The Best Christmas Holiday Destinations
If you’re looking to combine your travels with a good dose of Christmas cheer, look no further than these destinations where the holidays truly come alive.
From Christmas markets and spectacular light displays to storybook streets dusted with snow, these festive towns and cities deliver the goods.
New York City, United States
This iconic city lights up at Christmas, and you won’t know where to look. The themed window displays at Bergdorf’s, Macy’s, Saks (Saks includes a light show and fireworks at certain times), and Bloomingdales (among others!) take the better part of a year to plan and are all worth visiting. Honestly most of these stores and shops not only have beautiful window displays but also have complete buildings wrapped like the most glorious of holiday gifts! Look for your own miracle on 34th street, marvel at the Dyker Heights holiday lights displays, and take in the Empire State Building’s holiday musical light show.
Don’t Miss: Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, home to one of the largest Christmas trees in the city, and The Rockette’s Holiday Spectacular! Side note, we pre-purchased our tickets for Ice Skating online and it’s definitely the way to go! Additional amazing restaurants to check out are Mamo for Italian, Tavern on the Green (we did brunch and it was spectacular), and Serendipity (3 words, Frozen Hot Chocolate).
London, England
Whether or not Love, Actually is played on repeat at your house during the holidays, you’ll find merriment in spending your Christmas in London. Why not change it up this year and actually travel to London? Toast the holidays in any number of lively pubs in the city and take in the displays on Oxford and Carnaby Streets and find the perfect holiday-themed souvenirs at Covent Garden. Finally, enjoy a traditional Christmas roast with all the fixings.
Don’t Miss: The Winter Wonderland Market in Hyde Park.
Vienna, Austria
The charming city of Vienna drips with seasonal charm. Visit one of its many markets, and indulge in chocolate-covered fruit, roasted & caramelized nuts, and a lebkuchen. Wash it all down with Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch), which is offered in a variety of flavors, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
For a dizzying display, tour the “Ring”, a wide ring boulevard that encircles the old city and is home to luxury hotels, shops, parks, and two-holiday markets. Take in the lights by hop-on/hop-off bus or with the comfort of a private car and driver.
Don’t Miss: The Viennese Christmas Market at City Hall and the holiday tree at Rathausplatz.
Strasbourg, France
Touted as “the Capital of Christmas”, Strasbourg is home to France’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back 450 years. Over two million visitors flock to this quaint French town over the holiday season, frequenting its twelve markets and reveling in grand light displays.
Don’t Miss: The renowned Christkindelsmärik market, resting in the shadow of the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral.
Leavenworth, United States
Step back in time, a mere two and a half hours east of Seattle, Washington, with a visit to Leavenworth. Known as one of the best Christmas towns in the United States, Leavenworth boasts displays featuring over half a million lights on and around its Bavarian-inspired buildings, giving you the feeling of being on the inside of a snow globe or strolling the set of a Hallmark movie.
If that’s not enough, you can meet a real, live, reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, with the option for an educational tour and a chance to feed these Christmas creatures. Dash through the snow courtesy of a horse and sleigh, visit the Nutcracker Museum or sample some suds at the Icicle Brewery.
Don’t Miss: Sledding at Front Street Park, under the glow of holiday lights.
BONUS for local readers
Saint Augustine, Florida, United States
This is a bonus because so many of my followers are in the local Florida area, so I thought I would include one amazing holiday festival that won’t require long travel and is a great last-minute option for those close enough to make the drive!. Saint Augustine’s, Nights of Lights, begins in mid-November and goes through the entire month of January! This makes it a great option to keep your holiday festivities going into the New Year! In its 29th year, it has become one of the most well-known holiday events in Florida, even being listed as one of the top 10 holiday light displays by National Geographic.
White lights drape the city’s unique Spanish Colonial architecture and glow from the downtown sidewalks to the rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions, along historic buildings, public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and inns throughout approximately 20 blocks of the Nation’s Oldest City!
Don’t Miss: The two prime viewing spots and a great selfie on The Plaza de la Constitución and The Bridge of Lions.
