Rebecca Engel
Leavenworth looks like a village lifted out of the Alps and set down in the Cascade Mountains. The whole town is built in a Bavarian style, and every winter more than half a million lights cover its rooftops, balconies and trees.
These things to do in Leavenworth at Christmas cover the lights and holiday events in town, plus reindeer, sleigh rides and snowy trails just outside it. Leavenworth, Washington is a little over two hours from Seattle in good weather, so it works as a weekend away or a longer holiday trip.
1. Stroll Front Street Under The Village Of Lights
The Village of Lights is the reason most people come to Leavenworth in December. More than 500,000 lights wrap the buildings, trees and balconies downtown, and seeing them doesn’t cost a thing.
The lights come on in late November and stay up through the end of February, from early morning until 11 p.m. The town no longer flips the switch at a set time, so you can wander whenever you like instead of joining a crowd waiting for one big moment.
In December, carolers stroll through downtown in the early evening. That’s the best time to walk Front Street, with the lights glowing and something warm in your hands.
2. Head Into Christmastown At The Festhalle
Christmastown is the town’s holiday celebration, and it runs every day from late November until Christmas Eve. Its home base is the Festhalle, a big hall right next to Front Street Park.
Inside, there’s a gingerbread house exhibition, a display of Santa costumes from around the world, a story corner, kids’ crafts and a table for writing letters to Santa. Entry is free, and there’s hot cocoa to go with it.
Santa visits every day until Christmas Eve, and live music plays at the gazebo in Front Street Park. The hall keeps afternoon hours, so check the schedule before you go.
3. Feed The Herd At The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm sits about a mile from downtown, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Leavenworth at Christmas. A visit starts with a short talk about reindeer, then you head into the pen to hand feed the herd.
You’ll get to hold a shed antler and warm up by a campfire with cocoa and cider afterward. During the holiday season, the tour also includes a visit with Santa in the barn.
This one takes planning. Every visit is booked ahead with no walk ups, and the Christmas tours can sell out months in advance, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
4. Tour The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum on Front Street holds more than 9,000 nutcrackers, a collection big enough to earn it a Guinness World Record. They come from dozens of countries, and some date back centuries.
It’s the kind of place that sounds a little silly until you’re standing inside it. Rows of soldiers, kings and animals fill case after case, and it’s hard not to pick a favorite.
Admission is only a few dollars, which makes it a great stop on a cold afternoon. Hours can shift around the holidays, so check before you go.
5. Hunt For Ornaments At Kris Kringl
Kris Kringl is a Christmas shop on Front Street that stays open all year, and in December it feels right at home. The shelves are packed with ornaments, snow globes and collectible holiday villages.
Many of the ornaments can be personalized, which makes them an easy souvenir or gift. Pick one with the year on it and you’ll have a reminder of the trip every time you decorate.
The rest of Front Street is lined with small shops selling nutcrackers, candles and handmade decorations. Give yourself time to wander in and out of a few.
6. Take A Sleigh Ride At Mountain Springs Lodge
A horse drawn sleigh ride through snowy meadows is about as classic as a winter trip gets. Mountain Springs Lodge runs them about 30 minutes north of town, and the rides last around 45 minutes with hot cider along the way.
Sleigh rides usually start in mid December and run through February. Reservations open on November 1, so book early if you have your heart set on a ride before Christmas.
Rides depend on the snow and can be canceled if conditions aren’t right. Eagle Creek Ranch, about 8 miles from town, is another good option for a sleigh ride near Leavenworth.
7. Go Snow Tubing At Leavenworth Ski Hill
Leavenworth Ski Hill is a small community hill less than two miles from downtown, run by a local nonprofit ski club. It’s nothing like a big resort, and that’s exactly the charm.
Snow tubing is the easy win here, especially with kids. Tubes are provided, and tickets are sold in person at the hill.
The season depends on the snow, and the hill keeps limited hours, mostly weekends plus a few weekday evenings. Check the schedule before you head up, then warm up in the historic lodge between runs.
8. Grab A Bratwurst By The Fire At München Haus
München Haus is a Bavarian grill and beer garden on Front Street, and it stays open all winter. The best seller is the Big Bob Bratwurst, and you can pick from more than a dozen mustards to go with it.
The beer garden has overhead heaters and fire tables, so eating outside in December is a lot more comfortable than it sounds. Pair your sausage with a pretzel, a local beer or a cup of hot spiced cider.
9. Snowshoe The Icicle River Trails
The Icicle River Trails sit just outside town near the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. There’s a 5 kilometer snowshoe trail that follows Icicle Creek through the trees, kept separate from the groomed cross country ski tracks.
You’ll need a snowshoe ticket from the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, and the same ticket works at the club’s other trail areas. Tickets are sold in person, so check the club’s website for where to pick one up.
For something free, walk the loop at Waterfront Park, close to downtown. It follows the river out to Blackbird Island and is especially pretty after a fresh snow.
10. Sip Your Way Through The Downtown Tasting Rooms
Leavenworth has more than a dozen wine and cider tasting rooms, and most are an easy walk from Front Street. Washington is one of the biggest wine producing states in the country, so there’s plenty to try.
A tasting flight is a cozy way to spend a cold afternoon. Hop between two or three rooms, then head back outside once it gets dark and the lights really start to glow.
11. Arrive On Amtrak’s Empire Builder
Skipping the winter drive is a smart move, and Amtrak’s Empire Builder stops right in Leavenworth. The train leaves Seattle in the late afternoon and rolls in a little after 8 p.m., just over three hours later.
In December most of the ride is after dark, but stepping off a train into a town covered in lights is a fun way to start the trip. There’s one train each way a day, and the return to Seattle leaves early in the morning, so this works best for an overnight stay.
Plan a ride from the station to your hotel ahead of time, and double check the schedule when you book since train times can change.
12. Spend A Day On The Slopes At Stevens Pass
Stevens Pass is about 35 miles from Leavenworth, roughly a 45 minute drive back up the highway toward Seattle. It’s a full size ski area, so it’s the place to go if the local hill isn’t enough.
The resort requires parking reservations on its busiest mornings, so check before you leave. The pass can also require chains or traction tires during storms, and the state’s mountain pass report will tell you what to expect.
13. Taste Aplets & Cotlets At The Candy Kitchen In Cashmere
Cashmere is the next small town down the highway from Leavenworth, and it’s home to Aplets & Cotlets. These soft candies are made with fruit and walnuts and dusted in powdered sugar, and the town has been making them for generations.
The factory runs free tours, and the samples are free too. The candy kitchen is open every day, and a box of Aplets & Cotlets makes an easy holiday gift to bring home.
Tips For Visiting Leavenworth Washington At Christmas
Go midweek if you can. December weekends get very busy, and parking is much easier Monday through Thursday.
Downtown parking is paid during the busy season. A free Link Transit shuttle runs from the park and ride behind the Safeway, which saves a lot of circling for a spot.
Book the big things early. The reindeer farm and sleigh rides fill up well ahead of December, and it’s smart to lock in your hotel as soon as your dates are set.
Pack for real winter, with warm layers, boots and gloves. The drive over Stevens Pass can require chains or traction tires, so check the pass report before you leave Seattle.
If you can’t make it before Christmas, the lights stay up through February, and January brings a festival called Winter Karneval with ice carving and fireworks. If you’re still comparing holiday trips, this list of holiday destinations for a Christmas vacation puts Leavenworth alongside places like Vienna and Quebec City.
Final Thoughts
Leavenworth at Christmas feels like a trip to Europe without the long flight. The lights, the music and the snowy mountains do most of the work, and all you have to do is pick what to add.
Choose a few of these things to do in Leavenworth, Washington, book the ones that sell out early, and save at least one evening for walking Front Street after dark. If you’re planning another snowy holiday trip, these things to do in Quebec City in winter make a great next pick.
