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Best Christmas Tree 2026

By Readers' Choice On 10/21/25 at 12:00 PM EDT

From city plazas and seaside resorts to mountain mansions and gilded halls, these trees capture the season's most dazzling tradition. Whether soaring over ice rinks, glowing inside grand hotels or sparkling in town squares, each one tells its own story of craftsmanship, community and celebration. Some are decorated with thousands of LEDs and Swarovski crystals, others with handmade ornaments or regional flair, but all invite visitors to look up, linger and share the moment. These towering evergreens remind us that amid winter's chill, light, joy and togetherness always find their way home.

Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout Christmas trees—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Christmas Trees of 2026.

1. Keg Tree at Genesee Brew House | Rochester, NY

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Photo courtesy of The Genesee Brew House Photo courtesy of The Genesee Brew House

Each winter, Rochester's Genesee Brew House lights a three-story tree built entirely from beer kegs, an inventive tribute to New York's oldest brewery. The Keg Tree celebration unites the community with live music, local food and seasonal beer releases, all while supporting local charities. More than a photo op, it's a symbol of resilience and pride for a city that knows how to work hard and celebrate together.

2. Congress Hall | Cape May, NJ

Congress Hall

Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts Photo courtesy of Cape Resorts

America's oldest seaside resort wraps itself in Victorian splendor each December. The towering tree on the Grand Lawn faces the Atlantic as carolers serenade guests beneath gaslight-style lamps. Horse-drawn carriages, festive shops and ocean air complete the picture.

3. Galleria Dallas | Dallas, TX

Galleria

Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas

Everything's bigger, and brighter, in Texas. Inside the Galleria Dallas, the nation's tallest indoor Christmas tree rises 95 feet above a full-size ice rink, glowing with half a million LEDs. Olympic champions and youth skaters perform in the Grand Tree Lighting Celebrations featuring back-flipping "Missile Toes" Santa. Surrounding it all: immersive Santaland and SNOWDAY experiences, photo ops and festive shopping that make this landmark a cherished North Texas holiday tradition.

4. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale, AZ

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The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hosts Arizona's most lavish Christmas tree, a 40-foot tower of color syncing to music and reflected in the Lagoon Lights below. Guests wander past millions of bulbs, fire pits and ice rinks beneath the desert stars. The tree anchors a resort-wide celebration that blends sunny weather with winter wonder.

5. Rockefeller Center | New York, NY

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Since 1933, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been the nation's most famous holiday beacon. The Norway spruce—usually topping 80 feet—glows with 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski-crystal star. Crowds gather nightly around the skating rink as music, cameras and hot-chocolate cups fill the air. It's classic New York City at its most heartwarming: brilliant, bustling and timeless beneath Manhattan's winter sky.

6. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden | Dallas, TX

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The Dallas Arboretum's 12 Days of Christmas exhibit surrounds its 50-foot tree with Victorian-style gazebos and 600 nutcrackers set amid floral gardens. Guests wander pathways filled with music, ornaments and sparkling displays. By day, the scene feels storybook; by night, it shimmers with Texas elegance. It's a garden transformed into a living carol, lush, colorful and wonderfully Southern.

TIED 7. National Christmas Tree | Washington, D.C.

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Standing near the White House, the National Christmas Tree shines as a symbol of unity and national spirit. Surrounding it are 56 smaller trees representing U.S. states, territories and D.C. itself. The Lighting Ceremony—attended by the president—features carols, choirs and messages of hope broadcast nationwide. For decades, families have visited this festive ellipse to see democracy's backyard twinkle brightly beneath winter's sky.

TIED 7. Philadelphia City Hall | Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Christmas Tree

Photo courtesy of the city of Philadelphia Photo courtesy of the city of Philadelphia

Each winter, Philadelphia's City Hall plaza becomes a European-style village with an ice rink and its towering tree as centerpiece. Thousands of lights reflect off the historic architecture as street performers and vendors fill Dilworth Park with sound and spice.

9. Biltmore Estate | Asheville, NC

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Inside America's largest privately owned home, the Biltmore Estate's towering 35-foot Fraser fir anchors a Gilded Age spectacle. Thousands of ornaments and ribbons fill the Banquet Hall while dozens of smaller trees decorate the mansion's rooms. Candlelight tours, live choirs and the scent of pine transform the estate into a Victorian dream. More than 125 years later, the Vanderbilt holiday tradition still feels like stepping into a storybook Christmas.

10. Faneuil Hall Marketplace | Boston, MA

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Boston's biggest tree illuminates Faneuil Hall Marketplace, pairing historic architecture with modern spectacle. The Blink! light and sound show syncs thousands of bulbs to holiday music as snowflakes drift past colonial brick. Local choirs and vendors add New England flair to the scene. It's where American history meets holiday theater, brimming with energy, tradition and that distinctly Boston mix of heart and hustle.

FINALISTS Capitol Holiday Tree | Madison, WI The Grove | Los Angeles, CA Monterey Bay Aquarium | Monterey, CA Newport Mansions | Newport, RI The Royal Hawaiian | Honolulu, HI

About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Linnea Bailey

Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.

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Chez Chesak

Chez Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 29-year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and President of The Society of American Travel Writers' Central States Chapter. Learn more about him at www.chezconnects.com.

Marla Cimini

Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.

Peggy Cleveland

Marguerite "Peggy" Cleveland is a travel and food writer focusing on cultural experiences, food and wine for travelers over 50. She runs the website Peggy, Where Should I Go? and contributes to Business Insider, SheBuysTravel, TravelAwaits, Northwest Travel and Life, and Food, Wine & Travel. Peggy is the author of 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die with Reedy Press. Her writing highlights unique destinations and local cuisine, offering practical insights and inspiration for her readers. She is a NATJA and IFWTWA member. Follow her on Instagram.

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Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

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Catherine Parker

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that's driven her across North America, visiting all 50 states, seven Canadian provinces and seven Mexican states as well as top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. After graduating from the University of Houston, Catherine started her career in travel and tourism as a flight attendant. A writer for over 10 years, she maintains an active roster of national publications. Catherine also publishes a travel website, CarfulOfKids.com. Her favorite places are national parks, museums and sidewalk cafés. She's torn between a weekend in the mountains or the beach.

Jill Schildhouse

Jill Schildhouse is an award-winning writer and editor with 23 years of experience in print and digital publishing. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, Brides, TripSavvy, Insider, USA TODAY, Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, and Southern Living. Based in Phoenix, Jill has traveled to 38 countries and is always dreaming of her next adventure. Follow her @the_globalglutton.

Jamie Davis Smith - headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.