Zillow reveals the 10 most festive holiday towns in America

Rhea-AI Summary

Zillow (NYSE: Z) published its list of the 10 most festive holiday towns in America on Dec. 15, 2025, ranking communities by the share of for‑sale listings that mention holiday keywords like “Christmas lights,” “Santa,” and “holiday spirit.”

Top towns include Santa Claus, IN (55% of listings mention holidays; typical home value $294,208) and McAdenville, NC (37%; $471,800). Other featured towns list typical home values and the percentage of listings that reference holiday features, from Breckenridge, CO ($1,170,091; 8%) to Natchitoches, LA ($185,180; 4%). Zillow also points buyers to its BuyAbility tool for real‑time affordability guidance.

News Market Reaction – Z

-8.47% 1.6x vol

71 alerts

-8.47% Session close to close

-9.1% Trough in 2 hr 28 min

$18.08B Market Cap

1.6x Rel. Volume

In the Dec 15 session, Z declined 8.47%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -9.1% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 71 alerts that day, indicating high trading interest and price volatility. Trading volume was above average at 1.6x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The stock moved -8.5% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite upbeat, brand-...

Analysis

The stock moved -8.5% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite upbeat, brand-focused news fits periods when macro or sector pressures outweighed company-specific announcements. Past housing forecasts and data releases have not always produced consistent upside, suggesting sentiment can be driven more by broader internet and housing trends than by marketing content alone. Investors monitoring this type of release may compare it against prior December campaigns and concurrent moves in key peers when assessing risk.

Key Figures

Santa Claus, IN home value: $294,208 Santa Claus holiday listings: 55% McAdenville, NC home value: $471,800 +5 more

8 metrics

Santa Claus, IN home value $294,208 Typical home value in Santa Claus, Indiana

Santa Claus holiday listings 55% Share of for-sale listings referencing holiday spirit

McAdenville, NC home value $471,800 Typical home value in McAdenville, North Carolina

McAdenville holiday listings 37% Share of for-sale listings with seasonal charm

Breckenridge, CO home value $1,170,091 Typical home value in Breckenridge, Colorado

Palmer Lake holiday listings 10% Share of listings mentioning festive features

Windcrest holiday listings 10% Share of listings highlighting holiday spirit

Natchitoches lights 300,000 Number of lights on historic riverfront each season

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 11 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Dec 11	Mortgage shopping study	Neutral	+0.3%	New analysis on mortgage application behavior and potential buyer savings.
Dec 10	Seasonal marketing feature	Positive	+1.3%	Relaunch of Santa's House Showcase highlighting virtual staging and engagement tools.
Dec 04	Housing market outlook	Positive	-0.8%	Forecast for modest 2026 housing rebound and improved affordability metrics.
Dec 02	Conference presentation	Positive	+5.4%	Announcement of CEO fireside chat at Barclays technology conference.
Nov 24	AI conference appearance	Positive	+3.1%	CFO participation in UBS Global Technology and AI Conference fireside chat.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent news, mainly research and event-focused, has more often aligned with modest positive price reactions, with one divergence on a macro housing forecast.

Recent Company History

Over the past few weeks, Zillow has released several data- and marketing-driven announcements. On Nov 24, it highlighted participation in the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference. Subsequent disclosures on Dec 2 and Dec 11 covered conference presentations and housing or mortgage research, while a Dec 10 feature promoted its seasonal "Santa's House" Showcase and virtual staging capabilities. Price reactions to these items ranged from about -0.78% to +5.44%, indicating that investor response to similar non-financial news has been modest but generally positive.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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A new analysis discovers where the holiday spirit shines brightest in home listings

SEATTLE, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a place where it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas? Zillow^® has unwrapped its list of America's most festive towns: 10 places where the holiday spirit doesn't stop at Main Street, but shines through in for-sale home listings.

Zillow analyzed listings across the U.S. that include holiday keywords such as "Christmas lights," "Santa," "holiday spirit" and "winter wonderland." The result is a roundup of towns where homeowners are clearly decking the halls and highlighting the holiday season as a selling point.

"Santa's House on Zillow always gets a lot of attention this time of year, but these towns give the big man some competition," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. "They're filled with twinkling lights, community celebrations and homes where the holiday spirit shines bright all season long."

Home shoppers eager to explore these merry markets — and see which homes fit comfortably within their budget — can turn to Zillow's BuyAbility^SM tool. This real-time affordability feature shows buyers what's truly within reach, helping keep their house hunt from freezing over.

Here are the most festive holiday towns in America this year:

1.) Santa Claus, Indiana

Typical home value: $294,208
It's no surprise that the town of Santa Claus takes the top spot. True to its name, this community embraces the season wholeheartedly. More than half of its for-sale listings reference holiday spirit (55%). Residents celebrate the season with a parade, market and light show.

2.) McAdenville, North Carolina

Typical home value: $471,800
Known as Christmas Town USA, McAdenville has listings that sparkle as much as its streets. With nearly 2 in 5 for-sale homes showcasing seasonal charm (37%), its longstanding light displays continue to draw big crowds each year.

3.) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Typical home value: $344,320
Bethlehem's biblical name makes it a natural Christmas destination, and nearby communities share that same holiday appeal. In Blakeslee, less than an hour's drive away, nearly one-third of for-sale listings mention the holidays (30%). Lake Harmony and Buck Hill Falls aren't far behind, with one-quarter of listings highlighting seasonal cheer (25%).

4.) Breckenridge, Colorado

Typical home value: $1,170,091
In this snow-covered mountain town, holiday touches show up in a number of listings (8%), adding to the area's already strong winter spirit. Seasonal traditions like the Lighting of Breckenridge and the Race of the Santas give the ski town a festive flair that lasts all season.

5.) Dahlonega, Georgia

Typical home value: $376,741
Dahlonega's seasonal atmosphere shines through its carriage rides, caroling and illuminated historic square. In this North Georgia mountain town, about 1 in 16 listings highlight the holidays (6%). These traditions help make Dahlonega one of the region's most beloved holiday stops.

6.) Natchitoches, Louisiana

Typical home value: $185,180
Natchitoches lights up its historic riverfront each season with more than 300,000 lights, festive displays, parades, fireworks and carriage rides. Its long-running Christmas Festival of Lights is among the oldest community holiday celebrations in the U.S. A notable portion of its for-sale listings mention the town's deep-rooted holiday identity (4%).

7.) Palmer Lake, Colorado

Typical home value: $532,161
Ten percent of Palmer Lake listings mention festive features, a nod to the town's cherished holiday traditions. Each year, the iconic Palmer Lake Star glows on the mountainside, and the community comes together for a tree lighting, complete with a chili supper. Its small-town charm and strong traditions make Palmer Lake a standout in Colorado.

8.) Windcrest, Texas

Typical home value: $308,343
For more than 65 years, the Windcrest Light-Up has transformed the community with residents' elaborate displays and neighborhood competitions. And with 1 in 10 listings highlighting holiday spirit, Windcrest embraces its reputation as one of Texas' most festive towns.

9.) Shaver Lake, California

Typical home value: $574,823
Nearly 1 in 10 listings in Shaver Lake refer to holiday festivities, fitting for a town with a snowy, mountainous backdrop (9%). Its annual Winter Wonderland event features a tree lighting, a holiday bazaar and visits from Santa. With real snow, evergreen forests and lakeside views, Shaver Lake naturally appeals to holiday enthusiasts.

10.) Ransom Canyon, Texas

Typical home value: $375,732
Ransom Canyon is known for its creative holiday displays, many of which make dramatic use of the surrounding canyon landscape. Nine percent of listings call out festive décor, reflecting the community's pride in its annual lights, which attract visitors from the Lubbock area and beyond. Its hillside homes and open views give the displays a one-of-a-kind look.

About Zillow Group

Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate app and website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated real estate professionals, and easier buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences.

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow^®, Zillow Premier Agent^®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Zillow Rentals^®, Trulia^®, Out East^®, StreetEasy^®, HotPads^®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce^®, and Follow Up Boss^®.

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2025 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

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SOURCE Zillow, Inc.

FAQ

What did Zillow announce about festive towns on Dec. 15, 2025 for Z stock investors?

Zillow released a ranking of the 10 most festive holiday towns, identifying towns by the share of listings mentioning holiday keywords and providing typical home values.

Which town topped Zillow’s Dec. 15, 2025 list of most festive holiday towns and what is its typical home value?

Santa Claus, Indiana ranked #1 with a typical home value of $294,208 and 55% of listings referencing holiday spirit.

How does Zillow measure a town’s holiday rank in the Dec. 15, 2025 report for Z?

Zillow counts for‑sale listings containing holiday keywords such as “Christmas lights,” “Santa,” and “holiday spirit” to calculate the share of listings mentioning holidays.

What are typical home values for McAdenville, NC and Breckenridge, CO on Zillow’s Dec. 15, 2025 list?

Typical home values listed are $471,800 for McAdenville, NC and $1,170,091 for Breckenridge, CO.

How can homebuyers use Zillow’s BuyAbility tool referenced in the Dec. 15, 2025 announcement?

Buyers can use BuyAbility to see real‑time affordability for listings and identify which festive homes fall within their budget.

Which Texas towns appear on Zillow’s Dec. 15, 2025 most festive list and their typical home values?

Windcrest, TX ($308,343) and Ransom Canyon, TX ($375,732) are both included on the list.