It’s beginning to look a lot like you-know-what all around the world.
If you seek destinations that truly capture the magic, joy, and charm of Christmas – with a bit of Hanukkah thrown in for good measure – put one of these 30 top-rated destinations in the world on your Santa’s wish list for holiday spirit and festive experiences.
Choices include European old-world markets, snowy Arctic escapes, vibrant metropolitan light shows, tropical holiday experiences, and heritage-inspired celebrations. Whether you crave cozy winter wonderlands or warm beachside festivities – there’s something for everyone.
The list was compiled by the travel trade magazine Travel and Tour World with some added information and links from my own experiences and articles – including about the Number One holiday destination on the list, my hometown New York City.
Top 30 Christmas Holiday Destinations for 2025
New York City, USA
New York City transforms into a holiday wonderland with the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree, dazzling window displays along Fifth Avenue, ice-skating rinks, and festive markets. From Broadway shows to seasonal lights, the city offers an unforgettable Christmas experience filled with energy, tradition, and magic for visitors of all ages.
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Budapest, Hungary
Budapest celebrates Christmas with the Advent Basilica light show, Vörösmarty Square markets, and festive ice skating. Stalls offer seasonal treats and handcrafted gifts while streets sparkle with decorations, creating a warm, traditional European Christmas ambiance rich in culture, music, and holiday cheer.
London, United Kingdom
London lights up with Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, dazzling displays on Oxford Street, festive markets, and seasonal rides. Holiday concerts and traditional British treats fill the city, blending classic traditions with modern attractions, making London a top destination for Christmas travelers seeking iconic festive experiences.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas,” features Christkindelsmärik with over 300 festive chalets, illuminated medieval streets, and cultural performances. Enjoy seasonal foods, local crafts, and holiday music in an enchanting setting that embodies Alsatian charm and traditional European Christmas spirit.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is a historic market set in the medieval Old Town. Wooden stalls offer Lebkuchen (German gingerbread), handcrafted ornaments, and mulled wine, while festive music and decorations create a warm atmosphere, delivering an authentic German Christmas experience steeped in history and seasonal traditions.
- Nuremberg has one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s festive markets, Rathausplatz ice skating, and seasonal concerts bring holiday magic to the city. Imperial architecture adorned with lights, traditional pastries, and handcrafted gifts create a refined and cultural Christmas experience, showcasing Austria’s elegant and classical festive traditions.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam glows with the Light Festival along its canals, cozy Christmas markets, and ice skating. The city combines modern artistry with Dutch holiday traditions, offering visitors a vibrant, illuminated winter experience enhanced by local cuisine, crafts, and festive music.
Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg celebrates Christmas with historic markets, illuminated streets like Spitalerstrasse, and festive culinary treats. The combination of traditional German decorations, cultural performances, and seasonal shopping creates a lively and memorable holiday experience in one of Europe’s top festive cities.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Edinburgh hosts Christmas fairs, rides, and light displays along Princes Street. Seasonal markets, street performances, and festive music blend with historic architecture to create a magical Scottish holiday ambience that delights families and visitors seeking a traditional yet lively Christmas celebration.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, offers Arctic magic with snowy landscapes, reindeer rides, and Santa Claus Village attractions. Visitors experience a quintessential winter wonderland, combining festive charm, family activities, and authentic Lapland traditions in a snowy Christmas paradise.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo dazzles with spectacular holiday illuminations, themed events, pop culture-inspired decorations, and festive shopping districts. The city uniquely blends Western Christmas customs with Japanese creativity, offering visitors a colorful, high-energy, and modern holiday experience unlike anywhere else in Asia.
Rome, Italy
Rome celebrates Christmas with Piazza Navona’s festive market, historic churches, nativity scenes, and seasonal concerts. Cobblestone streets filled with decorations, Italian treats, and cultural performances provide a memorable Christmas experience that blends religion, tradition, and the city’s timeless beauty.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s Old Town squares transform with Christmas markets, castle illuminations, and artisanal gifts. Seasonal treats, music, and fairy-tale streets create a charming European holiday atmosphere where visitors enjoy both culture and festive cheer in one of Europe’s most picturesque cities.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg’s historic markets, baroque streets, and festive decorations provide a classical Christmas experience. Visitors enjoy seasonal music, artisanal foods, and traditional crafts in a picturesque Austrian city, offering charm, culture, and timeless holiday traditions in a scenic alpine setting familiar to many as the location of the iconic The Sound of Music.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland with lights, rides, seasonal stalls, and performances. Danish hygge, festive treats, and cultural traditions create an enchanting and family-friendly holiday experience, showcasing Nordic charm and Christmas magic.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona celebrates Christmas with festive markets, vibrant decorations, nativity displays, and cultural performances.Mediterranean warmth, historic Gothic streets, and culinary delights make the city a unique holiday destination combining tradition, charm, and lively seasonal celebrations.
Cancún, Mexico
Cancún offers tropical Christmas festivities, Las Posadas celebrations, beachside fireworks, and resort events. Warm weather, cultural traditions, and festive activities provide travelers a distinctive holiday experience blending Mexican heritage with sun-soaked relaxation and seasonal cheer.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town enjoys summer Christmas celebrations with beachside festivities, Table Mountain views, markets, and outdoor concerts. The combination of sunny weather, cultural events, and festive traditions provides a vibrant, joyful holiday atmosphere unique to the Southern Hemisphere.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires celebrates Christmas during the Southern Hemisphere summer with festive lights, tango performances, street decorations, and cultural events.
Vibrant neighborhoods, music, and cuisine create a lively, colorful, and culturally rich holiday experience for visitors.
Stowe, Vermont, USA
Stowe blends ski-resort charm, snowy landscapes, festive events, and New England traditions. Visitors enjoy holiday markets, cozy inns, and seasonal activities, making it an idyllic winter getaway that captures the essence of a classic American Christmas.
- Stowe also has some of the best skiing in the Northeast.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Jackson Hole offers alpine Christmas experiences with ski resorts, festive décor, winter sports, and cozy lodges. Snowy mountains, seasonal events, and charming small-town traditions make it a top destination for adventurous and family-friendly holiday celebrations.
- Read my article about Jackson Hole on SeniorsSkiing.com
Saint Lucia (Caribbean)
Saint Lucia celebrates a tropical Christmas with beach festivities, local cultural performances, music, and seasonal cuisine. Visitors experience a warm, vibrant holiday setting blending Caribbean traditions with festive cheer in a sun-soaked island paradise.
Wānaka, New Zealand
Wānaka hosts summer Christmas celebrations by its scenic lake with outdoor markets, community events, and festive gatherings. Visitors enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly holiday atmosphere in a stunning Southern Hemisphere location, offering a unique seasonal experience.
Basel, Switzerland
Basel transforms its historic Old Town into a festive winter village with illuminated streets, traditional markets, and cultural events.
Seasonal crafts, music, and culinary delights offer visitors an atmospheric European Christmas rich in tradition and charm.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges becomes a medieval Christmas fairytale with cobblestone streets, canals, ice skating, and festive markets. Belgian delicacies, including world-famous Belgian waffles, artisanal gifts, and twinkling lights create a magical European holiday experience in one of the continent’s most picturesque cities.
Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City’s Old Town transforms into a winter village with German-style markets, festive lights, and snowy streets. Seasonal crafts, culinary treats, and cultural performances create a charming North American Christmas with European flair.
- Quebec City also is a top-destination for fall foliage.
Florida Keys, Florida
The Florida Keys celebrate Christmas with tropical parades, festive lights, and coastal events. Warm weather, cultural activities, and relaxed island traditions offer visitors a unique and sun-soaked holiday experience.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio celebrates a vibrant summer Christmas with luminarias, cultural performances, festive parades, and beach celebrations. The city’s music, decorations, and lively energy provide a colorful and joyous holiday atmosphere unique to South America.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, known as “Christmas City,” hosts traditional markets, festive lights, and heritage celebrations. Seasonal performances, historical charm, and local culinary traditions create a nostalgic and cozy holiday experience reminiscent of classic American Christmas towns.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai dazzles with extravagant holiday decorations, luxury shopping festivals, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at Burj Khalifa. Warm weather, global cultural influences, and spectacular events make Dubai a cosmopolitan destination for a glamorous, modern Christmas experience.
About Travel and Tour World – A premier digital B2B travel media platform reaching more than over 15 million readers globally across 104 regional platforms in European, Asian, African, GCC, and Indian languages with travel and tourism industry insights, delivering the latest news, analysis, and global travel trends to professionals worldwide.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
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