Leavenworth is charming anytime of the year, but a visit during Christmas is truly magical. Downtown is all aglow with twinkling lights and there is a feeling of festive merriment in the air. Visitors can get into the holiday spirit with sleigh rides and reindeer visits, seasonal beers and brats, sledding, Christmas markets, mulled wine, holiday events, and so much more!
Things to do in Leavenworth at Christmas:
Christmas Town
There are so many fun family-friendly activities to do in Leavenworth during Christmas! During the month of December, the town puts on its “Village of Lights Christmas Town” celebration where visitors can enjoy various Christmas entertainment and different daily activities. You can see the Christmas Town schedule here.
Visit Santa’s Reindeer
Come meet Rudolph and the rest of Santa’s flying fleet. This is a popular activity, especially on weekends during December, so we recommend booking ahead.
Visit the Nutcracker Museum
Leavenworth’s Nutcracker Museum has over 9,000 nutcrackers, with some as old as 500 years! It is never too late to start your holiday collection!
Book a Sleigh Ride
This fun winter activity will have the whole family laughing all the way through the magical snowy forests around Leavenworth. Warm up after at the barn with a steaming cup of hot apple cider. Book ahead here
Visit the Gingerbread Factory
Follow the irresistible smell of gingerbread wafting through the air, and pop into this beloved bakery where you can buy all sorts of gingerbread treats and baked goods which make great gifts for friends and family, or for you to enjoy back at your cozy vacation rental. You can also purchase gingerbread houses and Lebkuchen cookies.
Hit the Slopes
Leavenworth is surrounded by mountains and offers several ski resorts to choose from. The Leavenworth Ski Hill is located right outside of town and is catered more towards families with skiing, tubing and sledding. Stevens Pass Moutain Resort is a 40-minute drive from Leavenworth and offers ski runs for all abilities, 52 in total spread over 1,125 acres of skiable terrain. There is also Mission Ridge, a 1-hour drive from Leavenworth where visitors can choose from 36 designated runs spread over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain.
Sledding / Tubing
Sledding or tubing is a favorite winter pastime. Front Street Park offers a little hill – great for kids of all ages. Close to the main shopping area of downtown and under the twinkling tree lights, it is a convenient and magical sledding experience. Don’t forget to bring your own sled.
For a totally tubular experience, check out the 100-foot run at Ski Hill where you don’t have to haul the tube to the top, they tow it for you! Tubes are provided with the price of ticket.
Sip and Stroll
Fa la la la la your way down Front Street where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and wine tasting! Make sure and stop by Bergdorf Cellars to warm up with some Glühwein – their delicious spiced wine.
Come Discover the Winter Delights of Leavenworth!
Ho ho ho! We have an amazing collection of vacation rentals to suit all sizes and budgets from cozy cabins to winter chalets. Many of our homes have hot tubs and some allow pets too, so the whole family can get in on the holiday fun! Book today for best availability!
