The top 10 Christmas destinations in the world can vary depending on personal preferences, but here are some popular options:
- New York City, USA – famous for its extravagant Christmas lights, window displays, ice skating rinks, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
- Lapland, Finland – known for its snow-covered landscapes, reindeer sleigh rides, Santa Claus Village, and Northern Lights viewing opportunities.
- Vienna, Austria – renowned for its Christmas markets, classical music concerts, and festive atmosphere.
- Quebec City, Canada – famous for its German Christmas market, ice skating, and winter carnival.
- Strasbourg, France – home to the oldest and largest Christmas market in France, featuring hundreds of stalls selling crafts, food, and gifts.
- Salzburg, Austria – featuring traditional Christmas markets, mulled wine, and Christmas concerts.
- Cologne, Germany – famous for its Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and festive decorations.
- Prague, Czech Republic – known for its Christmas markets, holiday concerts, and illuminated Old Town.
- Reykjavik, Iceland – offering a unique Christmas experience with its Yule Lads, holiday concerts, and the possibility to see the Northern Lights.
- Sydney, Australia – an unconventional Christmas destination with a beachy twist, featuring outdoor concerts, fireworks, and light displays.
These are just a few examples, as there are many other destinations around the world that offer special Christmas celebrations and experiences. Top Ten Christmas Holiday Destinations The year is about to end and winter is just gorgeous. The world looks like a Hallmark card and you can hear bells jingling around the corner. The kids are on a break from school and you don’t mind loosening your money belts. What better than to plan a Christmas vacation? The question however, is where to spend this vacation. Be it Europe’s famous Christmas markets or Santa’s hometown or a picturesque white Christmas, here is a list of the top ten destinations where you can spend your Christmas vacations.
- New York : The city that never sleeps – New York is an ultimate holiday destination during Christmas. The entire city gets a makeover for the festival. The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center with its startling 30,000 fairy lights, holiday markets at Union Square, ice skating at Central Park and Macy’s Santaland are just some of the special holiday spots to visit.
- Vienna : Vienna in Austria is known around the globe for being home to one of the world’s oldest Christmas markets. Famous for the intricate and traditional handmade Christmas decorations, advent wreaths and elaborate Christmas tree ornaments,the Christmas Market in Vienna is a must-visit during the holidays. The birthplace of the musical maestro Mozart, Vienna also puts on a grand show with classical music concerts and caroling. Not to forget- you can enjoy world-class music in the brilliant setting of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
- Paris : What better place to spend Christmas than the “City of Lights”? Paris lives up to its reputation and grandeur with extravagant Christmas lighting and decorations. Touted to be the most romantic city in the world, it’s the ideal place to spend quality time with loved ones. You can also explore the traditional Christmas markets when here. There are numerous ice-skating rinks where you can spend time with family and friends. The Disneyland of Paris also get soaked up with the Christmas theme, for a perfect entertainment.
- Vatican City : Being in the Vatican for Christmas just makes the most Christian sense. There are few things that celebrate the birth of Christ than participating in the Christmas mass with the Pope himself. The Christmas service held at St Peter’s Basilica, features readings, blessings and prayers. You can learn about the history and art, of the smallest country in the world.
- Budapest : Discover the Old World charm that lingers in Budapest, among the beautifully lit-up ancient buildings during Christmas. The city’s bathhouses act as the perfect antidote to the frosty weather outside. Following it up with warm strudel and toki pompos at one of the city’s Christmas markets has become a holiday tradition with tourists here.
- Brussels : With a culture that boasts two Santas – St Nicholas and Pere Noel, there is no dearth of festivities in the Belgian capital. The annual Christmas market named “ Winter Wonders” is an event one must not miss during the Christmas holidays. It features stalls, ferris wheels, an ice rink, a sledding track, music concerts and light shows and of course lots of delicious Belgian chocolates to satisfy the sweet tooth!
- Tallinn : For those who like a nice quiet and homely Christmas, the capital of Estonia would strike the right chord. A medieval town, with its lanterns along the cobblestone streets it makes for a pretty cozy picture for the holiday season. A historically relevant fact is that the world’s first ever Christmas tree was erected here in 1441 and is still very much a part of the holiday celebrations on the Town Hall square. The compact and easy to navigate area, has its own charm when it comes to Christmas celebrations.
- North Pole : Did you know there’s a town called “North Pole” in Alaska? Everyone who has ever read a book on Christmas or seen a holiday card or watched a Christmas movie has wanted to experience the typical snowy all-white Christmas. Alaska is the place to do that, with its snow blanketing the landscape this time of the year. A visit to Santa Claus House in the “North Pole”, with its reindeer and candy is a must-see for everyone who seeks a rendezvous with the bearded man of the hour himself. You can also see the World’s largest Santa here – it’s a statue over 42 feet tall! The tiny town of 2,200 residents, keeps the Christmas spirit alive.
- Bethlehem : Nothing says Christmas more clearly than the birthplace of Christ itself. Here you can experience the Christmas magic. Every year, hundreds of people make the pilgrimage to Bethlehem to attend the traditional mass which is held at the Church of the Nativity, at the very spot where Jesus Christ was born.
Have a memorable Christmas vacation and a very happy New Year!!