As the festive season approaches, Nextdoor Holdings Inc. has released compelling findings from its latest survey, shedding light on the crucial role that neighborhood connections play during the holidays. Conducted in early December 2025, the survey reveals that a staggering 78% of Americans have missed out on local holiday activities, primarily due to a lack of awareness about what’s happening in their communities.

1. A Call for Connection

Kelsey Grady, Chief Communications Officer of Nextdoor, emphasized the importance of neighborhood connections during the holiday season. “The holidays are all about being together with family, friends, and neighbors! But our recent survey shows that neighbors are missing out on the very experiences that make this season special—not because they're not interested, but because they simply don't know what's happening nearby," she stated. The survey’s findings highlight a significant gap in local holiday information, prompting Nextdoor to position itself as a platform that bridges this discovery divide.

The Need for Local Awareness

The survey's data indicates that community members are eager to share and learn about local holiday happenings, which include festive light displays, tree lightings, winter markets, and various community celebrations. This need for hyperlocal information is critical, as neighbors often rely on each other to uncover the best seasonal experiences, reinforcing the importance of community engagement.

2. Supporting Local Businesses: A Priority for Neighbors

Nextdoor's survey also uncovered a strong desire among respondents to support local businesses during the holiday season. An impressive 66% of participants indicated that shopping local for gifts, activities, and services is essential to them. The survey highlights a trend where neighbors depend on each other for trustworthy holiday recommendations. In fact, neighbors and local community members emerged as the most trusted sources for holiday tips (36%), surpassing friends and family (30%), online reviews (12%), social media (11%), and local news (10%).

Trust Among Neighbors

These insights reinforce Nextdoor’s mission to foster community connections, showcasing that neighbors prefer to rely on one another for guidance when it comes to local holiday experiences. With the growing need for community support, Nextdoor serves as a vital platform for sharing local knowledge and recommendations.

3. Empowering Neighbors as Holiday Guides

To harness the enthusiasm of its over 100 million verified users, Nextdoor is encouraging members to become local holiday guides. Users are invited to share their favorite seasonal discoveries using the hashtag #holidays on the platform. This initiative aims to empower neighbors to post about:

Local Light Displays: Sharing addresses and photos of the most dazzling holiday decorations in their areas.

Neighborhood Events: Highlighting tree lightings, holiday markets, and community gatherings.

Family Activities: Recommending kid-friendly and pet-friendly seasonal outings.

Local Business Finds: Promoting neighborhood shops, restaurants, and services with holiday specials.

Traditions and Tips: Sharing unique community traditions that make the holidays special.

4. Survey Methodology

The survey was executed on December 2-3, 2025, across 36 U.S. states on the Nextdoor platform. Responses were collected from 12 geographically dispersed states, with 4,527 respondents addressing the discovery gap question, 6,140 focusing on local business support, and 6,792 responding to the trusted sources inquiry. The responses were averaged to provide a comprehensive view of neighbor sentiments across the nation.

5. About Nextdoor

Nextdoor is the leading neighborhood network, boasting over 100 million verified users. The platform offers trusted local news, real-time safety alerts, neighbor recommendations, listings for sale and free items, and community events. Nextdoor connects neighbors with essential conversations and local gems that matter most in their communities, while businesses, publishers, and public agencies leverage the platform to engage meaningfully with residents.

As the holiday season unfolds, Nextdoor’s commitment to enhancing community engagement and supporting local businesses is poised to transform how neighbors connect and celebrate together.

Original press release