The 10 Best Christmas Village Sets for 2024

The tradition of displaying miniature Christmas villages dates back to the 18th Century and the Moravian Church. Each year the church would display a cardboard Nativity which grew into a much more expansive village complete with animated buildings. Post World War II saw Japanese companies begin to mass produce cardboard and paper buildings featuring cellophane windows and a place to insert a bulb to illuminate the scene.

It wasn’t until the 1970’s when ceramic and porcelain buildings entered the scene from Department 56; which is still one of the most well known village producers. Lemax is another major holiday village producer with hundreds of buildings and accessories available.

Christmas village displays may be rooted in the religion of Christmas, but today feature a wide variety of scenes for every personality. From traditional Victorian England, to North Pole, Christmas Cities, and popular faces like Disney, The Grinch, and Rudolph. Setting up a Christmas village is a wonderful holiday tradition.

Below you will find a list of our top 5 favorite Department 56 and Lemax village buildings for 2024. Check out our full selection of Christmas villages to see more.

The elves at the North Pole may have a reputation of being hard working, but boy do they know how to have some fun as well. This animated piece features children riding The Chimney Drop and Peppermint Twist while a custom soundtrack plays. Make this piece part of a larger village display or have it as a stand alone piece.

Visiting Lou’s Tree Farm is a sweet holiday tradition in the village of Sugar N’ Spice. With its bright colors, inviting lights, and the smell of pine Lou’s Tree Farm is a wonderful addition to your decor. Whether it sits nestled amongst other village pieces or is stand alone, this adorable tree farm is not to be missed.

The people of Caddington Village know that they can‘t forget their furry friends this Christmas. Swing on down to the Fur-Ever Toy Store and pick up a special gift for that special fur baby. With the charm of the Victorian Era, this lighted building is a perfect addition to any holiday village display.

The residents of Vail Village look forward to the annual Birch Creek Ice Fishing Festival each year. Sportsmen gather around to see if they can get the biggest catch of the day. This animated piece features a custom soundtrack, moving animation, and lights. Honor the ice fishermen in your life with this fun animated piece you can keep out all winter long.

Plymouth Corners is a charming replica of a sleepy New England village full of seaside adventures. Ledford’s Landing is a favorite amongst visitors looking to see everything this idyllic village has to offer. Take a ride on one of their special tours or create your own adventure. This lighted porcelain building is a welcome addition to any village display.

Bring home a piece of United States History with this porcelain replica of the Split Rock Lighthouse from Department 56. Since 1910, the Split Top Lighthouse has sat 130 ft above Lake Superior on a cliff in Two Harbors, Minnesota and is one of the most photographed spots in the state. This porcelain lighted building is a beautiful addition to any village display or lighthouse fanatics collection.

No city is complete without a stunning City Hall and Department 56 delivers with this beautiful porcelain lit building. With garlands and trees adorning this building it is a festive addition to any village display.

Everyone deserves that one place where they can go and escape and relax; even the big man of Christmas. Welcome to Santa’s Man Cave - his special oasis of peace and relaxation. This fun lit porcelain piece is a whimsical addition to your holiday village display.

Travel back in time to 1989 when the Griswold’s crashed into our hearts with the now Christmas Comedy Classic - National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Movie goers line up outside of the Plaza Theater with hopes of grabbing a glimpse of holiday movie history.

Grab your ears because the Mousketeers are back! Join the fun with Mickey’s Clubhouse from Department 56. This porcelain lighted building is a nod to the popular show Mickey’s Clubhouse airing during the 1950’s and 60’s.

What Christmas village is best? The best Christmas village is the one that you choose. Each village set has its own personality and is ready to help bring out your decor personality.

Which brands make Christmas village sets? Christmas village sets are produced by a variety of different companies around the world, but two of the most popular village collections are Department 56 and Lemax.

How do you set up a small Christmas village? A Christmas village display can be as small or large as you desire. If you only have a small shelf to set your village up on utilize the space by adding risers in the back to create dimension and add in accessories like the ones found here: https://christmasloft.com/villages/village-accessories/

What size train goes with a Christmas village? Adding a moving train to your village adds movement and dimension to your display. The Lemax North Pole Railway https://christmasloft.com/lemax-santas-wonderland-north-pole-railway-74223/ is the perfect addition to your village featuring 4 train cars with animation and sound. Have some old model trains in the garage? Not to worry, those O-gauge train sets should fit perfectly within your village.