North Dakota Lands in the Top 10 Most Festive States for 2025

Christmas is officially three days away, which means the countdown is on. The tree is (hopefully) up, the cookies are multiplying, and holiday music is playing everywhere, from the car to the grocery store to that one radio station that flipped formats right after Thanksgiving. With the season in full swing, it’s only natural to ask an important question: Which states are actually the most festive when Christmas rolls around?

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North Dakota Ranks Among America’s Most Festive States This Christmas

According to a new ranking from Innerbody, North Dakota proudly landed at number 7 on the list of most festive states in the country. That’s pretty impressive for a state where winter weather can double as an endurance sport. Even better, our regional neighbors showed up strong. South Dakota snagged the number 3 spot, while Nebraska came in at number 8, proving that the Upper Midwest doesn’t just do Christmas—we commit to it.

So how did Innerbody figure all of this out? The rankings weren’t based on who has the biggest inflatable Santa or the most tangled string lights. Instead, they used Google Trends search data to measure Christmas enthusiasm across the U.S. Researchers looked at dozens of Christmas-related search topics during November and December, including everything from decorations and holiday music to baking, gifts, and seasonal events. By analyzing which states searched for these Christmas topics most frequently, they were able to assign “interest scores” and combine them to determine which states were the most and least festive overall.

In other words, North Dakota’s strong showing means people here are actively searching for Christmas ideas, traditions, and celebrations. That checks out. When the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, North Dakotans lean hard into the holiday spirit. Community light displays, church programs, school concerts, cookie swaps, and small-town celebrations are all part of the seasonal fabric. Plus, there’s something about celebrating Christmas when it’s actually cold outside that just feels right.

Read More: North Dakota Pet Safety Alert: Festive Plants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs

The Grinchiest States of 2025 Might Not Surprise You

On the flip side, the rankings also revealed the Grinchiest places of 2025. Hawaii came in as the third least festive state—no shade, but palm trees and snowmen don’t exactly go hand in hand. New York ranked second least festive, which may surprise some, and claiming the number one Grinch title was Washington, D.C. Honestly…that one feels pretty on brand.

So while some places may be skipping the cheer, North Dakota is searching, decorating, baking, and celebrating its way into the top ten. Seventh place is a solid spot—festive without being over-the-top. With Christmas just days away, it’s proof that even when the wind is howling and the roads are icy, North Dakota still knows how to bring the holiday spirit.