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A pair of Golden State cities are in the running to become America’s top town for holiday cheer.
Solvang and Carmel-by-the-Sea have been both been nominated in the Zoe Report’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Christmas Town.”
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A total of 16 cities from across the U.S. were nominated for this year’s award. Colorado is the only state to have three contenders –– Aspen, Telluride, Vail.
Florida’s St. Augustine, Park City, Utah, and Bethlehem, Penn., are also competing for the title.
Solvang, also known as the “Danish Capital of America,” won the award in 2025. Adding to its accolades, the city also snagged top spots for both Best Christmas Town and Best Christmas Market in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards.
“We are always honored when Solvang is nominated as a ‘best Christmas town.’ It’s a reminder of why we do what we do, as a community, for our locals and visitors each holiday season,” Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy told KSBY News.
The public voting window opened Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 11. The winner will be announced on November 19.
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