The holidays are here, and despite a rather challenging year, the spirit of the season has not wavered. Sure, “things might be a little different” — a phrase we’re all quite familiar with these days — as families and businesses across the country adapt their plans to harness some festive joy and normalcy.
But our own Queen City has powered through the rough times, shining like the dang star of Bethlehem with old and new holiday attractions and socially distant events to celebrate the season. It has even landed itself on the top 20 “Best Cities for Christmas” list from personal finance website WalletHub.
What exactly qualifies a city to be ranked as such? WalletHub compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 15 factors to produce their findings, with dimensions including safety, traditions and food, observance and generosity.
Some specific metrics within the dimensions included COVID deaths and cases in the past week, Christmas tree farms per capita, bakeries per capita, Google search interest for “Christmas Celebration,” churches per capita, share of income given to charity and “Christmas spirit.”
Cincinnati came in at No. 16, flanked between Cleveland at No. 17 and San Diego at No. 15.
Coming in at No. 1 for very best city to celebrate Christmas was Durham, North Carolina. The worst place to celebrate the season? Hialeah, Florida at No. 100.
For the full ranking and methodology, visit wallethub.com/edu/best-places-for-christmas.
For a list of local holiday attractions to enjoy this season, see this slideshow.
This article appears in The Holiday Issue.