7 Most Festive Ways to Spend Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth downtown’s village of lights / Shane Wilder / Icicle TV

With tasty hot chocolate, cookies, live entertainment, and giant pretzels, Leavenworth is one of the best places to go for the Christmas festivities. During the holidays, more than 500,000 Christmas village lights twinkle along downtown Leavenworth.

The playgrounds and gardens where people always stroll are filled with snow globes and vibrant holiday lights, making it an excellent place for the tourists. Leavenworth Christmas lighting festivals are also popular and offer surprising presents for its participants!

Christmas in Leavenworth, WA is undoubtedly one of the perfect places to go during the holiday season. If you’re looking for a place to visit this Christmas, this article is for you! Read on to know the 7 most festive ways to spend the most wonderful time of the year in Leavenworth, WA.

  1. Meet a Reindeer
Entrance view of Leavenworth Reindeer Farm / Gibbs Graphics

One of your top considerations while selecting a Christmas activity should be to meet a reindeer! Situated within one mile from the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, the family-owned Leavenworth Reindeer Farm provides entertaining and educational excursions suitable for all members of the family.

Enjoy your Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington vacation by visiting the friendly reindeers and feeding them with your hands! 

Aside from meeting the reindeers, farm owners also offer picturesque gardens, Santa’s sleigh climbing activities, campfires, photo opportunities with Santa, and tasty chocolate with sweet marshmallows. 

One of the most satisfying things you can do while you’re here is interact with the hens and turkeys, so make sure not to miss it! 

To avoid lengthy lines, make sure to reserve your spot online a few days in advance. You should also aim to arrive at the farm 10 to 15 minutes early for your tour. 

Moreover, parking is free for those with tickets. Weekends are the greatest times to visit. Remember to include your sweaters, gloves, and any other items you’ll need to remain warm. 

Address: 10395 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

  1. Shop a Holiday Market
Evening view of ChristkindImarkt / That Adventurer

Buying gifts for your family or yourself during the holidays is unquestionably one of the most fulfilling experiences you will ever have. Christmas wouldn’t be enjoyable or fulfilling without shopping. Ultimately, the magic of Christmas lies in the exchange of gifts and generosity!

Leavenworth has many best Christmas towns including a Bavarian town that exhibits festive atmosphere, sparkling and beautiful Christmas lights, and cascade mountains, presenting tourists with an incredible experience of the Christmas season. 

This small town is also known as ChristkindImarkt. ChristkindImarkt’s reputation as the city’s center town remains strong. With its traditional bavarian style, you’ll be amazed to see the different Christmas colors of cozy winter garments. 

From jingle bells in brilliant hues to sparkling and beautiful Leavenworth Christmas lights and surprisingly vibrant Christmas trees, you can find virtually anything you need for Christmas decorations! They also have gingerbread house exhibitions with lots of surprising prizes. 

This bavarian-style Christmas market is ideal if you enjoy baking holiday cookies! ChristkindImrkt provides a huge selection of ingredients and recipes for your menu. In addition, they embrace German influences and sell authentic German food! 

Regular hours for the market are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Staying at a Bavarian lodge is advised for an improved experience. 

Address: Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

  1. Checkout the Nutcracker Museum
Hallway of Nutcracker Museum filled with crafted nutcrackers / Expedia

Make your Christmas getaway more joyful by checking out the Nutcracker Museum!

It’s thought that the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is the only location in the world where you can view more than 9,000 expertly crafted nutcrackers. Group tours of the museum are available, and one of the activities is watching an educational film about the nutcrackers. 

You can learn a lot about the history of the nutcrackers and watch brief usage demonstrations during tours of the museum. There are also Santa Claus costumes inside the museum.

Become a member of Nutcrackers and participate in a thrilling game of hide-and-seek! A list of nutcrackers that you need to locate inside the museum will be given to you.

It is advised that visitors arrive at least 30 minutes before closing and visit the museum between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Hours change during holidays. Also, the admission price is $5 for adults. Minors and active military personnel are free to enter the museum. 

Address: 735 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

  1. Visit the Gingerbread Factory
Front view of the Gingerbread Factory / Expedia

Can’t decide what kind of cookies to serve during Christmas time? Don’t worry! The Gingerbread Factory has a lot of choices to offer for your Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington to be more memorable.

There’s no denying that holiday cheer would be ten times better with Gingerbread Factory visitation. They highlight the Christmas spirit by offering a world class holiday experience by baking gourmet cookies and cakes, making wraps and salads, and serving other delicious treats! 

The shop opened its doors in 1988, exhibiting a charming exterior design of a real gingerbread house. It quickly gained attention and trust from its customers. Additionally, the shop has made itself one of the Top 10 popular places in Leavenworth. 

From Snowman cookies, Christmas gnome cookies, and Winter cookies to Gingersnaps and Extra Large Fully Custom Gingerbread House, this factory is a top-notch place for a jolly month of December. 

There is some indoor seating available, and orders can be picked up or taken out. Furthermore, Friday through Saturday, they are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday through Thursday, they are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 829 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

  1. Ride a sleigh
A fun sight of tourists riding a sleigh / Tripadvisor

To spend Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington means to ride a sleigh, at least once. Aside from the delicious cookies, gingerbread factory tour, merry reindeers, Leavenworth also offers an exciting opportunity for tourists to ride a sleigh. Take part in a thrilling sleigh ride to increase your Christmas cheer!

Savor an open sleigh pulled by one horse that can hold up to six people. The cost of the private sleigh is $225. You’ll drive past the picturesque fields and pause at a barn so you can warm up by the fire. It would also be a good idea to enjoy a cup of steaming hot cider following an enjoyable sleigh ride. 

Additionally, you and your family can bundle up and ride their vintage sleighs, which can hold up to 12 people. This vintage box sleigh, pulled by two horses, features handrails, a rein rail, and Eagle heads on the dash. The sleigh’s rows each cost $160.

This place is for you if you want to try riding a private wagon! Private wagons at Leavenworth Sleigh Rides start at $225. Similar to the open sleigh pulled by a single horse, the private wagon can hold up to six people.

A brief warm-up stop at the barn is included in the 40–50 minute sleigh riding duration. The sleigh rides are open to people of all ages as well. For safety reasons, children under the age of two can sit on their parents’ laps.

Don’t forget to bring the winter essentials! Also, if you’re traveling alone, make sure you know about the travel safety principles

Address: 19115 Chiwawa Loop Road, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

Tips for Visiting Leavenworth in the Winter

Book in advance: When it comes to booking your accommodations, it’s best to do so as far in advance as possible. If you wait it’s possible that you’ll  have fewer room options.It’d be safer to book early. Feel free to check some of the best accommodations in Leavenworth here

Prepare for the weather: When preparing for a trip to Leavenworth during the holidays, it’s important to remember that it gets quite chilly and snowy. To stay warm, cozy, and comfortable, don’t forget to pack your warm layers; including hats, snow shoes, gloves, scarves, and proper winter jackets! As well as other cold-weather gear, such as earmuffs and thermal socks might also be a necessity to avoid muscle soreness. In addition to your clothing, make sure to bring along the items needed for the winter activities you planned, such as waterproof pants or snow boots! Come prepared with the proper gear, and you’ll enjoy all the things Leavenworth has to offer during holidays. 

Bring your pets: When traveling, leaving our pet can really make our heart’s sad. Fortunately, Leavenworth is a very pet-friendly city, which means you’re free to bring your pets during your Christmas getaway! Isn’t that good news? Come excited and explore the sparkling Christmas trees with your beloved pets!

Christmas In Leavenworth WA: The Perfect Holiday Journey

In conclusion, Christmas in Leavenworth WA offers a wide variety of enchanting activities for a more memorable holiday experience. Bringing your friends and family to this Bavarian-themed town would definitely be a lovely idea! From tasty hot chocolates, sweet gingerbreads, and cute tree toppers, to vibrant villages of lights, and fun games, Leavenworth is a winter wonderland that levels up the spirit of your Christmas getaway. Whether you’re visiting on a weekday or a weekend during holidays, I assure you that there’s always something extra going on to put you in a joyous mood!

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