town atmosphere makes it a picture-perfect destination for Christmas lovers.

3. Bay Roberts, Newfoundland

Bay Roberts lands in third place. A quaint coastal town with a small-town Christmas charm, it sees the highest number of festive searches per 1,000 people, reflecting its popularity with holiday enthusiasts. December temperatures reach 30.2°F, with 217.2 mm of snowfall, giving it that classic winter-wonderland feel.

While there are 52 cozy cabins and just two cafés, visitors can expect a more intimate, community-focused holiday experience, with quiet snow-covered streets, local Christmas traditions, and cozy fireside gatherings. It’s perfect for travelers who want an authentic, low-key festive retreat.

4. Ottawa, Ontario

Canada’s capital, Ottawa, takes fourth place. In December, temperatures average 21.2°F, with 314.2 mm of snowfall blanketing the city in a scene straight out of a Christmas movie.

With 178 cafés, the second highest number in the ranking, visitors can expect festive markets, ice skating on the Rideau Canal, Christmas light displays, and cultural events throughout the city. Those seeking cozy stays can choose from 32 cabins or 19 holiday rentals with fireplaces, perfect for enjoying an Ottawan Christmas escape.

5. Fernie, British Columbia

In fifth place is Fernie, a small mountain town in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.  Offering a cozy, alpine Christmas getaway, it draws visitors seeking snow-covered landscapes and seasonal charm, seeing 84 festive searches per 1,000 people.

December temperatures average 19.4°F, with 270 mm of snowfall, while 198 holiday rentals with fireplaces provide cozy accommodations. Visitors can expect skiing, snowshoeing, local holiday festivals, and charming village streets lined with lights, making Fernie a charming and authentic festive retreat.

Each of these towns and cities capture the essence of North America’s festive spirit, offering the perfect setting for those looking to experience their own Hallmark-style Christmas. Have you visited, or plan to visit, any of the destinations on this list?

Sources and methodology

To find out North America’s most Hallmark like towns, we created a seedlist of 61 towns and cities across America and Canada, then ranked them based on the following metrics:

• Number of festive searches per 1,000 people: Google keyword planner. Monthly searches for 30 Christmas terms were found across November and December 2024. These were then calculated per 1,000 capita. To do this, populations were sourced from World Population Review and local census websites.

• Holiday rentals with indoor fireplace: Tripadvisor

• Cabin holiday rentals: Airbnb. Tripadvisor used for Pigeon Forge and Asheville.

• Average snowfall in December (mm): Weather Spark, myPerfectWeather, World Weather & Climate and World Weather Online

• Average temperature in December (°F): Weather Spark, World Weather & Climate and World Weather Online

• Number of local cafés: Tripadvisor

Data collected between 29/09/2025 – 03/10/2025.