2019's Best Places in the US for Christmas Celebrations

More than 115 million Americans are expected to travel for the holidays in 2019 but some will be headed to more joyous destinations than others. WalletHub recently compared the 100 largest U.S. cities based on more than 30 indicators of a festive and affordable Christmas across five categories-traditions and fun; observance; generosity; shopping and costs-to determine the best domestic destinations to celebrate Christmas this winter.

Honolulu is tied for first when it comes to offering holiday visitors the most gift shops per capita. What's more, the Hawaiian capital ranks a stellar third in the overall shopping category, which considers factors such as the prevalence of Christmas markets, shopping centers, toy stores and candy stores.

Despite ranking just 19th overall, Cincinnati cracks the top 10 for observance (ninth). The category takes into account the share of a destination's Christian population as well as churches per capita. Cincinnati is also no stranger to stellar Christmas markets.

Dallas' 18th place ranking is identical to its standing among the 100 largest U.S. cities in terms of Christmas traditions and fun. Dallas is also one of the more affordable holiday destinations in the top 20, ranking a respectable 30th for costs.

If you don't mind a warm and sunny Christmas, consider an end-of-year getaway to Miami, which ranks inside the top 10 for both traditions and fun (ninth) and shopping (seventh). The city is also tied for the most Christmas tree farms per capita and is one of the best places to grab a refreshing cocktail this holiday season.

One of America's premier cold-weather destinations, Minneapolis is a no-brainer for travelers in search of a white Christmas in 2019. Minneapolis also boasts the fourth-lowest average price per Christmas party ticket so visitors can celebrate without breaking the bank.

An unlikely entry in the top 20, Birmingham is boosted by its first-place ranking for observance and fifth-place position for costs. The latter considers the the cost of a three-star hotel room; the average price per Christmas party ticket; restaurant meal costs; the number of affordable, high-quality restaurants; the average beverage price and the average price for two tickets to the theater. The Pittsburgh of the South is down one spot from 14th last year.

In the Midwest, St. Louis is a top 10 U.S. city for holiday shopping and not far behind Birmingham when it comes to Christmas observance, ranking sixth among the 100 cities that WalletHub analyzed this year.

The Texas capital renowned for its unparalleled live music scene ranks 16th for Christmas traditions and fun and eighth for holiday shopping in 2019, giving it an edge over Dallas for late-December travel.

The potential for snowfall always makes Denver an intriguing holiday season travel destination but the Mile High City offers much more than just a shot at a white Christmas as it ranks 12th for Christmas traditions and fun and 13th for shopping.

The nation's capital is the fourth-most generous city in America this Christmas season, tying for first in terms of the highest online giving per capita. Holiday visitors to Washington, D.C. can will spot plenty of iconic landmarks but should be sure to experience the National Christmas Tree near the White House.

Portland is tied for the most Christmas tree farms per capita, boasts the fourth-most toy stores and hobby shops per capita and offers visitors the fifth-most gift shops per capita this holiday season. Whether you're looking to shop, decorate or simply get in the Christmas spirit, the City of Roses has you covered.

If traveling with a purpose is important to you and your family this year, Seattle is the place to go. After all, this Pacific Northwest hotspot ranks first for generosity, which considers a handful of factors like food banks and online giving per capita; share of income donated to charity; share of population collecting/distributing food and clothes for the needy and Christmas spirit.

Only New York City fares better than the Bay Area when it comes to Christmas traditions and fun in 2019. San Francisco also ranks sixth for generosity, tying for first in terms of the highest online giving per capita.

In Southern California, sunny Los Angeles remains in seventh place this year, ranking fifth for traditions and fun, 11th for shopping and 13th for observance. What's more, it ranks 28 spots better than San Francisco when it comes to costs.

The Entertainment Capital of the World might also be the Christmas Shopping Capital of America, coming out on top in the all-important shopping category despite falling four spots overall from second in 2018. On top of that, of the top 10 destinations on WalletHub's list this year, only two other cities fare better than Las Vegas when it comes to costs.

A top five destination in terms of both Christmas traditions and fun (fourth) and observance (third), Chicago climbs into the top five for 2019, up three spots from eighth last year. The Windy City also cracked the top 20 for generosity.

Although Pittsburgh ranks just 25th for traditions and fun, it doesn't fare worse than 27th in any of the five categories that WalletHub looked at. In fact, Pittsburgh ranks second for observance, fifth for shopping and seventh for generosity, making it one of the most consistent destinations in the top 20.

While New York City ranks dead last for costs, the Big Apple ranks first for traditions and fun, fourth for shopping and 11th for observance. However, travelers might be surprised to learn that New York ranks ninth for generosity, tying for first nationwide in terms of the highest online giving per capita.

The Theme Park Capital of the World fell from the top spot this year but still has plenty to offer Christmas vacationers as it's tied for first for the most gift shops, toy stores and hobby shops per capita. Only Las Vegas fares better for shopping and only New York and San Francisco rank higher for Christmas traditions and fun.

Atlanta is up three spots from last year to number one in 2019. The Southern metropolis is tied for first in terms of most Christmas tree farms per capita and ranks inside the top six in three of the five categories WalletHub examined, including traditions and fun (sixth), generosity (third) and shopping (sixth). Getting here is easy and relatively affordable this time of year. Plus, there are tons of exciting things to see and do around the holidays, including charming Christmas markets and holiday light displays.