10 Best places to visit during Christmas

The holiday season is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and nothing creates that feeling at the holidays than to travel to places that depict the holiday period. Whether it is the snowy streets of Europe, the Christmas markets, or the sunny winter holidays full of Christmas spirit – there is a Christmas destination for everyone. So, in this blog, we are going to highlight key destinations that can make your holiday season memorable.

1. New York City, USA

Arguably, there are no other cities that embody the spirit of Christmas as much as New York does. Snow is on the ground in New York and the public tree at the Rockefeller Center is shining. Families may go ice skating under the tree, and observe the glamorous holiday windows of Fifth Avenue stores. The other tradition is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. It is almost a must not to take a walk in Central Park, with lovely scenery of trees covered with snow and horse-drawn carriages.

Must-visit attractions in New York

• Annual Lighting of The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
• Wollman Ice Skating in the Central Park
• Evening of the stars New Year’s Eve Countdown
• The window displays along the street of Fifth Avenue

2. Nuremberg, Germany

Germany has so many markets that open during the time of Christmas and among them, the best one is Christkindlesmarkt in Nuernberg. Due to this peculiarity of the city,  Nuremberg has retained the medieval mood even on Natural Days; it's a fairy tale. The streets themselves are filled with wooden stalls selling anything from wooden trinkets to traditional German Christmas specialties such as gingerbread and sausages. When taking mulled wine with a cinnamon aroma permeating the premises in every corner, it feels like Christmas is coming.

Must-visit attractions in Nuremberg

• Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
• Nuremberg Castle
• Germanisches National museum

3. Lapland, Finland

If you fancy the idea of a white Christmas, then a trip to Lapland promises to deliver all your Christmas wishes. It is very much a sparsely populated area for most of the year in the extreme north of Finland, but it is where Santa Claus resides. One can take a tour of the village of Santa Claus and also get to have sleds pulled by real Reindeer and watch the Aurora Borealis in one of the most scenic places. The unspoiled snowy ambiance of Lapland with frozen lakes, forests, and mountains is a fairytale-like setting and there is no dearth of things to do here such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing, etc.

Must-visit attractions in Lapland

• Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village
• Northern Lights tours
• Reindeer sleigh rides
• Ice fishing and snowmobiling

4. Vienna, Austria

The Austrian capital is associated with refined Christmas markets and the atmosphere of the southern metropolis, where magnificent palaces and wonderful squares sparkle with the light of numerous lamps. The one at the Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace combine the palace-like feel with Christmas, the Rathausplatz with its great central location features food and craft stalls and Christmas carols from local choirs. This city also performs classical concerts during Christmas, also tourists can witness Vienna becoming a center of culture for the Christmas tourists.

Must-visit attractions in Vienna

• Christmas Market at the Schönbrunn Palace
• Christmas Market at Rathaus
• Belvedere Palace
• The Vienna Boys’ Choir Christmas concerts

5. Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City becomes a Christmas village in December with cobblestone roads, lampposts, and all that comes with the beauty of Winter travel in any European country. Old Town is traditionally decorated with Christmas markets and laden with enough cafes, and there is a significant historical background in the area. You can go to the German Christmas market or ice skating outside. These give the celebrations an Old-World feel, especially due to the city’s French culture, with carriage rides and food tours making for a spectacular holiday season across North America.

Must-visit attractions in Quebec City

• German Christmas Market
• Place Royale
• Ice skating at Place d’Youville
• Château Frontenac

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Christmas in Prague is probably like putting yourself into a fairy tale. Everything is illuminated and contested with lights and Christmas fairs and since there are many old Gothic buildings all over the city it makes it a wonderful place to be during that time of the year. The man-made beauty is observed in Old Town Square where one of the spectacular Christmas markets takes place with a huge Christmas tree, national sweet specialties, and homemade souvenirs. The Charles Bridge and the castle decorated by snow finish the list of places I highly recommend visiting during the festivities.

Must-visit attractions in Prague

• Old Town Prague Christmas Market
• Prague Castle
• Charles Bridge
• Wenceslas Square

7. Strasbourg, France

Also known as the “Capital of Christmas,” the Alsatian city of Strasbourg presents one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the Old World. Those decorations, including the lights, look great on the half-timbered houses, and everyone is wrapped in the warm cranberry light. The primary Christmas market is well situated behind the imposing façade of the Strasbourg Cathedral; visitors can explore dozens of streetside chalets selling everything from fancy handicrafts to trinkets and ornaments and Christmas decorations as well as local sweets and wine. Alsace is also special using holiday traditions and sightseeing tours.

Must-visit attractions in Strasbourg

• Strasbourg Cathedral
• That’s why Strasbourg Christmas Market, or Christkindelsmärik in the local dialect, is considered one of the oldest.
• La Petite France
• Alsatian Wine Route

8. London, England

London is a remarkably Christmas-lighted city, with Oxford Streetlights and Christmas markets and winter festivals around the city. Covent Garden is overfilled with huge Christmas trees and carol singers; Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park has an ice-skating rink, carnival rides, and holiday shopping. London is perfect for the festive adventure because of its complex history and association with some landmarks, for example, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

Must-visit attractions in London

• Before we outline the general steps to follow when creating a business plan, you need to take a look at what we call our “Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park” business plan example template.
• Covent Garden Christmas Tree
• Ice skating at Somerset House
• They know they are privileged when they celebrate Oxford Street Christmas lights.

9. Tokyo, Japan

While Western culture does not consider Japan a country that has adopted the holiday in any way, to an extent, Tokyo does it in a special and contemporary way. Following years of solid work and unbroken lighting marathons the city starts to twinkle; Shibuya, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, as well as other regions of this massive city, is immersed by millions of color shades. Many shopping centers and high-end stores decorate their festivity, and events such as concerts, ice-skating sessions, and the like also contribute to the festive atmosphere. You can also spend Christmas in the Japanese way: ordering the KFC fried chicken!

Must-visit attractions in Tokyo

• Two more major light arrangements could be seen at Shibuya and Roppongi Hills.
• Christmas Market at Tokyo Skytree Town
• Tokyo Disneyland Christmas Wonder
• Tokyo Tower

10. Sydney, Australia

If the idea of a bright Christmas is something you might be interested in, then Sydney will surprise you with a completely different type of holiday. Since it is summer in Australia, you can attend Christmas by the beach and many Australians go to Bondi Beach to enjoy barbeque parties. It enjoys Christmas a lot; wonderful Christmas illumination is visible and there are Christmas carols in the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbor festive season performances. I warmly recommend Sydney to anyone planning to spend a winter break that has Christmas in it.

Must-visit attractions in Sydney

• The Christmas celebration at the Bondi Beach
• Sydney Opera House Carols
• Lights Gallery – Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens
• Christmas by the River Festival at Darling Harbor

It is also advantageous to travel at the end of the year, especially to feel and experience the Christmas atmosphere internationally. If you fancy Christmas skiing in Lapland, a Christmas market in Europe, or a beach holiday in Sydney, there’s a destination to make your holiday joyful and full of great memories. To that end, break out your suitcases, toss on your holiday sweater, and get ready to plan your next Christmas vacation.