What Christmas looks like in every state

Frank OlitoDec 1, 2020, 05:15 IST

Christmas looks very different in Hawaii.Marco Garcia/ AP

People across the US celebrate Christmas differently.
Alabama, Idaho, and Oklahoma are known for their lavish state Christmas trees found outside their Capitol buildings.
Light displays that you can drive through are popular in Connecticut, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
States in warmer climates like Arizona and Hawaii get creative when it comes to their Christmas trees, by decorating cacti, for example.
This year, states are adjusting their celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As December begins, towns and cities across the US start hanging up Christmas lights and hosting holiday-themed events. But that doesn't mean Christmas looks the same in every state.

Insider went state by state to find out what Christmas looks like throughout the country. From the decorated row houses in Baltimore, Maryland, to the Christmas trees on Hawaii's beaches, every state celebrates Christmas differently — especially this year as states deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Keep reading to find out how your state celebrates the holiday season.

Alabama was the first state to make Christmas a legal holiday, and the state usually celebrates with a tree outside its Capitol building.

The state Christmas tree. Dave Martin/ AP

North Pole, Alaska, is home to the original Santa Claus House.

Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. Kit Leong/Shutterstock

In the Arizona desert, some people decorate cacti for their Christmas tree.

Christmas cactus. Jeff Greenberg / Getty

Every year Fayetteville, Arkansas, hosts a Christmas light display called the Lights of the Ozarks.

Lights of the Ozarks in Arkansas. Shutterstock

California is home to the original Disneyland, which hosts several Christmas-themed events during the holiday season.

Disneyland during Christmas. Getty

Every year Denver, Colorado, turns into a holiday wonderland in an event known as Mile High Holidays.

Denver decorated for Christmas. Shutterstock

Many residents of Connecticut admire the great lengths their neighbors go to when decorating for the holidays.

The Setti family's house. Brownie Harris / Getty

In Delaware, Nemours Estate is typically decked with elaborate Christmas decorations.

Nemours Estate. Gabrielle V. / Yelp

Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, transforms for the holidays every year.

Universal Studios during Christmas. Shutterstock

Every year, Atlanta, Georgia, spruces up the streets with large decorations and hosts the Santa Speedo Run.

Decorations at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

Sometimes residents set Christmas trees up on Hawaii's famous beaches.

Waikiki Beach. Marco Garcia/ AP

In Idaho, there's a Christmas tree in front of the statehouse.

Idaho's Statehouse. Charles Knowles/Shutterstock

Chicago, Illinois, has an annual holiday market called Christkindlmarket.

Christkindlmarket. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Indianapolis, Indiana, decorates one of its statues for the holidays at an event known as the Circle of Lights.

Circle of Lights. Shutterstock

Keokuk, Iowa, hosts a light display in Rand Park that you can drive through.

A light display. Shutterstock

A public garden in Wichita, Kansas, hosts a light show every Christmas.

Illuminations. Jenna G. / Yelp

Every year, residents of Lexington, Kentucky, enjoy ice skating at Triangle Park.

Ice skating at Triangle Park. Shutterstock

New Orleans' City Park in Louisiana is converted into a light show for the holiday season with an event called Celebration in the Oaks.

Celebration in the Oaks. Lee Celano/ Reuters

Mainers love to build Christmas trees out of lobster traps.

Lobster trap Christmas tree. Robert F. Bukaty/ AP

The row houses in a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is dubbed the "Miracle on 34th Street" for its holiday decor.

Hampden, Baltimore, Maryland. Patrick Semansky/ AP

In Massachusetts, the Boston Common gets decorated in Christmas lights.

Boston Common. Charles Krupa/ AP

The Detroit Zoo in Michigan turns into a massive light display for the holidays.

Detroit Zoo during Christmas. Shutterstock

Rum River Tree Farm in Anoka, Minnesota, is one of the most popular places to get a tree in the state.

Rum River Tree Farm in Anoka, Minnesota. Eric Miller/ Reuters

Biloxi Beach in Mississippi typically hosts a Christmas boat parade.

Boats decorated for Christmas. Shutterstock

Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, is known for its transformation during Christmastime.

Kansas City's Union Station. Shutterstock

The town of Bigfork is known as "Montana's Christmas Village."

A store in Bigfork decorated for Christmas. The Jug Tree / Yelp

The odds of having a white Christmas in Nebraska are somewhat high.

White Christmas in Nebraska. Nati Harnik/ AP

Every year, Las Vegas hosts the Great Santa Run.

The Great Santa Run. Steve Marcus/ Reuters

New Hampshire goes all out when decorating for the holidays.

A home in New Hampshire. Andrew Matthews - PA Images / Getty

In New Jersey, residents re-enact George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day.

Re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River. Mel Evans/ AP

Residents of Mesilla, New Mexico, gather in the town square for Christmas Eve celebrations.

Christmas in Mesilla, New Mexico. Las Cruces Sun-News/Shari Vialpando/AP Images

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York is one of the most recognizable images of the holiday season.

Rockefeller Center. Mary Altaffer/ AP

North Carolina is the biggest Christmas tree provider in the country.

Christmas tree farm in North Carolina. Chuck Burton/ AP

The town of Williston, North Dakota, spells out its name in Christmas lights for the holiday season.

Williston, North Dakota. Eric Gay/ AP

People come to Cleveland, Ohio, to visit the house seen in the popular movie "A Christmas Story."

The house in "A Christmas Story." Jason Miller/ AP

Every year, a large Christmas tree dazzles Oklahoma's capital.

Oklahoma state Christmas tree. Sue Ogrocki/ AP

Oregon is one of the largest Christmas tree growers in the country.

Christmas tree farm in Oregon. Gillian Flaccus/ AP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is home to the famous Christmas Village every year.

The present at the Christmas Village. Matt Rourke/ AP

The mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, are lavishly decorated in Christmas decor every year.

The Elms decorated for Christmas. Shutterstock

South Carolina mixes history with the holiday season at an event called "Christmas 1860."

The Edmondston-Alston House. Kat T. / Yelp

South Dakota's State Capitol building is filled with 100 Christmas trees every year.

South Dakota's State Capitol building. Amber Hunt/ AP

In Nashville, Tennessee, you can take a ride in a decorated carriage around the Capitol Christmas tree.

Christmas in Nashville. Mark Humphrey/ AP

Dallas, Texas, hosts an annual fireworks show and concert to ring in the holiday season.

Reliant Lights Your Holidays. Brandon Wade/ AP

The holiday season marks the return of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Douglas C. Pizac/ AP

Woodstock, Vermont, is the quintessential small town during the holidays.

Woodstock, Vermont. Shutterstock

Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, also gets the Christmas treatment during the holidays.

Ronald Reagan National Airport. Carolyn Kaster/ AP

People in Seattle, Washington, usually dress up as Santa Claus for the annual SantaCon.

SantaCon in Seattle. David Ryder/ Reuters

The Celebration of Lights in West Virginia is one of the country's largest light displays.

Winter Festival of Lights. Mark K. / Yelp

Residents across Wisconsin often see a white Christmas.

Man walking through Milwaukee. Morry Gash/ AP

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is famous for its Christmas arch made of antlers.

The antler arch. Shutterstock

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