Hailey
In the latest nationwide analysis, Kansas ranked 17th overall for holiday cheer. This is a sharp contrast from the previous year, when Kansas proudly held the 3rd spot.
The ranking is based on combined online interest in Christmas-related activities during November and December, including decorations, traditions, music, shopping habits, and seasonal events.
The state recorded a total holiday interest score of 2,150, which placed it well below the top-performing states but still above the least festive regions in the country. The year-over-year drop of 14 positions represents one of the biggest declines among all states.
How Holiday Cheer Is Measured Nationally
The ranking evaluates how engaged residents are with the holiday season by analyzing search trends tied to Christmas traditions and activities.
These include interest in Christmas trees, holiday music, gift exchanges, decorations, and well-known seasonal events. Higher scores suggest stronger enthusiasm and participation in holiday-related activities.
While a majority of Americans reported planning to spend about the same amount as last year on holiday expenses, online interest in some traditional elements showed noticeable softening. This trend may be contributing to Kansas’ drop in ranking.
How Kansas Compares to Other States
At the top of the list, West Virginia emerged as the most festive state in 2025, earning a score of 2,479. Other highly ranked states included Utah, South Dakota, Idaho, and Kentucky, all of which showed strong engagement with holiday traditions.
At the opposite end, Washington, DC, ranked last with a score of 1,275, followed closely by New York and Hawaii. Kansas sits comfortably above these states but has clearly fallen from its earlier position among the nation’s most cheerful.
Key Holiday Cheer Data at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Kansas 2025 Rank | 17th |
| Kansas 2025 Score | 2,150 |
| Kansas 2024 Rank | 3rd |
| Year-over-Year Change | Down 14 places |
| Most Festive State (2025) | West Virginia |
| Least Festive Location (2025) | Washington, DC |
| Kansas Status | Mid-tier nationally |
Most and Least Popular Holiday Trends
Nationally, some holiday topics dominated online interest in 2025. Santa hats, Christmas Eve, Christmas songs, Christmas trees, wrapping paper, and Secret Santa ranked among the most searched seasonal themes.
However, traditional staples such as mistletoe, Christmas presents, gift exchanges, and Christmas lights showed comparatively lower interest.
This shift suggests evolving preferences in how Americans celebrate, possibly influenced by budget pressures, changing traditions, or digital fatigue.
What This Means for Kansas
Kansas’ drop does not mean residents have lost their holiday spirit entirely. Instead, it reflects a measurable change in how much people engage with classic holiday traditions online.
Factors such as cost-of-living pressures, changing consumer habits, and simpler celebrations may be reshaping the way Kansans experience the season.
The 2025 holiday cheer ranking reveals a significant shift for Kansas, which fell from 3rd to 17th place in just one year.
With a total score of 2,150, the state remains moderately festive but no longer leads the pack. Whether this dip is temporary or part of a longer trend will depend on how traditions, spending habits, and seasonal enthusiasm evolve in the coming years.