Indiana and Kentucky Rank Among America’s Most Festive States

Kentucky and Indiana are officially two of the merriest states in the country this holiday season.

Innerbody Research has released its annual list of the Most Festive States in America for 2025, and both the Commonwealth and the Hoosier State landed squarely on the “nice list.”

How Innerbody Measures Holiday Festiveness

This year’s analysis is based on search trends for holiday traditions, Christmas activities, décor, and seasonal buzzwords. With 91 percent of Americans planning to celebrate winter holidays in 2025, the data offers a fascinating look at which states are feeling the spirit and which ones might need a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Cheer.

Why Kentucky Ranked Fifth This Year

Kentucky climbed into the number five spot this year, and its trending search terms tell a pretty adorable story. The state showed unique enthusiasm for ornaments, making it the only state in the country with ornament searches topping its holiday list. Kentuckians also showed big interest in “Christmas Eve,” a combination often tied to the tradition of decorating the tree on December 23 or 24.

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Indiana Continues Its Holiday Spirit Streak

Indiana wasn’t far behind its southern neighbor. The Hoosier State earned the number six spot on Innerbody’s list, solidifying its place as one of the most festive regions in the Midwest. Indiana has consistently ranked high in holiday spirit in previous years, and 2025 continues that trend.

West Virginia Takes the Top Spot Again

For the fourth consecutive year, West Virginia claimed the top spot on the list. This time, snowman searches may have helped push it over the edge, with residents showing more interest in building a Christmas snowman than any other state in the country.

Full Top 10 Most Festive States of 2025

West Virginia
Utah
South Dakota
Idaho
Kentucky
Indiana
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Wisconsin

Whether you’re stringing lights, blasting Christmas music, or searching for the perfect Santa hat online, Kentucky and Indiana clearly show up for the season. If you’d like to explore all the festive rankings and trends for 2025, visit Innerbody Research for the full report.

Festive Holiday Drinks From Evansville Area Coffee Shops

Take a look at the holiday drinks local coffee shops in the Evansville area are serving this season. See the signature creations you will want to try.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals