There are lots of wonderful perks about winter in North Dakota – as long as you don’t mind the cold. Each and every season, the entire state transforms into a winter wonderland of sorts, receiving on average 39 inches of snow per year and becoming like something out of a snow globe. There’s one small Christmas town in North Dakota that definitely goes all-out for the holiday season that we’d like to focus on for the time being: the adorable little town of Garrison. If you’ve never experienced winter in Garrison, you’ve never experienced winter!

There's a reason Garrison is quite literally THE official Christmas Town of North Dakota.
Dickens Village Festival/Facebook
It's a title the folks here take very seriously, and it shows.
For three consecutive weekends - beginning this year on November 26th - find yourself immersed in the Dickens Village Festival, one of Garrison's claims to Christmas fame.
Dickens Village Festival/Facebook
During this time, the entire town transforms into a Victorian winter wonderland, with lights, live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, and even appearances by Queen Elizabus - an authentic British double-decker bus - for tours (yes, that's really what it's called, and we love it).
Check out the holiday light parade, admire Garrison's shops all lit up, and visit local eateries and nosh spots for delicious food while you're at it.
Dickens Festival
Of course, the shopkeepers in Garrison love going with the flow of the season, and you'll find them all dressed up in their finest Victorian garb. It's a truly unique, immersive experience that makes this entire town quite literally the best holiday town in the upper Midwest.

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On select days, you'll be able to browse holiday vendors and markets, enjoy street carolers, and the list goes on...for a long time. It's a big deal.
Dickens Festival
This is the perfect time to get some (or all) of your holiday shopping done - there's nothing better than unique, one-of-a-kind-gifts you'll only find here.
Other wonderful winter attractions in Garrison include Tinsel & Treats every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dickens Festival
Enjoy free coffee and hot chocolate, as well as chili, cinnamon rolls, and more.

There are also other events like Quilts & Cuppa Tea, Fezziwig's Feast, a Christmas light contest, and more.
Winter in North Dakota is a wonderful time, but winter in Garrison is something else entirely.
Western Area Power/Flickr

For more information about the Dickens Village Festival, be sure to check out the official website. There, you’ll find a calendar of events, FAQ, and more! And just in case you thought winter in North Dakota was fun, you might want to find out why nobody visits ND in the winter.

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Garrison, ND 58540, USA