Atlanta takes the crown in WalletHub’s newest holiday city rankings, earning a 63.36 out of 100 for its festive spirit. The Atlanta metropolitan area tops the list thanks to an impressive density of bakeries, holiday-decor shops and card retailers per resident, according to the company’s analysis. The study examined 100 of the country’s largest cities, scoring each on traditions, shopping, and overall cost to determine the most joyous places to celebrate Christmas.
WalletHub’s methodology combined several data points. The company looked at the number of traditions and fun activities available in each city, the extent of holiday observance, how generous the community is with gifts, the variety of shopping centers, and the cost of celebrating. Each factor was weighted and a composite score ranging from 0 to 100 was calculated. The higher the score, the more likely a city is to provide a memorable holiday experience without breaking the bank.
Below are the five cities that emerged at the top of the leaderboard. Atlanta, GA scored 63.36, followed closely by San Francisco, CA with 61.37, Seattle, WA at 61.28, Orlando, FL at 61.19, and Las Vegas, NV at 61.02. These cities offer a blend of festive traditions, plentiful shopping options, and reasonable costs that keep holiday spirits high.
The full top-25 list, in order of descending score, is as follows:
| Rank | City | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | 63.36 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | 61.37 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | 61.28 |
| 4 | Orlando, FL | 61.19 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | 61.02 |
| 6 | St. Louis, MO | 60.30 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | 59.94 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | 58.64 |
| 9 | New Orleans, LA | 57.07 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | 56.96 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | 56.84 |
| 12 | Birmingham, AL | 56.54 |
| 13 | Honolulu, HI | 55.36 |
| 14 | New York, NY | 55.12 |
| 15 | Portland, OR | 55.09 |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | 54.82 |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | 53.22 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | 52.95 |
| 19 | Minneapolis, MN | 52.50 |
| 20 | Wichita, KS | 52.29 |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | 52.15 |
| 22 | Tampa, FL | 52.10 |
| 23 | Washington, DC | 51.83 |
| 24 | St. Paul, MN | 51.74 |
| 25 | Austin, TX | 51.67 |
Each city’s score reflects a balance of tradition, observance, generosity, shopping, and cost. While the top five lead the pack, several other cities-such as Miami, Pittsburgh, and New York-also rank highly, indicating that holiday cheer can be found in many parts of the country.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta earns the highest overall score of 63.36, driven by a high concentration of holiday-related businesses per capita.
- San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, and Las Vegas follow closely, each scoring above 61.
- The study’s methodology considers both festive atmosphere and affordability, offering a comprehensive view of holiday readiness.
- The top-25 list showcases a diverse range of cities, from coastal metropolises to inland hubs, all scoring well on holiday criteria.
For readers curious about how their hometown stacks up, WalletHub invites everyone to explore the full study on its website. Whether you’re planning a holiday trip or simply want to know which city lights up the brightest, the rankings provide a useful snapshot of America’s most festive locales.
