Santa Claus, Indiana Tops Zillow’s List of America’s Most Festive Holiday Towns
Holiday References in Listings Take Center Stage Across the U.S.
What do Christmas lights, Santa sightings, and “winter wonderlands” have in common this year? According to a fresh Zillow analysis, these holiday themes are making for-sale home listings in some towns downright merry—and for prospective homebuyers, this could mean finding more than just curb appeal.
Zillow combed through listings nationwide, hunting for holiday keywords such as “Christmas lights,” “Santa,” and “holiday spirit.” The result: a ranked list of towns where the seasonal spirit is so strong it shows up right in the sales pitch. And leading the pack, appropriately enough, is Santa Claus, Indiana—where 55% of for-sale homes highlight holiday cheer.
Top Towns Shine with Festive Traditions and Holiday Features
From coast to coast, the most festive towns feature much more than lights and garland. In places like McAdenville, North Carolina (dubbed Christmas Town USA), nearly two out of five listings spotlight the season’s magic, thanks to storied public displays. Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem continues its holiday namesake tradition, with neighboring communities like Blakeslee seeing up to 30% of listings mention festive appeal.
Even high-value ski retreats like Breckenridge, Colorado, make the list. While only 8% of Breckenridge listings call out holiday themes, the town’s blend of “Lighting of Breckenridge” festivities and iconic winter traditions puts it in the national spotlight for seasonal buyers.
| Rank | Town | State | Typical Home Value | Listings with Holiday Keywords (%) | Notable Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Claus | Indiana | $294,208 | 55% | Parade, market, light show |
| 2 | McAdenville | North Carolina | $471,800 | 37% | Annual lights display |
| 3 | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | $344,320 | 30%* | Holiday events, proximity to other festive towns |
| 4 | Breckenridge | Colorado | $1,170,091 | 8% | Lighting of Breckenridge, Race of the Santas |
| 5 | Dahlonega | Georgia | $376,741 | 6% | Carriage rides, historic square lighting |
| 6 | Natchitoches | Louisiana | $185,180 | 4% | Christmas Festival of Lights |
| 7 | Palmer Lake | Colorado | $532,161 | 10% | Palmer Lake Star, tree lighting |
| 8 | Windcrest | Texas | $308,343 | 10% | Light-Up competition |
| 9 | Shaver Lake | California | $574,823 | 9% | Winter Wonderland, holiday bazaar |
| 10 | Ransom Canyon | Texas | $375,732 | 9% | Lights, dramatic canyon displays |
*Bethlehem figure includes Blakeslee (30%), Lake Harmony and Buck Hill Falls (25%)
Zillow Spotlights Festive Appeal as a Real Estate Selling Point
Zillow’s findings illustrate just how influential a community’s traditions and reputation can be for real estate marketing—especially as buyers search for unique local flavor during the holidays. According to Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, “Santa’s House on Zillow always gets a lot of attention this time of year, but these towns give the big man some competition.”
The data also highlights a trend: In towns like Windcrest, Texas and Palmer Lake, Colorado, 10% of for-sale listings specifically call out holiday features—a sizable share for such a niche appeal. In Santa Claus, Indiana, that number soars to more than half.
Takeaway: For Sellers, Local Spirit Makes a Listing Stand Out
For sellers in these towns, showcasing local traditions and community spirit can clearly differentiate their listings, especially as house-hunters look for a bit of extra magic around the holidays. Zillow’s BuyAbility tool gives prospective buyers an edge by matching these unique opportunities with their real-time affordability range, helping ensure that house-hunting dreams aren’t left out in the cold.
Whether you’re planning a move or just want to experience the country’s brightest displays, Zillow’s festive-town ranking proves there’s a market for homes that celebrate community spirit—not just square footage. The only question: Would you pick the glow of Santa Claus, Indiana, or the mountain sparkle of Breckenridge?
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