Top 14 Best Places To Go During Christmas

Christmas transforms ordinary cities into wonderlands. New York City sparkles with holiday lights, while Vienna's imperial palaces host magical concerts. Prague's medieval squares fill with warm glühwein aromas, and London's markets bustle with festive energy.

Keep reading as we uncover the best places to go during Christmas that will make your holiday season unforgettable.

1. New York City: The Christmas Capital

Manhattan becomes a living Christmas card in December. The Rockefeller Center tree stands 75 feet tall, surrounded by golden angels and thousands of visitors. Ice skaters glide beneath its glow while holiday music echoes through the plaza.

Central Park transforms into a winter sculpture garden. Snow-dusted branches create natural cathedral arches, perfect for quiet morning walks before the crowds arrive.

The city's energy peaks during Christmas week. Broadway shows extend their runs, department stores unveil elaborate window displays, and street vendors sell roasted chestnuts on every corner.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 15-31
  
• Getting There: Three major airports serve NYC
  
• Entry Fees: From free (parks, markets)
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-See: Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge
  

2. Vienna: Imperial Christmas Elegance

Vienna's Christmas markets date back to the 1400s. The Schönbrunn Palace market glows against baroque architecture, while classical music drifts from nearby concert halls.

I remember standing in Schönbrunn's courtyard at twilight, watching steam rise from mulled wine cups while a string quartet played Strauss. The palace's golden facade reflected thousands of market lights—a scene that felt pulled from a fairy tale.

The city's coffeehouse culture thrives in winter. Locals retreat to warm cafés serving Sachertorte and hot chocolate, creating perfect refuges between market visits.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November – December 24
  
• Getting There: Vienna International Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, churches)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hallstatt, Salzburg day trip
  

3. Prague: Medieval Christmas Magic

Prague's Old Town Square becomes a Christmas village beneath gothic spires. The astronomical clock chimes hourly while vendors sell handcrafted ornaments and traditional Czech treats.

The city's bridges offer stunning winter views. Charles Bridge at dawn, with frost coating its baroque statues, provides moments of solitude before tourist crowds gather.

Local tip: Visit the markets early morning or late evening. The golden hour light transforms Prague's red rooftops and cobblestone streets into something from a storybook.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-January 6
  
• Getting There: Prague Václav Havel Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, squares)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3 days
  
• Must-See: Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square
  

4. London: Victorian Christmas Charm

London embraces Christmas with Victorian flair. Covent Garden's market fills with artisan crafts, while the South Bank's winter festival offers views of the illuminated Thames.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland spans 38 acres. Ice skating, Christmas markets, and carousel rides create a temporary city within the city. The observation wheel provides panoramic views of London's twinkling skyline.

Boxing Day traditions continue here. Many shops offer significant sales, while pubs serve traditional Christmas pudding and mulled wine throughout the season.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-January 2
  
• Getting There: Five major airports serve London
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, parks)
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-See: Covent Garden, Hyde Park, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey
  

5. Munich: Bavarian Christmas Traditions

Munich's Christkindlmärkte transforms Marienplatz into Bavaria's Christmas heart. The gothic city hall provides a dramatic backdrop for traditional wooden stalls selling handmade crafts.

The glockenspiel chimes at 11 AM daily, drawing crowds to the square's center. Local bakers sell lebkuchen (gingerbread) using recipes passed down through generations.

Beer halls extend their hours during Christmas season. Augustiner-Bräu and Hofbräuhaus serve seasonal brews alongside roasted almonds and warm pretzels, creating cozy refuges from winter cold.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November – December 24
  
• Getting There: Munich Airport (Flughafen München)
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, squares)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See: Marienplatz, English Garden, Neuschwanstein Castle day trip, Beer halls
  

6. Nuremberg: Germany's Christmas City

Nuremberg claims the world's most famous Christmas market. The Hauptkirche's gothic facade towers over 180 wooden stalls selling traditional toys and ornaments.

Children's faces light up at the toy vendors. Many stalls sell handcrafted wooden nutcrackers and music boxes, continuing medieval guild traditions.

The market opens with a ceremonial prologue spoken by a local child dressed as the Christkind. This tradition, dating to the 1600s, officially begins the Christmas season each year.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November – December 24
  
• Getting There: Nuremberg Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets)
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-2 days
  
• Must-See: Hauptmarkt, Kaiserburg Castle, Germanic National Museum, Toy Museum
  

7. Strasbourg: France's Christmas Capital

Strasbourg hosts France's oldest Christmas market, established in 1570. The cathedral's astronomical clock draws crowds at noon, while half-timbered houses frame the market squares.

The Grande Île becomes a pedestrian wonderland. Gas lamps illuminate medieval streets while the scent of vin chaud (mulled wine) fills the air.

Local artisans sell Alsatian specialties. Handwoven textiles, ceramic ornaments, and regional foods reflect the area's unique Franco-German culture.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November – December 30
  
• Getting There: Strasbourg Airport or train from Paris
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, cathedral)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See: Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France, European Parliament, Rhine River
  

8. Quebec City: North American Winter Wonderland

Quebec City's cobblestone streets disappear under snow, creating a European atmosphere in North America. The Château Frontenac hotel overlooks the St. Lawrence River like a fairytale castle.

Old Quebec becomes intimate during winter months. Fewer tourists mean locals reclaim their city, sharing favorite bistros and hidden courtyards with visitors.

The city's French heritage shines during Christmas. Traditional réveillon dinners and midnight mass at Notre-Dame Basilica maintain centuries-old customs.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 15 – January 7
  
• Getting There: Jean Lesage International Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (walking tours, churches)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See: Old Quebec, Château Frontenac, Montmorency Falls, Plains of Abraham
  

9. Boston: American Heritage Christmas

Boston's cobblestone streets and brick buildings create an authentic colonial Christmas atmosphere. Faneuil Hall hosts traditional markets while the Boston Common transforms into a winter skating paradise.

The city's neighborhoods each celebrate uniquely. Beacon Hill's gas-lit streets and Federal architecture provide perfect Christmas card backdrops, especially after fresh snowfall.

Local tradition includes First Night Boston on New Year's Eve. The alcohol-free celebration features ice sculptures, live music, and fireworks over Boston Harbor.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 15 – January 2
  
• Getting There: Logan International Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (Common, markets)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See: Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, Harvard University
  

10. Charleston: Southern Christmas Elegance

Charleston's antebellum mansions drape themselves in holiday greenery. Magnolia and ivy garlands complement the city's historic architecture, creating uniquely Southern Christmas scenes.

The mild December weather allows for comfortable walking tours. Rainbow Row's pastel houses look especially charming with holiday decorations against clear blue skies.

Horse-drawn carriage tours operate year-round. December rides through the historic district offer cozy blankets and hot chocolate while guides share holiday traditions dating to the 1700s.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-31
  
• Getting There: Charleston International Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (walking tours)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See: Rainbow Row, King Street, Boone Hall Plantation, Fort Sumter
  

11. Savannah: Gothic Christmas Romance

Savannah's moss-draped oaks and Victorian mansions create mysterious Christmas ambiance. The city's 24 historic squares each host unique holiday celebrations and decorations.

Forsyth Park's fountain becomes a gathering point during December evenings. Local musicians perform holiday concerts while families enjoy hot cocoa from nearby cafés.

The city's ghost tours continue through Christmas season. Guides share holiday-themed supernatural stories while leading visitors through lantern-lit streets and ancient cemeteries.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-31
  
• Getting There: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (squares, parks)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See: Historic District, Forsyth Park, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery
  

12. Lapland: Arctic Christmas Adventure

Lapland offers authentic Arctic Christmas experiences. The midnight sun's absence creates 24-hour twilight, while the aurora borealis dances across star-filled skies.

Reindeer herding remains a living tradition here. Sami families welcome visitors to traditional kota (tent) meals featuring local fish and reindeer meat cooked over open fires.

The region's silence is profound. Standing alone in snow-covered forests, listening to absolute quiet, provides perspective impossible to find in urban environments.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 15 – January 15
  
• Getting There: Rovaniemi Airport (official Santa Claus airport)
  
• Entry Fees: From free (nature experiences)
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-See: Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village, Aurora viewing
  

13. Edinburgh: Scottish Christmas Celebration

Edinburgh's medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town both embrace Christmas festivities. The Royal Mile hosts traditional markets while Princes Street Gardens offers ice skating beneath Edinburgh Castle.

Hogmanay preparations begin in December. The world's largest New Year's celebration transforms the city into a three-day festival featuring concerts, street parties, and traditional Scottish ceremonies.

Local pubs serve mulled wine and whisky tastings throughout December. The warmth inside contrasts beautifully with cold winter walks along the Royal Mile's ancient cobblestones.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1 – January 2
  
• Getting There: Edinburgh Airport
  
• Entry Fees: From free (markets, parks)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Arthur's Seat
  

14. Salzburg: Mozart's Christmas City

Salzburg's baroque architecture provides an elegant Christmas backdrop. The Dom Quarter's Christmas market nestles between cathedral walls while classical music echoes from concert halls throughout the historic center.

Mozart's birthplace attracts music lovers during December. Special holiday concerts featuring his compositions take place in the same rooms where he composed many masterpieces.

At 5 PM on December 24th, I stood in Residenzplatz as church bells across the city began ringing simultaneously. The sound bounced between baroque facades, creating a acoustic celebration that seemed to lift the Christmas spirit itself skyward.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November – January 6
  
• Getting There: Salzburg Airport or train from Vienna
  
• Entry Fees: From free (squares, churches)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See: Mirabell Palace, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart's Birthplace, Sound of Music sites
  

Ready for Your Christmas Adventure

The best places to go during Christmas offer more than holiday decorations and seasonal treats. They provide transformation—turning familiar destinations into magical experiences that create lasting memories.

Each destination rewards different types of travelers. History enthusiasts find depth in Vienna's imperial traditions, while adventure seekers discover wonder in Lapland's Arctic wilderness.

Choose your Christmas destination based on what calls to you. Pack warm clothes, bring an empty suitcase for souvenirs, and prepare for holiday magic that extends far beyond December 25th.

The world's Christmas destinations wait for you. Your perfect holiday adventure starts with choosing which magical place will become part of your story.