Twinkling lights, decorated trees, merry laughs, warm delicacies, and much more- Christmas is celebrated with great joy all around the world. The festive season is enjoyed by everyone as it fills all with joy, warmth and happiness. There is quite a galore of things to do and enjoy at Christmas, whether you prefer a cosy vacation or enjoy exploring the outdoors. There are options for every kind of traveller out there. With the holiday cheer just around the corner, you may wonder what the best places to celebrate Christmas are. This list covers some of the most alluring destinations around the globe not to miss out on this Christmas, some activities you may indulge in there, as well as ways to book cheap flights for Christmas 2026.
1. New York, the United States of America
A truly magical time in New York, Christmas is celebrated with great fervour in the Big Apple. The Grand Central Terminal is transformed into a gorgeous indoor holiday market where you can buy unique gifts for your friends and family. From simply walking around the city and seeing all the places decked in holiday decorations to enjoying a cosy time indoors, there is much to enjoy in New York during the holidays.
Things to Do:
- The Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a New York City tradition. Although the tree is lit just a week after Thanksgiving, crowds of people visit it on Christmas. You can also get up close to see the ice skaters at Rockefeller Centre.
- Enjoy ice skating in New York City at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Centre, or Wollman Rink.
- Madison Square Garden hosts an annual holiday concert where many pop artists perform; you can get tickets to enjoy the music and dance with a great Christmas spirit here.
- Drive through the Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see all the houses decked up in Christmas lights and beautiful decorations.
2. Sydney, Australia
A Christmas celebration in the summer in Sydney, Australia, features many ways to mark the festive season. Even in the warm and humid weather, there is nothing that can deter the Sydneysiders from relishing their holidays. Enjoy a number of sun-soaked summer traditions in Sydney if you wish to experience a blend of modern and traditional festive joy for Christmas.
Things to Do:
- Visit the Martin Place Christmas Tree, Sydney's central Christmas tree, decorated with vibrant lights and more.
- Visit the Rocks Christmas markets to buy Christmas presents ranging from pottery and jewellery to chocolates and enjoy delicacies at the food stalls.
- Enjoy the St. Mary's Cathedral Light Show, a free nightly light-and-sound show set against the backdrop of Gothic Revival architecture.
- Many locals and tourists alike enjoy lounging at the beach, swimming in the waves or having a beachside barbecue.
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Another summer celebration, marked by great joy in warm weather rather than the traditional "White Christmas," is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The locals start holiday celebrations near the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. From the local bakeries and markets with freshly baked panettone and sweet rabanadas, Rio de Janeiro celebrates Christmas with great joy.
Things to Do:
- A major highlight to visit in Rio de Janeiro during Christmas is the Christ the Redeemer statue, which hosts musical and festive displays, as well as light projections, in December.
- Huge illuminated floating Christmas trees with lights and fireworks over the waters of Rio de Janeiro create a breathtaking, picturesque sight in the city
- Ride up Sugarloaf Mountain in a cable car fr views of the city, all with live music and holiday shows.
- Watch the fireworks that illuminate the entire city as everyone celebrates together outdoors.
4. Cologne, Germany
One of the best countries to visit for Christmas, Germany is marked by great festivities thanks to its historic holiday markets and winter traditions. Cologne, Germany hosts many Christmas markets, making it a must-visit location for the holiday season. With a great festive vibe among all the locals, Cologne seems like it stepped straight from a fairy tale with its traditional Christmas celebrations.
Things to Do:
- Visit the markets of Cologne, such as the huge Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market and the Harbour Christmas Market, to purchase traditional crafts, holiday mugs, toys, ornaments, and more.
- Savour traditional German treats such as cathedral waffles, gingerbread, fruit bread, hot mulled wine, warm roasted chestnuts and reibekuchen
- Visit the Heinzel's Winter Fairytale with an ice-skating rink and gnomes in the huge and beautiful village.
- Visit the Cologne Cathedral with its 150 red-roofed stalls selling holiday items, a giant centrally lit Christmas tree, live performances of holiday carols and much more.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
One of the most magical places to visit during the holidays, Amsterdam lights up with holiday cheer in December. With a twinkle in the canals, festive markets around the corner, and holiday charm making the city shine brighter than ever, warmth and joy are common in Amsterdam during the most wonderful time of the year. With a cosy winter atmosphere, you can enjoy a peaceful Christmas in Amsterdam without the stubborn crowds common in most European cities.
Things to Do:
- Relish the baked goods that are made with love and a lot of cinnamon, butter and almond paste. The holiday markets sell aromatic hot mulled wine and delicious chocolate.
- Check out the Christmas Village or Ice Village, next to the ice skating rink in Museumplein, which hosts Amsterdam's largest Christmas market to savour the classic Christmas holiday atmosphere.
- Visit Dam Square to look at the beautifully decorated Dam Square Tree.
- Visit the Amsterdam Winter Paradise with an indoor and outdoor winter celebration featuring skating tracks, classic delicacies and other attractions.
6. Dublin, Ireland
Bustling with joy, the pub culture in Dublin sees even more attraction during the holiday season. Dublin is a must-visit Christmas destination for those seeking a cosy holiday with lots of music and holiday lights. The winter holidays in Dublin are more traditional, with an Irish charm. Celebrating Christmas with elegance, Irish Christmas carols and more, Dublin is a truly enamouring destination.
Things to Do:
- Stroll through Grafton Street and Henry Street, which are well decorated with holiday lights, shimmering baubles and Gaelic greetings.
- Do not miss out on Temple Bar on Christmas, for it is truly a sight to see with its decorations, garlands and lights
- Visit the Christmas market of TwinkleTown in Smithfield Square, which includes a big ice rink, games, food stalls and gift stalls for you to indulge in.
7. London, England
With dazzling lights, a festive charm like no other, seasonal foods, ice skating and more, London is worth visiting for your Christmas vacation. Visiting London in early December allows you to indulge in many fun and festive activities. As the Christmas markets set up shop, lights sparkle, and trees are decorated with bright lights and baubles, London gets into an immersive holiday spirit.
Things to Do:
- Visit the Winter Wonderland, one of my Christmassy places in London, complete with food stalls, fun rides, ice skating, and beautiful Christmas decorations.
- Stroll around Oxford Street, Mayfair and Carnaby Street to catch glimpses of the Christmas lights hung out on the main streets.
- The Southbank Christmas Market is one of the most popular markets that pops up during the Christmas season in London. With great street food and hot chocolate to sip on and get cosy, this market offers a great selection of souvenirs to buy as gifts for your loved ones.
- The massive Christmas Tree at Covent Garden, handpicked and adorned with over 300,000 lights, is a breathtaking sight not to be missed.
8. Vienna, Austria
Holiday markets, hot punch to warm you up, craft stalls and festive treats- Vienna has everything for a person looking to enjoy their holidays. With a bite in the air due to the winter chill, you can enjoy activities ranging from devouring delicacies to strolling to see the Christmas decoration spread far and wide. One of the most charming places to visit for a European Christmas, Vienna is hard to beat when it comes to festivities.
Things to Do:
- Walk around the Graben and Kohlmarkt to see the beautiful streetlights. Graben is one of Vienna's premier shopping streets, with beautiful Christmas window displays and sparkling chandeliers.
- Enjoy seasonal treats and warming drinks like hot Christmas punch or mulled wine; try roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and traditional pastries.
- Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna, such as the Schönbrunn Palace, the Albertina, and the Jewish Museum, are open even on holidays.
9. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague during the Christmas season is defined by medieval lights, an old-world kind of charm and an enigmatic allure. With a rich history and truly enchanting architecture, Prague lights up with joy during the festive season. With a galore of Christmas markets like the Tylovo Namesti, Namesti Miru, Havelsky, and Wenceslas Square, Prague is full of busy streets during the holidays.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy the vast number of Christmas markets such as the Old Town Square Market, which sell a variety of local handicrafts, food and drinks that are unique to the city. These markets are a great opportunity for your Christmas shopping.
- You can walk across the Charles Bridge to capture the panoramic views of the snowy Prague Castle.
- Enjoy roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, hot honey wine, and freshly baked cakes as you explore the streets and markets during Christmas in Prague.
10. Kiruna, Sweden
One of the places where you can absolutely fall in love with Christmas is Kiruna, Sweden. With a magical Christmas atmosphere and extremely cold temperatures, Kiruna makes for the perfect White Christmas. The crisp cold does not deter people from enjoying a number of outdoor activities, such as chasing the auroras, driving a dog sledge, and visiting beautiful reindeer farms.
Things to Do:
- Experience dog sledging as you go through the snow-covered forest with a sledge pulled by mighty huskies, an Arctic way of travelling in the snow.
- View the Aurora Borealis during the dark polar nights at Abisko National Park, which is considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
- Sleep at -5 degrees in the IceHotel, which comprises an ice bar as well as an ice chapel.
Tips to Find Cheap Flights for Christmas 2026
As you set out to explore the world during the holidays, given below are some tips for you to book cheap flights for Christmas 2026:
- Compare fares: Before finalising your flight bookings, make sure you compare fares from multiple airlines to find the perfect flight for your travel schedule and budget.
- Book your tickets in advance: As this is the holiday season, airfares can be quite expensive. Make sure to book your flight tickets well in advance of your planned Christmas departure. For an international trip during the holidays, book your flights 4 to 10 months in advance for more affordable fares and more options.
- Choose the right fare type: If you wish for more affordable air travel, choose the Economy cabin instead of the expensive Premium Economy or Business cabin. Make sure to check all the amenities available in your chosen fare type before finalising your flight booking.
- Look out for exclusive deals: Many airlines and travel agencies offer seasonal and festive discounts to enthusiastic flyers around the globe. Check the discounts and offers available when booking Christmas flight tickets.
- Choose nearby airports: Smaller airports often offer more affordable flights. You can save substantially on your airfares by opting for nearby airports instead of the major airports. Compare fares offered by flights flying to the most pocket-friendly flight tickets.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is a time to celebrate with your loved ones. This holiday season, explore new destinations around the globe. The article above highlights some of the most magical destinations that transform into works of beauty not to be missed during Christmas. So instead of spending this season cosying in bed, pack your bags and set out on a journey to explore and wander around the world.
