8 of the best towns for Christmas spirit in the Northeast – USA TODAY

Koziar's Christmas Village is a wonderful destination and a must see light display. In this video, we tour the village and speak with Sonia Koziar. You can learn more at koziarschristmasvillage.com. ~Courtesy of Discover Lehigh Valley

It may be chilly out, but that doesn't stop those with serious holiday spirit from celebrating the season with Christmas parades, winter markets, tree lightings, visits with Santa and more.

Throughout the Northeast which can feel remarkably like the North Pole once that snow starts coming down! aremany charming downtowns that go all-out for the holidays by hosting town-wide events, reports the Bridgewater Courier News, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

Ready to get in the Christmas spirit? Pack up the sled err, car and head to these Northeast towns that know how to celebrate one of our favorite times of the year with style.

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Starting on Dec. 1, Armonk willrecognizeits holiday history by hosting nationally-known Frosty Day. That's the daywhen the hamlet celebrates the songFrosty The Snowman, which was written in 1950 by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, the latter of whom lived in Armonk at the time it was penned.

The 10th annual celebration will includekids' activities such as face painting, train rides, cookie and ornament decorating;the only holiday-themedparade in the areawith 40 local groups and organizations inviting Frosty home,and a tree lighting ceremonyand sing-a-long at the gazebo in Wampus Brook Park.

Friends of Frosty Inc., a nonprofit group of local volunteers formed to oversee the days events, also encouragevisitors to Armonk to contribute to its Help Frosty Help Others campaignby donating winter jackets, hats, mittens and scarves as part of its Winter Warmth project.Clothing bins canbe found around town during the Frosty Day festivities.

Go:armonkfrosty.com

Historic Bethlehem hosts holiday tours throughout December.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Discover Lehigh Valley)

What's known as "Christmas City" isn't anywhere near the North Pole instead, it's Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which was established on Christmas Eve in 1741. Each year, thousands of travelers trek to itsNational Historic Landmark Districtfor the holiday festivities.

Historic Bethlehem hosts an array of holiday tours including Trees of Historic Bethlehem, to see gilded Christmas trees from around the world across six historic sites;Christmas City Stroll,about Bethlehems beginning, architecture and history;and Bethlehem by Night,where the city is lit with Christmas lights. Visitors also can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the areas downtown.

Plus, Bethlehem is also home toChristkindlmarkt, a 27-year-old Christmas market recognized as one of the best American holiday markets by Travel + Leisure. Shoppers can explore three heated tents filled with more than150 artisans from across the nation offering handmade German nutcrackers,artwork and photography, organic food products and more as Christmas music plays.Ice carving and glassblowing demonstrations, kids crafts and food and bar vendors add to the cheer.

Go:bethlehempa.org/things-to-do/christmas-in-bethlehem

Cape May lights up for Christmas, and visitors can see the decorated homes and inns on nighttime tours.(Photo: Aleks Moryakov Courtesy of MAC)

Summertime visitors may believe Cape May, a city known for its beaches and serene vibes, is only for the warm weather months, but this charming downtown is bustling all year round.

The city'ssignature Victorian homes and Washington Street Mall are adorned withlights, greenery and decorations during the holidays.

West Cape May will hostan annual Christmas parade on Dec. 7.

Atree-lighting ceremony is on tap for Dec. 6and Hospitality Nights will be held on Washington Street Mall Dec. 12 to 13. Merchants will opentheir doors and offershoppers refreshments while they browse.

In addition, through the end of December, Congress Hall will holda Winter Wonderland celebration which includes rides on the Congress Hall Express and Carousel, arts and crafts for kids anda Vendor Village featuring 18 specialty artisans.

TheEmlen Physick Estate,a Victorian house museum, also will host holiday events through the month, including an Evening Yuletide Tour,Physick Family Christmas House Tour andSanta's Trolley Rides.

Go:visitclintonnj.com/events-1

More than 1,000 people came out to Clinton on Saturday, Dec. 22 dressed in festive costumes to run in the "Run Before Christmas" SantaCon 8K race to raise funds for the Red Mill Museum Village.(Photo: Nick Muscavage/Staff Photo)

It's no surprise that a country town reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting with a charming downtown and iconic Red Mill also is one of the top sites for holiday spirit in the Garden State. One of Hunterdon County's most beautifulspots is gearing up for Christmas with a full calendar of events.

READ:Hundreds of Santas race in Clinton SantaCon 8K

The town will be full-speed-ahead after Thanksgiving, with several events planned from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 including Winter Village at The Red Mill, a three-day German-style outdoorwinter craft market; the 10th annual Festival of Trees,a decorated tree and wreath silent auction fundraiser; 'Dickens Days,' when the town is filled with horse-drawn carriage rides andcarolers, and a tree lighting.Plus, Clintonwill hold aChristmas parade on Dec. 6and a night of shopping as the town isfilled withluminaries on Dec. 12.

Then, Clinton will conclude its town-wide Christmas festivities on Sunday, Dec. 15 with a visit from Santa, as well as the second annual Run Before Christmas Santa Con 8k on Dec. 21.

Children play in the 'snow' during the Montclair tree lighting in Montclair on Friday December 7, 2018. (Photo: Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com)

Montclair, a township with a constant schedule of events and a downtown area packed with shops and restaurants, hosts a slew of holiday events everyDecember.

Festivities begin with Montclair'sholiday tree lighting in Church Street Plaza, which will take place on Dec. 6 andincludeholiday music by the Montclair Community Band, carolers, a giant snow globe, an ice sculptureand a visit with Santa. The following day, Santa will return on a Montclair Fire Department fire truck with gifts for children.

Local hotspots also get in on the festivities with events such as the Candlelight Tourof the Crane House and Historic YWCA, which shares thehistory ofholidays past from the 1700s to the 20th century throughoutthe month.

Go:visitwilmingtonde.com/event/the-spirit-of-christmas-in-historic-new-castle/37661/

Follow the cast of "A Christmas Carol" around Old New Castle when they perform outside at the "Spirit of Christmas" festival.(Photo: Courtesy of Ed Adams)

Established in 1652, New Castle channels its historic past during the holidays as itscobblestone streets, still home to period buildings and a center square,hosta town-wide celebration. It will all begin Dec. 13 when landmark building The Arsenal transformsinto the Fezziwig house from "A Christmas Carol'' for one night as it hosts a Victorian ball, followed by Victorian tea on Dec. 14.

More: 40 places to see The Nutcracker in New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania

The Spirit of Christmas begins Dec. 14, with characters in costume roaming the downtown;performances of "A Christmas Carol;" private homes, historic properties and churches decorated for the season,and musical events throughout the day. Festivities conclude with a tree lighting ceremony on the Green.

For the event, the Amstel House also will be decorated for a traditional Colonial holiday celebration featuring traditional 18th-century customs during the period of Governor Nicholas Van Dyke's residency. Andthe Dutch Houseoffers an experience of St. Nichol's Eve, a tribute to the legend of Saint Nicholas, Dutch patron saint.

Go:visitwilmingtonde.com/event/the-spirit-of-christmas-in-historic-new-castle/37661/

McCarter Theatrein Princeton willwelcome'A Christmas Carol' through Dec.29, whichtells the famous tale of how Ebenezer Scroogequickly learns the true meaning of generosity of Christmas.(Photo: ~Courtesy of McCarter Theatre)

A simple stroll through the serene Princeton University campus, featuring historic buildings such as landmark Nassau Hall and the Princeton University Chapel, is probably enough to get you in the holiday spirit, but that's not all that this area has to offer.

One of New Jersey's favorite towns for cultural activities is, of course, also one the region'sfavorite towns for holiday things-to-do with events including theMcCarter Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol" through Dec. 29;theMorven Museum's Festival of Trees; holiday weekends atTerhune OrchardsDec. 7 to 8, which include wreath decorating workshops, visits with Santa and wagon rides around the farm; andholiday trolley tourson December Saturdays withPrinceton Tour Company.

However, if you don't feel like committing to an event, a visit to Palmer Square to see the65-foot-tall Norwegian Spruce,which will be lit with 32,000 lightson Nov. 29, will be more than enough to get you geared up for Christmas. While here, check out Princeton'smix of national chain stores, boutique shops, renowned restaurants and casual eateries to get your holiday shopping done with a tasty break.

Go:princetonol.com/holidays/

It's Christmas in Red Bank.(Photo: Joseph J. Delconzo)

During the summer months, Red Bank is a hot spot for tourists, attracting those headed to the beach with its renowned restaurants and boutique shopping. However, this two-square-mileborough also has tons of holiday activities for its December visitors.

It all begins on Nov. 29 when the annualHoliday Express Concert andTown Lighting takes place through the streets. The event will include a visit from Santa after he arrives from the Red Bank train station. Then, Saturdays through Dec. 21, visitors can hop on a free horse-and-carriage ride through town so they can check out the holiday ambiance of Red Bank.

For the second year, Winter on Broad Street isreturns to Red Bank on Dec. 9, with an ice rink, a life-size snow globe, a scavenger hunt anda holiday bazaar.

Go:redbank.org/events/

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8 of the best towns for Christmas spirit in the Northeast - USA TODAY