The twinkliest time of the year is here and we can’t keep calm! From festive-themed pop-up shops to scenic ice rinks, and musical extravaganzas, the holiday season infuses its magic into everything. Not to mention, guilt-free eating and hogging eggnogs and traditional puddings. Most places around the world are gearing up for life-size Christmas celebrations and you are just a flight away from your best Christmas vacation.
If you are planning to embark on a journey to capture the holiday spirit, these are the top Christmas destinations to go to:
Paris
Need we say more?! Paris – the City of Lights – where the holiday time is as alluring as the city. Take a jaunt to the Christmas markets in the squares, check out the quaint boutiques all lit up in Christmas tradition, or soak up the festive vibe at one of its ice-skating rinks. There is nothing like a Parisian celebration with a cozy spot to thaw yourself out on a glass of vin chaud.
And to take it up a notch, how about joining a church concert to celebrate with Père Noël or Father Christmas (meaning Santa Claus!)? Also, taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best ways to experience the main attractions of the city decked in illuminations and Christmas fervor. Add to that, you can book a horse carriage to ride along the Champs Elysées or witness the bygone era with a cabaret at the Moulin Rouge. Nothing is more magical than watching the mighty Eiffel Tower in its element with shimmery golden lights cascading up and down. Well, the list is endless. So, Joyeux Noël!
London
London bathes in the festive glow during the holiday season that turns even the bleakest winters around, especially with the wealth of merry events. The top attractions of London like Trafalgar Square and Regent Street transform into nothing short of spectacular. You can waltz through the carnivals and concerts, catch a Christmas-themed live show, hog some traditional delicacies and chicest cocktails at aesthetically pleasing bars or simply warm yourself up with hot chocolate or mulled wine after some window shopping at Convent Garden.
Well, Merry bloomin’ Christmas, folks!
Reykjavik
While you don’t need an excuse to have cocktails in Reykjavik, Christmas is the best day to prepare Smoked lamb or hangikjöt along with rice pudding. Icelandic homes are visited by 13 Yule Lads or Santa Clauses.
The entire city is covered in an ice blanket and festooned with decorations. It is an excellent time to delve into Icelandic Christmas traditions, catch a rare glimpse of Yule lads, and try a Yule buffet along with local delicacies. Perhaps you can go on an ice cave or northern lights tour or cozy up at a geothermal pool in the countryside.
Have a merry Yuletide y’all!
Sydney
Sydney is abuzz with a multitude of Christmas experiences that make the entire city dazzle with holy cheer. Sydney is home to innumerable events, festivals, live shows and concerts during the holiday season. The colorful markets display oversized snowflakes and LED lights brightening up every galore. The rousing fireworks in the night at Darling Harbour are a spectacle to behold.
You can stroll around the town, grab a themed cocktail at Tinseltown, sing carols at the cathedral, or enjoy a hearty meal at Centennial Park. You can also spoil yourself at a party at Chapel Street or attend an open-air concert at the Royal Botanic Garden on Christmas eve. To make it even more memorable, head to Darling Harbour for a dinner cruise to spend Christmas eve with your special someone. If nothing else works, you can always ‘whack it on the barbie.’
Dubai
Ah! The holiday spirit is wafting across the markets of Dubai, and we can’t hold it any longer. The City of Gold and Skyscrapers is utterly festive during Christmas. Tourists start flocking to the Gulf Tiger for an extraordinary celebration.
Dubai has it all. If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, look no further than Ski Dubai. If you are feeling adventurous, head to Winterfest for a snowball fight or spend the evening with your family at the IMG Worlds of Adventure. Admire the vibrant décor while strolling through the glistening markets and click selfies with a massive Christmas tree at the Expo city.
And how can we forget celebrations at the mighty Burj Khalifa? Expect jaw-dropping celebrations with spectacular light and pyrotechnics show if you stick around till New Year’s Eve. The themed firework show titled ‘Eve of Wonders’ in 2021 also coincided with UAE’s 50th anniversary and was broadcasted live. Don’t forget to register in advance for these celebrations.
For a laid-back and low-key Christmas celebration, you can enjoy a concert at the Dubai Opera while sipping on your favorite drink. To celebrate like a local, you can go on a short ride to attend a barbecue feast in the middle of the desert.
Singapore
Singapore is arguably one of the top Christmas destinations in Asia. The Garden City comes alive with carnival rides, magnificently decorated trees, dazzling displays and Yule-themed photo-op galore. Singapore turns into a gastronomic wonderland with Yuletide menus available at almost every pop-up restaurant. You can indulge in Asian delicacies at Orchard Road with unique twists while enjoying the extravaganza of lights and music spread across different zones in the city.
The Gardens by the Bay host the most prominent Christmas celebrations in the city with prismatic displays, light sculptures, glistening supertrees, festive huts, and Santa’s house, to name a few. You can enjoy the light and sound show at the Garden Rhapsody, carnival games, delectable Christmas delicacies at the Christmas fair or simply sway to the carols.
While you are at it, don’t forget to check out the floral display titled Season of Bloom and try your hands on some DIYs at the Christmas Workshops. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance.
If you need more inspiration to start planning your Christmas vacation, we got you covered. Be sure to check our curated collection of Christmas-themed experiences, tours and activities around the above-mentioned destinations and more. Enrich your trip by learning a plethora of Christmas traditions around the best holiday destinations around the world while enjoying the special Christmas magic. Don’t forget to book in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment and peak pricing!