With European-style architecture and robust Christmas festivals, these towns prove you don’t need to go far to get festive.

Getty

There’s no denying that the Christmas markets in Europe —from Vienna to Krakow to Frankfurt—are straight out of a snow globe. But it turns out you don’t need to travel that far to enjoy a hot chocolate against the backdrop of an illuminated, centuries-old village square. There are dozens of holiday-friendly towns dotting the country—some of which you might not have heard of yet—boasting rich European heritages and, consequently, exceptional Christmas markets . From St. Augustine, Florida, to Solvang, California, these places pull out all the stops for lively festivals, offering travelers the sensation of traveling back in time (or across the pond) to a forgotten era. Some destinations, like Kennebunkport, Maine, are distinctly their own, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that’s hard to replicate (where else would Santa arrive by lobster boat?).…